Water Plant Operator

The Water Plant Operator performs technical work by assisting licensed operators in operating and maintaining water production, storage, treatment, distribution systems, and facilities in accordance with local, state, and federal codes, rules and regulations, and permit conditions.

The following statements describe the principal functions of this job and its scope of responsibility but shall not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.   Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including working in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

Water Plant Operator Trainee, I and II: 

• Assists in the preparation of monthly and quarterly operating reports for timely submission to regulatory agencies.
• Assists with the collection of various water samples for laboratory testing and analyses; reviews and interprets results; makes modifications to treatment and other processes to obtain compliance with codes, rules and regulations.
• Immediately reports unusual increases or decreases in chemicals or physical properties to the Water Plant Operator III and/or Water Plants Supervisor.
• Uses a variety of field test kits to conduct tests on water (chlorine, residual, pH, turbidity, chlorides, copper, lead, and iron).
• Maintains facilities, structures, buildings, and grounds to ensure they are in a proper state of repair, safe and well kept.
• Records daily readings associated to the WTP paperwork (Gen run time, Flow, Chlorine, In and Out Times, Rain and etc.).
• Checks pumps, changes oil and greases pumps as required and necessary.
• Assists in maintaining records and charts for water production data, process control and to document the operation of equipment and systems.
• Performs preventive maintenance to pumps, wells, auxiliary engines, motors, buildings, and structures.
• Assists in mixing chlorine solutions for properly disinfecting water systems in accordance with established guidelines.
• Assesses safety problems, makes minor repairs and modifications and coordinates time consuming or difficult repair or modifications with Water Operator III and/or Electrical/Mechanical Specialists.
• Repairs breaks and damages to water systems in order to minimize interruption of service, coordinates repair of large or time-consuming breaks with the distribution maintenance personnel.
• Ensures fire extinguishers are operable and checked on an annual basis.
• Flushes fire hydrants and appropriate blow off points within the water systems to ensure high quality water.
• Investigates and resolves complaints and problems with customers, the public, and other staff members.
• Assesses and updates safety and fire prevention equipment to ensure it is operational. 
• Operates, maintains, and makes minor repairs to a variety of types and sizes of water plants. 
• Prepares monthly and quarterly operating reports for timely submission to regulatory agencies. 

Water Plant Operator III: 

• Financial Responsibilities: Accountable for inventory/property management; make recommendations that impact the budget; and purchasing authority up to $1,000 without approval from supervisor.
• Assists the Chief Operator / Water Plants Supervisor in coordinating the daily operation of water plants to ensure operational and maintenance practices comply with all permit conditions and rules and regulations of federal and state regulatory agencies.
• Directs various water laboratory testing to ensure sampling is performed properly and in accordance with operating permits; reviews and interprets results; implements modifications to treatment and other processes to comply with codes, rules, and regulations.
• Reviews plant operational reports and performance data for accuracy and correctness and to determine the treatment provided and required to increase efficiency, to improve performance, to protect the environment and to maintain the public health.
• Resolves customer complaints pertaining to water plant operations.
• Ensures that safety and fire equipment, are updated and operational.
• Makes recommendations pertaining to operational, organizational, and administrative systems modifications and/or improvements.
• Collects and organizes data required for reports to D.E.P., S.W.F.W.M.D., EPA, and various other agencies. 
• Assists the Chief Operator / Water Plants Supervisor in the preparation and makes recommendations for annual and program budgets for the Water Plant Operations section.
• Sits in on interviews and discipline of personnel assigned to the Water Plant Operations section and makes recommendations.
• Provides and oversees operational, administrative and safety training on all aspects of water plant operations, maintenance, and safety.
• Assists with annual evaluations on subordinate personnel.
• Prepares work schedules and prioritizes assignments.
• Prepares and oversees monthly and quarterly operating reports for timely submission to regulatory agencies.
• Assists Water Plant Operators in solving difficult and complex operational problems at the water plants and in the field.
• Assigns and coordinates work of subordinate team members.
• Assists the Chief Operator / Water Plants Supervisor in the pre technical bid specifications for equipment, supplies, material and services needed for operational needs.
• Assists with coordinating, design, and construction activities with consulting engineers.
• Prepares detailed reports, correspondence, and documents, interprets results.
• Oversees and provides on-the-job training to subordinate team members.
• Reviews plans and bid specifications.
• Oversees the mixing of chlorine solutions for properly disinfecting water in accordance with established guidelines.
• Regular attendance is required.

Emergency Response 
County employees are required to report for work during a state of emergency and are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations which may include duties other than those specified in this job description. Minimum Qualifications

• Water Plant Operator Trainee 

  Pay Grade: 5

  Hourly Rate $21.11 - $27.46

  • High school graduate or equivalent (GED).
  • One (1) year experience in utility field work or a related field (preferred).
  • Must have and maintain a valid Florida Class E Driver's License with a good driving record as defined by current insurance carrier.
  • Must possess or obtain FEMA ICS 100, ICS 200, and ICS 700 NIMS certification within 30 days of hire date.
  • Required to obtain a Florida Department of Environmental Protection Class "C" operating license in water treatment within fourteen (14) months.

• Water Plant Operator I 

  Pay Grade: 7

  Hourly Rate $23.60 - $33.04

  • High school graduate or equivalent (GED).
  • One (1) year of increasing responsible experience in the operation of and maintenance of water treatment and distribution systems. 
  • Must have and maintain a valid Florida Class E Driver's License with a good driving record as defined by current insurance carrier.
  • Must possess a current Florida Department of Environmental Protection Class "C" operating license in water treatment.

• Water Plant Operator II

  Pay Grade 8

  Hourly Rate $25.49 - $35.69

  • High school graduate or equivalent (GED).
  • Three (3) years of increasing responsible experience in the operation and maintenance of water treatment and distribution systems.
  • Must have and maintain a valid Florida Class E Driver's License with a good driving record as defined by current insurance carrier.
  • Must possess Florida Department of Environmental Protection Class "B" operating license in water treatment.

• Water Plant Operator III

  Pay Grade: 10

  Hourly Rate $29.73 - $41.63

  • High school graduate or equivalent (GED).
  • Five (5) years of increasing responsible experience in the operation of and maintenance of water treatment and distribution systems.
  • Two (2) years of which must be in a leadership capacity.
  • Must have and maintain a valid Florida Class E Driver's License with a good driving record as defined by current insurance carrier.
  • Must possess a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Drinking Water Operator Level “A” license.

A combination of education, training and experience may be substituted at the County's discretion.

Required Competencies

• Efficient in the use of computer programs utilizing tablets. Knowledge in Lucity and DFS preferred.
• Ability to gain knowledge of state and federal codes, rules, and regulations pertaining to the safe and continuous operation and maintenance of water systems and facilities.
• Ability to gain knowledge of laboratory procedures, field tests and sample collection techniques for water.
• Skill in the use of hand and power tools, vehicles and mowing equipment.
• Ability to learn to prepare various operating and maintenance reports for regulatory agencies.
• Ability and willingness to be on call duty after hours and on weekends as necessary and as scheduled.

Physical Demands

• The work is medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. 

Environmental Conditions

• Constant:  Working inside and outside, on uneven surfaces, in or with moving objects and vehicles.  

• Very Frequent:  Working in heat, cold, high humidity, dampness or chilliness, in dry conditions, in or with dusty, noisy conditions, with grease or oils, with vibration, with fumes, gases and chemicals, working closely with others, and working inside tanks.
• Works in a safe and secure work environment that may periodically have unpredicted requirements or demands. 

Equipment Used

• Basic hand tools, computer, tablet, turbidity meter, pH meter, mowers, tractors, and truck tailgate lift. 

Pay Grade: see job description

*****This is a Veteran's Preference position, must meet minimum qualifications*****

Hernando County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, gender, orientation, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, disability, or any other protected characteristic as defined by law.

Hernando County is a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to drug testing in accordance with Federal and Florida State Law. 

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must provide notification to the BOCC in advance to allow sufficient time to provide an accommodation.

Salary : $43,909 - $86,590