Operator 3 - Water Reclamation

Under the general supervision of the Water Reclamation Superintendent, the Water Reclamation Operator III performs skilled journey-level work in the operation, monitoring, adjustment, inspection, and routine maintenance of the City's Water Reclamation Facility. The position independently operates treatment processes and related equipment; evaluates process conditions; collects samples; completes operating and compliance records; troubleshoots equipment and treatment issues; and responds to alarms, emergencies, and changing plant conditions.

• Operate, inspect, monitor, and adjust wastewater treatment, pumping, screening, biological treatment, clarification, disinfection, solids handling, dewatering, odor-control, and related facility processes and equipment.
• Review SCADA displays and trends, alarms, flow and loading data, laboratory results, operating logs, chemical feed rates, dissolved oxygen, solids inventories, and other process indicators; make or recommend adjustments within established authority.
• Perform facility rounds; inspect tanks, basins, pumps, blowers, aeration systems, chemical systems, generators, instrumentation, and related equipment for proper operation, safety, leaks, unusual noise, vibration, heat, odors, or other abnormal conditions.
• Troubleshoot biological, chemical, hydraulic, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and control-system problems; take appropriate initial action and promptly notify supervisory or specialized maintenance personnel when needed.
• Start, stop, isolate, place into service, and remove equipment from service in accordance with operating procedures, lockout/tagout requirements, and supervisory direction.
• Assist with planned shutdowns, construction interfaces, equipment startup, performance testing, and commissioning of new or rehabilitated facility systems.

• Collect wastewater, process, and biosolids samples using approved methods; perform assigned field and process-control tests; preserve, label, document, and transfer samples in accordance with chain-of-custody and quality-control requirements.
• Interpret routine laboratory and process-control data and use results to support stable, efficient, and compliant facility operation.
• Maintain accurate and complete rounds sheets, bench sheets, logs, work orders, chemical-use records, maintenance records, electronic entries, and other operational or compliance documentation.
• Operate the facility in accordance with the City's NPDES permit, applicable TDEC and U.S. EPA requirements, biosolids requirements, consent orders or enforcement obligations, and City procedures.
• Immediately report permit excursions, spills, releases, overflows, equipment failures, abnormal operating conditions, or other potentially reportable events; assist with response, documentation, cleanup, sampling, and corrective actions.
• Assist with regulatory inspections, audits, sampling events, records reviews, and preparation of routine operational or compliance reports as assigned.

• Perform routine preventive and corrective maintenance consistent with training and authorization, including cleaning, lubrication, adjustment, minor repair, equipment changeover, and replacement of common components.
• Create and complete work orders; document equipment condition, maintenance performed, parts used, follow-up needs, and return-to-service status in the City's maintenance-management system.
• Identify and report equipment deficiencies, unsafe conditions, critical spare-part needs, and developing reliability concerns before they affect treatment performance.
• Assist maintenance staff, contractors, vendors, and technical representatives with troubleshooting equipment, repair, testing, and service activities.
• Maintain assigned tools, vehicles, work areas, chemical-storage areas, and operating spaces in a clean, safe, and serviceable condition.
• Operate mowers, string trimmers, blowers, and other landscape or grounds-maintenance equipment to maintain facility property when assigned

• Communicate plant status, alarms, operating changes, equipment limitations, incomplete work, and priority follow-up items during shift turnover and to supervisory personnel.
• Assist with the orientation, hands-on training, and development of operators, trainees, and other assigned employees; demonstrate proper operating, sampling, maintenance, documentation, and safety practices.
• Provide task-level work direction or serve as shift lead when assigned, while referring personnel, discipline, policy, and major operating decisions to supervisory staff.
• Participate in the development and improvement of standard operating procedures, rounds sheets, checklists, emergency procedures, and training materials.
• Work cooperatively with operations, maintenance, laboratory, collections, pretreatment, engineering, safety, contractors, and other City personnel.