Sr. Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

Under the general supervision of the Chief Plant Operator or Assistant Chief Plant Operator, the Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator shall act as the Designated Operator-in-Charge (DOIC) as necessary; leads, oversees and participates in the work of staff responsible for operating, monitoring and maintaining plant equipment, including electric motors, pumps, bar screens, grit collectors, air compressors, gas flares, conveyors and related equipment to control unit processes; performs the more complex and advanced operator functions; provides training, field direction and guidance on complex construction shutdowns; and ensures wastewater treatment plant operates within regulatory guidelines. This is the advanced foreman-level, working-lead class in the job series. Incumbents provide first-line direction, technical assistance and training to the assigned crew. Incumbents are responsible for assisting the supervisor and superintendent in formulating and developing crew goals and objectives, supervising assigned personnel and directing day-to-day activities. Duties and responsibilities are carried out with considerable independence within the framework of established policies and procedures. The work of this class involves accountability and decision-making responsibilities. ($58.82 $75.29 per hour, DOQ)

Essential Functions

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.

1. Oversee operations of a wastewater treatment plant; perform assigned treatment plant rounds including adjusting process controls to daily required parameters, inspecting, monitoring and documenting plant operations in a shift log of unit operations by reading plant equipment gauges, dials, graphs and other instrumentation; ensure that the wastewater treatment plant operates within regulatory guidelines.
2. Oversee and participate in the operation of plant equipment including electric motors, pumps, bar screens, grit collectors, air compressors, gas flares, conveyors and related equipment to control unit processes such as raw sludge, activated sludge, dissolved air flotation, scrubbers, to regulate the flow of wastewater through the treatment plant; ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
3. Oversee and participate in the monitoring and controlling of wastewater flow and plant processes to ensure efficient and safe operation and compliance with permit requirements; perform sight and sound inspections of equipment; take readings of meters and gauges; collect wastewater and sludge samples for analysis; may perform laboratory tests; evaluate laboratory data and instrument readings to make or recommend process adjustments, including plant flow, sludge pumping cycles and chemical addition units.
4. Clean work area by hosing down skimmers, catwalks, digesters and stairs; clean grit bins, screen bins, pump rooms, dewatering area, tunnels and general facilities; perform general plant maintenance including cleaning, rolling of hoses, sweeping and removal of trash and debris; maintain work area to ensure safety and order.
5. Perform routine maintenance of machinery or equipment such as tightening a packing gland to stop a leak, lubricating equipment, etc.; report need for mechanical and/or electrical repairs; initiate work orders and requests for maintenance repairs as necessary; perform emergency repair work on plant operation equipment, as directed, or assist other departments with repairs.
6. Plan and oversee various maintenance and construction requests to facilitate the operation of equipment; perform isolations, shut-downs, tag-outs and start-ups of plant operation equipment before and after testing, maintenance and emergency repairs are performed.
7. Record data related to plant operation processes, including digester temperatures, sludge density, blanket levels and dissolved oxygen reading; complete daily operating logs of routine and unusual operating or maintenance conditions encountered and any repair work performed.
8. Read and review a variety of pertinent data connected with plant operations including logs of previous shifts, lab reports, emails, status boards and bulletin boards; check operating logs and charts for proper entries.
9. Receive and store supplies, such as: polymer, ferric chloride, sodium hypochlorite, equipment and parts necessary for plant operations; determine chemical ordering levels and inventory requirements; may be trained to operate forklift, flatbed cart towing cart, or stationary crane to move materials, supplies and equipment.
10. Operate a variety of equipment and tools necessary to maintain the wastewater treatment plant system and equipment.
11. Implement safety rules, regulations and emergency procedures; maintain security of plant facilities.
12. Train and mentor staff performing routine plant operations and maintenance duties.
13. Work varying shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime and respond to call backs.
14. Respond to emergencies during and after work hours consistent with the Incident Command System (ICS), Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), and National Incident Management Systems (NIMS).
15. Ability to successfully accomplish standard operating procedures as assigned by supervisor.
16. Actively collaborate with other District departments, governmental agencies, contractors, and consultants regarding wastewater operations; coordinate work with other sections, departments and other agencies to avoid disruptions in service.
17. Work independently, exercise independent judgment and take initiative while inspecting and attending to plant operation in a timely manner; perform a wide variety of tasks relative to the operations and maintenance of assigned facilities and systems.
18. Participate in the development and implementation of enhancement, improvements, and upgrades to the recycled water and wastewater SCADA displays and configurations.
19. Responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing assigned operations and maintenance functions of the plant; cover scheduled time off for assigned staff as necessary.
20. Provide technical direction and training to employees involved in the operation and control of wastewater through the treatment plant; formulate work plans; delegate tasks to be performed and monitor performance.
21. Participate in the development of goals and objectives for wastewater treatment operation activities; gather and analyze data; develop a variety of reports.
22. Maintain, compile, and update a variety of plant operations logs, reports and lists including round sheets, spreadsheets, monthly summaries, data sheets, timesheets, overtime reports, spill reports, odor complaint reports, standby lists, emergency notification lists, shutdown lists, and equipment lists; gather data for Monthly Summary of Operations and submit to Supervisor.
23. Attend meetings and trainings as necessary; maintain current knowledge and understanding of treatment plant processes.
24. Provide technical direction and supervision to less experienced Plant Operators.
25. In the absence of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor and Superintendent of Wastewater Operations, shall act as the Designated Operator-in-Charge (DOIC).
26. Assist in the preparation of the O&M and capital budgets, providing support and suggested feedback.
27. Assist with invoice processing and approvals concerning equipment, materials and maintenance needed at a wastewater treatment plant facility.
28. Assist in following all regulations concerning wastewater quality, includes record keeping, reporting and implementing regulatory changes; represent the District in outside meetings concerning wastewater quality and operations.
29. Has a full understanding of all preventative and reactive maintenance within the department; assist with creating and maintaining forms for tracking scheduled work to be performed for each asset.
30. Estimate time, materials, and equipment required to complete assigned projects.
31. Verify the work of assigned employees for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques, and compliance with applicable standards and specifications; ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
32. Demonstrate the ability to lead and direct daily activities by providing first-line direction, technical assistance and training to the assigned crew.
33. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

One single guiding principle in every search for new Moulton Niguel Water District team members is identifying those applicants that are humble, motivated, and hard-working. Moulton Niguel expects new team members to uphold its workplace culture of an environment in which all employees interact with co-workers, supervisors, and the public in a positive, cooperative, and supportive manner. Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the KSAs is:

1. High school diploma or equivalent certificate supplemented by specialized training in wastewater treatment plant operations or a related field.
2. Three (3) years of experience in wastewater treatment plant operations.
3. Ability to take direction and follow through on one's own to complete assigned duties.
4. Possession of a California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade III certificate; Grade IV is desirable.
5. Must possess a valid California driver's license and maintain a safe driving record.

Physical Qualifications

Position requires the ability to work in a field environment, in confined spaces, and around machinery; ability to frequently walk/stand for extended time periods and to climb/descend ladders; must have vision and finger dexterity for eye-hand coordination to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate a variety of hand and power tools; ability to lift, carry, push, and pull equipment and parts weighing up to 80 pounds with the use of proper equipment; ability to bend, stoop, kneel, reach and climb to perform work and inspect