Water Plant Operator III

St. James Parish Government is hiring for the position of Water Plant Operator III in the Operations Department.

JOB FUNCTION: Controls treatment plant machines and equipment to filter and clarify water for human consumption and industrial use.  This position is classified as essential during declared emergencies or natural disasters.  This is a nonexempt position, working a rotating shift.  This position is “Safety Sensitive” and subject to random drug testing as per the St. James Parish Government Employee Handbook.  Individuals in this class are able to complete the majority of their work with a minimum amount of supervision.  Normally works a rotating shift.  Must possess Class III Operator Water Treatment, Water Distribution and Water Production Certifications.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  Includes any combination of the following illustrative examples of duties and responsibilities including but not limited to:

 ·         Operates and controls electric motors, pumps, and valve(s) to regulate the flow of raw water into treatment plant

·         Dumps specified amounts of chemicals such as chlorine, ammonia, and lime into water; or adjust automatic devices that admit specified amounts of chemicals into tanks to disinfect, deodorize, and clarify water

·         Starts agitators to mix chemicals and allows impurities to settle to bottom of tank(s)

·         Turns valve(s) to regulate water through filter beds to remove impurities

·         Pumps filtered water into water mains

·         Monitor panel board and adjusts controls to regulate flow rates, loss of head pressure and water elevation, and distribution of water

·         Cleans tanks and filter beds using backwashing

·         Performs routine maintenance on machines and equipment

·         Tests water samples to determine acidity, color, and impurities

·         Adds chemicals such as alum into tanks to coagulate impurities and reduce acidity

·         Records data such as residual content of chemicals, water turbidity, and water pressure

·         Maintains daily and monthly logs

·         Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of knowledge, skills and/or ability required.  St. James Parish Government is an equal opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.               

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:  High School diploma or general education diploma (GED) with 1 year of experience as a Water Plant Operator Trainee.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:  Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry.  Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and, proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY:  Ability to define common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.  Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:  Must possess a valid Louisiana Driver’s License, (class “E”) with an acceptable driving record. Must possess Class III Operator Water Treatment, Water Distribution and Water Production Certifications.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

·         General knowledge of the hazards and applicable safety rules and regulations in equipment operation

·         Ability to perform physical labor required of the position

·         Ability to perform daily housekeeping duties

·         Have some knowledge of computer systems

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representatives of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.     

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, feel objects, tools, controls, and climb or balance.  The employee is occasionally required to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representatives of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in conditions of, extreme heat and cold, near moving mechanical parts, and is frequently exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals.  The employee frequently works in high, precarious places and is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles.

The noise level in the work environment is usually very loud.