Plant Operator (Open until filled)

Job Description

Job Description

Description : Job Summary :

The primary function of an employee in this class is to perform operations and maintenance duties, including monitoring, operating, maintaining, and adjusting equipment. Employees in this classification will acquire the necessary skills and related training to perform the more routine operation and maintenance duties at the wastewater treatment facility. This position may be required to work varied shifts throughout the year including nights, weekends and holidays and must be able to work overtime and standby as required.

Essential Functions :

• Assists in operating, maintaining, monitoring, and adjusting all wastewater plant process equipment, including pumps, motors, gauges, meters, aerators, blowers, chlorinators, chemical feeds, sludge equipment to ensure treated water meets State quality standards;
• Performs daily rounds at the plant by visually checking facilities, equipment, machinery, chemical levels and related systems to ensure proper operation and to detect equipment failures, potential leaks, or other problem situations;
• Assists in monitoring off-site wells and reclaimed distribution systems, including operating equipment by reading chemical and flow levels; inspects equipment, identifies equipment problems, may make minor repairs and adjustments;
• Operates valves, gates and pumps to adjust water flows and chemical injection rates; performs routine maintenance work on valves, feeders, and related equipment as required;
• Assists in monitoring and adjusting flows through wells, pumps, and meters to control the distribution system and system pressure;
• Learns to recognize the need for and may make basic treatment and operational changes to the wastewater processes and distribution systems;
• Reads and interprets meters, gauges, and instruments; enters daily readings into computer databases and / or spreadsheets;
• Performs general site maintenance activities; cleans out basins, clarifiers, channels, reservoirs, filters, and cleans plant process and building and areas;
• Helps organize contracted sludge hauling activities;
• Assists with maintenance, repair, and overhaul of equipment and machinery;
• Performs building and facility maintenance and custodial tasks;
• Prepares and maintains work records, including work orders, maintenance and repair logs, flow records, vehicle inspection forms, daily work logs, and other documentation;
• Performs general cleaning / maintenance tasks necessary to keep vehicles, equipment, and tools in operable condition, which may include inspecting equipment, checking fluid levels, replacing fluids, washing / cleaning equipment, or cleaning shop / work areas; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety;
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies and procedures;
• Works in a safe manner and reports unsafe activities, conditions and faulty equipment. Follows City-wide safety policy and practices and adheres to responsibilities concerning safety prevention, reporting and monitoring as outlined in the City's Safety Handbook;
• Monitors operation workers;
• Answers phone;
• Displays courteous, civil, and respectful behavior to all persons and shall make every effort to meet the needs of citizens requesting assistance;
• Refrains from the use of abusive, indecent or profane language or gestures in the workplace, in the performance of duties or in the presence of a member of the public;
• Performs duties in a manner that is fair, impartial, and without prejudice toward any person or group;
• Refrains from arguing unnecessarily with any person or otherwise showing a lack of self-control, ridicule, or defame any employee, elected official or any other person or any agency of the City of Columbia;
• Displays responsibility for attendance and promptness and report to the work area on time.

Secondary Functions :

Performs other related duties as required.

Supervisory Functions :

None.

Requirements :

Please note : the minimum qualifications stated below are a guide for determining the education, training, experience, special skills, and / or license which may be required for employment in the class. These are re-evaluated each time the position is opened for recruitment. Please refer to the most recent Job Announcement for updated minimum qualifications.

Minimum Qualifications :

Knowledge, Skills :

Ability :

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations :

Preferred Education :

Physical Conditions :

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 50 ounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and peripheral vision.

Working Conditions :

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is always exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; risk of electrical shock and explosives. Uses personal protective equipment. Position may be called out.