1. TASK & DUTIES LIST AND MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE FOR: UTILITY PLANT OPERATOR TRAINEE
• Pay Status: Non Exempt
2. REQUIREMENTS:
Education: Graduation from high school or GED.
Licensing, Registration or Certification: Background check must be satisfactory. Pre-employment screenings must be passed. Must possess and maintain a valid WV driver’s license. Ability to obtain a Class I Wastewater Operator License for Water Pollution Control within eighteen (18) months. Ability to obtain a Class II Wastewater Operator License for Water Pollution Control within 3.5 years of date of hire. Certifications in CPR/AED and First Aid or ability to obtain within one year of employment.
Experience Education and experience listed above and/or combination of education and experience equivalent to education requirement listed above.
Available and able to work shifts (nights, weekends and holidays) when necessary.
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities: Knowledge:
• Occupational hazards and safety precautions of the work.
• Modern laboratory techniques related to water/wastewater analysis.
Skills and Abilities:
• Learn complicated, technical material about the operation and maintenance of plant pumping, treatment, and control equipment in an on-the-job training situation under supervision of a licensed operator.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Read and understand meters, gauges, and charts accurately and to maintain required records.
• Perform mathematical calculations required in work.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing with the public, department personnel and others.
• Maintain and use a computer.
• Use e-mail and the internet.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Use SCADA control network under supervision of a licensed operator.
Physical: Body Positions: Standing, walking, sitting, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl.
Body Movements: Use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls. Hand eye coordination is required to operate testing instruments, computers and various pieces of office equipment. Reach with hands and arms. Must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Walk, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crawl and/or crouch. Must be able to work outdoors in extreme weather.
Body Senses: Sight, hearing, speech and smell. Must be able to speak and hear. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Mental: Language Ability to read, speak and write English. Ability to effectively communicate and project positive attitude. Must be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Must be able to handle problems in a calm, reasonable manner.
Supervision Exercised: None.
Work is performed under the supervision of the Chief Plant Operator or Utility Plant Supervisor. Additional guidance and direction are received through facility standard operating procedures, Personnel Manual, Operations and Maintenance Manuals, West Virginia Department of Health Regulations, and Water Works Regulations. Incumbent receives instruction and training in all phases of water/wastewater treatment plant operations, maintenance, and disposal. Work is performed under close supervision of an experienced plant operator who provides instruction about procedures to be followed and standards to be maintained. Work is reviewed for adherence to established policies and procedures, accuracy and completeness, and annually through performance appraisals.
Reasonable Accommodations Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
3. WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed mostly in field settings with considerable outdoor work. inspections are subject to all weather conditions which may cause hazardous circumstances. Noise level may range from quiet in the office to moderate to loud in the field. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electric shock and vibration.
4. TASKS and DUTIES OF JOB: This position involves entry-level technical work in the Utilities Department in the operation and maintenance and cleaning of the water purification or wastewater treatment plant and related facilities and equipment. Work involves reading and recording gauges, instruments, and meters; regulating valves; drawing samples; maintaining accurate records; performing tests; and maintaining plant facilities, equipment and grounds under close supervision with an experienced operator.
1 Conducts supervised work activities based on specific technical instructions and schedules; performs tasks and assignments as directed by experienced lead operator.
2 Draws water, sludge, liquid grab and composite and other samples necessary for testing; performs basic physical, chemical, and microbiological lab tests.
3 Reads and records gauges, instruments, and meters; records operational data and events into logs and diaries; adds chemicals according to prescribed standards; regulates valves; changes meter charts when required; operates and lubricates pumps and other machinery; carries out minor preventive maintenance; informs Chief Operator of special situations and problem areas.
4 Runs pumps and inspects bearings and seals; checks temperature on digester heaters; checks systems at various stages; keeps basins free of foreign matter; removes and transports sludge to landfill area. (Sewer Plant specific)
5 Monitors and adjusts unit process flow rates, pumping rates, chemical feed rates, and other unit process variables as directed.
6 Unloads chemical trucks with licensed operator.
7 May operate plant vehicles, pumps, meters, valves, computer, carbon feeds, generators, traveling water screen, calculator, weed eater, fertilizer spreader, and turbidimeters.
8 Assists in maintaining and cleaning laboratory equipment and apparatus; assists with building, grounds, and equipment maintenance and painting; washes filters periodically.
9 May assist in inspecting and maintaining City's well or pumping station facilities.
10 Performs on-call (24 hours a day/7 days a week) emergency response as necessary.
11 May be deemed essential at any time.
12 Performs other duties as assigned.
5. MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE:
1 Has a thorough understanding of job duties.
2 Shows an interest in job and City. Represents the City in a professional and ethical manner.
3 Communicates effectively with co-workers and supervisors. Maintains positive relationships with co-workers and all contacts.
4 Accepts and adapts to change, Learns new things quickly.
5 Cares about quality-rarely makes errors, Requires little direct supervision.
6 Has ability to multi-task in changing situations, without undo stress or frustration.
7 Practices quality employee/customer service/phone manner.
8 Accurate in duties as assigned.
9 Prepares required reports accurately and timely.
10 Strives to develop and maintain skills necessary to progress in the Water or Wastewater Operator position. Seeks opportunities to grow and develop in position.