Treatment Plant Operator Trainee 1

Please note that applications must be completed and submitted by 11:59 pm ET on the day prior to the close date listed on the job posting.

Mission: Provide Superior Services that Inspire Community Pride

Vision: To be the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay

Values: Integrity, Collaboration, Passion, Creativity

Largo's commitment to a High Performance Organization (HPO) model builds a flexible and resilient organization that intentionally builds leadership capacity at all levels of the organization.

CITY OF LARGO ... Naturally A Great Place to Work!

Closing:

Continuous

Salary:

$18.31 hourly rate

Job Summary:

We are seeking a skilled and dedicated Treatment Plant Operator to join our team. This position involves specialized work in the operation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment facility. The ideal candidate will be responsible for ensuring the continuous and efficient operation of the plant during an assigned shift.

Key Responsibilities:

Operate and monitor wastewater treatment systems to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
Perform routine inspections and maintenance of plant equipment.
Identify and respond to operational issues using sound judgment and initiative.
Maintain accurate records of plant operations and maintenance activities.
Collaborate with team members and supervisors to ensure smooth shift transitions and effective communication.

This is a shift-based position supporting a 24/7 operation

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

All employees share components of leadership, management, technical, and team skills to assist in making the City of Largo the community of choice in Tampa Bay.

Leadership

• Demonstrates an understanding and reflection of the City’s mission, vision, and values and a commitment to achieve organizational goals aligned with the City’s strategic plan
• Champions a high-performance work culture that encourages and embraces new ideas, develops individuals, and welcomes and encourages diverse perspectives
• Articulates strategic and innovative thinking and provides clarity to deliver superior services
• Approaches the job with enthusiasm and curiosity to promote a solutions-oriented work culture

Management

• Effectively manages assignments and priorities to ensure the fulfillment of projects, tasks, and responsibilities
• Follows suggested procedures to ensure the highest standards of risk management, employee safety, and risk avoidance

Technical

• Embraces emerging technology and productivity tools with a willingness to learn new skills
• Responsible for regular inspections of the treatment plant and pumping stations on assigned shift
• Responsibilities within plant operation include process control, adjusting valves, chemical feed rates, and changing out and handling dangerous and hazardous chemicals
• Changes valves, calibrates various equipment used to monitor the processes and uses microscopes to identify microbes in the treatment process
• Performs various lab procedures and monitors all aspects of the treatment process
• Works with and instructs others in assuring safe and efficient operation and maintenance of a wide variety of equipment and apparatus, including but not limited to screens, grit collectors and other tanks, pumps of various types, filters, chlorinators, clarifiers, and digestion equipment
• Collects samples, performs operational checks, and records results; maintains extensive operating records
• Ensures daily compliance requirements
• Reads and understands mechanical, electrical, and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems
• Performs general housekeeping duties at the plant, such as cleaning equipment, sweeping, mopping, washing windows, cleaning laboratory glassware, and painting equipment as necessary
• Installs/removes chlorine and sulfur dioxide containers in a safe manner

Team Skills

• Supports honest and transparent decision-making
• Collaborates with all team members in a way that builds upon ideas and takes personal accountability and ownership of projects, roles, and assignments
• Openly exhibits a positive attitude, in words and action, and encourages others to do the same

Performs related work as required.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE STATUS: As a condition of employment, City of Largo employees will be required to work as directed during an undeclared and/or a declared emergency. All employees are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the normal work location, and may include duties other than those specified in the official job description.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED), preferably supplemented by courses in math and chemistry and one (1) year of experience in the operation of pumping machinery and mechanical repair or an equivalent combination of training and experience
• Successful completion of a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) approved training course for the "C" level license (correspondence course or classroom setting) or Associate’s Degree in biology, chemistry, environmental science, or another related STEM field preferred
• Must obtain a State of Florida Class "C" Certified Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's License and advance to Treatment Plant Operator within two (2) years from the date of employment
• A valid Driver’s License

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of
  • collection, stormwater, treatment, and sewer systems and functions
  • chemistry and mathematics sufficient for field laboratory calculations
  • standard laboratory procedures and terminology, hazards, and safety precautions in using chemicals and laboratory equipment
• Ability to
  • conduct inspections and investigations
  • perform basic lab and field sampling techniques
  • understand and follow oral and written instructions and perform accurate measurements
  • communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing
  • follow scheduled work
  • follow technical instructions
  • monitor and control plant operations through a computerized supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system
  • perform tasks associated with a computerized maintenance management software (CMMS) related to work requests, work orders, and timekeeping
  • perform shift work as assigned
• Classification commensurate with certification:
  • Treatment Plant Operator C ("C" license)
  • Treatment Plant Operator B ("B" license)
  • Treatment Plant Operator A ("A" license)

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work Environment: 20% inside a climate-controlled building and 80% outside, which includes driving.

Physical Requirements: The essential functions of the job require sitting approximately one (1) hour per day, standing approximately one (1) hour per day, and walking approximately six (6) hours per day. The job also requires frequent bending/stooping, climbing, grasping, reaching, lifting/carrying objects weighing up to 15 pounds, and lifting objects weighing up to 44 pounds, with occasional fine manipulations, kneeling, pulling, pushing, repetitive motion, carrying objects weighing up to 44 pounds, and lifting/carrying objects weighing more than 45 pounds. On rare occasions, the work requires crawling.

Sensory Requirements: Hearing: Ability to detect proper equipment operation and understand what others are saying in normal conversation and on the telephone. Speaking: Ability to communicate orally with others and speak effectively on the phone. Seeing: Ability to see and read computer monitor screens, operate a vehicle, perform field laboratory tests, and read normal print.

Driving Requirements:  Requires occasional driving and possession of a valid Florida Driver's License.
Technology: The work requires the ability to operate telephones, smartphones, tablets, photocopiers, printers, desktop and laptop computers, calculators, and all associated software. 

Other Machines: The work requires the ability to operate forklifts, tractors, front-end loaders, and backhoes.

Tools: The work requires proficiency with amperometric titrator, ammonia analyzer, dissolved oxygen meter, scales, microscopes, chlorinators, sulfinators, gas masks, chlorine emergency kits, regulators, injectors, generators, chemicals, water hoses, and wrenches.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Yes - DRUG TESTING (Safety Sensitive)

No - CHILDCARE FINGERPRINTING

No - CREDIT CHECK

No - FDLE AND CJSTC SECURITY CLEARANCE: As mandated by the FDLE, CJSTC, and the Largo Police Department, this position may be subject to additional security clearances due to access to the police department facility or police department's electronic data.