Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator IV - Lab Technician

• Oversees the maintenance and operation of the
  Village’s 2.6 million gallon-per-day secondary process (activated
  sludge) wastewater treatment plant, including effluent quality sampling
  and testing, and adjusting wastewater treatment processes to produce
  desired effluent quality.
• Coordinates and oversees the
  maintenance and repair of the wastewater treatment plant including
  headworks, primary clarifier, activated sludge process, digesters,
  aeration basins, membrane filters, ultraviolet disinfection, gravity
  belt thicker, and sludge press.  Ensures equipment is safe for repair or
  maintenance; assists with repairs or maintenance as appropriate.
• Monitors
  wastewater treatment plant processes by checking gauges and reports,
  and adjusts treatment processes to maintain desired quality.
• Samples sewage and effluent at various treatment stages.
• Performs
  microscopic and chemical tests for various water quality factors such
  as bacteria, biological oxygen demand, fecal coli form, chlorine, pH,
  and suspended solids.
• Follows discharge permit guidelines to determine types and frequency of required testing and analysis.
• Performs and oversees scheduled checks on equipment and processes.
• Inspects
  plant processes; adjusts processes as necessary based on laboratory
  results or instrument readings; ensures disinfection and effluent
  requirements meet or exceed NPDES requirements.
• Prepares operations reports; enters data from reports on operations; reviews laboratory reports.
• Reports safety deficiencies; ensures corrections are made.
• Attends safety meetings and instructs employees on safety practices and procedures.
• Prepares daily, weekly, and monthly effluent testing and quality records for management and state oversight agencies.
• Develops,
  reviews, and updates the Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) program, including
  inspection of existing grease interceptors and traps, to minimize the
  effects of grease buildup in sewer lines.

Other Responsibilities or Job Requirements

• Responsible
  for completing personal timesheets based on actual hours worked and
  submitting accurate time into the Employee Self Service software by
  timeline set by Department Director.
• Assists with report
  preparation for New Mexico Environmental Department, federal
  Environmental Protection Agency, and Village management.
• Assists in enforcing the FOG (fats, oil, and grease) program.
• Assists with cleaning and maintaining wastewater treatment plant and laboratory.
• May handle department purchasing projects or procedures.
• Responsible for maintenance of assigned vehicle.
• Shares on-call responsibilities for after hour’s problems.
• Ensures that any on-the job injury is reported immediately and followed up with appropriate forms and actions.
• Ensures any reports of harassment are immediately reported to WWTP Manager.
• Responsible
  for complying with all Village of Ruidoso policies and procedures
  including but not limited to Procurement, IT, Personnel Manual, Safety
  Manual etc.
• Reports any suspected fraud and/or abuse to the WWTP Manager or Deputy Village Manager or Village Manager
• The
  above statements are not a complete list of all responsibilities and
  duties performed by employees in this job.  As a condition of
  employment, employees are required to perform other related duties and
  special projects as assigned.

Physical Demands

• Ability
  to maintain physical condition and stamina appropriate to the
  performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include
  sitting, standing, or walking for extended periods of time, driving or
  riding in vehicles and perform other duties as assigned.
• Moderate physical activity
• Occasional pushing, pulling, lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds.
• Occasional crawling, bending, climbing, kneeling, squatting, and working in confined spaces.

Work Environment

• Position
  functions primarily in a plant environment; outdoor work involves
  exposure to all weather conditions; exposure to chemicals, fumes, odors,
  gases, raw wastewater, sludge and mechanical/electrical equipment
  hazards; protective clothing includes a safety harness, SCBA, face
  shields, eye protector, hard hats, safety shoes, hearing protection and
  gloves.
• Possess ability to adapt to inclement weather conditions and/or situations.
• Ability to drive, occasionally long distances.
• Ability
  to perform duties and adapt to flexible work schedules as established
  by management which includes a fairly irregular schedule, long hours,
  weekends, holidays, may be called when needed and subject to being on
  standby.
• Noise level could be moderate to loud in work environment.
• Ability to work in stressful environment and deal effectively with stress.

Travel Requirements
Limited
travel – ability to travel for activities such as meetings, classes,
and workshops in and out of the area.  Must be able to travel by air as
needed to attend training, conferences, related activities and overnight
travel as required.

Licenses and/or Certifications
New
Mexico Wastewater Level IV certification preferred; will accept NM
Wastewater Level II, but must obtain a NM Wastewater Level IV
certification within 4 years from date of hire.  New Mexico Lab Tech
level 3 certification preferred.

Must possess and maintain
valid New Mexico motor vehicle operator’s permit of appropriate
classification and endorsement as required.  Must agree to maintain a
satisfactory MVR and minimum requirement of insurability as required by
law.  MVR background checks will be conducted by the Village.

Skill in: establishing and
maintaining effective working relationships with citizens, contractors,
outside agencies, businesses, and employees; processing testing
equipment; performing basic mathematical calculations.

Ability to:
perform wastewater analysis; read and interpret instrumentation; make
sound judgment calls and decisions during malfunctions or other
emergencies; maintain accurate records ; maintain constant alertness and
concentration; perform the day-to-day operations of a wastewater
treatment plant; perform technical chemical sampling and analysis for a
wastewater plant; stay within compliance of the Village of Ruidoso’s
NPDES permit; understand and interpret complex statutes, ordinances,
regulations, standards, and guidelines; communicate in person and in
writing; balance a variety of duties, prioritize, and meet deadlines;
make fair and concise decisions; understand complex statutes,
regulations, guidelines, and procedures.