Wastewater Plant Operator

Job Description

Operates and maintains wastewater treatment, processing, disposal and testing equipment in wastewater treatment facility to purify water to meet permit and operational requirements. Performs routine operational, maintenance and custodial duties in each of the areas of primary and secondary treatment, sludge thickening, belt filter & centrifuge systems.

• Operates plant processes including primary treatment, activated sludge secondary treatment, sludge thickening, gravity thickening & blending, belt filter press & centrifuge systems.
• Tends automatic and semi-automatic machines and related equipment including pumps, engines, generators, valves, gates, mixers, conveyors, blowers, chemical feed and odor control and vacuum filters used to decontaminate waste water by settling, aeration and sludge digestion.
• Monitors flow meters, gauges, flow ratios, pressures and related controls through instrument panels, computer terminals and programmable logic control units in assigned area.
• Monitors and records operating conditions observations and data in area shift log.
• Ensures conformance to process specifications.
• Diagnoses basic operational problems and takes corrective action per procedure.
• Verifies and reports suspected malfunctions and variances to supervisor and takes corrective actions.
• Performs routine and preventative maintenance and maintenance related items as assigned.
• Performs manual labor including filling and emptying of machine bins and cleaning equipment, facilities and grounds as required.
• Performs minor maintenance including, but not limited to, routine preventive maintenance, lubrication and minor adjustments.
• Writes work orders for major repairs and submits to maintenance department.
• Operates vehicles for plant operational purposes.
• Practices good housekeeping in assigned area and properly disposes of waste
• according to safety and environmental policies.
• Performs field tests (chemical, physical and biological) in order to pace chemical dosages for process and odor control units or alter unit processes.
• Samples wastewater, sludge and gases (odor control, digester, etc.) according to schedule.
• Prepares chemical solutions and services automatic samplers. Monitors process chemical supplies and recommends reorder.
• Performs routine lab tests.
• Performs routine instrument calibration for portable meters including, but not limited to, dissolved oxygen, pH, H2S, percent oxygen, lower explosive limit.
• Cleans and paints equipment, washes windows, sweeps and mops floors, maintains buildings and grounds throughout the plant.
• Assists in other areas of plant as needed.

• Spends 100% of time in operations environment.
• May need to work outside in inclement weather conditions and drive company vehicle to perform duties.
• May be exposed to possible operations hazards including fumes, toxic and caustic chemicals, heavy machinery, high pressure, hot or cold work environment temperatures, slippery surfaces, water hazards and electrical equipment.

• High School Diploma/GED.
• Must have the ability to read, write and comprehend English (operational, process, safety and quality instructions). Must have the ability to perform basic mathematical calculations.
• Zero to two years of experience in a related position and environment with knowledge of the methods, techniques, and practices of water/wastewater treatment.

• Must consistently demonstrate the ability to learn and independently operate assigned machines and equipment meeting or exceeding processing and quality targets.
• Must demonstrate ability to learn and independently operate equipment such as pumps, engines, centrifuge, generators, valves, gates, mixers, conveyors, blowers, dryers, chemical feed, odor control, disinfection equipment, sludge processing filters, belt presses and measuring/control devices, testing equipment and material handling equipment.
• Must demonstrate a working ability to use computer programs for process control.
• Must demonstrate ability to work in a team environment and willingness to assume additional or new responsibilities readily.
• Must…