Water Treatment Plant Operator III

MINIMUM REQUIRENTS

High school graduation or GED and any combination of education and experience equivalent to four years' experience related to the operation of a water treatment facility and two years of relevant education beyond high school or GED, with not less than one year of working experience in a drinking water surface water treatment plant. Must meet minimum education and experience requirements in the State of Washington Waterworks Operator Certification Program Guidelines for a Water Treatment Plant Operator III Certification.

Must possess at time of appointment and maintain a valid State of Washington Driver's License and must possess or be able to obtain and maintain, within six months of appointment, a valid Washington State Water Treatment Plant Operator III Certification, a basic First Aid Certificate and CPR certificate.

Under limited supervision, drives to, operates and maintains the Water Treatment Plant, wells, reservoirs, intakes and pump stations to ensure adequate quantities of water are available and regulated standards for potable water are met for the City of Yakima and areas served.

Observes and monitors water flows directly and as indicated by instruments at the intake structure, booster pumping stations, reservoirs, wells and treatment plant. Operates and maintains the telemetry system including antennas, troubleshooting, programming and adjustments. Maintains and calibrates pressure transmitters, flow meters, valve position and limit switches, level transmitters, on-line water quality instruments such as fluoride, pH, temperature, chlorine, electrical charge, etc.

Bio-Terrorism, Security and Federal Emergency Management:
In accordance with the Bio-Terrorism law, must be sensitive concerning the security of the water supply systems. Must also comply with the National Incident Management System.

Monitors and adjusts flows at the Water Treatment Plant to meet the demand of the water users and reservoirs and adjusts the pump sequence at the pump stations and wells to maintain the reservoirs at an acceptable level to provide adequate water for fires or other emergencies and for scheduled maintenance such as flushing mains. Manually and/or remotely adjusts valves and pump controls to regulate flow rates.

Safely drives and operates vehicles and other motorized equipment to perform required duties in a variety of locations, within a timely and efficient manner and adhering to all traffic laws and regulations. Worksites include but are not limited to the water treatment plant, ground water well sites, river intake sites and other locations in and around Yakima.

Maintains daily log on filters, chlorine residual, pressure, flows, reservoir levels, etc.; changes charts and enters information into the computerized data collection system. Maintains record of work through a computerized work order tracking system.

Adds correct amounts of several typesof chemicals for disinfection, coagulation, filtration, taste and odor control and fluoridation. Adjusts chemical feed rates manually or remotely to maintain proper treatment as prescribed in the Surface Water Treatment Rule and the Washington State Department of Health "Treatment Optimization Program." Handles, mixes and stores a variety of chemicals used for water treatment including polymers, sodium hypochlorite, aluminum sulfate, ploy aluminum chlorides, calcium hypochlorite, caustic soda and fluoride.

Receives chemicals from suppliers.

Monitors water quality and many points in the treatment and distribution system for turbidity, chlorine residual, pH, temperature, taste and odor, fluoride, hardness and alkalinity. Maintains and operates water testing equipment such as turbidimeters, pH meters, color meters and several types of residual analyzers, hydrometers, and others.

Monitors dual-media sand filters during production and backwash cycles. Monitors chemical reactions, coagulation and polymer additions to observe and assure proper operation and production of water. Makes changes in backwash set points on computer graphical user interface as required by conditions.

Maintains, calibrates and repairs a variety of equipment such as chemical feeders, pumpsand motors, air compressors, pneumatic valves and air cylinders.

Maintains structure and grounds as required to maintain the cleanliness and proper appearance of various locations including but not limited to: booster pumping stations, wells and water treatment facilities by performing janitorial duties such as: painting, watering, weed and pest control and making repairs to needed structures. Drives to, maintains and repairs the Water Treatment Plant, wells and pump station buildings and all systems including plumbing, heating and cooling system, carpentry and other custodial duties.

Requires regular and reliable attendance.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of: current health and safety water standards including federal, state and local water…