Water Station Operator

Facilities & Services

• Water Distribution System:
  • Assist with operating and maintaining valves and flushing water lines under direction of Certified Operator.
  • Assist with periodic organic, inorganic and bacteriological testing for Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Public Health.
  • Assist with reading water meters, recording readings, maintain utility grid maps, and calculation of water consumption.
  • Assist with locating service for the underground piping in the water distribution system.
  • Assist with emergency call backs on water distribution systems for leaks, repairs, tie-ins, and water quality issues per EPA requirements under direction of a Certified Water Operator.
• Water Softeners, demineralizers, dealkalizers and Carbon Filters:
  • Responsible for inspection, testing and chemical treatment of water softeners, demineralizers, dealkalizers and carbon filters.
  • Tests for water softness, specific gravity, purity, conductivity and/or alkalinity and adds appropriate chemicals as necessary.
  • Makes minor equipment repairs and adjustments and assists other crafts in major repairs or overhauls.
• Pest Control:
  • Inspect infested areas, determine specific types of insect or rodent and apply appropriate control measures.
  • Schedule pest control activities. Inform occupants about the pest control methods being employed.
  • Mix insecticides with solvents, emulsifiers and diluents as necessary for proper application.
  • Apply control measures, which may include chemical powders, solids, liquids, traps, poisons or fumigation.
• Swimming Pools:
  • Conduct daily tests on each of two heated indoor pools and one outdoor heated pool: chlorine (free and total), PH, alkalinity, hardness, phenolphthalein alkalinity and chloride; record results and adjust to correct deficiencies.
  • Operate and maintain electronic programming for automatic feed of chlorine liquid to the pools.
  • Adjust heat valves and heat controls to maintain constant water temperature.
  • Vacuume pools, switch recirculating pumps, clean strainers/filters, collect samples, and clean electrodes.
  • Maintain daily record of number of swimmers, liquid chlorine consumption and chemicals used.
  • Prepare pool‑operating reports for the State of Illinois Department of Public Health.
• Cooling Towers:
  • Inspect, test and chemically treat water in campus cooling towers during summer and winter months.
  • Conduct lab analysis for mass‑balancing (TDS, alkalinity, PH, TSC, calcium carbonates, magnesium, molybdenum) and perform biological inoculants and plate counts.
  • Control algae growth through chemicals and recirculate water in towers (blow down) as needed.
• Chiller Water, Boiler Systems and Building Heating Systems:
  • Analyze and correct inhibitor concentrations and biological activity in chilled water systems.
  • Analyze building heating and radiation systems and provide needed corrections.
  • Analyze Abbott boiler systems for chemical levels and provide correction recommendations.
• Employee is available for callback assignment to respond to emergency work during off‑normal working hours for building and water distribution issues.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned.

To operate and maintain the water distribution systems under a Certified Water Operator, including pools, softeners, cooling towers, chilled water and boilers, and complete pest control inspections and treatments.

• Lifting/Carrying:
  Occasionally
• Visual Acuity:
  Constantly
• Standing:
  Constantly
• Walking:
  Frequently
• Kneeling/Crawling:
  Frequently
• Sitting:
  Occasionally
• Bending/Stooping/Crouching:
  Frequently
• Above-shoulder/Forward Reaching:
  Frequently
• Climbing:
  Occasionally
• Bilateral grip and grasp:
  Frequently

• Work is assigned through the Foreperson, Work Management Group, Service office, or via the Director of Building Maintenance or their designee.
• Interacts with campus customers, supervision, and peers, fostering accountability, teamwork, and unity.
• May work in extreme weather conditions, at heights, in dust, noise, chemicals, smoke, radiation, or other hazardous areas. PPE is required.
• Work may be stressful at times due to temperature extremes, noisy sites, or hazardous environments.