Water/Steam Operator

Under the general direction of the Assistant Water/Steam Supervisor, or under the direct supervision of the Operational Chiefs depending on work assignments, this position performs operational, maintenance, and construction activities related to the municipal water and steam distribution systems. Duties include work on pressure reducing stations, water treatment plant, wells, booster stations, meters, and reservoirs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB

• Performs Gopher State One Call Locating.   
• Performs maintenance, repair, and construction work on water and steam lines, meters, water treatment plant, wells, reservoirs, booster stations, hydrants and valves.
• Performs water main taps and service installations.
• Install, document, inspect, repair, and test water/steam meters and condensate traps.
• Maintain accurate operational records for water treatment plant, wells, booster stations, pressure reducing stations, and ground and elevated storage facilities.
• Verify and locate curb stops, water mains, and service lines.
• Create, update, and maintain mapping for water services, water mains, and curb stops.
• Collects, test, and document water samples in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Operate and monitor the water treatment plant, wells, booster stations, pressure reducing stations, and ground and elevated storage facilities.
• Manage water meter and ERT inventory, including installation and programming of ERT units.
• Maintain, operate, and troubleshoot the SCADA system.
• Perform routine maintenance and minor repairs on department vehicles and equipment.
• Operator C and B positions are required to perform standby/on-call duty. Operator D will not be required to perform standby duty until one year of service in the Water/Steam Department or until the supervisor determines the employee is capable of performing standby duties.
• Follow all department safety standards, policies, and procedures.
• Attend all required training and maintain current licenses and certifications as required by federal and state regulations and the Public Utilities Commission.

The aforementioned functions are normal for this position.  They are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA’s)

• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
• Strong reading comprehension skills.
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• General knowledge of maintenance manuals, reports, and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). 
• Working knowledge of Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) standards, rules, and regulations.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of public water supply systems.
• Working knowledge of principles and practices of district energy steam systems.
• Ability to enter, retrieve, and manage data in Microsoft Excel and Access or similar software.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.  
• Preference will be given to candidates who possess a Minnesota Water Operator “D” certificate, have completed a post-secondary water program, or have a minimum of six (6) months of experience operating a Class A, B, C or D water facility.   
• Employees must obtain a Minnesota Water Operator “D” certificate within one (1) year of hire. Certification must be obtained in accordance with Minnesota Administrative Rules for Certification of System and Facility Operators as administered by the Minnesota Department of Health. Possession of a Minnesota Water Operator “D” or higher certificate at the time of hire is preferred. A valid Minnesota Class “D” Driver’s License is required. The ability to obtain a Minnesota Class “A” CDL within 6 months of hire is required. Possession of a Minnesota Class “A” CDL at time of hire is preferred.  

OPERATOR LEVEL REQUIREMENTS

Water/Steam Operator B– Requires a Minnesota “B” Water Operator Certificate and six (6) years of experience in water/steam systems.

Water/Steam Operator C– Requires a Minnesota “C” Water Operator Certificate and three (3) years of experience in water/steam systems.

Water/Steam Operator D– Requires a Minnesota “D” Water Operator Certificate and one (1) year experience in water/steam systems.

Promotion within the Water/Steam Operator classification is contingent upon meeting the minimum qualifications and the recommendation of the department supervisor, in accordance with the applicable labor agreement.

This position is subject to emergency call-in. Employees must establish and maintain residency that allows them to respond to the Water Treatment Plant within thirty (30) minutes of notification of an emergency. This requirement must be met within six (6) months of the date of hire. Failure to meet this requirement within the specified time period may result in termination. 

This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms and repetitive motions, frequently requires standing, walking, sitting, climbing or balancing, pushing or pulling and lifting and occasionally requires tasting or smelling; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; 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, assembly or fabrication of parts within arms length, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work regularly requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions, frequently requires exposure to wet, humid conditions (non-weather), working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to extreme heat (non-weather) and exposure to vibration and occasionally requires working in high, precarious places, exposure to the risk of electrical shock and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic).

Salary : $30 - $40