Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

The principal function of an employee in this class is to perform semi-skilled mechanical and technical work required for the operation and maintenance of water treatment plants and pump stations. Duties include helping ensure delivery of sufficient quantities of water to satisfy customer needs while meeting or exceeding all state and federal water quality standards and assisting in monitoring all plants and related appurtenances to ensure that they are being operated in accordance with established procedures.
Hourly compensation range is based on the level of current and valid operator license a candidate possesses, and is as follows:

• Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Operator in Training (if candidate does not possess this, he/she/they most obtain this license within 12 months of hire): $19.92 - $27.24/hr.
• WTP Operator I: $21.09 - $29.14/hr.
• WTP Operator II: $22.57 - $31.19/hr.
• WTP Operator III: $24.15 - $33.37/hr.
• WTP Operator IV: $25.84 - $35.70/hr.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

This list is ILLUSTRATIVE only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by the incumbent of this class. Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Operates and maintains equipment; standardizes instruments, pumps, valves, meters, and other apparatus.
• Observes condition of raw and finished water and makes appropriate adjustments of chemical feed to maintain compliance with regulatory standards.
• Makes daily inspection of mechanical and electrical operating conditions of equipment and records findings.
• Performs general maintenance, records actions taken, and reports considerations to Supervisor.
• Takes samples and conducts laboratory analyses, as instructed.
• Updates logs of plant and system operations.
• Cooperates with other Utilities Division personnel and maintains good inter-departmental relationships.
• Completes special projects assigned by the Supervisor and/or a higher class operator.
• Evaluates problems and carries out appropriate corrective actions after consultation with supervising personnel.
• Evaluates filter performance and initiates backwash procedures when necessary.
• Monitors performance of reservoirs, dams, and pump stations.
• Performs interpretation and evaluation of analytical data.
• Handles chemicals (coagulants, chlorine, fluoride, soda ash, and PAC) according to prescribed standards. This includes loading, maintenance of proper feed rates, and knowledge of proper handling of spills.
• Investigates customer complaints at Supervisor\'s request.
• Performs general maintenance of buildings and grounds (mowing, weed control, tree removal, snow removal, janitorial, painting, etc.).

• Cleans facilities and operation equipment as required by daily visual inspection.

• Maintains working knowledge of plant computer monitoring and operating system.
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City Policies, Procedures, and safety practices.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists other employees with assignments and duties as necessary.
• Carries and responds to emergencies as assigned.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Knowledge of:

• General principles, practices and methods of water treatment, storage, and distribution
• Operation of mechanical and electrical equipment

• Occupational hazards and safety
• Proper methods of lubricating, maintaining, and adjusting equipment

Skill and Ability to:

• Maintain, repair and adjust pumps, chemical feeders, instruments and other water systems equipment.
• Check operation of mechanical equipment, detect flaws and defects, and make corrections after consultation with supervising personnel.
• Take accurate readings, keep routine records, and make reports.
• Communicate effectively to establish and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers and organizations or individuals encountered within the community and general public in performance of job responsibilities.
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Perform time management, organizational, and scheduling functions, meet deadlines, and set task priorities.
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously, including handling interruptions, and return to and complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Use logical and creative thought processes to develop reasonable solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.
• Calculate volumes and fractional equations.
• Perform physical labor.
• Read, write, speak, and comprehend the English language.
• Follow written and oral instructions.
• Work independently, with minimal supervision, and make appropriate decisions in the absence of a supervisor.
• Work well under pressure and maintain a calm and professional demeanor, under stressful or adversarial conditions.
• Demonstrate patience, integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

Physical Demands:

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions, communication with other employees and the public, and discern warning or emergency alarms, including vehicle backup warnings;
• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions and work orders; read gauges and other indicators; perform laboratory tests; and operate varied job-related equipment;
• Sufficient manual dexterity with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate a variety of power and hand tools and to make adjustments to equipment;
• Sufficient strength to lift objects up to 50 pounds regularly.
• Sufficient body mobility, flexibility, stamina, and balance to perform operational and maintenance tasks which require stooping, pushing, pulling, climbing and working on ladders, working in enclosed and confined spaces.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in and around a water treatment plant and related equipment which requires the employee to work near moving mechanical parts, high or precarious places and occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles or toxic chemicals.
• Work is performed equal amounts of time indoors and outdoors with frequent exposure to adverse weather conditions, pollen, dirt and dust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately loud.
• The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.
• Duties may require evening, weekend, holiday and/or on-call work.

Must be able to respond to emergencies within 30 minutes.

ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalent; and
• Experience in operating and maintaining equipment for a water system including supplemental courses in electricity, SCADA, computer programming/operation, etc. -- Preferred.
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work of a Water Treatment Operator.
• Electrical or mechanical experience - Preferred.

License(s) and Certification(s):

• Valid Driver\'s License - Required
• Valid State of Idaho - Class I (or higher) Water Treatment Plant Operator License or the ability to obtain said license within one (1) year of hire.
• Valid First Aid/CPR certification or ability to obtain certification within six (6) months of hire.

This class specification should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.

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