Plant Operator

Job Summary

The primary function of an employee in this class is to perform operations and maintenance duties, including monitoring, operating, maintaining, and adjusting equipment. Employees in this classification will acquire the necessary skills and related training to perform the more routine operation and maintenance duties at the wastewater treatment facility. This position may be required to work varied shifts throughout the year including nights, weekends and holidays and must be able to work overtime and standby as required.

• Assists in operating, maintaining, monitoring, and adjusting all wastewater plant process equipment, including pumps, motors, gauges, meters, aerators, blowers, chlorinators, chemical feeds, sludge equipment to ensure treated water meets State quality standards;
• Performs daily rounds at the plant by visually checking facilities, equipment, machinery, chemical levels and related systems to ensure proper operation and to detect equipment failures, potential leaks, or other problem situations;
• Assists in monitoring off-site wells and reclaimed distribution systems, including operating equipment by reading chemical and flow levels; inspects equipment, identifies equipment problems, may make minor repairs and adjustments;
• Operates valves, gates and pumps to adjust water flows and chemical injection rates; performs routine maintenance work on valves, feeders, and related equipment as required;
• Assists in monitoring and adjusting flows through wells, pumps, and meters to control the distribution system and system pressure;
• Learns to recognize the need for and may make basic treatment and operational changes to the wastewater processes and distribution systems;
• Reads and interprets meters, gauges, and instruments; enters daily readings into computer databases and/or spreadsheets;
• Performs general site maintenance activities; cleans out basins, clarifiers, channels, reservoirs, filters, and cleans plant process and building and areas;
• Helps organize contracted sludge hauling activities;
• Assists with maintenance, repair, and overhaul of equipment and machinery;
• Performs building and facility maintenance and custodial tasks;
• Prepares and maintains work records, including work orders, maintenance and repair logs, flow records, vehicle inspection forms, daily work logs, and other documentation;
• Performs general cleaning/maintenance tasks necessary to keep vehicles, equipment, and tools in operable condition, which may include inspecting equipment, checking fluid levels, replacing fluids, washing/cleaning equipment, or cleaning shop/work areas; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety;
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies and procedures;
• Works in a safe manner and reports unsafe activities, conditions and faulty equipment. Follows City-wide safety policy and practices and adheres to responsibilities concerning safety prevention, reporting and monitoring as outlined in the City's Safety Handbook;
• Monitors operation workers;
• Answers phone;
• Displays courteous, civil, and respectful behavior to all persons and shall make every effort to meet the needs of citizens requesting assistance;
• Refrains from the use of abusive, indecent or profane language or gestures in the workplace, in the performance of duties or in the presence of a member of the public;
• Performs duties in a manner that is fair, impartial, and without prejudice toward any person or group;
• Refrains from arguing unnecessarily with any person or otherwise showing a lack of self-control, ridicule, or defame any employee, elected official or any other person or any agency of the City of Columbia;
• Displays responsibility for attendance and promptness and report to the work area on time.

Performs other related duties as required.

None.

• Methods, equipment, materials, tools, and standard practices for the operation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment facility;
• Methods of sampling and laboratory testing of wastewater;
• Methods of biological, physical and chemical treatment of wastewater;
• Maintenance procedures, including equipment, pumping systems, and valves related to the operation of a wastewater treatment facility;
• Operational standards of wastewater treatment;
• Safety practices in operation of electrical and mechanical equipment used in wastewater facilities;
• Ordinances and regulations governing operation and maintenance of the wastewater facilities;
• Wastewater treatment plant emergency procedures;
• Equipment and tool operation and maintenance practices;
• Occupational hazards and safety precautions involved in wastewater facility operations;
• Proper use and disposal of hazardous materials in accordance with established guidelines;
• Confined spaces entry procedures, Federal OSHA regulations and City policies regarding safe work practices;
• Must possess computer application skills that at a minimum include…