Water Plant Operator II or above

The Water Plant Operator II performs intermediate technical work operating a water treatment plant, taking samples, reading gauges and charts, performing routine tests, preparing and maintaining records on plant operations, performing preventative maintenance on equipment within and around the plant, preparing reports, and related work as apparent or assigned.  Work is performed under the general direction of the Superintendent - Water.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ensures all operational procedures are followed for water treatment in accordance with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and Environmental Protection Act (EPA).
• Reviews and enters data into the daily logs; checks and reviews data entry from junior operators; corrects any inconsistencies or errors; reviews the monthly operational report to VDH and makes sure there are no inconsistencies or errors.
• Fills, monitors and adjusts chemicals at each of the well buildings and at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).
• Monitors turbidities, pH and alkalinity at the water treatment plant and adjusts as necessary; ensures production remains within specified Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) parameters.
• Performs laboratory tests to analyze water quality from various sources.
• Repairs various pumps, valves, plumbing, electrical, and other plant-related systems as needed.
• Flushes hydrants near dead ends in the distribution system.
• Executes other job duties as necessary.

Required

• High School diploma with GED.
• Considerable experience in water treatment plant operations, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements

• Possession of Class II Waterworks Operator license or higher in the Commonwealth of Virginia upon hire.
• Must meet and maintain all training and education requirements for position.
• Valid driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, equipment, and methods used in water treatment and pumping operations; thorough knowledge of the operating characteristics and maintenance requirements of a water treatment plant; thorough knowledge of the occupational hazards connected with water plant operations and related activities and of necessary safety precautions; thorough knowledge of chemistry as applied to water treatment; skill in the use and care of hand tools; ability to adjust water pumps, chemical feed machines, and other water plant equipment; ability to detect flaws in the operation of equipment and to determine proper remedial measures; ability to take accurate readings and to keep routine records and reports; ability to make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions and decimals; ability to compute rates, ratios, and percentages; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, vendors, and the general public.

This work requires the regular exertion of up to 50 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 25 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work frequently walking, climbing or balancing, pushing or pulling and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, tasting or smelling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, assembly or fabrication of parts within arm’s length, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work regularly requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions, frequently requires exposure to wet, humid conditions (non-weather) and working near moving mechanical parts and occasionally requires working in high, precarious places, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to extreme cold (non-weather), exposure to extreme heat (non-weather), exposure to the risk of electrical shock, exposure to vibration and wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).