Water Treatment Plant Operator 1st Class

City of Portsmouth; Portsmouth (VA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Portsmouth is seeking a Water Treatment Operator responsible for operating and maintaining water treatment systems. The role involves performing laboratory tests, monitoring treatment processes, and ensuring compliance with health regulations. Candidates must have a high school diploma, relevant experience, and the ability to obtain necessary certifications.

Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years of experience in water treatment operations.
• Ability to obtain Class I Waterworks Operator certification within 6 months.
• Knowledge of safety regulations and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Operates and maintains water treatment and distribution systems.
• Performs laboratory tests and monitors treatment processes.
• Maintains records and prepares reports.

Skills

Knowledge of water treatment processes

Analytical judgment

Record keeping

Interpersonal communication

Education

High School diploma

Certification as a Class I Waterworks Operator

Job description

Under general supervision, this position is responsible for operating and maintaining the Water Treatment and Distribution Systems. Reports to the Water Treatment Plant Operator Lead.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Obtains water sample and performs required laboratory tests to ensure proper treatment; calculates chemical dosages and mixes solution; regulates raw water the distribution water flow rates; collects and evaluates water samples at each stage of treatment; examines and calibrates chemical feed systems and control applications for various treatment processes; loads chemical feeders; and prepares reports; performs minor maintenance to chemical feed systems.

Operates and maintains mechanical equipment such as meters, pumps, filters and feeders; backwashes filters as necessary; exercises ground water wells; checks equipment operations and maintains on-line analytical equipment; monitors quantity and quality of treatment processes to ensure operations are within parameters; and monitors all process information for flow, turbidity, pH levels, tank levels and chlorine residuals to ensure proper plant operation.

Prepared and reviews shift reports, bench sheets and laboratory reports for previous shift operations; examines test results provided by the laboratory; conducts inspections of plant equipment; performs walk-through inspections once every two hours; and reports mechanical problems to supervisors for action.

Maintains daily records and operational data for filter runs, chemical inventories, operating logs, meter readings pump data, chemical feeders, filters and meters; performs data entry of monthly production reports and assists in preparation of State regulated production and well-pump reports; and obtains lake levels readings and records weather data from the National Weather Service.

Complies with all regulations and guidelines of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) governing the Department of Public Utilities; continues professional education and obtains required number of contact hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) to maintain required operator licensure for each license renewal cycle.

Accepts equipment and product deliveries; prepares inventory and stores chemical; and provides training for Treatment Plant Operator(s) in Training assigned to shift.

Performs other duties as assigned. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Knowledge of Work:Has considerable knowledge of the operating principles and practices and the maintenance requirements of water treatment plant equipment and machinery. Has general knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions associated with water plant and related activities. Has some knowledge of chemistry as applied to water treatment. Has general knowledge of water testing procedures. Has general knowledge of standard laboratory principles, techniques, terminology and equipment. Is able to understand and follow specified operating and recording procedures. Is able to detect defects and to take appropriate action in the operation of water treatment equipment, chemical feed systems and other related equipment. Is able to keep accurate records and prepare reports. Is able to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in contact with the general public. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Quality of Work:Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts within department, with co-workers and the public.

Quantity of Work:Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under "Essential Job Functions."

Dependability:Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, city policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance:Attends work regularly and adheres to city policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm:Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment:Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Cooperation:Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with city policy or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons within the department.

Relationships with Others:Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and departmental benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all department employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the public to maintain good will toward the department and project a good departmental image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons to maintain good will within the city. Interact effectively with fellow employees, utilities customers, supervisor, professionals and the public.

Coordination of Work:Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings, deadlines and events.

Safety and Housekeeping:Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

High School diploma and 3 to 5 years experience in water treatment operations; and pump station facilities or any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Requires certification as a Class I Waterworks Operator by the Commonwealth of Virginia or the ability to obtain certification as a Class I Waterworks Operator by the Commonwealth of Virginia within six (6) months from date of hire, for a Class I waterworks facility.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

This position requires pre-employment medical evaluation and substance abuse testing and is subject to random alcohol and controlled substance testing.

An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check and sex offender registry check.

A valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

This position is designated as "essential," personnel in this position must report to work as scheduled during inclement weather and emergencies; employee will be required to work a rotating shift and will be "on call" during some off-duty hours.

Required to wear on-line self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) during the offloading of ammonia during chemical deliveries.

Must comply with application and renewal procedures of the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) for required licensure, including required disclosure of conviction(s) and disciplinary actions. Such information may result in license denial, suspension, revocation and or termination due to required licensure.Physical Requirements - Must be physically able to operate a variety of equipment, machinery and water treatment plant equipment including computer, two-way radio, pumps, motors, mechanical and plumbing tools, etc. Must be able to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 75 pounds of force frequently, and/or 50 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are those for Heavy Work.

Data Conception - Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communication - Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments or directions from superiors.

Language Ability - Requires the ability to read a variety of charts, graphs and reports, manuals, regulations, gages, levels, meters, etc. Requires the ability to prepare logs, test reports, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence - Requires the ability to apply rational systems to solve problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.

Verbal Aptitude - Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including engineering, water treatment, mechanical and electrical terminology.

Numerical Aptitude - Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages; understand and interpret graphs; performing calculations.

Form/Spatial Aptitude - Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Motor Coordination - Requires the ability coordinate to hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using office and water treatment plant equipment.

Manual Dexterity - Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as office equipment. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination - Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament - Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under varied levels of stress.

Physical Communication - Requires the ability to talk and hear (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words) (Hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear) via telephone and two-way radio.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUIREMENTS

The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

This is a class description and not an individual position description. A class specification defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.