Job details
Job type full-time
Full job description
Job
The city of yakima is a premier employer in the yakima valley with extensive opportunities for training and growthThe city offers a competitive benefit package including: 3% bilingual/biliterate english/spanish special paycomprehensive medical, dental and vision coveragefree healthcare clinic!wa state pers pension plan1% contribution to a 457 deferred compensation plangenerous accruals for vacation and sick leavemuch more!minimum class requirements: must possess a washington state department of ecology wastewater treatment plant operator group iii certificate or equivalent with at least twenty-four (24) months of experience as an operator in a wastewater treatment plant at the time of applicationOperating experience at the yakima wastewater treatment plant is preferredLicenses, registrations and/or certificates: possess a washington state department of ecology wastewater treatment plant operator group iii certificate or equivalent at time of applicationMust possess and maintain a valid washington state driver’s licensePossess or obtain a basic first aid certificate within six (6) months of appointmentIncumbents are expected to possess a washington state department of ecology wastewater treatment plant group iv certificate within thirty-six (36) months of appointmentPossession of a class a cdl license with air brake endorsement is desirable.
Example of duties
Under limited supervision operates and maintains a wastewater treatment plant and associated sanitary, industrial, and storm water pumping stationsProvides technical direction and oversight to other wastewater treatment plant operators, based on policies and procedures outlined by process control supervisor while serving as operator in charge of shift.
Minimum qualifications
Performs and/or directs operational and maintenance duties required to maintain effective preliminary, primary, and secondary wastewater and biosolids treatmentCalculates plant performance parameters from monitoring data and compares values to permit limits to determine regulatory complianceUtilizes the computerized plant asset management system to prepare and submit work orders for equipment maintenanceComplies with a variety of safety and environmental mandates; shares responsibility for instructing and training new employees in a wide range of safety and operational matters; inspects plant equipment and grounds for safetyProvides technical supervision, oversight, and training to other operatorsPerforms in a leadership role, providing effective guidance and directionMay assign, direct and/or organize work of subordinate operatorsCollects and interprets process data and recommends process changes and adjustments to meet federal, state, and local regulations and permit requirementsIndependently follows established standard operating procedures to perform process adjustments on all wastewater treatment and solids handling equipmentAssists in developing and modifying standard operating proceduresActs as operator in charge of shift to direct operational duties in the absence of process control supervisor and chief operatorProvides feedback to supervisory staff regarding performance of other operators.uses direct observation and the plant supervisory control and data acquisition (scada) system to monitor and control the levels, flows, and pressures of biogas, wastewater, storm water, re-use water and sludge at the treatment plant and at pumping stationsMonitors treatment plant processes by collecting biogas, sludge, wastewater and re-use water samples at multiple treatment plant process units and by performing physical and chemical field and laboratory sample analyses in accordance with standard methods for the examination of water and wastewaterMaintains effective preliminary and primary wastewater and sludge treatment processes by adding correct amounts of several chemicals for odor control, disinfection, de-chlorination, alkalinity/ph, and sludge coagulationMonitors and adjusts chemical feed rates directly or remotely through scadaHandles, mixes and stores a variety of chemicals used for wastewater and sludge treatment including polymers, sodium hypochlorite, calcium thiophosphate, and sodium hydroxideMonitors and operates hot water boilers and hot water heating ancillary systems including boiler fuel sources, heat exchangers, and hot water mixing valves to maintain correct temperatures for anaerobic sludge and industrial wastewater digestionMonitors, adjusts and performs minor repairs on mechanical equipment including air compressors, valves, gates, pumps, and motors to maintain proper flows, levels, and pressures for treatment processesBio-terrorism, security and federal emergency management: in accordance with the bio-terrorism law, must be sensitive concerning the security of the wastewater treatment plant and wastewater collection systemMust also comply with the national incident management systemOperates, maintains, trouble shoots and calibrates sensors for temperature, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, lower explosive limit, ph, dissolved oxygen, oxidation-reduction potential, turbidity, level, and pressureProvides verbal and written status reports concerning plant operationsEnters information into daily logs and computer system; records meter readings and laboratory test data; prepares computerized time sheets cleans and maintains plant process structures and equipment as neededOperates trucks, truck and trailer combinations, backhoe, tractor, and forkliftRequires regular and reliable attendancePerforms other related duties as assigned.
Supplemental information
This is the senior level position in the wastewater treatment plant operator seriesEmployees at this level are required to be fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unitEmployees in this class will monitor, operate, adjust and maintain all treatment plant processes, will provide training and technical direction to other operators, and may act as the operator in charge of a shiftOperators at this level are required to understand the treatment plant`s national pollutant discharge elimination system permit reporting requirements and treatment process operation to ensure permit complianceAbility to train staff in procedures and operations; instruct, oversee, and evaluate the work of other operators; schedule the work of othersKnowledge of established supervisory principles, practices, and techniquesKnowledge of the operation and equipment of preliminary, primary, and secondary wastewater treatment processes including the physical and chemical processes of anaerobic sludge digestion, screening, grit settling and classification, primary and secondary clarification, and trickling filter treatment, activated sludge, and high rate anaerobic digestion; mathematics, chemistry, hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical theory; flow, pressure, and level sensing and control equipment; recording, measuring and testing instruments; biogas, water, wastewater and sludge sampling and quality tests; confined space entry, fall protection, and bloodborne pathogen exposureKnowledge of the federal clean water act, the biosolids rule, and the standard methods for the examination of water and wastewaterAbility to work independently; make fast and accurate decisions leading to corrective actions for the operation and maintenance of the treatment plant; accurately read meters and gauges and detect faulty characteristics; keep logs and records of operations and input into the computer; collect samples and set up and perform laboratory and field analysis of wastewater and sludge samples to determine adjustments; manually start and stop equipment, systems, and processes; conduct preventative and corrective maintenance on plant equipment; recognize and report abnormal operational and mechanical conditions and to initiate measures to correct preliminary, primary, and secondary treatment processes; establish and maintain effective working relationships; follow oral and written instructions; perform moderately strenuous workMust possess well developed communication skills, both written and oral, with appropriate use of business english including correct grammar, letter composition, spelling, and punctuation; and excellent analytical and organizational skillsPhysical demands: sufficient physical ability to work in both plant and field settings and to operate assigned equipmentFrequent use of both hands in reaching/handling/grasping/fingering while performing duties operating on various vehicles, equipment and machineryOccasional bending/twisting at knees/waist/neck while performing related activitiesOccasional kneeling/crouching/crawling while making repairs in confined spaces and awkward positionsOccasional heavy work includes lifting and carrying up to fifty (50) poundsOccasionally ascends/descends stairs, ladders, and inclines while maintaining balancePhysical strength and ability sufficient to perform manual labor for extended periods under wet, cold, and generally unpleasant conditionsMay require continuous moving, sitting or standing for extended periods of timeContinuous use of all senses including feeling/talking/ hearing/seeing while performing duties and while communicating with co-workers, the general public and completing all tasks as assignedMust be able to maintain long-term and short-term memoryMust be able to see in the normal visual range with or without correctionMust be able to hear in the normal audio range with or without correctionWill be required to wear safety protective gear when necessaryReasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functionsUnusual working conditions: may work outside in all weather extremes and be exposed to dust, smoke, electrical hazards, noxious odors, fumes, or chemicals, raw sewage, waterborne disease and noxious and combustible gasesMay work at heights, alone, with others, or in noisy work areaWork and/or walk for long periods of time on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrainSubject to twenty-four (24) hour emergency callbacks and standby and requires working varying hours, overtime, weekends, and holidaysWork environment is team-oriented, having both routine and variable tasks with variable pace and pressureWork is performed both inside buildings and in outdoor plant areas and collateral facilities.
