Lead Operator- Surface Water

The City of Pearland, TX is seeking to hire a full-time Lead Operator – Surface Water to lead and improve aspects of the day-to-day operations of our Utilities
- Surface Water Department. Are you service-oriented? Could you excel in a fast-paced environment? If so, you may be perfect for this position!

The Lead Operator earns a competitive hourly salary of $25.76-$27.89 based on experience and qualifications. There is also certification pay for licenses higher than required for the position. The city pays all premiums for our employees' dental, long-term disability protection, and life insurance plus the majority portion of the medical premium for employees and their dependents. We also offer a retirement plan through the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) with a 2:1 employer match, life insurance, disability, access to the city's recreation fitness center, employee assistance program, educational assistance, 11 paid holidays and 2 designated paid holidays, paid vacation, sick leave, and an active wellness program focusing on physical, mental, and financial health.

• Grade C License - $2500
• Grade B License - $3500
• Grade A License - $5000

• Monitors water quality by performing laboratory tests at various stages in the treatment process including tests for chlorine residual, pH, turbidity, hardness, alkalinity, odors and other tests as necessary to maintain water quality.
• Operates mechanical equipment including pumps and motors, chemical feed pumps and systems, air compressors, and valves; operates hand and power tools.
• Operates chlorination equipment; performs maintenance on chlorine system including chemical piping system; calibrates chemical feed equipment. Changes chlorine containers when necessary.
• Demonstrates the ability to extensively control SCADA systems without automation.
• Inventories bulk chemical supply and takes delivery of bulk chemicals.
• Maintains operational logs and records.
• Performs daily rounds and analyzes plant trends to predict and prevent issues.
• Monitors and interprets instrumentation and control systems, evaluates data, and responds to routine alarm conditions to make necessary routine process or equipment adjustments based on written and verbal guidelines.
• Calculates flow changes to maintain adequate storage levels in GSTs and ESTs, as well as system pressure.
• Calculates sludge production and helps manage disposal.
• Provides operation, maintenance, and safety training to junior personnel.
• Monitors integrity test performance, conducts routine backwashing, recovery cleans, and maintenance cleans on membranes. Backwashes and conducts analysis as prescribed on the GACC vessels.
• Remedies maintenance clean issues as they arise.
• Remedies recovery clean issues as they arise, under the direction of the Process Control Supervisor (PCS) or the Plant Manager.
• Work a 12- hour shift schedule that rotates every four (4) months.
• Covers for other operators PTO as assigned.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Requires High School graduation or GED equivalent supplemented by specialized courses/training experience in the water industry or related field. Preferences include: college courses or certification(s) in environmental science, microbiology, or chemistry.
• Five (5) years of working experience in surface water treatment. Experience with membrane filters is preferred.

• TCEQ Class B Surface Water Operator License required
• TCEQ Class A Water License (preferred)