Job Description

Description

The City of Danville has an opening for a Water Treatment Plant Operator I.

$2,000 hiring bonus*

Maintains the safety of the city's drinking water by ensuring the treated water meets required water quality standards when leaving the plant and throughout the distribution system. Operates and calibrates chemical feed pumps, both in the water plant and at booster pumping stations. Receives and unloads hazardous chemicals, monitoring the processes through the SCADA system and through visual checks. Reacts to emergency situations.

The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Monitors the treatment processes by conducting laboratory tests including turbidity, pH, chlorine and bacteriological; collecting samples; analyzing the data collected from tests in order to determine efficient and effective treatment; using various laboratory, computer equipment and SCADA programs to monitor the treatment processes; recording all data; and visually and physically verifying that all production equipment is operating within normal parameters.
• Monitors and controls the distribution system by using computer equipment and the SCADA program to monitor storage tank sites and booster station operations; maintaining appropriate pressure and water quality; flushing areas of the distribution system to refresh stagnant lines; and responding to customer calls in regards to pressure issues and water quality complaints.
• Participates in training classes to maintain required state licenses and trains new and semi-experienced employees in all aspects of water treatment including math, regulations, biology and chemistry.
• Responds to crisis situations by appropriately adjusting treatment processes due to weather events; putting emergency diesel generator in service during power outages; taking appropriate action to stop spills, instituting clean up procedures and reporting the spill as required; and quickly adjusting chemical feeds to bring treatment processes into compliance.
• Performs miscellaneous duties such as draining basins, receiving chemical deliveries in bulk, performing maintenance on chemical pumps, water pumps and calibrations on chemical feed pumps for quarterly analysis; and following VPDES regulations for removal of byproducts from process waste waters prior to release.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Education and Experience
Requires graduation from high school or GED; intermediate computer knowledge and Microsoft software experience; and three to five years of job experience.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above

Certifications/Licenses

• Valid Driver’s License and acceptable driving record according to City criteria
• Virginia Waterworks Operator Class I

Job Knowledge
Intermediate knowledge to perform most work in normal situations. Comprehension of standard situations and includes knowledge of most of the significant aspects of the subject.

Reading
Intermediate: Ability to read papers, periodicals, journals, manuals, dictionaries, thesauruses, and encyclopedias.

Writing
Intermediate: Ability to write reports, prepare business letters, expositions, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.

Math
Intermediate: Ability to deal with system of real numbers; practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement.

Communication Skills
Requires providing basic information to others outside direct reporting relationships on procedures or general policies. Contact may require the consideration of different points of view to reach understanding and gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas.

Independence and Decision-Making
Normally performs the job by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance reviewed periodically.

Technical Skills
Work requires a comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the work environment of the organization.

Fiscal Responsibilities
No budgetary/fiscal responsibility.

Supervisory Responsibilities
May occasionally direct helpers, assistants, seasonal employees, interns or temps.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Work requires medium physical effort, exerting 20-50 pounds occasionally, 10-25 pounds frequently, or up to 10 pounds constantly.
• Adequate vision, hearing and talking to drive, use computer, and communicate effectively with others.
• Frequent standing, walking, handling, twisting, fine dexterity, and climbing.
• Occasional sitting, pushing/pulling, reaching, kneeling, bending, balancing, crawling and crouching.

NON-PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and predictable attendance is expected.
• May frequently experience time pressure, performing multiple tasks simultaneously, working closely with others as part of a team, and tedious or exacting work.
• May occasionally experience change of tasks.
• Rarely required to work in emergency situations, and to have an irregular work schedule/overtime.

MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE

Typically requires use of computer, related software and hardware; lab testing equipment; and equipment used in maintaining the plant, such as pumps, forklifts, and hand tools; and any other equipment as appropriate or assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This work is performed in a water plant office, lab, maintenance shop, etc., where there is daily exposure to noise and vibration. respiratory hazards, wetness/humidity and physical hazards; frequent exposure to mechanical, chemical and electrical hazards; and seasonal exposure to extreme temperatures. The employee often works in noisy/distracting environment. There is rare exposure to fire hazards, explosives, communicable diseases and/or physical danger or abuse.

The employee is expected to use appropriate protective equipment for the assigned task (hard hat, steel-toe shoes, eye protection, SCBA, etc.); and any other equipment as appropriate or assigned.

*$1,000 upon hire & $1,000 at the completion of six-month probationary period.

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