Plant Operator; Water Production

Position

Plant Operator – Water Division

• Perform and interpret standardised water quality tests such as chlorine residual, pH, turbidity, alkalinity, total suspended solids, settleable solids, dissolved oxygen and jar tests, and calculate and make dosage and related chemical feed equipment adjustments based upon the results from such tests.
• Operate and monitor the combined wastewater control system, potable and non‑potable water facilities, and outlying pumping stations on an assigned shift.
• Monitor water quality during the treatment process through visual inspection and the SCADA system and adjust influent flows, chemical dosages and filtration rates based on observations.
• Inspect and operate plant equipment and intake facilities including computer controls, telemetry systems, microprocessors, flow control devices, power‑driven machinery, and chemical feed equipment.
• Adjust pump speeds and/or activate or deactivate pumps as necessary to regulate flows.
• Monitor and adjust water pressures in the City‑wide water distribution system and operate finished water reservoirs and water treatment plant influents and effluents to maintain adequate water supplies.
• Monitor and inspect plant equipment and respond to treatment process and equipment alarms.
• Assist in performing various filter tests as part of the filter surveillance program.
• Perform efficiency tests on pumps, compressors, and related equipment.
• On a rotating basis act as a trouble‑call operator and assist a Supervising Plant Operator and/or Senior Plant Operator in monitoring and interpreting telemetry board, dispatching an assigned crew to inspect designated installations, and to take corrective action on problems identified including hazardous or toxic material spills that affect water supplies.
• Monitor the status of flows and equipment, using technical information such as force main pressure, wet well elevation, wastewater elevation in the flow control structure, electrical system voltages, and computer system outputs.
• Maintain control and water treatment system logs and records.
• Use SCADA and the computerized maintenance management system.
• Assist in performing efficiency tests on pumps, compressors, and related equipment.
• Use troubleshooting skills to correct a variety of electrical and mechanical problems or potential problems involving pumping and measuring equipment and recalibrate equipment as required.
• Perform preventive maintenance duties, including painting equipment, cleaning of trash screens, filters, and custodial and grounds maintenance.
• Operate equipment such as engine‑driven pumps, generators, compressors, hoists, forklifts, cranes, and other heavy equipment as necessary.
• Work in confined spaces, on temporary scaffolding, and on high structures using breathing apparatus and/or Level I Hazmat suits.
• Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual holding this classification.

• Principles, applications, functions, operation and maintenance requirements of pumps, motors, compressors, generators, valves, internal combustion engines, flow control devices and measuring instruments.
• General principles of water and wastewater treatment processes, including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection, fluoridation, corrosion control, and sludge handling.
• General mechanical principles and practices relating to plant equipment and machinery.
• Principles of mathematics, algebra, chemistry, and hydraulics as they apply to plant operations.
• Safe and efficient work practices.
• Hazardous materials related to plant operations.

• Understand and apply the principles, theories, and operations of process control computers.
• Operate and monitor large pumps, compressors, generators and automated control equipment.
• Read instruments, measuring devices, and pressure gauges.
• Learn and interpret water‑related trends, schematics, charts, prints, and specifications.
• Work with considerable independence and initiative.
• Perform a variety of physically demanding tasks on a regular basis.
• Work any shift (day, swing, relief, night), weekends, holidays, and standby that is…