City of East Chicago

Sanitary District

Opening Date: March 26, 2024

Closing Date to Apply: Open Until Filled

Position Status: Regular Full Time

Department: Sanitary District

Reports to: Director/Manager

Pay Range: In accordance to the City of East Chicago’s Salary Ordinance passed by the Common Council

Process Operation, Monitoring, and Trouble Shooting This dimension includes the following specific duties and responsibilities:

Operate wastewater treatment plant equipment (pumps, engines, generators, clarifiers, conveyors, bar screens, meters, valves, UV disinfection equipment, sludge dewatering presses, and gates) to control flow and process wastewater, sludge, and effluent.

Monitor plant gauges, meters, SCADA, automated composite samplers, and equipment control panels to ensure proper processing of wastewater,

Observe and interpret operational variations/problems and make appropriate corrective adjustments as needed

Report significant problems requiring additional assistance to the plant operator and operations manager and call out appropriate maintenance personnel.

Sampling This dimension includes the following specific duties and responsibilities:

Operate and maintain plant-refrigerated automated composite samplers.

Collect WWTP samples in accordance with NPDES requirements for inappropriate laboratory-supplied sample bottles and refrigerate them until pick-up by lab personnel.

Collect seasonal bacterial samples in accordance with the WWTP NPDES permit

Maintain chain of custody for all environmental samples collected and prepared for off-site chemical and biological analysis.

Sludge Blanket Readings This dimension includes the following specific duties and responsibilities:

Use a core sampler to periodically assess depth in each of the five tanks,

Record measurements on the process control sheet.

Lab Testing This dimension includes the following specific duties and responsibilities:

Conduct physical settling tests of mixed liquor and return sludge,

Complete pH and dissolved oxygen testing of wastewater and record test results on daily data collection sheets,

Enter daily data and import analytical data from the contract laboratory into the HACH software program, as directed

Preventive Maintenance This dimension includes the following specific duties and responsibilities:

Perform preventive maintenance as needed, or complete repair orders for additional assistance,

Monitor operation of plant treatment equipment (bar screens, pumps, filters, UV bulbs, etc.),

Perform weekly sand filter maintenance including, draining, disinfecting, cleaning with enzyme, and refilling of sand filters.

Record Keeping This dimension includes the following specific duties and responsibilities:

Maintain daily shift log,

Record meter and gauge readings,

Enter daily data and import analytical data from the contract laboratory into the HACH software program, as directed

Provide copies of all records to the Chief Plant Operator or Operations Manager.

Public Service and Communications This dimension includes the following specific duties and responsibilities:

Receive and respond to emergency calls from city residents,

Interact with members of the public in a polite, courteous, considerate, and helpful manner,

Provide answers to questions from members of the public or direct them to someone who can respond,

Call out wastewater division personnel to respond to problems or emergencies.

Housekeeping This dimension includes the following specific duties and responsibilities:

Maintain clean, well-organized conditions throughout the plant,

Request and coordinate assistance for large-scale cleaning tasks

Inform the Vactor truck crew when hoppers are filled

Complete snow removal and apply ice melt to plant walkways and work zones during winter months

Teamwork This dimension includes the following specific duties and responsibilities:

Work effectively with other members of the plant operations team,

Work effectively with personnel from other departments in the Sanitary District

Work effectively with personnel from other departments/divisions within the city government

Attend and contribute to plant operations team meetings on workplace issues and problem-solving,

Support decisions made by the plant operations team,

Go out of the way to help other team members,

Listen to other team members’ ideas and suggestions.

Safety This dimension includes the following specific duties and responsibilities:

Perform all job tasks in a safe manner,

Comply with all department and division safety policies, rules, and regulations,

Identify and correct/report safety hazards when they occur.

Other duties as assigned. *

Other duties assigned

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Basic Chemistry (chemical symbols, analytical techniques, solution preparation, standard laboratory practices, and calibration techniques).

Basic Physics (flow, gravity, hydraulics, liquids, and solids).

Basic Math (adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing).

Quality Assurance Fundamentals.

Chemical Properties of Wastewater.

Standard Operating Procedures in Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Safety Hazards Involved in Plant Operations.

Applicable OSHA, EPA, State, City, and Wastewater Division Safety Policies, Rules, and Regulations.

Wastewater Division Operations and Processes.

Required Skills (proficiency in performing specific tasks)

Operation of Plant pumps, engines, generators, clarifiers, aerators, bar screens, valves, conveyors, meters, UV disinfection equipment, dewatering presses, and gates.

Basic computer skills.

Use of computerized plant process control software

Use of settle meter

Use of pH and Dissolved Oxygen Meter

Use of Centrifuge.

Operation of Plant Engines.

Operation of Plant Generators.

Calibration of Plant Instruments

Ability to

Read, write, and communicate well with others.

Complete basic math functions (adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing) as required by daily data entry requirements.

Computer skills necessary to retrieve/send email, to retrieve analytical data and import electronic data into HACH software, and manually input daily records.

Understand and follow verbal instructions from the Plant Operator and Operations Manager

Problem solve.

Mechanical Aptitude

Work effectively in a team setting

Manual dexterity to use plant equipment.

Ability to drive.

Ability to establish and maintain effective and courteous relationships with other employees, residents, the general public, and other business contacts.

Ability to multitask and perform all job tasks in a safe manner.

Ability to read, speak, write, and comprehend the English language.

Ability to clear a criminal background and driver’s license check and drug test.

Must be able to adjust to schedule and shift changes when needed.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

High school graduate or equivalent.

CERTIFICATION / LICENSE

Must possess a valid Driver’s License

Possess Wastewater Operator Certifications given by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management or the Wastewater Treatment Plant Certification given by the State of Indiana. (Preference will be given to current employees who possess Class I-IV-III and IV Certifications and job experience).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job.

Environment - Work is performed in indoor and outdoor environments; travel from site to site; incumbents may be exposed to noise, dust, and all inclement weather conditions. Alternate work schedules. The work environment is both formal and informal, team-oriented, having variable tasks, pace, and pressure.

Physical – Primary functions require sufficient ability and mobility to work in an office and field setting; work is performed outdoors and indoors, work in inclement weather; operate equipment and vehicles; climb a ladder, walk on uneven terrain, loose soil, and sloped surfaces; sitting, standing, upward and downward flexion of neck; side-to-side turning of neck; moderate wrist torque to twist equipment knobs and dials; lifting objects weighing 25lbs and up. Occasional squatting, kneeling, and reaching above and at shoulder height; standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time; occasionally stooping, crawling, bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, turning, and twisting; lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; occasionally push/pull objects weighing up to 25 pounds; occasionally required to lift/carry objects weighing up to 25 lbs.

Vocal – Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Vision – See in normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing: Hear in normal audio range with or without correction.

How to Apply

Submit a cover letter, and resume to the Department of Human Resources.

Mail, fax, or email employment application, cover letter, and resume to the Department of Human Resources.

Ms. Loretta Vaughn

Secretary

City of East Chicago

4525 Indianapolis Blvd.

East Chicago, Indiana 46312

Fax: (219) 397-5755

ecapply@eastchicago.com

Note: If you email your cover letter and resume to ecapply@eastchicago.com please type on the subject line your name and Applying for Treatment Plant Assistant Operator – Sanitary District. For example, Joe Smith is applying for Treatment Plant Assistant Operator – Sanitary District.

The City of East Chicago does not discriminate in its employment decisions based on race, color, religion, gender, age, genetic information, disability, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: In person