Senior Public Works Operator $18.08/hr. - $22.06/hr.

JOB DESCIPTION: 

GENERAL PURPOSE

Works under the general supervision of the Operations Superintendent, or Operations Foreman performing a variety of full performance level skilled duties in the operation of heavy and light equipment in the operation, repair, maintenance, and replacement of various components of the water and wastewater treatment plants.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Might provide close supervision to Works Operators II or I while in training or on a project-by-project basis.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Performs Some or All of the Following)

Water Treatment: Monitors city water storage levels;  tests fuses and resisters using OHM meter;  replaces fuses and resisters as needed; ; inspects and/or repairs chlorine machine, pump oil units, chlorine units, etc., at frequent intervals to insure that all aspects of the systems are functioning properly; maintains chlorine building and chlorination equipment; maintains a variety of records relating to inspections, maintenance activity, water supply, consumption, etc.; monitors telemeter equipment to assure proper operations; tests water using DPD tester to assure proper chlorine residual levels;  reads water flow meter, chlorine pound per day gauge;  calculates chlorine dosage and makes proper adjustments; draws water samples to test for bacteria, conducts pressure tests.

Wastewater Treatment: Performs as a certified treatment plant operator; checks and assures that all stages of the wastewater treatment processes are maintained in working condition;  periodically checks pumps, flow, mechanical, and chemical processes and pump stations; monitors plant control panels and operation processes including raw pumps,  station alarms, primary clarifiers, final clarifiers, trickle filters, chlorine building, raw sludge pump house, digester facility and generator facility; inspects plant head works such as bar screens, grit chambers and recirculation pump station;  observes operations to assure proper processing of influent waste and effluent water;  checks chlorination equipment and maintains proper flow of chlorine into contact chambers; flushes chambers periodically.

Operates valves and pumps necessary to transfer sludge to digesters;  monitors valving, pumps, gauges, levels, temperatures, pressures, boilers, heat exchangers and processes;  records daily readings on various charts;  prepares and sets up valving for transfer pumps, scum breakers, or to change heat exchangers; monitors valves, pumps, gauges, and processes in raw sludge pumping building;  makes daily readings and records findings;  checks sludge lines and pumps for plugging;  cleans pumps as needed;  sets sludge pump timers as needed to meet changing raw sludge conditions; takes laboratory samples from various stages of treatment process; calibrates gauges, meters and measuring devices.

Performs general equipment maintenance and cleaning;  cleans sludge pumps ball valves, removes sticks and other obstructions;  removes debris clogging grease troughs, effluent screens and "O"-rings in primary clarifiers; back pumps as needed to clear lines;  operates high pressure cleaning equipment, etc.   

Meter Technician/Reader: Installs water meters; assembles and/or disassembles meters as needed to analyze and repair units; monitors meter inventory; monitors various supplies and parts; operates hand-held meter reader and participates in regular water meter reading projects to determine individual account consumption and preparation of water billings; documents reading dates and meter changes; monitors customer use of meter and may issue citations for meter tampering; receives and processes connect and disconnect orders. 

Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

1.       Education and Experience:

A.               Graduation from high school; AND

B.                Four (4) years of responsible experience in a field directly related to above duties;  OR

C.      An equivalent combination of education and experience.

2.       Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  

Considerable knowledge of technical wastewater and water treatment plant equipment and machinery and its operation maintenance and repair; plant processes; hazards and precautions associated with plant operations and processes; plant policies and procedures; ordinances, laws, and regulations governing wastewater treatment and discharge promulgated by various State and Federal agencies; construction requirements for water distribution and pumping systems;  hazards associated with water treatment chemicals;  basic civil engineering;  State or Federal regulations governing installation and maintenance of water systems;  water quality laws; 

Ability to make minor repairs on equipment; develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, elected officials, local agencies and the general public; communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.                                                                                                                            

3.                 Special Qualifications:

Must become a certified Level III or IV Wastewater Operator for wastewater treatment assignments. Must be a certified Level III or IV Water Operator for water treatment assignments.  Must be willing to work on call 24/7.

   4.         Work Environment:

Tasks require variety of physical activities, and generally involve muscular strain, related to walking, standing, stooping, sitting, and reaching.  Daily exposure to hazardous conditions such as: working on high ladders, stairs and in confined spaces; daily potential for hazardous exposure to methane, hydrogen sulfide, and chlorine gases; daily potential for hazardous exposure to oxygen deficient atmosphere; daily exposure to seasonal changes and weather extremes; daily potential for hazardous exposure to electrical shock, industrial wastes and raw sewage (containing pathogens such as typhoid, paratyphoid, dysentery, polio, tetanus, etc.);  daily exposure to moving parts and equipment such as pumps, motors, etc.; daily exposure to stressful environmental conditions such as fumes, dampness, cold, heat, and noise. Essential functions require talking, hearing and seeing.   Common eye, hand, finger dexterity exist.  Mental application utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability, discriminating thinking and creative problem solving.  Periodic travel required in normal course of job performance.

    Disclaimer:  The above statements describe the general nature, level, and type of work performed by the incumbent(s) assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, demands, and skills required of personnel so classified.  Job descriptions are not intended to and do not imply or create any employment, compensation, or contract rights to any person or persons.  Management reserves the right to add, delete, or modify any and/or all provisions of this description at any time as needed without notice.  This job description supersedes earlier versions.