Lead Wastewater Plant Operator

The City of Fort Meade, Florida, is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Lead Wastewater Plant Operator. The position is hourly and is eligible to participate in the city's generous benefits and retirement program.

Job Summary:

Under policy direction from the Director, oversees daily wastewater operation; and performs related duties as required. This position assists organizing, assigning, and reviewing the work of assigned personnel engaged in semiskilled and skilled tasks associated with the operation and maintenance of the water quality control plant and related facilities; performs duties requiring specialized knowledge: and provides administrative support as needed.

Essential Functions:

• Assists in overseeing the operation of the City's wastewater plant.
• Assists in overseeing the wastewater systems throughout the city to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and codes.
• Assists in overseeing and collecting required samples from wastewater systems for agencies; and generates reports for compliance.
• Prepare reports on the City's wastewater systems.
• Reports any problems or abnormalities to the supervisor.
• Develop schedules and methods to accomplish assignments ensuring work is completed in a timely and efficient manner.
• Participates in evaluating the activities of the assigned staff, recommending improvements and modifications.
• Provides and coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies.
• Reads meters, gauges, charts, and instruments associated with the monitoring of the operations; ensures proper processing of wastewater to meet Local, State and Federal regulations; adjusts treatment processes as necessary to ensure proper wastewater standards.
• Inspects plant equipment and reports any failures or operating difficulties; stops and starts equipment as required for repairs; operates, adjusts, and maintains equipment to ensure compliance with established standards; troubleshoots electrical system problems and makes minor repairs and/or modifications.
• Programs and calibrates operation systems and associated instrumentation as necessary for the effective monitoring of wastewater treatment processes.
• Requisitions bulk chemicals to maintain adequate inventory levels.
• Monitors, operates, and adjusts controls on plant equipment and machinery, such as valves, motors, pumps, filters, chemical feeders, adjusters, and clarifiers.
• Monitors, interprets and records information taken from gauges, dials, and other instruments.
• Collects samples of wastewater and other materials; runs laboratory tests and identifies and implements process control changes.
• Inspects plant equipment and facilities to ensure proper operation; performs the more complex troubleshooting and maintenance of equipment and processes and takes or recommends corrective action.
• Performs mechanical repair to a variety of plant equipment including pumps, compressors, motors, and related apparatus; provides preventative maintenance to equipment.
• Performs record keeping functions such as logging plant operations, test results, maintenance work performed and unusual operating conditions; prepares, maintains, and submits a variety of records and reports.
• Generates and reviews Standard Operating Procedures for plant and pump stations.
• Responds to plant hazardous material spills, leaks, and emergencies.
• Receives and supervises the safe delivery and handling of chemicals.
• Performs work in confined spaces.
• Interprets laboratory data and initiates process control strategies as needed.
• Ensures that required log entries made related to plant performance and status are complete and accurate during assigned shift.
• Builds and maintains positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Performs related duties as assigned.
• Required to participate in the stand-by and/or call-out rotation to respond to problems after normal work hours, and on weekends and may be subject to call-out at any time when other call out personnel require additional assistance.

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties. Employees will be required to perform other job-related duties, as required.)

Minimum Qualifications (KSAs):

• Knowledge of theory, principles, and techniques of municipal sewer maintenance functions.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local law, codes, and regulations governing the administration of wastewater functions and activities.
• Knowledge of computers and other office equipment to prepare necessary paperwork.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of technical and functional supervision and training.
• Knowledge of water quality control plant operations.
• Knowledge of operating principles and procedures of valves, pumps, and motors.
• Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic principles and practices as they apply to a water quality control plant.
• Knowledge of Advanced methods of troubleshooting operational issues related to water quality control processes.
• Knowledge of Local, State and Federal regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of laboratory analysis procedures.
• Knowledge of safety principles, practices, regulations, and procedures related to the work.
• Knowledge of appropriate emergency response.
• Knowledge of confined space entry and rescue requirements.
• Knowledge of office equipment, methods, procedures, and computer hardware and software.
• Ability to operate a computer.
• Ability to plan, direct, and integrate broad, comprehensive wastewater programs and activities.
• Ability to analyze complex construction, engineering and maintenance issues and problems, evaluate alternate solutions and develop sound conclusions, recommendations, and courses of action.
• Ability to understand, interpret, explain, and apply local, state, and federal law and regulations governing wastewater services.
• Ability to develop clear, concise, and comprehensive technical reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Ability to exercise sound, expert independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City Commission, City staff, other governmental and regulatory officials, private and community organizations, developers, and others encountered in the course of work.
• Ability to perform the most complex duties related to the operation of the water pollution control plant and related facilities and equipment.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve routine maintenance issues associated with water quality control equipment.
• Ability to make operating adjustments to water quality control equipment to ensure
• compliance with local, State and Federal regulations.
• Ability to understand basis physics and chemistry to predict changing plant dynamics.
• Ability to recognize and resolve unusual, inefficient, or dangerous operating conditions.
• Ability to collect, preserve, and interpret samples.
• Ability to perform repairs to plant equipment and facilities.
• Ability to detect and analyze malfunctions in plant operating machinery and equipment and make or take the necessary steps for adjustment.
• Ability to safely handle chemicals and other materials.
• Ability to make process improvement changes to streamline procedures.
• Ability to use tools and instruments properly and safely.
• Ability to operate light power-driven equipment.

Education, Training and Experience:

• Graduation from high school or G.E.D. equivalent; graduation from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public works or utilities.
• Four years of progressively responsible experience comparable to a Plant Operator II.
• Any equivalent combination of training and experience may be substituted for education.

Licenses, Certificates, Special Requirements:

• A valid Florida driver's license
• Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade III Certification.
• Confined Space Certification by the end of probationary period.

Physical and Mental Demands:

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Physical Skills:

Must be able to wear all assigned bunker gear and effectively perform emergency scene duties. When at the fire scene, it requires the ability to lift and carry heavy weights (forty-five (45) pounds and over), good vision, good hearing, ability to distinguish odors, ability to walk, run, drive vehicles, crawl, stoop, push, pull, jump, and use other emergency and firefighting equipment as required. Requires the ability to operate telephones, smart phones, tablets, photocopiers, desktop and/or laptop computers.

Mental Demands:

Ability to work under stress and make competent leadership decisions in a quick manner.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee regularly works outside in various weather conditions, and/or around hazardous materials.

BENEFITS

The City offers comprehensive health insurance, city-paid basic life insurance and long-term disability insurance, optional vision, dental and short-term disability insurance, robust retirement plan options, both pension and deferred compensation, generous paid leave, and ample professional development

Salary : $32 - $34