Job Description - Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

JOB DESCRIPTION

SUMMARY:

The Wastewater Operator plays a critical role in maintaining the efficiency and safety of wastewater treatment processes. This position involves monitoring and controlling the operations of wastewater treatment facilities, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, and performing routine maintenance on equipment. The ideal candidate will possess a strong mechanical aptitude and a commitment to environmental stewardship.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collects and analyzes samples as required to operate a treatment facility.
• Observes the physical condition of the wastewater treatment facility for proper temperature, color, odors, dissolved oxygen and other necessary operational parameters to ensure that the facility operates under regulatory permit conditions.
• Operates energize pumps, agitators, valves, and miscellaneous equipment.
• Adjusts chlorinators or other metering devices in order to properly treat the raw sewage and to ensure that the effluent meets or exceeds all permitted conditions.
• Reads and understands flow meter charts, analyzers, and laboratory equipment.
• Records data from various meters, gauges, and dials; logs daily.
• Monitors and operates centrifuge dewatering machine.
• Dumps biosolids in hot houses for drying process; monitors temperature and humidity in hot houses for proper drying conditions; spreads and tills biosolids as required.
• Makes regular tours of the plant and checks bar screens, generators, pumps, settling tanks, filters, clarifiers, chlorination system, and other equipment for proper functioning.
• Cleans equipment, office buildings, tanks, and grounds as required.
• Calibrates laboratory equipment.
• Checks for, and repairs, any alarms at algae wheel plant.
• Performs general preventive and scheduled maintenance and major maintenance and repairs.
• Repairs pumps, blowers, trucks, and heavy equipment.
• Starts, stops, regulates, and adjusts motors, pumps, blowers, valves, and other apparatus to meet changing operating conditions and maintain required permitted standards.
• Uses a variety of electrical test equipment, power and hand tools, and other equipment as needed.
• Completes hurricane preparedness procedures as needed.
• Uses standard office software.
• Reads and writes legible entries in all logbooks and journals kept as a function of the operation.
• Reports any mechanical defects, equipment failures or permit violations that may occur while on shift to the Facility Supervisor.
• Assists with the maintenance, repair and the overhaul of machinery and equipment located within the facility.
• Completes continuing education requirements as scheduled.
• Adheres to all OUA policies and procedures
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

High School diploma or equivalent; and one (1) year of related experience.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Valid Florida Driver’s License with a clean driving record.
• Must be certified and possess a current “C” license for Wastewater Treatment as issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection or must have this license within 6 months of hire date.
• Willing to work overtime, holidays, national disaster, and weekends as requested.
• Willing to work shift work.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 

•  Knowledge of the methods and practices of typical wastewater treatment and of standards and normal operating procedures applicable to the treatment of raw wastewater.
• Knowledge of the functions and mechanics of pumps and other plant mechanical equipment.
• Ability to inspect machinery and other mechanical equipment in operation to detect flaws and defects, awareness of electrical circuitry and components and to have the ability to utilize generally accepted laboratory procedures.
• Ability to understand, give and execute oral and written instructions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position classifies the physical exertion requirements as medium work which requires exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Able to reach above shoulders with both arms, able to use both hands and fingers on both hands.
• Good vision, hearing and sense of smell.
• Able to walk, stand, crawl, kneel, bend, balance, and stoop.
• Able to operate heavy equipment as required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed inside and outside in all types of environmental conditions. Work is often accompanied by noise, poor lighting, toxic fumes, gases, raw sewage, grease, chemicals, electricity, and moving objects; and in confined spaces, above or below ground.

Okeechobee Utility Authority has the right to revise this job description at any time.  This description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.

BENEFITS PACKAGE

• Salary  - Dependent on Qualifications
• Six month probation period
• Typical Work Week: Four ten hour days, half hour for lunch.
• Paid Bi-Weekly by Direct Deposit
• $300.00 per year uniform allotment & $150.00 safety footwear allotment
• Accrued Paid Time Off time on hours worked = 180 hours annually
• Health Insurance: Florida Blue (medical / vision / dental)
• Supplemental Insurance Available: AFLAC / Washington National / Liberty National
• • OUA Monthly Contribution Allowance:
  • • Employee Only = $1,200.00
    • Employee + child or spouse = $1,525.00
    • Family = $1,850.00
• All employees on OUA health insurance can access Urgent Care at no cost in Okeechobee, Sebring and Jensen Beach.
• Retirement: Okeechobee Utility Authority has a Defined Pension Plan.   Employees are vested after five years of service.   
• Company paid Life Insurance of $50,000 effective 1st day of starting work.
• Company paid Long Term Disability benefit.
• Employee Recognition Pay – percentage of annual salary (every 5 years of service)
• Employee Assistance Program effective 1st day of starting work.
• Company Paid Training / Education
• Paid Holidays:
• • New Year’s Day (January 1)
  • Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
  • Independence Day (July 4)
  • Labor Day (first Monday in September)
  • Veteran’s Day (November 11)
  • Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November)
  • Christmas Eve (December 24)
  • Christmas (December 25)
  • (2) Personal Choice Days (employee choice)