Performs difficult skilled trades work maintaining and operating water treatment equipment to provide clean water to citizens, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Senior Utilities Plant Supervisor. Limited oversight is exercised over Water Operator and Relief Operator.

• Performs responsible technical and skilled work in the operation of a water treatment plant facility; maintains the plant’s operations under the direction of or in absence of plant supervisor.

• Performs/assigns lab analysis; performs/assigns bacteriological testing and analysis; offloads chemicals.

• Inspects the plant; makes rounds to booster station and off-site pump stations.

• Routinely inspects engines, generators, pumps, settling tanks, filters, and other equipment for proper functioning.

• Records and maintains readings from meters and instruments.

• Regulates and adjusts motors, pumps, valves and other apparatus to meet changing operating conditions.

• Reports any identifiable defects to maintenance personnel.

• Performs cleaning duties at the treatment plant.

• Manage water plant operations via SCADA.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function 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 the essential functions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of related industry, organization and department policies, practices and procedures; thorough knowledge of blueprints, equipment manuals, and standard operating procedure manuals; good knowledge of the operating characteristics and maintenance requirements of a water treatment plant; general knowledge of hydraulic, chemical, and mechanical principles pertinent to water treatment operations; ability to make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions and decimals; ability to compute rates, ratios and percentages; ability to detect flaws in the operation of mechanical equipment and to determine proper remedial measures; ability to understand and follow moderately complex oral and written instructions; ability to read meters, charts, and accurately maintain records of shift operations; ability to work shifts; ability to develop and maintain an effective working relationship with associates, supervisors, and the general public.

Education and Experience

High school diploma or GED and moderate experience working with water treatment, or equivalent combination of education and considerable experience in operating a water treatment facility.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and reaching with hands and arms, frequently requires standing, walking and repetitive motions and occasionally requires climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, tasting or smelling, pushing or pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work frequently requires exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals and occasionally requires wet, humid conditions (non-weather), working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to outdoor weather conditions, exposure to the risk of electrical shock, exposure to vibration, wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus, exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment, Exposure to Carcinogens and Exposure to E-Coli; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid certification from State Board of Certification of Water Treatment Facility Operator at Grade A or B level with the ability to obtain grade A within two attempts as per the city's operator policy.
• Valid driver's license. (Required to obtain a NC driver’s license within 3 months of employment.)
• Availability to work shifts.