What are the responsibilities and job description for the Wastewater Plant Operator position at City of Racine?
Introduction
The Racine Wastewater Utility is responsible for the recycling of municipal wastewater for return as a clean resource into Lake Michigan through the operation of advanced computer instrumentation and mechanical equipment. The Utility is designed to treat 36 mgd of regional flow serving the City of Racine, Village of Mount Pleasant, Village of Caledonia, Village of Sturtevant, Village of Elmwood Park, and Village of North Bay.
Position Purpose
The purpose of this position is to monitor plant data to operate and make adjustments to treatment equipment used in the purification of wastewater as a recycled resource returned to Lake Michigan. This position does work a rotating shift schedule, including weekends and holidays.
Essential Duties
The City of Racine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
The Racine Wastewater Utility is responsible for the recycling of municipal wastewater for return as a clean resource into Lake Michigan through the operation of advanced computer instrumentation and mechanical equipment. The Utility is designed to treat 36 mgd of regional flow serving the City of Racine, Village of Mount Pleasant, Village of Caledonia, Village of Sturtevant, Village of Elmwood Park, and Village of North Bay.
Position Purpose
The purpose of this position is to monitor plant data to operate and make adjustments to treatment equipment used in the purification of wastewater as a recycled resource returned to Lake Michigan. This position does work a rotating shift schedule, including weekends and holidays.
Essential Duties
- Operates bar screens, conveyors, blowers, clarifiers, chemical feed systems, ultraviolet disinfection systems, belt filter presses, gravity belt thickeners, and other equipment used to treat wastewater by settling, aeration, disinfection, and solids digestion.
- Abides with treatment methods prescribed by State regulations, as well as Utility SOPs.
- Starts and stops pumps, valves and gates (manual or remote control), engines, and generators to control flow through filtering, settling, aeration, and solids digestion processes.
- Monitors variations in operating conditions and interprets meter, analyzer, and gauge readings to determine volume and mass loading requirements to various plant processes; including timing for the initiation of plant blending processes and adding treatment equipment to remediate elevated wet weather flows, and vice versa.
- Maintains log of operations and records meter and gauge readings of various plant processes; detects equipment malfunctions.
- Removes obstructions from screens to accelerate influent flow velocity.
- Collects wastewater samples and performs basic laboratory tests.
- Troubleshoots, performs minor repairs, and assist mechanics in the performance of regular and unscheduled maintenance and repairs on plant equipment.
- Lubricates equipment such as pumps, chains, valves, conveyors.
- Unloads chemicals from tank trucks into proper storage tanks.
- Cleans and maintains buildings and equipment such as filter screens, processing tanks, walkways and other areas of plant using hose, brushes and chemical solutions.
- Checks plant boiler systems for proper operation and water levels.
- Adheres to all safety procedures as defined by the Utility work and safety rules.
- Navigates a computer screen, and interprets SCADA system data.
- Works cooperatively with other departments and staff to respond appropriately to emergency situations.
- Conducts tours for City, schools, and public groups; addresses concerns and questions
- Associate Degree related to wastewater treatment, or completion of Wisconsin Wastewater Operators Apprenticeship; or 2 years of municipal wastewater plant or collection system work experience; or 2 years of verifiable mechanical experience working with pumps, compressors, blowers, or engines.
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Basic General Wastewater Operator certification is required within 1 year of hire; certification in 3 subgrades applicable to the Racine WWTP (A1,B,C,D1,E) is required within 3 years of hire.
- City of Racine Facilities Engineer license is required within 1 year of hire.
- Wet laboratory skill and knowledge is a plus.
- Proficiency with computer applications is required; including desired knowledge of programmable logic controllers.
- Valid state-issued motor vehicle operator’s license is required.
- Strong mechanical skills, including a working knowledge of electro-mechanical functions, principles and techniques; as well as demonstrated aptitude in the areas of mathematics and life sciences.
- Willingness to work a rotating shift schedule, including weekends and holidays.
- Ability to analyze and categorize data and information in order to determine the relationship of the data with reference to established criteria/standards. Ability to compare, count, differentiate, classify, compute, tabulate, measure and/or sort data, as well as assemble, copy and record and transcribe data and information.
- Ability to utilize, interpret, and apply a variety of advisory data and information such as blueprints, line diagrams, meters, gauges, charts, graphs, Safety Data Sheets, and technical operating manuals.
- Ability to communicate orally and in writing with varied and diverse contacts, such as Utility personnel, consultants, vendors, general public, and regulatory personnel.
- Ability to communicate and follow instructions both orally and in writing; and perform duties with a minimum of direct supervision.
- Ability to maintain effective and professional working relationships with fellow employees.
- Ability to apply rational and ethical judgment, tact, courtesy, and diplomacy when dealing with Utility staff, public customers, and city representatives.
- Must have good dexterity with ability to hand operate equipment and instruments, some requiring complex and rapid adjustments in coordination with eye movement.
- Ability to exert strenuous physical effort to lift and carry objects up to 50 lbs, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing steps and ladders, and extensive walking.
- Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarity or difference between characteristics of color, sound and odors as associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks.
- The operations control room is a computerized climate-controlled environment.
- Ability to work at times under moderately safe outdoor climatic conditions and indoor multi-floor buildings where exposure to environmental factors such as water treatment chemicals, noise, odor, pathogens, biogas, ultraviolet light, electric currents, confined spaces, and machinery poses a slight risk of injury; exposure to large wastewater basins with fall risk, and numerous step climbing and tripping hazards.
- Ability to work at times in less than desirable conditions (such as preliminary treatment (bar screens, grit removal), process pumping/piping tunnels with low head clearance and tripping hazards, and solids handling facilities) under potentially unsafe and uncomfortable conditions, where exposure to environmental factors such as heat, odors, dampness, chemicals, noise, pathogens, electrical currents, organic and mineral decomposition gases, confined spaces, and/or machinery can cause a moderate risk of injury.
- Wastewater treatment machinery and equipment including: pumps, motors, engines, blowers, barscreens, conveyers, motorized gates/valves, gas compressors, electric switchgear, belt filter presses, gravity belt thickeners, ultra-violet disinfection systems, chemical mixing and feed equipment, laboratory apparatus and analytical equipment, meters, gauges, chart recorders, computer control stations, electronic instrumentation, personal protective equipment.
- Miscellaneous hand tools, wrenches, sockets, manhole cover removing device, confined space entry equipment, gas detector, lifting equipment hoist/crane; snow removal
The City of Racine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.