Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee

The purpose of this classification is to perform specialized technical work functions associated with water treatment plant operations and maintenance under the direct supervision of a licensed Grade IV Water Treatment Plant Operator.
 
Must obtain a valid Grade II Water Treatment Plant Operator license within 9 months of employment.  Must obtain a valid Grade IV Water Treatment Plant Operator license meeting the examination and experience requirements set forth by ADEM within 18 months of employment.The following duties are normal for this classification.  The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.   Other duties may be required and assigned.  Specific duties listed may not be required for all positions within this classification, but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

All essential functions are performed under the supervision of a Grade IV Water Treatment Plant Operator.
 
Assists in controlling water treatment plant processes and equipment per established procedures to purify/clarify water for human consumption and industrial/commercial use and to ensure a continuous, adequate supply of potable drinking water meeting federal/state regulations.
 
Collects a variety of water samples for laboratory analysis, process control and regulatory compliance.  
 
Learn to perform standardized laboratory tests for water treatment plant process control (alkalinity, hardness, turbidity, chlorine and fluoride residual, pH, color, etc.)
 
Learn to perform complex mathematical calculations to determine plant process requirements and efficiencies.
 
Learn to make decisions on chemical feed rates and plant process operations to treat varying water quality and flow rates as required by the city water system demand.
 
Assist in maintaining water tank levels.
 
Assists the operator in overseeing filter backwashing.
 
Learn to monitor and inspect plant equipment and operations for safety, maintenance and proper process operations.
 
Takes readings from assorted meters/gauges; reads, interprets and records a variety of data; tests and calibrates diagnostic instrumentation.
 
Performs cleaning, repair, and maintenance tasks to keep plant, machinery, equipment, tools and grounds in good condition.
 
Operates a computer for assisting in monitoring plant operations, maintaining tank levels, and conducting other work activities.
 
Assists in the preparation and/or completion of various forms, reports, logs, charts, or other documents; forwards or maintains as appropriate.
 
Responds to calls from the public concerning water system problems, complaints, or emergency situations; dispatches service requests as necessary.
 
Must be able to work rotating shifts to include nights, weekends and holidays.
 
Incorporates continuous quality improvement principles in day-to-day activities.
 
Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.
 
Must meet regular attendance requirements.
 
Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, and managers.

Performs other related duties as required.
 High school diploma or GED required, preferably supplemented by course work in chemistry, biology, mechanics, and/or mathematics.  Experience or training in water system operations or related field preferred.  Must obtain a valid Grade II Water Treatment Plant Operator license within 9 months of employment.  Must obtain a valid Grade IV Water Treatment Plant Operator license meeting the examination and experience requirements set forth by ADEM within 18 months of employment. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.   This job classification is considered to be safety-sensitive and is subject to pre-employment and random drug screens.The following requirements are normal for this classification.  Specific requirements may not apply to all positions within this classification, but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.
 
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  Must be able to operate a variety of mechanical and water treatment equipment including air compressors, centrifuge, chemical analyzers, generators, pumps, motors blowers, valves, computers, mechanics' tools, carpenters' tools, and plumbers' tools.  Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for very heavy work.
 
DATA COMPREHENSION:  Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things which may include forms, reports, engineering drawings, electrical diagrams, procedural manuals, and operational manuals.
 
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION:  Requires the ability to speak with and/or signal people to convey or exchange water treatment engineering, mechanical, electrical, and legal information, including giving/receiving assignments and/or directions to/from co-workers, assistants, managers, or supervisors as well as communicating with the general public.
 
LANGUAGE ABILITY:  Requires ability to read a variety of water or wastewater treatment engineering, mechanical, and electrical documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures.  Requires the ability to write basic job related documentation and reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech.   Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice.
 
INTELLIGENCE:   Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex mechanical and water or wastewater utility-related principles and techniques, to understand departmental policies and procedures, to make independent judgments in absence of supervision, and to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.
 
VERBAL APTITUDE:   Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow verbal and written instructions.
 
NUMERICAL APTITUDE:  Requires the ability to add and subtract totals; multiply and divide totals; determine percentages; determine time and weight; interpret statistical data; utilize basic algebraic formulas, and perform statistical calculations.
 
FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE:  Requires the ability to visually inspect items for proper length, width, and shape using job related equipment that may include scales, standard measuring devices, and test kits.
 
MOTOR COORDINATION:  Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using mechanical, electrical and water or wastewater utility-related equipment and to operate a motor vehicle.
 
MANUAL DEXTERITY:  Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, electrical, mechanical, and water-utility or wastewater-utility equipment, control knobs, switches, etc.   Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting motion or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities.  Must have average levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
 
COLOR DIFFERENTIATION:  Requires the ability to discern color.
 
INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT:  Requires the ability to deal with and relate to people beyond giving and receiving instructions.  Must be able to adapt to and perform under moderate stress when confronted with an emergency.
 
PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION:  Requires the ability to talk, express, or exchange ideas by means of spoken words and/or hear and perceive nature of sounds by ear.