Water Treatment Plant Operator Level II

Olivenhain-Municipal-Water-District; Escondido (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Olivenhain-Municipal-Water-District is seeking a dedicated operator to run and maintain its water treatment facilities, including SCADA monitoring and process control. The role emphasizes safety, teamwork, and adherence to regulatory requirements.

The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent, a CA driver’s license, and First Aid/CPR certification. Level I–IV operator credentials may be pursued as part of career progression.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Valid California driver’s license and proof of insurance.
• Standard First Aid and CPR certifications required.
• Level I–IV California Water Treatment Operator certificates may be required depending on role.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain water treatment plant and ammonia feed facilities.
• Perform preventative and corrective maintenance on systems and equipment.
• Operate SCADA to monitor and control treatment processes and related equipment.
• Conduct daily process controls and water quality testing; collect samples.
• Coordinate with operations staff and contractors; prepare reports for compliance.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

California driver’s license

First Aid & CPR certifications

Job description

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This at-will position responsibilities include operating and maintaining the District's water treatment system. This includes, but is not limited to, the District's water treatment plant and ammonia feed facility systems. Responsible for maintaining water quality entering the distribution system and tracking pressures, levels, and valve positions in Gaty Reservoir, Peay Flow Control Facility, and Denk Flow Control Facility. A working knowledge and understanding of District safety rules and regulations, as well as active participation in the District's safety program is necessary. An ability to perform successfully within a team environment; support of the District Strategic Plan and Mission statement; and an ability to work independently with a clear understanding of goals and objectives are essential. Reliable, stable attendance and excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.

The following tasks are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not regularly perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business or staffing needs and changing business practices as defined by the General Manager.

Facilities Maintenance and General Work:

• Performsgeneralcleaningoffacilities,groundsandprocessarea equipment including piping, basins, and tanks; observes safe work methods and safety precautions related to the work.
• Receivesbulkdeliveriesof water treatmentchemicalsandotherproducts.
• Providesassistanceasneededforoperationormaintenance activities. Uses common hand and power tools and drives motorized vehicles and equipment in the performance of the work.

Preventative and Corrective Equipment Maintenance:

• Coordinates and assists with the successful completion of preventativeandcorrectivemaintenanceprojectsonallsystems throughout the plant, troubleshoots problem areas utilizing appropriate resources; inspects, tests, and maintains safety equipment.
• Performsoilchanges,lubrication,changesairandoilfilters, calibrates and maintains water quality and instrumentation equipment.
• Troubleshoots,identifies,andrepairsfiberleakswithinthe membrane process area equipment.
• Maintains chemical feed systems, calibrates pumps, performs repairs to system piping and related equipment, maintains on-site chlorine generation equipment.
• Generates work orders and logs repair work in the District’s computer system for preventative and corrective maintenance.
• Tracks material inventory, solicits bids from vendors and contractors, and completes new orders when necessary.

Plant Operations and Process Laboratory Work:

• Operates,monitorsandcontrolssystemsviaSupervisoryControl and Data Acquisition (SCADA) to include energy recovery, membrane filtration and chemical cleaning, clarification and dewatering, chemicalfeedandrelatedsystemequipment.
• Optimizes treatment plant processes to ensure regulatory compliance and water quality objectives are maintained at all times. Monitors membrane system performance, including membrane integritytesting(MIT),trans-membranepressure(TMP),flow,fluxand related parameters.
• Performs daily process control laboratory analyses, including but not limited to: turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), pH, temperature, chlorine, fluoride, ammonia, chloramine, and Langelier Saturation Index (LSI). Collects daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual samples.
• Performs record keeping functions such as logging plant operations data,laboratory testresults, maintenance andrepair workperformed,andunusualoperatingconditionsencountered. Prepares routine monitoring and special reports as required, inspects plant equipment and remote facilities and reports on failures or operating difficulties.

Distribution and Water Quality Monitoring:

• Daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual compliance sampling and analysis of water entering and periodically throughout the distribution system, to include bacteriological, disinfectant, and fluoridation levels, disinfection by products, and regulated and unregulated contaminants.
• Analyzes and monitors water quality downstream and at the pointof entry into thedistributionsystem. Coordinates withSystemsOperatorstomakechemistrychangesasnecessaryto reduceorminimizedisinfectantbyproduct formation(TTHM)andnitrification,maintainoptimalLSI,and disinfectant residuals in the distribution system.
• Coordinatesplant shutdowns,startupsandflowchangeswiththewholesalesupplierandSystemsOperatorstoensurereservoir levels are maintained.
• Provides technical responses to water quality questions by customers.
• Monitors pumping equipment flow rates, discharge pressures, and electrical efficiency from the treatment plant to distribution system reservoirs, flow control facilities, and treated water connections. Monitors distribution system reservoir levels to which the plant pumping equipment feeds.

Functions as Lead Operator at the Water Treatment Plant:

• Level IV Operator (holding T5 certification) acts as and performs duties of the Chief Plant Operator in absence of the Water Treatment Facilities Supervisor.
• Level III Operators and above may serve as standby Duty Operators.
• Provides technical instruction, guidance, and training to operations staff, interns, and temporary workers; conductssafetyandtechnicaltrainingexercises; ensures safe and proper work practices are followed at all times by staff; developsstandardoperatingprocedures(SOPs)forsystemsas needed; leads water treatment plant tours.
• Prioritizes, leads, andschedules daily work assignments including operations, preventativeand correctivemaintenance, and capital improvement projects. PlansandcoordinatessupportfromDistrictstaffas well as contractors for maintenance and repair activities as needed.
• Solicits bids from vendors and contractors on chemicals, materials, and services. Generatesreportsforregulatorycompliance,productionand overall system performance.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

10% 10% 10% 10% Performs all related duties as assigned. Unless required by law, experience and education may be substituted for each other upon approval by the General Manager or their designee.

EDUCATION:

HighSchooldiplomaorequivalent;validCaliforniadriver’slicenseandproofofinsurability;Standard First Aid and CPR certifications are required.

EXPERIENCE:

Level I:

PossessionofaStateofCaliforniaWaterTreatmentOperatorCertificate,GradeT1,andoneyear experience performing operations or maintenance of a water/wastewater treatment plant, or water distribution/sewer collection system; Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Operations (Level II) and State of California Water Distribution Operator Certificate, Grade D1 required.

LevelII:

Possession of a State of California Water Treatment Operator Certificate, Grade T2 and one year experience as, or at a level equivalent to a Water Treatment Operator I; HazMat Operations (Level II) and State of California Water Distribution Operator Certificate, Grade D2 required.

LevelIII*:

In addition to the above, possession of a State of California Water Treatment Operator Certificate, Grade T3 and three years experience in the operation and maintenance of a water treatment plant to include PLC/SCADA (programmable logic controller/supervisory control and data acquisition) systems experience; HazMat Operations (Level II) and State of California Water Distribution Operator Certificate, Grade D2 required. Availability for Standby duty is a condition of employment. Operation of a membrane facility highly desirable.

LevelIV*:

In addition to the above, possession of a State of California Water Treatment Operator Certificate, Grade T4 and five years experience in the operation and maintenance of a water treatment plant to include advanced knowledge of the principles and practices of water treatment, water chemistry, regulatory compliance and reporting. HazMat Technician (Level III) and State of California Water Distribution Operator Certificate, Grade D2 required. Grade T5 Certificate required within two years of appointment. Operation of a membrane facility highly desirable.

CONTACT RESPONSIBILITY

INTERNAL:

Interaction with Supervisor and peers to receive general work assignments, address administrative issues and review results; District water operations and maintenance personnel to coordinate assignments and discuss and resolve technical issues; all other District personnel as required.

EXTERNAL:

Interaction with general public to respond to questions on water quality, treatment process impacts, pressure and related matters; San Diego County Water Authority and regulatory agencies to discuss reporting and water quality issues; consultants and vendors as necessary to coordinate projects and purchase supplies; emergency service personnel as required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to walk extended distances; climb steep stairs and ladders; may on an infrequent basis assist with lifting up to 100 pounds; ability to tolerate repeated bending and stooping; good hearing, eyesight and speech are necessary. Ability to effectively utilize a personal computer, keyboard, and peripherals; ability to tolerate prolonged exposure to a computer screen.

These positions require the ability to be “on-call”, work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Work is primarily performed indoors in a water treatment plant with various mechanical and electrical hazards and noise. Subject to; contact with chemicals (e.g. chlorine, ammonia, etc.), confined spaces, foul odors and hazardous materials handling. Work is occasionally performed outdoors on plant premises or accessory facilities in all types of weather. Subject to: noisy conditions, odors, contact with animals and insects, hazardous traffic conditions, confined spaces, variable weather conditions, possible exposure to heavy equipment, dust, and fumes. Wears protective clothing as required. Work is also occasionally performed in an office setting with office type of lighting and ventilation. Subject to conversational noise from other personnel within the facility; standard background noise found in an office environment; long periods of sitting; exposure to a computer screen.