Water Plant Operator

Position: WATER PLANT OPERATOR 1
3 Positions

Reports to:

Water Production Supervisor Class Code: 3431

Grade: 28 FLSA:
Non-Exempt Group: AFSCME 1058

Hourly Wage: $28.49

DEFINITION:
Under general supervision, performs work of varying degrees of complexity and difficulty in the operation and maintenance of the City's wells and pumping facilities to ensure the delivery of safe, reliable and plentiful drinking water in compliance with Illinois and Federal Drinking Water Regulations.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

1. Proper utilization of safe work practices related to all work performed, including personal protective equipment (PPE), confined spaces and other related equipment and procedures.

2. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

3. Monitor and oversee the operations of the pumping stations including the equipment required to maintain proper elevated storage and reservoir levels, flow from the individual pumping stations, system pressure and proper use of disinfection chemicals to assure effective chlorination thereby maintaining potable water integrity.

4. The ability to regulate the flow of water from the City of Rockford's reservoirs into the distribution system via an effective understanding of the operation of the SCADA system.

5. Inspect, monitor, and use all equipment that supplements the delivery of potable water to the distribution system, including but not limited to hand tools, electric motors, portable generators, valve turners, ventilators, air monitors, pneumatic systems, electrical testers, and water testing equipment: pH, phosphate, fluoride, turbidity and other required testing.

6. Operates and maintains the equipment of the water system including pump station turbines, chemical pumps/feed equipment, electrical control panels, lights, motors, float switches, high capacity centrifugal water pumps, fuel pumps, gauges, chemical scales, and all other necessary equipment.

7. Cleans, paints, maintains, and is responsible for all minor repairs on water system equipment, pump stations, and well houses as needed.

8. Observes and adjusts chemical dosage levels, refills chemical as needed and orders necessary chemicals.

9. Performs a variety of testing and/or sample collecting in order to comply with all Federal and State of Illinois EPA regulations and requirements. Prepares and submits paperwork for regulatory compliance.

10. Collects and logs meter readings on equipment, maintains well charts, well performance levels, monthly and daily pumpage reports and enters data and readings into the appropriate reporting systems or work order management systems.

11. Keeps work logs, checks appearance of buildings for cleanliness, heat-control and other conditions.

12. Responsible for the safe operations of City vehicles, forklifts, and other machinery.

13. Performs snow removal and ice control duties as required at Water Division properties and may participate in snow removal operations of the City streets, crosswalks, and parking lots.

14. Responsible for daily job assignments including completing all required work orders, performing general labor, and ensuring that assigned job site has been cleaned and left without safety hazards.

15. Responsible for the daily maintenance of assigned City vehicle, including checking and maintaining fluid levels, checking vehicle safety features, and washing and cleaning interiors and exteriors.

16. Maintains the overall security of the pumping stations/water system and other City-owned property

17. Performs mandatory standby duty; receives and responds to emergency after-hours calls.

18. Follows and adheres to all rules, regulations, principles, practices and methods related to and governing water plant operation.

19. Understand and follow oral and written instructions.

20. Ability to troubleshoot, assess problems, and determine course of actions.

21. Assists in training of new Water Plant Operators.

22. Observes and adheres to basic safety practices and requirements, and participates in various jobsite trainings including: chlorine safety, radium safety, work zone safety, forklift certifications, OSHA compliance training, flagger training, and other pertinent training coursework as needed.

23. Makes every reasonable effort to continually improve the manner in which the job is performed and increase the quality of service to the public.

24. Builds and maintains positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.

25. Performs related duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE AND

SKILLS:

Knowledge in chemistry, biology, mathematics, mechanics, electricity, and of current water treatment methods. Knowledge of OSHA safety standards and other occupational safety precautions. Skills in performing mechanical operations, in reading charts, meters, and gauges, in comprehending, defining, and solving problems, and in making basic decisions on use of equipment. Knowledge of MS Office Suite or other word processing, spreadsheet and database software.

Knowledge of the rules,…