Wastewater Treatment Operator II:
Wastewater Treatment Operator II:
Skilled position for the daily operation of a Class IV advanced tertiary wastewater treatment plant. This role responsible for implementing the operating procedures of the City of Meridian’s Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility, ensuring compliance with all local, federal and state environmental requirements. This position is 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. This position works as part of a team of Wastewater Operators to ensure efficient and safe wastewater treatment including compliance with the current National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Work is performed under general oversight and requires independent judgment, forward thinking and initiative.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Operates and maintains the wastewater treatment plant, the recycled water production system, and biosolids production in accordance with Federal, State, City, County regulations, policies and procedures;
Analyze operational and lab data to identify trends and plant issues for early process control measures. Reports information regularly to supervisor to ensure treatment effectiveness and compliance with permit requirements;
Skilled decision making and problem solving duties are exercised with some independence within the framework of established policies, procedures and guidelines;
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 identifying operational data trends and plant issues daily, performs building and facility cleaning, SCADA monitoring and reporting, data/process review, making minor process changes. Communicates regularly with operations team and supervisors;
Lab testing including, but not limited to: settleometers, microbiological examinations, gram stains, percent solids
Review plant records, operating reports, and technical data to monitor efficiency of plant process control and equipment maintenance;
Working knowledge and ability to properly sample and handle various wastewater process sample types for submission to laboratory for analysis;
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 Biosolids management compliance;
Responsible for accurately tracking, maintaining, and retaining records related to facility permit compliance and operation. Maintains spreadsheets and databases;
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;
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;
Initiates work orders and performs regular preventative maintenance through an asset management program.
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;
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;
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;
Required on-call availability for plant emergencies requiring on-site attention;
Performs line locates;
Perform other duties as assigned or needed.
Job Specifications:
Three (3) years of experience at an advanced activated Sludge Wastewater Treatment Facility and possession of an Idaho Class I Wastewater Treatment Operator license or OIT is required;
Must be able to obtain an Idaho Wastewater Treatment Operator Class II within 12 month;
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Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Intermediate Computer Skills –
Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)SCADA
Infor Asset Management software
Ability to learn Hach WIMS
Must possess basic technical and business writing skills;
Advanced knowledge of Safety Regulations, Policies, and Practices;
Knowledge of Continuous Process Improvement;
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. Knowledge of lab 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.;
Knowledge of NPDES, Reclaimed Water, Air, Biosolids, and Pretreatment Regulations;
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 work effectively as a team member;
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;
Understand and comply with all rules, policies and regulations; maintain prompt and regular attendance; and perform all essential and marginal functions as assigned by an authorized employee, supervisor and/or manager with or without a reasonable accommodation;
Knowledge of emergency response procedures and disaster response; have ability follow and execute emergency assistance when called upon.
Licensing/Certifications:
Must hold a valid State of Idaho Driver’s License and safe driving record;
Wastewater Treatment class I or Operator-in-Training (OIT) required with ability to obtain Treatment Class II within 12 Months;
Must be able to attend and complete all required safety training requirements and certifications including but not limited to: confined space entry, CPR/AED, ICS, fall protection, forklift.
Work Environment & Physical Demands:
Regularly performs outdoor work 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 infrequently 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;
Work may be performed in confined spaces;
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 including trenches, heavy equipment, and overhead dangers are often 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.
Assists covering other operations shifts as necessary;
This position requires or may require: On Call, Weekends, Holidays, Day, Swing and Graveyard shifts to support 24/7 operation throughout the year.
Travel Requirements:
Drives a City motor vehicle to other City sites or local areas;
Regional travel may be required on occasion for training.