Water Treatment Plant Operator

City of Williston; Williston (ND); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Williston seeks a Water Plant Operator to manage monitoring and servicing of water treatment equipment, perform laboratory tests, and maintain accurate records. You will operate pumps, chemical feeders, and control panels to ensure safe water delivery, while following city policies and safety guidelines.

This role requires attention to detail, ability to work long shifts, and readiness to respond to public inquiries about water quality and taste.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of repairing, lubricating, and maintaining mechanical equipment.
• Some knowledge of the principles, practices, equipment, and methods used in water treatment and pumping operations.
• Some knowledge of the occupational hazards connected with water plant and related activities and of necessary safety precautions.
• Ability to repair and adjust water pumps, chemical feed machines, and other water plant equipment.
• Ability to work according to a prescribed routine and to remain alert through long periods of time.
• Ability to take accurate readings, to keep routine records, and to make arithmetic computations.
• Skill in the use and care of hand and bench tools.

Responsibilities

• Operate pumps, control panels, chlorinators, fluoridators, chemical feeders, filters and other water plant equipment; adjust valves and controls to maintain water flow and run routine laboratory analysis.
• Regulate addition of chemicals (chlorine, fluoride, coagulant, lime) and keep records of amounts added.
• Make rounds of plant checking charts on gauges and flow meters; maintain logs of operations.
• Operate and maintain equipment for drying lime sludge (pumps, vacuum filters, conveyors).
• Check, lubricate, and repair pumps, air compressor, emergency generators, and other plant equipment.
• Exercise supervision over lower level personnel as assigned.
• Clean, paint, and repair plant; maintain grounds (mowing, snow removal).
• Conduct laboratory tests to ensure water quality.
• Field public inquiries regarding water quality, taste and odor concerns.
• Perform other related work as required.
• Be physically present at the worksite.

Skills

Equipment maintenance

Read measurements

Arithmetic calculations

Tool handling

Safety awareness

Education

High school or trade school

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Computer

Telephone

Lawn mower

Snow blower

Hand tools

Forklift

Hoists

Job description

Summary

Performs skilled and semi-skilled work in the moderately complex operation, monitoring, and minor servicing of equipment and chemical treatment analysis in a water treatment plant.

Supervision Received

Public Works Director, Water Treatment Plant Superintendent, Water Treatment Plant Foreman

Supervision Exercised

None

Essential Job Functions

1. On an assigned shift, operates pumps, control panels, chlorinators, fluoridators, dry and liquid chemical feeders, filters and other water plant equipment; adjusts valves and controls to maintain constant flow of water and run routine laboratory analysis.
2. Regulates addition of such chemicals as chlorine, fluoride, coagulant, and lime to water as necessary; keeps records of amount of chemicals added to the water.
3. Makes periodic rounds of plant checking charts on level gauges and flow meters; maintains logs of plant operations.
4. Operates and maintains equipment for drying lime sludge, including pumps, vacuum filters, conveyors, and other components.
5. Checks, lubricates, and repairs pumps, air compressor, emergency generators, and other plant equipment.
6. Exercises supervision over lower level personnel as assigned.
7. Cleans, paints, and otherwise repairs the general physical properties of the plant; maintains grounds, including mowing and snow removal.
8. Conducts laboratory tests to ensure water quality guidelines are being met.
9. Fields public inquiries regarding water quality, taste and odor concerns.
10. Performs related work as required.
11. Be physically present in attendance at the worksite.
12. Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies and procedures.

Peripheral Job Duties

None

Note

The functions and duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of the specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of the proper methods of repairing, lubricating, and maintaining mechanical equipment. Some knowledge of the principles, practices, equipment, and methods used in water treatment and pumping operations. Some knowledge of the occupational hazards connected with water plant and related activities and of necessary safety precautions. Ability to maintain, repair, and adjust water pumps, chemical feed machines, and other water plant equipment. Ability to work according to a prescribed routine and to remain alert through long periods of time. Ability to take accurate readings, to keep routine records, and to make arithmetic computations. Skill in the use and care of hand and bench tools.

Education

High school or trade school graduate, preferable including courses in chemistry and related subjects.

Experience

Experience as a Water Plant Operator OR any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Equipment Used in Job Performance

Laboratory equipment, computer, telephone, lawn mower, snow blower, hand tools, forklift, hoists.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk; hear; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions, in high, precarious places and in confined spaces. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.

Necessary Special Requirement

Must have a North Dakota Water Plant Operator certification at time of hire, or have the ability to obtain within 1 year. Must have a valid North Dakota driver license. Must possess a valid CDL Class B or have the ability to obtain within 6 months of hiring. Must be insurable under the City’s motor vehicle insurance policy.

Position is safety sensitive and requires pre-employment drug and alcohol testing and is subject to controlled substance requirements at all times when on duty.

To be granted veterans preference, the required forms, letters or certificates must be submitted with the application.

The City of Williston does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, genetics, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services, and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.

Any materials, files, documents, electronic tools, or other items collected or created by an employee in connection with their employment remain the property of the City. Additionally, all material created, transmitted/sent, received, deleted, downloaded, or stored using electronic tools are and remain the property of the City. Employees have no expectation of privacy when using City property.

The City of Williston is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.