Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators (In Training, I, II & III)

WASTEWATER TREATMENT & COLLECTIONS OPERATOR in TRAINING (OIT)

Under supervision, performs a variety of unskilled and semi-skilled tasks in the operation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment plant.  Performs related responsibilities as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This is the entry-level class in the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator series. Positions assigned to this class work under supervision on a training basis in the performance of a wide variety of routine unskilled to semi-skilled wastewater treatment plant operations and maintenance tasks that do not require previous wastewater treatment plant experience. General work is observed and reviewed during performance and upon completion, and changes in procedures or exceptions to rules, are explained in detail as they arise.

This position reports to the Wastewater Supervisor and does not supervise.

Positions in this class must meet the requirements of WWTP Operator I within fifteen (15) months of hire date.

Essential Responsibilities:

1. Assists in the operation of wastewater treatment plant equipment such as pumps, valves, motors and blowers as well as the wastewater collections systems maintaining infrastructure.
2. Collects sewage and sludge samples.
3. Assists in performing daily and weekly laboratory tests and analysis.
4. Oils, greases and cleans equipment as directed.
5. Performs heavy manual labor and ground maintenance work.
6. Paints equipment and machinery.
7. Works various shifts.
8. Refurbishes equipment and structures.
9. Learns to properly use and read meters and gauges.
10. Participates in educational and other related courses and on the job training as required.
11. Performs related duties as required.

Prerequisites - Desirable Qualifications:

Knowledge of:

a.) Basic principles of wastewater treatment.

b) Basic principles of wastewater collection systems.

c.) Safe work practices. 

d.) Basic computer skills.

Ability to: 

a.) Learn the operation of equipment used in a wastewater treatment plant and collections system.

b.) Perform minor repairs on pumps, valves and other equipment used in a wastewater treatment plant and collections systems.

c.) Perform heavy manual labor and ground maintenance work.

d.) Understand and follow oral and written instructions.

e.) Perform recordkeeping.

f.) Develop and maintain effective working relationships.

g.) Learn the skills necessary to safely operate heavy equipment. 

Experience and Education:

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge, skill and abilities is qualifying. Typical knowledge, skill and abilities are:

a.) Equivalent to a high school diploma of G.E.D.

b.) Some experience in general maintenance of buildings and equipment.

Physical Standards:

Positions in this class require moderate to heavy physical work with prolonged standing, walking, bending, stooping, climbing, lifting and carrying loads weighing between 50 and 95 pounds. Positions may also involve work, resulting in exposure to the weather and disease-causing bacteria. 

 

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT & COLLECTIONS OPERATOR I

Under general supervision, assists in the operation and maintenance of a Wastewater Treatment Plant and Wastewater Collections system on an assigned shift.  Performs related responsibilities as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This is a journey-level class in the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Collections series. Employees in this class normally work under general supervision performing a group of related duties according to established procedures. While a variety of tasks may be assigned, each step usually follows a pattern which has been established and explained.  

This position reports to the Wastewater Supervisor and does not supervise.

Essential Responsibilities:

1. Assists in the operation of related controls to distribute flow through unit process and application of chemicals to the wastewater.
2. Monitors control equipment such as pumps, motors, valves, blowers, sludge collectors, heat exchangers, sludge thickeners and other related process equipment.
3. Reads meters, gauges and other instrumentation.
4. Maintains a daily record of facility operation, samples collected and corrections to unit processes.
5. Adjusts or alters chemical treatment of the plant as necessary.
6. Collects samples for observation and analysis from unit processes.
7. Performs daily and weekly laboratory analysis as needed for process adjustments and performance indicators.
8. Performs preventative maintenance to equipment, such as routine service, lubrication and cleaning of process equipment and machinery.
9. Operates a wide variety of tools and equipment used in minor mechanical repair and operation of process equipment.
10. Assists in minor repairs to all process equipment as needed.
11. Performs building and ground maintenance, which may involve weed control, gardening and janitorial services.
12. Performs related duties as required.

Prerequisites - Desirable Qualifications:

Knowledge of:

a.) Basic principles and procedures of wastewater treatment and wastewater collections, with specific emphasis on procedures involved in operations and maintenance of percolation ponds and secondary treatment plants.

b.) Basin principles and procedures of wastewater and wastewater collection systems.

c.) Methods, materials and equipment used in the operation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment and collections facilities.

d.) Basic laboratory procedures and analysis.

e.) Safe work practices.

f.) Basic computer skills and knowledge of SCADA systems.

Ability to:

a.) Perform routine mathematical calculations.

b.) Follow oral and written directions.

c.) Develop and maintain effective working relationships.

d.) Operate heavy equipment.

Experience and Education:

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge, skill and abilities is qualifying. Typical knowledge, skill and abilities are:

a.) Previous experience as a Wastewater Treatment or Collections Operator.

b.) Specialized training in wastewater operations

Physical Standards:

Positions in this class require moderate to heavy physical work with prolonged standing, walking, bending, stooping, climbing, lifting and carrying loads weighing up to 95 pounds. Positions may also involve fieldwork, resulting in exposure to the weather and exposure to disease-causing bacteria. 

 

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT & COLLECTIONS OPERATOR II

Under general supervision, assists in the operation and maintenance of a Wastewater Treatment Plant and Wastewater Collections System on an assigned shift.  Performs related responsibilities as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This is a journey-level class in the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator and Wastewater Collections series.  Employees in this class normally work under general supervision performing a group of related duties according to established procedures. While a variety of tasks may be assigned, each step usually follows a pattern which has been established and explained.  

This position reports to the Wastewater Supervisor and does not supervise.

Essential Responsibilities:

1. Monitors control equipment such as pumps, motors, valves, blowers, sludge collectors, heat exchangers, sludge thickeners and other related process equipment.
2. Reads meters, gauges and other instrumentation.
3. Maintains a daily record of facility operation, samples collected and corrections to unit processes.
4. Adjusts or alters chemical treatment of the plant as necessary.
5. Collets samples for observation and analysis from unit processes.
6. Performs daily and weekly laboratory analysis as needed for process adjustments and performance indicators.
7. Performs preventative maintenance to equipment, such as routine service, lubrication and cleaning of process equipment and machinery.
8. Operates a wide variety of tools and equipment used in minor mechanical repair and operation of process equipment.
9. Assists in repairs to all process equipment as needed.
10. Performs building and ground maintenance, which may involve weed control, gardening and janitorial services.
11. Performs related duties as required.

Prerequisites - Desirable Qualifications:

Knowledge of:

a.) Basic principles and procedures of wastewater treatment and wastewater collections, with specific emphasis on procedures involved in operations and maintenance of percolation ponds and secondary treatment plants.

b.) Basin principles and procedures of wastewater and wastewater collection systems.

c.) Methods, materials and equipment used in the operation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment facility and wastewater collections system.

d.) Basic laboratory procedures and analysis.

e.) Safe work practices.

f.) Basic computer skills and knowledge of SCADA systems.

Ability to:

a.) Perform routine mathematical calculations.

b.) Follow oral and written directions.

c.) Develop and maintain effective working relationships.

d.) Operate heavy equipment.

Experience and Education:

a.) Possession of a State Water Resources Control Board Class II Wastewater License. 

or 5+ years' experience as a Class I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

or Will be required to get a Class II Certification

b.) possession of or ability to obtain a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment. 

c.) ability to work swing shifts, weekends and holidays. 

d.) ability to report to the worksite within forty (40) minutes after receiving notification of being called back.

Physical Standards:

Positions in this class require moderate to heavy physical work with prolonged standing, walking, bending, stooping, climbing, lifting and carrying loads weighing up to 95 pounds. Positions may also involve fieldwork, resulting in exposure to the weather and exposure to disease-causing bacteria. 

 

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT & COLLECTIONS OPERATOR III

Purpose:

Under general supervision, assists in the operation and maintenance of a Wastewater Treatment Plant and Wastewater Collections system on an assigned shift.  Performs related responsibilities as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

In addition to being a full, advanced journey-level position, incumbents are expected to provide lead supervision over wastewater treatment plant and wastewater collections maintenance staff. Employees assigned to this class coordinate and perform the full range of skilled duties to operate, maintain, repair and modify the Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Wastewater Collection System.  

This position reports to the Wastewater Supervisor and assists in determining equipment, personnel and material needs.  This position may act as the Wastewater Supervisor during periods when the appointed Supervisor is on vacation or absent from work for other reasons.

Essential Responsibilities:

1. Assists in the operation of valves and other related controls to distribute flow through unit process and application of chemicals to the wastewater.
2. Monitors control equipment such as pumps, motors, valves, blowers, sludge collectors, heat exchangers, sludge thickeners and other related process equipment.
3. Reads meters, gauges and other instrumentation.
4. Maintains a daily record of facility operation, samples collected and corrections to unit processes.
5. Adjusts or alters chemical treatment of the plant as necessary.
6. Collects samples for observation and analysis from unit processes.
7. Performs daily and weekly laboratory analysis as needed for process adjustments and performance indicators.
8. Performs preventative maintenance to equipment, such as routine service, lubrication and cleaning of process equipment and machinery.
9. Operated a wide variety of tools and equipment used in minor mechanical repair and operation of process equipment.
10. Assists in repairs to all process equipment as needed.
11. Performs building and ground maintenance, which may involve weed control, gardening and janitorial services.
12. Performs related duties as required.

Prerequisites - Desirable Qualifications:

Knowledge of:

a.) Advanced principles and procedures of wastewater treatment and wastewater collections, with specific emphasis on procedures involved in operations and maintenance of percolation ponds and secondary treatment plants.

b.) Basin principles and procedures of wastewater and wastewater collection systems.

c.) Methods, materials and equipment used in the operation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment facility and wastewater collections system.

d.) Basic laboratory procedures and analysis.

e.) Safe work practices.

f.) Computer skills and knowledge of SCADA systems.

Ability to:

a.) Perform routine mathematical calculations.

b.) Follow oral and written directions.

c.) Develop and maintain effective working relationships.

d.) Operate heavy equipment.

Experience and Education:

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge, skill and abilities is qualifying. Typical knowledge, skill and abilities are:

a.) Previous experience as a Wastewater Treatment Plant and/or Wastewater Collections Operator.

b.) Specialized training in wastewater operations.

Physical Standards:

Positions in this class require moderate to heavy physical work with prolonged standing, walking, bending, stooping, climbing, lifting and carrying loads weighing up to 95 pounds. Positions may also involve fieldwork, resulting in exposure to the weather and exposure to disease-causing bacteria.