Job Descriptions

DESCRIPTION:

Under general direction, the Water Treatment Plant Operator is responsible to operate, monitor, and inspect the Water Treatment Plant and ancillary facilities.

This classification is assigned to the Turlock City Employees Association bargaining unit for labor relations purposes and is subject to overtime, call back, and standby assignments.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

General supervision is provided by the Water Treatment Plant Operations Supervisor and may receive technical direction from the Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator.

• Operate all necessary water treatment plant equipment to deliver potable water to the customers including plant flow rate and chemical.
• Compute chemical dosages and flow rates.
• Operate pumps, valves, and other equipment manually and remotely.
• Inspect, adjust, and operate equipment as required.
• Conduct water treatment sampling and process analysis, including jar testing.
• Maintain necessary reports and records.
• Observe and enforce safety rules.
• Under close supervision from Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator, control plant operations using SCADA.
• Maintain proper chemical applications and storage.
• Coordinate the delivery and receipt of plant chemicals and materials.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare reports regarding plant operations and water quality.
• Ensure that all analyzers and monitoring equipment are appropriately sending and storing accurate information via a cyber-secure SCADA system.
• Monitor processes using a SCADA control system.
• Participate in studies related to plant and filter rerating including operation of parallel pilot filters.
• Participate in special projects or studies as assigned.
• Assist with the preparation of technical and administrative reports, and other written documents, including the submittal of all regulatory required reports.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with staff, Cities employees, outside agencies, and the public through clear and concise communication.
• Subject to rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. On Call may be required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of water treatment, water transmission, and water storage.
• Drinking water quality regulations.
• Equipment, tools, and materials use in the operation and maintenance of the water treatment plant.
• Safety rules and regulations.
• Hydraulics, applied mathematics, chemical metering, pumps, SCADA and chemicals used in water treatment.
• Water sampling and analysis, including jar testing.
• Use of modern office equipment and applicable software.

Ability to:

• Ability to follow oral and written instruction.
• Assess changing conditions and initiate appropriate action.
• Operate modern office equipment and software programs.
• Communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing.

Any combination of education, training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and ability is as follows:

Equivalent to a high school education.

Successful completion of the Water Treatment Plant Apprentice Program or equivalent program in water treatment plant operation; or two (2) years of experience in operation and maintenance of a water treatment plant including one year working as a certified T-2 operator for a T-2 facility or higher working as a certified treatment operator.

License:

Possession of an appropriate, valid Class C California Driver's License at the time of appointment, to be maintained as a condition of continued employment.

Certificate(s):

• Possession of a valid California Water Treatment Operator T-2 Certificate at time of appointment with the ability to acquire a Water Treatment Operator T-3 Certificate in 18 months of appointment to the position.
• Possession of a valid California Water Distribution Operator D-2 Certificate at time of appointment

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Maintain the following physical abilities: see well enough to read, write and make observations, operate hand and power tools, vehicles and heavy equipment; hear well enough to converse on the radio, telephone and in person; bodily mobility to walk, bend, stand, crouch or climb for extended periods of time, operate assigned equipment and vehicles and perform heavy manual labor for extended periods; ability to tolerate extreme fluctuations in temperature while performing essential functions and be able to lift equipment on a frequent basis 25lbs, and on an occasional basis 50lbs.