Wastewater Operator III
Job Title: Wastewater Operator III
Department: Public Works, Wastewater Division
Reports To: Wastewater Operations Supervisor
Open Date: August 29, 2018
Hiring Range: $18.63 - $23.76 per hour, DOE
Salary Range: $18.63 - $27.91 per hour, DOE
Job Summary:
Advanced position within the operations group of a Class IV advanced tertiary wastewater treatment plant. This role holds operational responsibility to implement the operating procedures of the City of Meridian’s Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility, ensuring compliance with all local, federal and state environmental requirements;Directly responsible for evaluating and changing operational control settings with considerable independence; Operates and inspects facility to insure that equipment is performing at optimal efficiency;Operates as part of a team of Wastewater Operators to ensure efficient and safe treatment at the City’s wastewater facility including compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit the reclaimed water permit, and the facility air permit.Position provides guidance and training to operators on biological and chemical nutrient removal techniques and advanced process troubleshooting.Work is performed under general oversight but requires independent judgment,forward thinking,and initiative.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Advanced operation and maintenance of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, Biosolids and recycled water production systems in accordance with Federal, State, City, County regulations, policies and procedures;
Operates and controls complex wastewater processes, including: pretreatment, primary treatment, chemical addition, thickening, bioreactors, sludge fermentation, activated sludge, membrane filtration, anaerobic digestion, tertiary treatment, ultraviolet disinfection, struvite control, advanced biological nutrient removal;
Responsible for maintaining compliance with state and federal environmental regulations and discharge permit monitoring criteria including NPDES compliance, Reclaimed Water Permit compliance, Air Permit Compliance, and Biosolidsmanagement compliance;
Responsible for accurately tracking, maintaining, and retaining records related to facility permit compliance and operation. Maintains spreadsheets and databases;
Provide excellent customer service to both internal and external customers;
Provide backup in absence of Supervisor in regard to compliance and daily facility operations;
Provide general operational direction, guidance, and mentoring to facility Wastewater Operators;
Operate and inspect facility to insure that equipment is performing at optimal efficiency; Ensure that proper maintenance and servicing is performed on all facility equipment;
Analyze operational and lab data to identify trends and plant issues for preventive and correctiveprocess control measures;
Operate, monitor and maintain SCADA system; monitors and adjusts control panels, gauges, meters, including SCADA system, to detect and correct variations in operating conditions; initiate repairs/programming when needed;
Provides skilled operational troubleshootingand reports information regularly to supervisor to ensure treatment effectiveness and compliance with permit requirements;
Responsible for identifying operational data trends and plant issues daily, performs building and facility cleaning, SCADA monitoring and reporting, data/process review, making minor process changes;
Skilled decision making and problem solving duties are exercised with some independence within the framework of established policies, procedures and guidelines;
Researches, initiates and leads operational lab testing for troubleshooting or optimizing plant performance;
Responsible for lab testing including, but not limited to: settleometers, microbiological examinations, gram stains, % solids;
Communicates regularly with operations team and supervisors;
Review plant records, operating reports, and technical data to monitor efficiency of plant process control and equipment maintenance;
Prepare and maintain work records, including work orders, according to asset management program; capture data and maintain accuracy through timely collection; ensure deadlines are met and adjustments/recommend changes as needed;
Attends construction meetings and provides input as needed; communicates proceedings questions and problems to supervisors; reviews plans, specifications, and construction progress on large capital construction projects;
Starts up and shuts down wastewater equipment and systems daily. Cleans and maintains unit processes;
Inspects equipment and monitors operating conditions, meters, and gauges to identify operational issues with equipment or process, and takes corrective action to ensure effective operation;
Review, and provide constructive feedback on blueprints, technical memorandums, proposals, equipment manuals, and SCADA control programming;
Responsible for following the City of Meridian’s Human Resource policies and procedures;
Assist in developing appropriate Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) for operational processes;
Responsible for writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP); Assists in creating spreadsheets, bench sheets, and updating various operational documents and procedures;
Communicates process targets, equipment concerns, and special sampling to all shifts. Alerts senior facility staff of treatment process issues and equipment status which may challenge permit compliance;
Attends and provides input at weekly operations data review meetings for determining plant process control measures and initiatives;
Reviews Operations logs daily and accurately and completely logs all changes or adjustments made;
Assists with plant tours and answers public inquiries regarding plant operations;
Troubleshoots process systems and equipment to determine and correct problems;
Provides information to supervisors, managers, and contractorsregardingplant piping and utility plans and equipment specifications;
Communicate with supervisor, employees, other departments, vendors, and agencies to coordinate work activities, collaborate, exchange information, or resolve problems; lead by example demonstrating City CARE values and promoting teamwork;
Assist other crews, departments and others with regular maintenance and special projects when required;
Effectively and courteously communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, public, outside agencies, or other individuals or groups as needed;
Operate a personal computer, SCADA, and other software platforms required to complete duties;
Position is subject to callback, overtime, weekend/holiday emergency call outs and on-call duty;
Performs line locates;
Perform other duties as assigned or needed.
Job Specifications:
Five years’ experience operating at a biological nutrient removal (BNR) activated sludge Wastewater Treatment Facility;
Possession of an Idaho Class III Wastewater Treatment Operator license or ability to obtain within 12 months;
A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in environmental science, civil engineering, chemical or biological science preferred;
Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Computer Skills –
Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
SCADA
Ability to learn Hach WIMS
Asset Management Software
Advanced knowledge of NPDES Permit Compliance;
Intermediate Technical and Business Writing Skills;
Ability to display Collaboration, Communication, and Coordination;
Advanced knowledge of Team Building, Relationship Management;
Advanced knowledge of Safety Regulations, Policies, and Practices;
Intermediate knowledge of Continuous Process Improvement;
Position requires considerable understanding of activated sludge, enhanced biological and chemical nutrient removal systems;
Substantial knowledge and understanding of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), Reclaimed Water, Air, Biosolids, and basic Pretreatment Regulations;
Ability to maintain records and prepare activity reports, spreadsheets and make statistical analysis of data from multiple sources including SCADA, Historian and WIMS;
Ability to communicate findings effectively to supervisor in multiple formats;
Ability to lead and guide operators during complicated operational procedures and initiate advanced troubleshooting techniques;
Ability to quickly shift between multiple tasks; display an attitude of cooperation and work harmoniously with all levels of City employees, the general public and other organizations;
Ability to perform operations laboratory testing and sampling.Advanced skills and knowledgeinlab sampling procedures and operations testing such as: Grams stain techniques, microscopic evaluations, settelometers, Hach DR unit test tube sampling, Dräger tube, pH, dissolved oxygen;
Must have excellent understanding of industrial wastewater safety procedures and proper use of varied PPE such as: personal gas monitors, safety glasses, goggles, respirators, lockout tag-out, confined space entry, etc.;
Ability to maintain records and prepare activity reports;
Ability to use tact and diplomacy when dealing with citizen complaints;
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with respect to subordinates, stakeholders, other city personnel, and the general public;
Ability to provide forward thinking quality service in a cost-effective manner and recommend improved methods of performing work;
Ability to utilize various types of industrial equipment including: forklift, tractor, front-end loader, man-lift, reach lift, bobcat;
Ability to effectively lead a work team;
Ability to physically perform the essential functions of the job;
Ability to communicate effectively in the English language and in writing at a level necessary for efficient job performance and complete assignments in a timely fashion;
Licensing/Certifications:
Must hold a valid State of Idaho Drivers License & safe driving record;
Idaho Wastewater Treatment Class III or ability to obtain within 12 Months;
Must be able to attend and complete all required safety training requirements and certifications which may include but is not limited to: confined space entry, CPR/AED, ICS, fall protection, and flagger/traffic safety.
Work Environment & Physical Demands:
Outdoor work in in extreme weather conditions at times, with areas of dust, odors, mist, gases or other airborne matter;
While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in an office environment while sitting at a desk for intermittent periods of time. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office and moderate to loud in the field;
Workmay be performed in confined spaces and in extreme weather conditions;
Employees work at heights, in confined spaces, and are exposed to mechanical, electrical hazards;
Work environment is full of uneven walkways/surfaces and stairs;
Work is performed outdoors during all seasons, with extreme heat and winter ice and snow conditions. Winter driving may be required;
Construction hazards during facility upgrades, including trenches, heavy equipment, and overhead dangers are present at the plant;
Work includes protected exposure to biological and chemical hazards including infectious bacteria, bodily fluids, and chemicals;
Frequently works near moving mechanical parts;
Requires driving a motorized vehicle or maintenance equipment;
Requires lifting and moving up to 50 pounds and occasionally lifting or moving objects up to 100 pounds with assistance.
Travel Requirements:
Local travel is occasionally required via city vehicle;
Some in state and out of state travel may be required for training.
For details and to apply visit: www.meridiancity.org