Water/Waste Water Operator C

General Purpose of the Position: Performs water or wastewater plant operation and shift operation and shift supervision work. Work involves responsibilities for the skilled operation of City of Bradenton Water or Wastewater Treatment Plants and for directing the activities of Operator Trainee(s) on an assigned shift. Primary responsibility is for the effective operation of the plant on the shift according to operational guidelines established by the Chief Operator.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Directs and participates in the work of Operator Trainee involved in the operation and minor maintenance of the plant, trains and provides technical assistance to shift assistants.

• Performs all of the duties of an Operator Trainee, makes changes in plant operations to conform with quality control standards, records plant operating data and reports serious deviations from normal operations to the Chief Operator, enforces safety regulations.

• Operates a water or wastewater treatment plant and related facilities; makes operating process changes based upon routine tests and gauge and meter readings; operates water or wastewater treatment units including sludge handling, dewatering and disposal.

• Makes log entries, changes charts and recording sheets, inspects motors, bearings, and gear boxes for overheating and proper lubrication, takes temperature of sludge and effluent at various stages, uses meter and gauge readings to determine performance of equipment, performs preventive maintenance and limited repairs.

• Collects samples at various stages of processing and runs routine tests.

• Operates and inspects water or wastewater treatment plant, pumping stations and related facilities, starts and stops pumps, regulates valves and observes flow dials. Reads gauges and records information shown.

• Diagnoses and corrects mechanical and electrical problems, performs preventive maintenance and minor repairs, contacts maintenance personnel for major repairs, may assist in disassembling, repairing and reassembling pumps, and equipment as required, maintains and calibrates meters and testing equipment.

• Draws samples of water for test and analysis, checks and adjusts chemical feeders in accordance with the prescribed standards, washes filters periodically.

• Conducts visual inspections of working apparatus and grounds, may perform housekeeping duties such as sweeping and mopping floors, washing windows, painting and light building maintenance.

• Perform duties as assigned through work orders.

• Keep basic records; perform computer data entry.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills and Physical Abilities Required:

• Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of water or wastewater processing equipment and related plant equipment.

• Knowledge of equipment such as pumps and controls, motors, gears, diesel generators, chlorinators, and other equipment.

• Knowledge of laws regulating water or wastewater treatment.

• Knowledge of basic chemistry and laboratory procedures as applied to water/wastewater processing.

• Ability to detect flaws in operations and solve routine operating problems.

• Ability to perform preventive maintenance and minor repairs to equipment and buildings and to perform grounds maintenance.

• Ability to accurately read meters, gauges, flow charts, record time on proper forms and record test results.

• Ability to make independent judgments and decisions.

• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with employees and the public.

• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

• Knowledge of job-related software as required by Department.

• Ability to work in close, confined spaces, walk, stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, hear, reach above shoulders, work overhead on ladders and platforms, use fingers and hands with dexterity, and feel and reach with hands and arms.

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift up to 80 pounds.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus.

Equipment Used: City vehicles (non-CDL level vehicles), small motorboat, pumps, power valve turner, trencher, generators, radio, computers and miscellaneous hand tools including shovels, sledge hammers, wrenches, pipe cutters, ratchets, saws, etc.. Although not required, may operate CDL vehicles if properly licensed. Safety equipment is provided.

Education and Experience Required: High school diploma or GED equivalent; supplemented by courses in chemistry or related subjects with general work experience related to the operation of mechanical/electrical equipment. Minimum of one year of experience in plant operations and must possess a current FDEP “C” Water or Wastewater Operator License prior to appointment. Possession of a valid Florida driver’s license. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Environmental Conditions: Work is performed both inside and outside in varying and extreme weather conditions for extended periods of time where employees may be exposed to excessively loud noises from treatment equipment, exposure to raw and treated water or wastewater and treatment chemicals, live electrical currents up to 480 volts, working with complex mechanical equipment, working in and around trenches, hazardous gases, fumes, paint, chemicals and pesticides. Physical effort is required to perform heavy manual labor in confined and cramped spaces and uncomfortable conditions, climb ladders, bend, reach, and stand for long periods of time. Occasional exposure to slippery and/or uneven surfaces; heights above twenty (20) feet; below ground level, with feet, legs and/or hands in water. Occasional exposure to confined spaces. Subject to 24-hour call back for emergency conditions. Appropriate training and safety equipment will be provided for all conditions.

Commercial Driver License (CDL): A Commercial Driver License (CDL) is not required for this position.

Schedule: This position may work irregular shifts, day or night, weekday or weekend and requires scheduled/unscheduled overtime, including evenings, weekends and holidays and/or immediate response to emergency conditions. Differential shift pay is provided as applicable per the most current AFSCME contract.