Treatment Plant Operator - Water

Job Title

TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR

The City of Pittsfield's Department of Public Utilities, Water Division, is seeking a qualified individual to fill the Treatment Plant Operator position (TPO). The TPO operates and maintains machinery and equipment in and around water treatment plants and appurtenant facilities for the supply and purification of water prior to delivery to the drinking water distribution system of the City. The position is a full‑time, non‑exempt role under the union Teamsters Local #404.

• Operates, maintains & repairs drinking water supply & treatment machinery & equipment, including watersheds, reservoirs, WTPs, chlorinators, transmission mains, flow control stations, chemical feed equipment, pumps & ejectors, motors, air compressors, valves, gates, and other related equipment.
• Makes routine laboratory tests at various stages of treatment in accordance with standard procedures and makes changes in treatment chemicals and equipment as required to maintain treatment performance within established limits.
• Takes and records readings of instruments, makes adjustments in equipment as indicated or required, and maintains operation and treatment log.
• Checks machinery and equipment for malfunctions, conducts regular & routine preventative maintenance, makes repairs to or assists in the repair or overhaul of process machinery & equipment.
• Performs treatment related duties as required, including but not limited to grounds maintenance, treated water and waste stream sampling, operating valves and gates to adjust flow rates, adjusting recording instruments, performing inventories and ordering chemicals, changing chlorine cylinders, operating motor vehicles in support of various treatment related operations, and salting and sanding or plowing snow in support of the facility operations.
• Performs incidental custodial cleaning and maintenance, painting required to maintain treatment plants and other facilities in neat, clean and orderly fashion.
• Performs other duties as required.

• Valid Massachusetts Drinking Water Operator’s Certificate for Treatment, or an advanced degree in the physical or biological sciences with a special emphasis on water or wastewater treatment, High School Diploma or equivalent and two years of satisfactory experience working in a public or private water or wastewater treatment facility, and ability to obtain a valid Massachusetts Drinking Water Operator’s Certificate within eighteen months of appointment.
• Valid Massachusetts driver’s license.
• Knowledge and familiarity with water or wastewater treatment processes and operations founded on demonstrated record of experience in the same or similar field.
• Knowledge of basic water chemistry & laboratory procedures and equipment used in water and wastewater analysis.
• Demonstrates competence in mathematics and familiarity with routine calculations used in water or wastewater treatment and process control.
• Knowledge of construction and operating characteristics of valves, gates, pumps, motors, compressors and other equipment as used in water or wastewater treatment plants.
• Physical ability and agility sufficient to operate valves, gates and other equipment as required in treatment facility or pumping operation and control involving the entry into manholes and vaults, climbing ladders, etc.

The incumbent works in various dynamic municipal buildings and locations. The position requires frequent interaction and communication with the public, government officials, other staff members and third parties. Frequent periods of outside work may be entailed, subject to all weather conditions and extremes. The incumbent may be required to work at any time during the 24‑hour day to respond to weather‑related or emergency needs.

Physical ability and agility sufficient to operate valves, gates and other equipment, and to enter utility holes and vaults, climb ladders, cross‑county travel, and lift up to 50 lbs.

40 hours per week, 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Monday – Friday.

Starting rate $19.10 – $20.27 per hour. Annual increases up to $26.44 per hour. With T1 license, starting…