Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

GENERAL PURPOSE

To perform skilled wastewater treatment plant operational, laboratory, monitoring, regulatory compliance, recordkeeping, and related activities necessary for the safe, reliable, and compliant operation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and associated wastewater system.

The WWTP Operator classification includes employees at varying levels of wastewater operator certification and experience. Employees are expected to assume progressively greater responsibility for treatment-process evaluation, regulatory compliance, operational decision-making, reporting, and training as they obtain advanced certifications and demonstrate increased knowledge and experience.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·        Operate and monitor wastewater treatment processes and equipment in accordance with applicable permits, regulatory requirements, established operating procedures, and direction from the WWTP Superintendent or Lead WWTP Operator.

·         Monitor plant processes, equipment, instrumentation, alarms, SCADA and other control systems; record operating conditions and identify abnormal or changing conditions requiring attention.

·         Obtain wastewater, sludge, and other samples from the treatment plant and sanitary sewer collection system as required.

·         Perform routine and required laboratory analyses using established procedures and accurately calculate, document, enter, and maintain laboratory and operating results.

·         Prepare laboratory solutions, maintain laboratory equipment and supplies, and clean and sterilize laboratory glassware and equipment as required.

·         Read, record, organize, and maintain plant monitoring, laboratory, process-control, flow, equipment, and other operational data.

·         Complete and maintain accurate operating logs, laboratory records, inspection records, work orders, regulatory records, reports, and other required documentation using City-approved electronic and paper systems.

·         Assist in preparing data and documentation necessary for regulatory reports, permit compliance, inspections, operational reviews, and other wastewater reporting requirements.

·         Monitor treatment performance and perform authorized routine adjustments to wastewater treatment processes based upon operating conditions, laboratory results, established procedures, level of certification, training, and direction.

·         Participate in routine inspection and operation of treatment equipment, pumps, chemical-feed systems, solids-handling processes, and other wastewater treatment systems.

·         Assist with plant and collection-system equipment maintenance and coordinate with Senior WWTP Maintenance Workers when maintenance, troubleshooting, or repairs are required.

·         Assist with sanitary sewer lift-station, force-main, emergency-generator, and collection-system operations and emergency response as trained and assigned.

·         Participate in the WWTP division on-call rotation and respond to after-hours plant, collection-system, alarm, equipment, and other wastewater emergencies and operational needs.

·         Perform assigned weekend and holiday plant operations, laboratory testing, sampling, monitoring, and related duties as required.

·         Comply with applicable federal, state, and local wastewater requirements, discharge permit requirements, City policies and procedures, safety standards, and established operating practices.

·         Maintain knowledge of plant processes, equipment, regulatory requirements, laboratory procedures, and wastewater treatment practices appropriate to the employee's level of certification and responsibility

PROGRESSIVE OPERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

As wastewater certification, training, knowledge, and experience increase, the WWTP Operator may be assigned progressively more advanced responsibilities, including:

·         Review and interpret laboratory results, operating data, process trends, equipment performance, and other information affecting treatment performance and permit compliance.

·         Identify potential operational, treatment-process, or compliance concerns and communicate findings to the Lead WWTP Operator and WWTP Superintendent.

·         Recommend treatment-process adjustments based upon laboratory results, operating data, process conditions, and established wastewater treatment practices.

·         Make authorized treatment-process adjustments consistent with the employee's certification, training, assigned authority, and established operating procedures.

·         Review operating records, laboratory results, calculations, reports, and other documentation for accuracy and completeness.

·         Assist with preparation and review of regulatory reports, operating reports, process evaluations, and other required documentation.

·         Assist the Lead WWTP Operator and WWTP Superintendent with troubleshooting treatment-process issues and evaluating plant performance.

·         Provide training, guidance, and mentoring to less-experienced WWTP Operators, Senior WWTP Maintenance Workers, and other assigned employees in laboratory procedures, sampling, plant operations,  recordkeeping, and other areas for which the employee is qualified.

·         Provide technical observations and recommendations to the Lead WWTP Operator and WWTP Superintendent regarding plant operations and treatment processes.

·         Perform work normally assigned to lower-rated classifications when required.

·         Assist other Public Works divisions during emergencies, special projects, and periods of operational need.

·         Perform other duties as assigned that are reasonably related to the employee's training, qualifications, certification, classification, and operational needs of the City.