Board of Public Utilities - Wastewater Treatment Plant/Water Treatment Plant Operator

Job Title:         WWTP/WTP Operator

Reports To:     Water/Wastewater Director

Job Summary

Under supervision of the Water/Wastewater Director the WWTP/WTP Operator is responsible for the daily operation and maintenance of the water and wastewater treatment plants.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintains and repairs equipment within the water and wastewater plants, including pumps, valves, piping, gearboxes, clarifiers, oxidation ditches, etc.
• Calibrates equipment, replaces worn parts and conducts exercising operations of emergency equipment.
• Monitor control panels and adjust valves and gates manually or by remote control to regulate flow of sewage.
• Observes variations in operating conditions and interprets meter and gauge readings and test results to determine load requirements.
• Starts and stops pumps, engines, and generators to control flows through filtering, settling, aeration, and sludge digestion processes.
• Maintains log of operations and records meter and gauge readings.
• Collect samples and conduct laboratory tests.
• Assist in the performance of regular and unscheduled maintenance and repairs on all plant equipment and machinery.
• On a rotating basis, conduct necessary weekend treatment plant duties and respond to on call emergencies and breakdowns.

Education and/or Experience

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
• 2yrs related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Communication and Ability

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports.
• Ability to speak effectively with customers, residents, and employees.
• The ability to work on various equipment and pumps, basic electrical knowledge.
• The ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables.
• The ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Obtain Class D wastewater license and D-4 water license within 2 years of hire date.
• Preferred confined space and lock out/tag out training.
• Possess and maintain a valid Michigan Driver’s license.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to walk, stand, and sit.
• Must have finger to hand coordination and the ability to reach with hands and arms.
• Must be able to climb, stoop, kneel and crawl.
• Must be able to lift 75 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to work in adverse outdoor weather conditions.
• Must be able to work in high places.
• Must be able to work with and properly handle toxic or caustic chemicals.
• Must be able to work in an environment with high levels of noise.