EXAMPLES OF DUTIES - The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not 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 needs and changing business practices.
Operate, monitor, and adjust control functions within a water treatment plant, distribution system and sludge de-watering facility, using local controls and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA).
Operate and adjust treatment plant pumps, motors, feeders and other equipment to maintain appropriate plant operations.
Regulate the flow of water into and through the source water transmission system, the water treatment plant, and the distribution system.
Record entries, update and maintain plant operation logs, forms and reports; perform and document calculations related to plant operational activities.
Monitor water quality through online instrumentation, sampling procedures, and performing analyses using standardized testing methods, tools, and equipment in a plant process laboratory, and at various stages in the treatment process.
Mix and apply chemicals for use at various stages in the treatment process.
Calculate dosages and adjust feeders/chemical injection pumps for proper operation and application of chemicals in order to ensure a high finished water quality standard.
Work with hazardous chemicals related to water treatment and laboratory operations; receive training in and assist in spill prevention and response at City facilities.
Maintain plant, operating equipment and facilities in a clean and orderly condition; perform routine housekeeping inside and outside the plant and conduct regular site safety inspections.
Dispatch call-out personnel as required as required for emergency situations at all hours.
Schedule, receive, safely unload, and store chemicals and materials by hand and by use of motorized and mechanical equipment; record deliveries and ensure adequate supplies.
Safely operate a City-owned motor vehicle for travel to a number of pumping stations and water distribution and treatment facilities; operate City communication equipment.
Correctly regulate waste side-streams and return flows.
Assemble, update, and maintain plant operations logs and reports; perform and record mathematical calculations related to plant operational activities, process testing and control.
May act in a central communications function as follows: taking, relaying, transmitting, and providing information to and from City personnel or outside emergency services as required.
Receive business contact with other city employees, customer inquiries and make every effort to enhance public relations.
Conduct general tours of the facilities.
Provide for safe plant conditions and working environment at all times by exercising a routine of attentiveness and proactive responses to plant safety and security matters.
Participate in accurate and complete shift change turn-overs to discuss vital plant
Participate in emergency preparedness training and exercises.
Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Standard principles of mathematics, biology, chemistry, and hydraulics as applied in the operation of a drinking water treatment facility and throughout the distribution systems.
Standard principles and practices of drinking water treatment plant operations, laboratory analysis techniques and current drinking water standards and regulations.
Operating principles of plant equipment such as valves, pumps motors, controls, instrumentation and telemetry.
Basic computer (PC) skills in Microsoft Office Suite software.
Safety regulations pertaining to industrial work practices and use of related equipment.
Operational and safety regulations pertaining to water treatment plant operations and vehicle and equipment usage.
Regulations, techniques and equipment used in managing, mitigation, recovery and reporting of hazardous materials release.
Ability to:
Understand and carry out written and oral instructions.
Read and interpret gauges and other recording devices, plant piping and distribution diagrams and other technical documents.
Logically solve problems and identify hazardous work conditions.
Apply the practices, procedures, techniques, and treatment rules pertaining to the operation of water treatment plants and distribution system into daily practice.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Work any shift, rotation, weekends, and holidays, at any Water Department facility.
Water Treatment Plant Operators may be assigned and required to report directly to any City treatment facility location, and to travel to alternate duty/work locations and offsite meetings.
Lift 55 pounds and move heavy chemical containers.
Operate and maintain water treatment plant equipment.
Perform simple to moderately complex tasks while wearing Level A personal protective equipment.
Wear respiratory protection equipment as required; perform required duties while wearing a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).
Maintain the ability to perform required duties while wearing a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).
Diagnose operating problems and take effective courses of action.
Make independent technical decisions within established parameters to maintain proper treatment operations.
Perform simple repair or maintenance to plant equipment such as pumps, valves, and electronic monitoring devices.
Independently operate all of the Water Department's facilities.
Exercise all phases of plant operations: start-up, shutdown, reduction or bypass of unit processes, adverse or emergency conditions.
Accurately observe and record operating conditions and furnish verbal reports.
Work independently without supervision.
Experience and Training Guidelines
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:
Experience:
Completion of thirty-six (36) months of experience in the Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee I & II (or equivalent experience from an outside agency), successful demonstration of ability to perform the full range of responsibilities of Water Treatment Plant Operator, and possession of Grade T3 certification from the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB); or (1) year functioning as a journey-level operator, while holding Grade T3 Water Treatment Plant Operator certification at a T3 or higher surface water treatment facility.
Education:
Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.
Successful completion of relevant courses required in order to obtain and maintain Grade T3 certification from the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
License or Certificate:
Possession of, and ability to maintain, a valid driver's license.
Possession of, and ability to maintain, a Water Treatment Plant Operator Grade T3 Certification issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). Failure to maintain appropriate certification throughout employment for this classification will result in termination of employment.
Possession of, and ability to maintain, current and valid certifications for Hazardous Materials Technician, Confined Space Entry, CPR/First Aid, and Fork Lift Safety.
*Any license, certification, or registration required for this position shall be maintained (i.e. active and in good standing) at all times during employment with City of Vallejo. For continued employment with City of Vallejo, you must maintain such license, certification, or registration to meet the minimum qualifications of this position.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Pursuant to California Government Code, Title 1 Division 4, Chapter 8, Section 3100 "all public employees have been declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law."
Must be medically approved for wearing a Self-contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), and maintain facial hair at all times as required to not interfere with wearing respiratory protection equipment.
Must maintain the ability to perform required duties while wearing SCBA. Must be able to work safely while wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Work on an unscheduled basis for emergency situations; must be willing to work any day and any shift within a 24-hour period as assigned, including rotations, holidays, weekends and overtime as needed.
Must be able to pass a stringent background check to enter the Travis Air Force Base Water facility.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Working Conditions
Incumbents must be able to perform physical tasks which may include prolonged sitting, standing walking, reaching, twisting, turning, pushing, pulling, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine motor coordination when using a computer keyboard or mobile data terminal. Near vision is required when writing reports and other documents, and far vision is required when in the field. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The need to lift, carry and push tools and supplies weighing up to 55 pounds is also required. The job duties will expose the employee to the outdoors, confined spaces, elevated structures, chemicals, biohazards, high voltage and electronic equipment. This may include exposure to inclement weather conditions, machinery noise, fumes, dust, and air contaminants. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.
The Recruitment & Selection Process