Water Treatment Plant Operator II or III

City of Dallas, Oregon; Dallas (OR); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Dallas, Oregon is seeking a Water Treatment Operator to monitor and operate the water treatment facility, perform laboratory analyses, and ensure regulatory compliance. The role involves data collection, maintenance, and reporting to support plant efficiency and safety.

Responsibilities include calibrating instrumentation, performing chemical dosing, and responding to emergencies with weekend on-call as needed.

Qualifications

• HS/GED required with experience for Operator II, or 1 year post-high school + 2 years experience
• Operator III requires higher certification (Class III Water Treatment Operator) or equivalent
• Knowledge of water treatment chemistry, hydraulics, microbiology and safety procedures
• Ability to read meters and charts and perform preventive maintenance

Responsibilities

• Monitor equipment, gauges, and charts and record plant data
• Perform laboratory analysis of water samples and CT calculations
• Operate, maintain, repair, and replace plant equipment as needed
• Calibrate and repair instrumentation and control equipment
• Conduct inspections of plant equipment and ensure compliance with standards

Skills

Meter reading

Preventive maintenance

Lab analysis

Safety procedures

Data recording

Education

HS/GED

Post-high school education

Oregon State Water Treatment Operator certification (Class II)

Tools

Flowmeters

Turbidity meters

Chemical dosing equipment

Recorders

Job description

Performs a variety of semi-skilled and skilled technical and maintenance work in the operation, maintenance and repair of water treatment facilities and systems. Operates the City’s Water Treatment Facility in a competent and cost effective manner, consistent with all local, state, and Federal regulations.

Essential Functions:

Monitors the performance of all equipment, gauges, and charts in the treatment plant; records statistical data concerning plant operations; maintains, operates, repairs, and replaces equipment as necessary; charts lab test results for trend analysis and maintains accurate records of analyses and test results; collects and evaluates data, updates computer database, and writes reports as required.

Performs laboratory analysis of water and samples sludge to determine chemical, physical and biological oxygen, Ph and chlorine residual; prepares various chemical solutions; calculates CT, and checks turbidity and fluoride levels.

Operates, maintains and repairs malfunctions at the water treatment plant; repairs valves, pumps, chemical feed equipment, flow meters, turbidity meters, compressors, and other controls and equipment.

Collects samples and identifies concentrations of chemical, physical or biological characteristics of water in accordance with local, state and Federal requirements; gathers and tests water samples for plant efficiency reports as required.

Performs quality control tests on lab equipment and lab analyses; evaluates procedures and results for accuracy and determines appropriate methods. Collects total coliform samples throughout the distribution system. Water treatment operator III does all sampling for the City.

Conducts inspections of plant equipment; assures that plant operates within required standards; and conducts inspections at both intakes.

Operates treatment facility; takes meter readings; adjusts chemical dosages, valves and settings; changes chlorine cylinders; delivers chemicals into hoppers or containers; operates equipment and machinery involved in the treatment operation, maintains treatment plant operation records as required.

Trains operators in acceptable lab methods and procedures to assure accuracy of test results and all safety procedures.

Calibrates, modifies or repairs instrumentation and control equipment including recorders, flowmeters and other water quality monitoring equipment.

Operates and maintains pump stations; cleans wet wells and operates pumps and valves to control and adjust flow and treatment process. Changes Dam flow as directed to maintain adequate water flow.

Required to provide rotational weekend duty and weekends on-call to perform routine maintenance duties on the water treatment plant and respond to Public Works emergency calls. Employees may be required to work overtime at the discretion of the Public Works Director.

Installs weirs, flashboards and recording equipment, keeps records for water use and water rights.

1. Working knowledge of equipment, facilities, materials, methods and procedures used in water treatment plant maintenance and operation activities; working knowledge of laboratory procedures and practices; knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions involved in the work; knowledge of waterworks, chemistry, mathematics, hydraulics, microbiology, and State regulations for drinking water.
2. Skill in accurately reading meters, gauges, and flow charts and legibly recording readings and test results; detecting flaws in equipment operations and performing preventive maintenance repairs on plant equipment; skill in performing chemical tests on water samples; skill in operation of some of the listed tools and equipment listed below.
3. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other departments, and the public; ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions.

Operator II:

• HS/GED and 3 years experience, OR
• 1 year relevant post-high school education and 2 years experience

Operator III:

• HS/GED, 1 yr relevant post-high school, and 5 yrs experience, with 2 yrs of ODM, OR
• HS/GED, 2 yrs relevant post-high school, and 4 yrs experience with 2 yrs of ODM, OR
• HS/GED, 3 yrs relevant post-high school, and 3 yrs experience with 1 yr of ODM

WATER OPERATOR SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of employment, a valid state Driver License;
2. Subject to recall for emergencies and must reside within a thirty minute response time to the Water Treatment Plant within six months of hire
3. For Operator II – Certification from the State of Oregon as a Class II Water Treatment Operator and FE; or ability to obtain certification within 6 months of employment.
4. For Operator III – Certification from the State of Oregon as Class III Water Treatment Operator and FE, or ability to obtain certification within 6 months of employment.