Operator

Specific to an Operator 1:

• Maintaining and operating plant equipment and processes related to water, wastewater and advanced water treatment systems on an assigned shift.
• Prioritizing activities between the different treatment facilities and systems, including the operation of valves, gates, pumps and machinery manually, locally in automatic mode or remote via computerized control strategy.
• Sampling and analyzing influents/effluents, source water/product water, feed water and permeates to detect quality variations, interpreting laboratory results, reading sheets, process tests, computerized data and information trends to identify variations in flow and water quality and make appropriate changes.
• May assist with preventative maintenance tasks including assisting maintenance staff with repairs of related equipment.
• Maintain operation of an assigned treatment facility to meet all required Local, State and Federal regulations pertaining to the production of reuse, ground injection and potable water and comply with prescribed operating and safety standards.
• Use a variety of standard testing procedures to determine problems and any adjustments needed in the treatment process.
• Handles various chemicals used in the treatment process.

Specific to an Operator 2:

• Performing work involving the operations, maintenance, and control of various wastewater Treatment processes; analyzing chemical processes, canvassing the process and performing various functions in process controls.
• Participating in the operation, maintenance, control, and repair of all related plant process equipment including; pumps, motors, chemical feeds, and basic laboratory instruments to ensure treated wastewater meets Local, County, State and EPA quality standards. Collects various samples for process and compliance testing.
• Prioritizing activities between the different treatment facilities and systems, including the operation of valves, gates, pumps and machinery manually, locally in automatic mode or remote via computerized control strategy.
• Recognizing the need and making treatment and operational changes to the processes to meet water quality standards.
• Adjusting process equipment to allow for maintenance activities. 
• Performing preventative maintenance on various pieces of equipment and reporting problems. Performing minor plumbing repairs and basic mechanical or electrical troubleshooting. Making equipment adjustments, lubrications, minor repairs and reporting equipment problems.
• May assist with preventative maintenance tasks including assisting maintenance staff with repairs of related equipment.
• Operating, monitoring and adjusting, as necessary, all related plant process equipment, including chemical pumps. Calculating chemical feed rates and change pump settings as needed. Monitoring SCADA systems.
• Operating the SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system, which monitors and controls the Wastewater Treatment Plant and related processes and functions.
• Assisting in the safe unloading and storage of chemicals. Operation of heavy equipment (e.g. forklift, backhoe, front loader).
• Assisting in training new operators.

Specific to an Operator 4:

• Participating in the operation, maintenance, control and repair of all related plant process equipment, including pumps, blowers, scrubbers, motors, chemical feeds, sludge equipment and basic laboratory instruments to ensure treated water and effluent meets County, State and EPA quality standards.
• Obtaining samples and performing required tests, including PH, CL2, Conductivity, alkalinity, hardness, BOD, COD, DO, TSS and similar tests.
• Monitoring water quality and lab results to manage process and makes process adjustments in accordance with established policies.
• Conducting various tests to determine proper chemical feed rates, calculate chemical feed rates and change pump settings as needed.
• Maintaining chemical inventory supply and making requests for new or replacement orders.
• Operating, monitoring and adjusting as necessary all related plant process equipment, including chemical pumps. Monitoring and operating telemetry and SCADA systems.
• Coordinating with maintenance staff to adjust process equipment to allow for maintenance activities.
• Assisting in the safe unloading and storage of chemicals and change out chemical totes when necessary.
• Making equipment adjustments, lubrications and minor repairs and reporting equipment problems.
• Preparing necessary relevant spreadsheets and word documents using various software programs as required for daily reports.
• Utility facility emergency procedures Occupational hazards and safety precautions.

What’s required to be successful

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Texas driver’s license with good driving record.
• Perform all routine operator functions.
• Experience with advanced computerized systems, such as those utilized in water and/or wastewater treatment facilities, is preferred.
• Construction and/or mechanical experience a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Enter data or information using a computer or other keyboard device.
• Proficiently perform computerized word processing, summarizing and writing/editing.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Listen, communicate and work effectively and courteously with a diverse group of people. Establish and maintain effective and courteous working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, contractors and the general public.
• Handle multiple projects simultaneously and use good judgment to prioritize schedule and work tasks to complete work within specified time periods and deadlines.
• Make mathematical calculations and draw logical conclusions, using thoughtful and thorough analysis.
• Knowledge and Experience in:

·        laboratory practices required to properly evaluate treatment processes, such as BOD, DO, pH, jar test, CL2 residual, turbidity, COD, color, hardness, TSS, TDS, fecal coliforms and total coliforms.

·        chemical, physical, thermal and biological processes used in wastewater treatment processes, such as coagulation, flocculation, settling, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection and activated sludge.

·        basic operation practices and principles of advanced water treatment processes such as microfiltration, ion exchange, reverse osmosis, ozone, AOP and thermal.

·        the principals, procedures, materials, tools (hand and power) and safety practices involved in the operation of electrical and mechanical equipment used in water or wastewater treatment facilities.

·        Water/Wastewater operations, water distribution, wastewater collections or industrial treatments.

·        Operate and manage sludge screw presses, filter presses and centrifuges.

·        Determine processing requirements; sample the influent and effluent at various stages of processing and identify problems and ensure proper and efficient operation of the treatment plant.

As the successful candidate you must:

• Obtain Wastewater class D certification from TCEQ within 2 years.
• candidates not possessing certification will be placed at an entry level Operator until they have achieved this certification.
• Obtain Hazwoper 24 hr. certification within 6 months.
• Be able to pass respirator fit test within 6 months.
• Complete all OSHA/safety training as required.