Water Treatment Plant Operator I

Job Description

Position Purpose: 

This is a non-supervisory role which requires technical ability. The Operator I maintains and operates water treatment, processing, disposal and testing equipment in a water treatment facility to purify water to meet permit and operational requirements.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges
• Record meter and gauge readings and operational data
• Operate equipment to purify and clarify water or to process or dispose of waste
• Clean and maintain equipment, tanks, grounds and other work areas
• Follow the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and State of Florida regulations
• Ensure safety standards are met
• Tends to automatic and semi-automatic machines and related equipment including pumps, engines, generators, valves, gates, mixers, conveyors, blowers, and chemical feed.
• Monitors control panels and adjusts valves and gates manually or by remote control to regulate flow.
• Monitors flow meters, gauges, flow ratios, pressures and related controls through instrument panels, computer terminals and programmable logic control units in assigned areas.
• Monitors and records operating conditions observations and data in area shift log.
• Ensures conformance to process specifications.
• Inspect equipment and identify operational problems; report suspecting malfunctions and variances to the supervisor or designee
• Performs field tests (chemical, physical and biological) in order to pace chemical dosages for process or alter unit processes. 
• Prepares chemical solutions
• Monitors process chemical supplies and recommends reorder. 
• Performs lab tests applicable to permit testing and related reports per procedure.
• Performs manual labor including filling and emptying of machine bins and cleaning equipment, facilities and grounds as required.
• Performs minor maintenance including, but not limited to, routine preventive maintenance, lubrication and minor adjustments under guidance of the supervisor or designee
• Operates vehicles for plant operational purposes.
• Practices good housekeeping in assigned areas and properly disposes of waste according to safety and environmental policies.
• Models compliance with all work practices, policies and procedures.
• Must follow established operational, process control, safety and emergency response procedures. 
• Must adhere to specifications and production schedule.
• Assists in other areas of the plant as needed. 

Work Environment: 

• Spends 100% of the time in an operations environment.
• May need to work outside in inclement weather conditions and drive company vehicles to perform duties.
• Company service vehicles are used as required.
• Possible Work Hazards: May be exposed to possible operations hazards including fumes, toxic and caustic chemicals, heavy machinery, high pressure, hot or cold work environment temperatures, slippery surfaces, water hazards and electrical equipment.

Qualifications

Education/Experience/Background: 

• High School Diploma/GED is required.
• Some experience in a related position and/or environmental field is preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: 

• Must demonstrate a working ability to use computer programs for process control.
• Must consistently demonstrate the ability to learn and independently operate assigned machines and equipment meeting or exceeding processing and quality targets.
• Must demonstrate ability to learn and independently operate equipment such as pumps, engines, centrifuge, generators, valves, gates, mixers, conveyors, blowers, dryers, chemical feed, disinfection equipment, sludge processing belt presses and measuring/control devices, testing equipment and material handling equipment.
• Must demonstrate ability to work in a team environment and willingness to assume additional or new responsibilities readily.
• Must have the ability to read, write and comprehend English (operational, process, safety and quality instructions).
• Must have the ability to perform basic mathematical calculations.
• Must demonstrate ability to work in a team environment and willingness to assume additional or new responsibilities readily.
• Must be able to serve rotational 24 hour on-call or respond to emergencies if required by site.

Required Certification/Licenses/Training: 

• Must possess a valid driver's license and a safe driving record.
• Must possess a Florida grade C water plant operator license.
• Employee Orientation, Departmental Operating Procedures, Safety, OSHA and Quality Training.
• Must become proficient in the care and use of all site specific, facility required PPE (Personal Protection Equipment), including gas detectors, confined space equipment, etc.
• Forklift training and site qualification.
• Work toward a higher-level water treatment license.
• May perform more advanced functions under supervision as part of training and development.
• Must be able to pass a drug screen and criminal background check.

Physical Requirements: 

• Amount of time spent – Sitting 25%, Standing 25%, Walking 50% for as many as five miles per shift.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch and enter confined spaces. Will be required to use ladders or stairs.
• The employee must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds (occasionally 60 pounds).
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. Requires close visual observation to detect process non-conformance and machine malfunction.
• The employee must wear PPE including but not limited to safety-toed boots, safety glasses, and a hard hat.