Water Treatment Plant Operator Level II

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
This at-will position responsibilities include operating and maintaining the District’s water treatment system. This includes, but is not limited to, the District’s water treatment plant and ammonia feed facility systems. Responsible for maintaining water quality entering the distribution system and tracking pressures, levels, and valve positions in Gaty Reservoir, Peay Flow Control Facility, and Denk Flow Control Facility. A working knowledge and understanding of District safety rules and regulations, as well as active participation in the District’s safety program is necessary. An ability to perform successfully within a team environment; support of the District Strategic Plan and Mission statement; and an ability to work independently with a clear understanding of goals and objectives are essential. Reliable, stable attendance and excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.

The following tasks are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not regularly perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business or staffing needs and changing business practices as defined by the General Manager.
 
% OF TIME                               TASKS
LEVEL
I           II          III         IV
25%     20%     10%     5%       Facilities Maintenance and General Work:

• Performs general cleaning of facilities, grounds and process area equipment including piping, basins, and tanks; observes safe work methods and safety precautions related to the work.
• Receives bulk deliveries of water treatment chemicals and other products.
• Provides assistance as needed for operation or maintenance activities. Uses common hand and power tools and drives motorized vehicles and equipment in the performance of the work.

45%     35%     20%     10%     Preventative and Corrective Equipment Maintenance:

• Coordinates and assists with the successful completion of preventative and corrective maintenance projects on all systems throughout the plant, troubleshoots problem areas utilizing appropriate resources; inspects, tests, and maintains safety equipment.
• Performs oil changes, lubrication, changes air and oil filters, calibrates and maintains water quality and instrumentation equipment.
• Troubleshoots, identifies, and repairs fiber leaks within the membrane process area equipment.
• Maintains chemical feed systems, calibrates pumps, performs repairs to system piping and related equipment, maintains on-site chlorine generation equipment. 
• Generates work orders and logs repair work in the District’s computer system for preventative and corrective maintenance.
• Tracks material inventory, solicits bids from vendors and contractors, and completes new orders when necessary.

15%     20%     30%     20%     Plant Operations and Process Laboratory Work:

• Operates, monitors and controls systems via Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) to include energy recovery, membrane filtration and chemical cleaning, clarification and dewatering, chemical feed and related system equipment.
• Optimizes treatment plant processes to ensure regulatory compliance and water quality objectives are maintained at all times. Monitors membrane system performance, including membrane integrity testing (MIT), trans-membrane pressure (TMP), flow, flux and related parameters.
• Performs daily process control laboratory analyses, including but not limited to: turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), pH, temperature, chlorine, fluoride, ammonia, chloramine, and Langelier Saturation Index (LSI). Collects daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual samples. 
• Performs record keeping functions such as logging plant operations data, laboratory test results, maintenance and repair work performed, and unusual operating conditions encountered. Prepares routine monitoring and special reports as required, inspects plant equipment and remote facilities and reports on failures or operating difficulties.

 5%       10%     15%     20%     Distribution and Water Quality Monitoring:

• Daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual compliance sampling and analysis of water entering and periodically throughout the distribution system, to include bacteriological, disinfectant, and fluoridation levels, disinfection by products, and regulated and unregulated contaminants.
• Analyzes and monitors water quality downstream and at the point of entry into the distribution system. Coordinates with Systems Operators to make chemistry changes as necessary to reduce or minimize disinfectant byproduct formation (TTHM) and nitrification, maintain optimal LSI, and disinfectant residuals in the distribution system.
• Coordinates plant shutdowns, startups and flow changes with the wholesale supplier and Systems Operators to ensure reservoir levels are maintained.
• Provides technical responses to water quality questions by customers.
• Monitors pumping equipment flow rates, discharge pressures, and electrical efficiency from the treatment plant to distribution system reservoirs, flow control facilities, and treated water connections. Monitors distribution system reservoir levels to which the plant pumping equipment feeds.

 
0%       5%       15%     35%     Functions as Lead Operator at the Water Treatment Plant:

• Level IV Operator (holding T5 certification) acts as and performs duties of the Chief Plant Operator in absence of the Water Treatment Facilities Supervisor.
• Level III Operators and above may serve as standby Duty Operators.
• Provides technical instruction, guidance, and training to operations staff, interns, and temporary workers; conducts safety and technical training exercises; ensures safe and proper work practices are followed at all times by staff; develops standard operating procedures (SOPs) for systems as needed; leads water treatment plant tours.
• Prioritizes, leads, and schedules daily work assignments including operations, preventative and corrective maintenance, and capital improvement projects. Plans and coordinates support from District staff as well as contractors for maintenance and repair activities as needed.
• Solicits bids from vendors and contractors on chemicals, materials, and services. Generates reports for regulatory compliance, production and overall system performance.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 
10%     10%     10%     10%     Performs all related duties as assigned.Unless required by law, experience and education may be substituted for each other upon approval by the General Manager or their designee.
 
EDUCATION: High School diploma or equivalent; valid California driver’s license and proof of insurability; Standard First Aid and CPR certifications are required.

EXPERIENCE:
Level I: Possession of a State of California Water Treatment Operator Certificate, Grade T1, and one year experience performing operations or maintenance of a water/wastewater treatment plant, or water distribution/sewer collection system; Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Operations (Level II) and State of California Water Distribution Operator Certificate, Grade D1 required.
 
Level II: Possession of a State of California Water Treatment Operator Certificate, Grade T2 and one year experience as, or at a level equivalent to a Water Treatment Operator I; HazMat Operations (Level II) and State of California Water Distribution Operator Certificate, Grade D2 required.
 
Level III *: In addition to the above, possession of a State of California Water Treatment Operator Certificate, Grade T3 and three years experience in the operation and maintenance of a water treatment plant to include PLC/SCADA (programmable logic controller/supervisory control and data acquisition) systems experience; HazMat Operations (Level II) and State of California Water Distribution Operator Certificate, Grade D2 required. Availability for Standby duty is a condition of employment. Operation of a membrane facility highly desirable.
 
Level IV *: In addition to the above, possession of a State of California Water Treatment Operator Certificate, Grade T4 and five years experience in the operation and maintenance of a water treatment plant to include advanced knowledge of the principles and practices of water treatment, water chemistry, regulatory compliance and reporting. HazMat Technician (Level III) and State of California Water Distribution Operator Certificate, Grade D2 required. Grade T5 Certificate required within two years of appointment. Operation of a membrane facility highly desirable.CONTACT RESPONSIBILITY
INTERNAL: Interaction with Supervisor and peers to receive general work assignments, address administrative issues and review results; District water operations and maintenance personnel to coordinate assignments and discuss and resolve technical issues; all other District personnel as required.
EXTERNAL: Interaction with general public to respond to questions on water quality, treatment process impacts, pressure and related matters; San Diego County Water Authority and regulatory agencies to discuss reporting and water quality issues; consultants and vendors as necessary to coordinate projects and purchase supplies; emergency service personnel as required.
 
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 
Ability to walk extended distances; climb steep stairs and ladders; may on an infrequent basis assist with lifting up to 100 pounds; ability to tolerate repeated bending and stooping; good hearing, eyesight and speech are necessary. Ability to effectively utilize a personal computer, keyboard, and peripherals; ability to tolerate prolonged exposure to a computer screen. These positions require the ability to be “on-call”, work evenings, weekends, and holidays. 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Work is primarily performed indoors in a water treatment plant with various mechanical and electrical hazards and noise. Subject to; contact with chemicals (e.g. chlorine, ammonia, etc.), confined spaces, foul odors and hazardous materials handling. Work is occasionally performed outdoors on plant premises or accessory facilities in all types of weather. Subject to: noisy conditions, odors, contact with animals and insects, hazardous traffic conditions, confined spaces, variable weather conditions, possible exposure to heavy equipment, dust, and fumes. Wears protective clothing as required. Work is also occasionally performed in an office setting with office type of lighting and ventilation. Subject to conversational noise from other personnel within the facility; standard background noise found in an office environment; long periods of sitting; exposure to a computer screen.