Treatment Plant Operator - Wastewater

Job Description

JOB TITLE: TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR

DEPARTMENT: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES – WASTEWATER DIVISION

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: FULL-TIME/NON-EXEMPT

UNION/NON-UNION: TEAMSTERS LOCAL #404

The City of Pittsfield's Department of Public Utilities, Wastewater Division, is seeking a qualified individual to fill the position of Treatment Plant Operator (TPO) within the Wastewater division of the DPU. The TPO operates, maintains, and repairs machinery and equipment in and around wastewater treatment plants and adjacent facilities as necessary. The candidate’s duties also include conducting routine laboratory tests, checking machinery and equipment for malfunctions, taking and recording instrument readings, and performing incidental custodial cleaning and maintenance painting.

We are an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer committed to promoting a multicultural workforce, excellence in public service, and ongoing mutual respect in our working relationships. We strongly encourage people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, bilingualists, and people from other underrepresented groups to apply for our open positions.

• Operate, maintain and repair wastewater or sewage treatment machinery and equipment, including but not limited to primary and secondary clarifiers, trickling filters, aerators, digesters, sludge dewatering equipment, chemical feed equipment, chlorinators, pumps and ejectors, motors, air and gas compressors, valves, gates and other related equipment.
• Make routine laboratory tests at various stages of treatment in accordance with standard procedures and make changes in treatment chemicals and equipment as required to maintain treatment performance within established limits.
• Perform 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 of and ordering chemicals as directed, 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.
• Check machinery and equipment for malfunctions, conduct regular & routine preventative maintenance, make repairs to or assist in the repair or overhaul of process machinery and equipment.
• Perform incidental custodial cleaning and maintenance painting required to maintain treatment plants and other facilities in neat, clean, and orderly fashion.
• Takes and records readings of instruments, makes adjustments in equipment as indicated or required and maintain operation and treatment logs.
• Wastewater Superintendent, Chief TPO and Head Treatment Plant Operator are the supervisors for the Treatment Plant Operator.
• Perform other duties as required.

• Valid Massachusetts Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator’s 4M Certificate for Treatment within six months of appointment.
• Valid 1D hoisting license within one year of appointment.
• Valid Vehicle Operator’s License.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with water or wastewater treatment processes and operations founded on a demonstrated record of experience in the same or similar field.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with basic water chemistry and laboratory procedures and equipment used in water and wastewater treatment equipment analysis.
• Demonstrated competence in mathematics and familiarity with routine calculations used in water and wastewater treatment and process control, such as detention time, weir overflow rate, chemical feed rates, pollutant concentrations, and process loadings.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with construction and operating characteristics of valves, gates, pumps, motors, compressors, and other equipment as used in water and wastewater treatment plants and processes.
• Physical ability and agility to operate valves, gates and other equipment as required in the treatment facility or pumping operation and control involving entry into manholes and vaults, climbing ladders, cross‑country travel, etc.
• Ability to interact with people on an upbeat and friendly basis, regardless of…