Plant Operator Trainee, I, II, III

PLANT OPERATOR TRAINEE, I, II, III

From: Brian Skelton - CEO/President

Date: October 14, 2025

Re: EXTERNAL JOB POSTING - Open Job Position:

Plant Operator Trainee, Plant Operator I, Plant Operator II, Plant Operator III

Beginning Tuesday, October 14, 2025, Riviera Utilities will begin taking applications to fill a job vacancy for Plant Operator Trainee, Plant Operator I, Plant Operator II or Plant Operator III. We are considering applicants with qualifications in the following range, salary commensurate with education and experience.

PLANT OPERATOR TRAINEE

PLANT OPERATOR I

PLANT OPERATOR II

PLANT OPERATOR III

Applications accepted for the open position through Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Interested individuals should go to our website at www.rivierautilities.com to review the Job Descriptions for this opening, click on the Application link, complete the application, and submit it by the deadline.

In Compliance with the Alabama Immigration Law, Riviera Utilities participates in the Federal E-Verify Identification Program.

SALARY RANGE: Plant Operator Trainee - $41,600 - $54,912 Pay Grade 101

Plant Operator I - $51,947 - $75,234 Pay Grade 106

Plant Operator II - $58,919 - $85,332 Pay Grade 108

Plant Operator III - $62,749 - $90,879 Pay Grade 109

PLANT OPERATOR TRAINEE

Department: Water/Wastewater

Pay Grade: 101

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Water or Wastewater Plant Operations Supervisor

Effective Date: 6/8/2023

# JOB SUMMARY

This is an entry-level position assisting certified operators in treatment of potable and/or wastewater, asset management, and plant maintenance services. . Performs work under close supervision of an Operations Supervisor and receives daily direction from more experienced Operators or a Crew Leader.

# ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

- Assist certified operators in the wastewater or potable water management.

- Cleans plant equipment, structures, and plant site.

- Paints pipes, structures, doors and other surfaces.

- Assists in installation of piping networks, electrical conduit, electrical systems, and process equipment.

- Assists staff in preventative maintenance and corrective maintenance duties.

- Hooks generators and by-pass pumps to the system.

- Collects samples of water and wastewater at various locations.

- Maintains chemical feed systems of the plants by pouring in chemicals, changing out chlorine cylinders, and making connections.

- Monitors volumes of fluoridic acid, change out containers of acid, and prime the pumps for flow.

- Calibrates equipment probes that monitor the water quality.

- Documents preventive maintenance activities, problems with equipment, and other information.

- Pulls and cleans equipment such as pumps, check valves, and relief valves.

- Turns valves for maintenance and inspection.

- Cleans debris from pumps and other devices.

- Climbs water tank to change light bulbs and checks on equipment, performs general maintenance, moves antennae, and helps with inspections.

- Monitors pump station wet well levels and gravity collection systems during rain events.

- Assists water/wastewater field operations as needed.

- Wears all safety equipment required on the job site.

- Attends safety training classes and other approved training to advance professional development.

- Assists other departments as requested or required.

- Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

# QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

High school diploma or an acceptable equivalent diploma (GED).

Licenses or Certifications

Must prepare for and strive to achieve a Grade IC Wastewater Certification for collection systems and Grade I Water Distribution Certifications after one year experience as a Trainee.

Special Requirements

The selected applicant must obtain a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) within 1 year after the date of hiring. If less than 18 years of age, applicant must have a valid Driver’s License and, within 1 year after turning 18 years of age, applicant must obtain a valid CDL.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

- Knowledge of personal computing devices, the internet, and business/technical software (WORD, Excel, Outlook)

- Knowledge of the operation, purpose, and basic repair steps of mechanical equipment (generators, by-pass pumps).

- Knowledge of water treatment processes and distribution assets.

- Ability to perform basic maintenance tasks such as painting, cleaning, trimming shrubs, etc.

- Ability to work in a confined space (tanks, wells, manholes) under the direction of experienced and qualified staff.

- Ability to work around hazardous chemicals (caustic) and machinery in a safe manner.

- Ability to interact with and maintain relationships between co-workers in a professional manner.

- Able listen, understand, and act upon verbal or written instructions.

- Able to work and maintain productivity in a solitary work environment or in a group setting.

- Ability to read, comprehend, and understand documents, tables, manuals, written procedures and policies.

- Ability to complete basic math operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and percentages.

- Ability to commit time and resources to continuous learning and improvement.

- Ability to communicate orally with a cross functional group of coworkers. (English Language required).

- Ability to document work, material and daily maintenance procedures or work instructions through handwritten records and on the computer.

- Ability to work safely and within procedure constraints; capable of being trained to and comply with safe working standards.

- Ability to demonstrate mechanical aptitude.

- Ability to operate small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.

- Ability to operate and repair small/light equipment, such as power tools.

- Ability to operate and repair medium equipment and machinery.

- Ability to operate construction equipment.

- Ability to have regular and predictable work attendance.

# PHYSICAL DEMANDS

# The work is medium work 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:

- Balancing: sufficient to maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. The amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.

- Climbing: sufficient to ascend or descend ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized.

- Crawling: sufficient to move about on hands and knees or hands and feet.

- Crouching: sufficient to bend the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.

- Feeling: sufficient to perceive attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.

- Grasping: sufficient to apply pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

- Handling: sufficient to pick, hold, or otherwise work, primarily with the whole hand.

- Hearing: sufficient to perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction; ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discrimination in sound.

- Kneeling: sufficient to bend legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.

- Lifting: sufficient to raise objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.

- Mental Acuity: sufficient to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.

- Pulling: sufficient to use upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.

- Pushing: sufficient to use upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.

- Reaching: sufficient to extend hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

- Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.

- Speaking: sufficient to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely.

- Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.

- Stooping: sufficient to bend body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.

- Talking: sufficient to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

- Visual Acuity: sufficient to observe violations of codes, to effectively operate standard office equipment; ability to read and write reports, correspondence, instructions, drawings, etc.; and to operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment, by both day and night.

- Walking: sufficient to move about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or move from one work site to another.

# WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment requires the employee to work inside during a limited portion of the time and primarily outside in a variety of weather conditions without effective protection from weather. Work is performed in an environment with heavy equipment and machinery that could result in bodily harm to co-workers or others. Environments that will be encountered are:

- Wastewater including but not limited to feces, urine, grease, oil and sludge.

- Chlorine, lime, and other process chemicals. Diesel and gasoline fuels.

- Noxious odors are normal.

- Insects including but not limited to roaches, midges, flies and worms.

- Enclosed spaces including but not limited to man holes, construction trenches, clear wells and lift stations.

- Heights not to exceed 200 feet.

PLANT OPERATOR I

Department: Water/Wastewater

Pay Grade: 106

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Water or Wastewater Plant Operations Supervisor

Effective Date: 6/8/2023

# JOB SUMMARY

This is an experienced position working with experienced operations staff to facilitate treatment of potable water and/or wastewater. Performs work with limited independence and has basic expertise concerning equipment operation and maintenance. This position reports to an Operations Supervisor and receives daily direction from more experienced Operators or a Crew Leader.

# ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

- Performs basic cleaning, painting, and maintenance of facilities and equipment.

- Assists in the installation of piping networks, electrical conduit, electrical systems, and process equipment.

- Assists staff in preventative maintenance and corrective maintenance duties.

- Hooks generators and bypass pumps to the system.

- Collects samples of water and wastewater at various locations and delivers to lab for analysis.

- Completes weekly work orders for the water plants, the wells and wastewater treatment plant.

- Maintains chemical feed systems of the plants by pouring in chemicals, changing out chlorine cylinders, and making connections.

- Performs lab work for state reporting and process control for the Water and Wastewater Plants.

- Monitors volumes of fluoridic acid, change out containers of acid, and prime the pumps for flow.

- Calibrates equipment probes that monitor the water quality.

- Documents preventive maintenance activities, problems with equipment, and other information.

- Performs corrective maintenance during failures of essential equipment.

- Pulls and cleans equipment such as pumps, check valves, and relief valves.

- Pulls gearboxes and motors at the water and wastewater plants and replaces them with new ones.

- Turns valves for maintenance and inspection.

- Cleans debris from pumps and other devices.

- Climbs water tank to change light bulbs and check on equipment, perform general maintenance, move antennae, and help with inspections.

- Monitors pump station wet well levels and gravity collection systems during rain events.

- Observes laboratory procedures for checking water quality and conform to basic permitting guidelines.

- Monitors the wastewater treatment process for adherence to guidelines and standards.

- Assists in troubleshooting mechanical and process control features within water quality management system (fluoride, chlorine, and residuals).

- Recognizes water quality problems, feed rates, conditions of plant and well sites, safety hazards, and report to experienced Operators.

- Assists with the beautification of two Water Plants, Wastewater plant, lagoon, air relief locations, forty-one lift stations, and seven wells.

- Attends safety training classes, water and wastewater process control classes, and other approved training to advance professional development.

- Observes corrections made from SCADA monitoring and assists as requested.

- Calculates and documents chemical feed settings and other operational data.

- Assists water/wastewater field operations as needed.

- Serves on-call and reports to calls that relate to wastewater and water issues.

- Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

# QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

High school diploma or an acceptable equivalent diploma (GED) and two (2) years of related experience in the water and/or wastewater operations environment as an Operator Trainee or comparable. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Licenses or Certifications

Alabama Certified Operator Grade IC Wastewater Certification for collection systems or Grade I Water Distribution Certifications.

Special Requirements

The selected applicant must obtain a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) within 1 year after the date of hiring. If less than 18 years of age, applicant must have a valid Driver’s License and, within 1 year after turning 18 years of age, applicant must obtain a valid CDL.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

- Knowledge of personal computing devices, the internet, and business/technical software (WORD, Excel, Outlook)

- Knowledge of the operation, purpose, and basic repair steps of mechanical equipment (ex: generators, bypass pumps).

- Knowledge of SCADA systems, what the screens are, equipment being monitored, and purpose of the equipment monitoring.

- Knowledge of water treatment processes and distribution assets.

- Ability to perform basic maintenance tasks such as painting, cleaning, and trimming shrubs.

- Ability to work in a confined space (tanks, wells, utility holes) under the direction of experienced and qualified staff.

- Ability to work around hazardous and caustic chemicals and machinery in a safe manner.

- Ability to interact with and maintain relationships between co-workers and customers in a professional manner.

- Able to listen, understand, and act upon verbal or written instructions.

- Able to work and maintain productivity in a solitary work environment or in a group setting.

- Ability to read, comprehend, and understand documents, tables, manuals, written procedures, and policies.

- Ability to complete basic math operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and percentages.

- Ability to commit time and resources to continuous learning and improvement.

- Ability to communicate orally with a cross functional group of coworkers. (English Language required).

- Ability to document work, material and daily maintenance procedures or work instructions through handwritten records and on the computer.

- Ability to work safely and within procedure constraints as defined by company policy; capable of being trained to comply with safe working standards.

- Ability to demonstrate mechanical aptitude.

- Ability to operate small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.

- Ability to operate and repair small/light equipment, such as power tools.

- Ability to operate and repair medium equipment and machinery, such as vehicles or commercial mowers.

- Ability to operate and repair heavy or complex machinery, such as construction equipment.

- Ability to have regular and predictable work attendance.

# PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is very heavy: exerting in excess of one hundred pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of fifty pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of twenty pounds of force constantly to move objects. Additionally, the following required physical abilities:

- Balancing: sufficient to maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. The amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.

- Climbing: sufficient to ascend or descend ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized.

- Crawling: sufficient to move about on hands and knees or hands and feet.

- Crouching: sufficient to bend the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.

- Feeling: sufficient to perceive attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.

- Fingering: perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.

- Grasping: sufficient to apply pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

- Handling: sufficient to pick, hold, or otherwise work, primarily with the whole hand.

- Hearing: sufficient to perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction; ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discrimination in sound.

- Hearing: sufficient to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make discrimination in sound.

- Kneeling: sufficient to bend legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.

- Lifting: sufficient to raise objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.

- Mental Acuity: sufficient to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.

- Pulling: sufficient to use upper extremities to exert force to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.

- Pushing: sufficient to use upper extremities to press against something with steady force to thrust forward, downward, or outward.

- Reaching: sufficient to extend hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

- Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.

- Speaking: sufficient to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely.

- Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.

- Stooping: sufficient to bend body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. It occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.

- Talking: sufficient to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

- Talking: sufficient to shout in order to be heard above ambient noise level.

- Visual Acuity: sufficient to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, and/or extensive reading.

- Visual Acuity: sufficient to include color, depth perception, and field vision.

- Visual Acuity: sufficient to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned or to make general observations of facilities or structures.

- Visual Acuity: sufficient to operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment.

- Visual Acuity: sufficient to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, operation of machines, using measurement devices, and/or assembly or fabrication parts at distances close to the eyes.

- Walking: sufficient to move about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or move from one work site to another.

# WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment is inside during a limited portion of the time and primarily outside in a variety of weather conditions without effective protection from weather. Works in an environment with heavy equipment and machinery that could result in bodily harm to co-workers or others. Environments that will be encountered are:

- Wastewater including feces, urine, grease, oil, and sludge.

- Chlorine, lime, and other process chemicals. Diesel and gasoline fuels.

- Noxious odors are normal.

- Insects including roaches, midges, flies, worms, and ants.

- Enclosed spaces including utility holes, construction trenches, clear wells, and lift stations.

- Heights not to exceed two hundred feet.

- Office environment.

PLANT OPERATOR II

Department: Water/Wastewater

Pay Grade: 108

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Water or Wastewater Plant Operations Supervisor

Effective Date: 6/8/2023

# JOB SUMMARY

This is an experienced position with advanced certifications experienced working with operations staff to facilitate treatment of potable water and/or wastewater. Performs work independently with expertise in equipment operation and maintenance. This position reports to an Operations Supervisor and receives daily direction from more experienced Operators or a Crew Leader. May occasionally assist in guiding Trainees.

# ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

- Performs basic cleaning, painting, and maintenance of facilities and equipment.

- Assists in the installation of piping networks, electrical conduit, electrical systems, and process equipment.

- Performs preventative maintenance and corrective maintenance duties independently.

- Hooks generators and bypass pumps to the system.

- Collects samples of water and wastewater at various locations and delivers to lab for analysis.

- Completes weekly work orders for the water plants, the wells and wastewater treatment plant.

- Maintains chemical feed systems of the plants by pouring in chemicals, changing out chlorine cylinders, and making connections.

- Performs lab work for state reporting and process control for the Water and Wastewater Plants.

- Monitors volumes of fluoridic acid, change out containers of acid, and prime the pumps for flow.

- Calibrates equipment probes that monitor the water quality.

- Documents preventive maintenance activities, problems with equipment, and other information.

- Performs corrective maintenance during failures of essential equipment.

- Pulls and cleans equipment such as pumps, check valves, and relief valves.

- Pulls gearboxes and motors at the water and wastewater plants; replaces them with new ones.

- Turns valves for maintenance and inspection.

- Cleans debris from pumps and other devices. Clears and checks valves and other mechanical components.

- Climbs water tank to change light bulbs and check on equipment; performs general maintenance, moves antennae, and helps with inspections.

- Calculates, documents, and modifies chemical feed settings and other operational data.

- Hooks up generators to a lift station and understands the voltage requirements of each.

- Hooks up emergency portable pumps and installs suction devices, discharges hoses to connectors, opens and closes valves.

- Diverts flow from lift stations to parts of the collection system.

- Monitors pump station wet well levels and gravity collection systems during rain events.

- Following laboratory procedures, checks water quality and conforms to basic permitting guidelines.

- Monitors the wastewater treatment process for adherence to guidelines and standards.

- Troubleshoots mechanical and process control features within water quality management system (fluoride, chlorine, and residuals).

- Recognizes water quality problems, feed rates, conditions of plant and well sites, safety hazards, and report to experienced Operators.

- Ensures proper beautification standards are maintained for two Water Plants, Wastewater plant, lagoon, air relief locations, forty-one lift stations, and seven wells.

- Attends safety training classes, water and wastewater process control classes, and other approved training to advance professional development.

- Checks for electrical and mechanical problems based on SCADA alarms; troubleshoots the problems, as needed.

- Performs basic routine maintenance of mechanical equipment at water, wastewater plant, well sites, and lift stations.

- Assists water/wastewater field operations as needed.

- Serves on-call and reports to calls that relate to wastewater and water issues.

- Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

# QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

High school diploma or an acceptable equivalent diploma (GED) and four (4) years of related experience in the water and/or wastewater operations environment with at last two (2) years at the Operator I level performing maintenance, sample collections, equipment calibration, and troubleshooting of problems. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Licenses or Certifications

Alabama Certified Operator Grade II Wastewater Certification for collection systems and Grade II Water Distribution Certifications.

Special Requirements

The selected applicant must obtain a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) within 1 year after the date of hiring. If less than 18 years of age, applicant must have a valid Driver’s License and, within 1 year after turning 18 years of age, applicant must obtain a valid CDL.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

- Knowledge of personal computing devices, the internet, and business/technical software (WORD, Excel, Outlook)

- Knowledge of the operation, purpose, and basic repair steps of mechanical equipment (ex: generators, bypass pumps).

- Knowledge of SCADA systems, what the screens are, equipment being monitored, and purpose of the equipment monitoring.

- Knowledge of water treatment processes, plant systems, locations, equipment, and distribution assets.

- Ability to perform basic maintenance tasks such as painting, cleaning, and trimming shrubs.

- Ability to work in a confined space (tanks, wells, utility holes) under the direction of experienced and qualified staff.

- Ability to work around hazardous and caustic chemicals and machinery in a safe manner.

- Ability to interact with and maintain relationships between co-workers and customers in a professional manner.

- Able to listen, understand, and act upon verbal or written instructions.

- Able to work and maintain productivity in a solitary work environment or in a group setting.

- Ability to read, comprehend, and understand documents, tables, manuals, written procedures, and policies.

- Ability to complete basic math operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and percentages.

- Ability to commit time and resources to continuous learning and improvement.

- Ability to communicate orally with a cross functional group of coworkers. (English Language required).

- Ability to document work, material and daily maintenance procedures or work instructions through handwritten records and on the computer.

- Ability to work safely and within procedure constraints as defined by company policy; capable of being trained to comply with safe working standards.

- Ability to demonstrate mechanical aptitude.

- Ability to read maps, schematics, and process flow charts.

- Ability to operate small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.

- Ability to operate and repair small/light equipment, such as power tools.

- Ability to operate and repair medium equipment and machinery, such as vehicles or commercial mowers.

- Ability to operate and repair heavy or complex machinery, such as construction equipment.

- Ability to have regular and predictable work attendance.

# PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is very heavy: exerting in excess of one hundred pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of fifty pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of twenty pounds of force constantly to move objects. Additionally, the following required physical abilities:

- Balancing: sufficient to maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. The amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.

- Climbing: sufficient to ascend or descend ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized.

- Crawling: sufficient to move about on hands and knees or hands and feet.

- Crouching: sufficient to bend the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.

- Feeling: sufficient to perceive attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.

- Fingering: perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.

- Grasping: sufficient to apply pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

- Handling: sufficient to pick, hold, or otherwise work, primarily with the whole hand.

- Hearing: sufficient to perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction; ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discrimination in sound.

- Hearing: sufficient to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make discrimination in sound.

- Kneeling: sufficient to bend legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.

- Lifting: sufficient to raise objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.

- Mental Acuity: sufficient to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.

- Pulling: sufficient to use upper extremities to exert force to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.

- Pushing: sufficient to use upper extremities to press against something with steady force to thrust forward, downward, or outward.

- Reaching: sufficient to extend hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

- Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.

- Speaking: sufficient to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely.

- Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.

- Stooping: sufficient to bend body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. It occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.

- Talking: sufficient to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

- Talking: sufficient to shout in order to be heard above ambient noise level.

- Visual Acuity: sufficient to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, and/or extensive reading.

- Visual Acuity: sufficient to include color, depth perception, and field vision.

- Visual Acuity: sufficient to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned or to make general observations of facilities or structures.

- Visual Acuity: sufficient to operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment.

- Visual Acuity: sufficient to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, operation of machines, using measurement devices, and/or assembly or fabrication parts at distances close to the eyes.

- Walking: sufficient to move about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or move from one work site to another.

# WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment is inside during a limited portion of the time and primarily outside in a variety of weather conditions without effective protection from weather. Works in an environment with heavy equipment and machinery that could result in bodily harm to co-workers or others. Environments that will be encountered are:

- Wastewater including feces, urine, grease, oil, and sludge.

- Chlorine, lime, and other process chemicals. Diesel and gasoline fuels.

- Noxious odors are normal.

- Insects including roaches, midges, flies, worms, and ants.

- Enclosed spaces including utility holes, construction trenches, clear wells, and lift stations.

- Heights not to exceed two hundred feet.

- Office environment.

PLANT OPERATOR III

Department: Wastewater

Pay Grade: 109

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Water or Wastewater Plant Operations Supervisor

Effective Date: 6/8/2023

# JOB SUMMARY

This is a highly skilled and technical position performing the most advanced operator duties, mentoring new operators, and assisting the crew leader as needed. The position is able to work independently with experienced field operations staff to facilitate the construction and maintenance of wastewater collection systems. The Operator III works under the direction of the Water or Wastewater Plant Operations Supervisor.

# ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

- Trains entry level Operators on field maintenance and/or construction tasks including equipment operation; provides guidance, answers questions, and assists with certification preparation efforts.

- Participates in professional associations related to the industry and in related activities such as judging plant awards.

- Responds to emergencies and takes control by determining tasks to be performed and resources needed.

- Assists in updating hurricane planning procedures, reviews Standard Operating Procedures, policies, and procedures to offer suggestions and improvements.

- Enters data from both plants and prepare monthly reports.

- Communicates with vendors, equipment suppliers and other individuals about products, prices, functions, and purpose.

- Troubleshoots and replaces starters, checks motors, hooks up motors to electrical circuits, and other mechanical tasks.

- Plans and performs operations tasks requiring process changes, such as major maintenance tasks that require interruption of flow, bypassing systems, adjusting treatment process, returning flow back to lagoon, and monitoring sludge inventory.

- Participates in regional plant inspections and quality plant awards in order to project quality operations image to customers.

- Performs basic cleaning, painting, and maintenance of facilities and equipment.

- Installs piping networks, electrical conduit, electrical systems, and process equipment.

- Performs preventative maintenance and corrective maintenance duties without instruction.

- Hooks generators and bypass pumps to the system.

- Collects samples of water and wastewater at various locations.

- Maintains chemical feed systems of the plants by pouring in chemicals, changing out chlorine cylinders, and making connections.

- Monitors volumes of fluoridic acid, change out containers of acid, and prime the pumps for flow.

- Calibrates equipment probes that monitor the water quality.

- Documents preventive maintenance activities, problems with equipment, and other information.

- Pulls and cleans equipment such as pumps, check valves, and relief valves.

- Turns valves for maintenance and inspection.

- Cleans debris from pumps and other water devices. Clear and check valve and other mechanical components.

- Climbs water tank to change light bulbs and check on equipment, perform general maintenance, move antennae, and help with inspections.

- Hooks up generators to a lift station and understands the voltage requirements of each.

- Hooks up emergency portable pumps and installs suction devices, discharges hoses to connectors, opens and closes valves.

- Diverts flow from lift stations to parts of the collection system.

- Monitors pump station wet well levels and gravity collection systems during rain events.

- Performs laboratory procedures for checking water quality and conform to basic permitting guidelines.

- Monitors and makes routine adjustments in order to ensure the wastewater treatment process adheres to guidelines and standards.

- Troubleshoots process control features within the water quality management system (fluoride, chlorine, and residuals) and electrical troubleshooting using a voltmeter.

- Recognizes water quality problems, feed rates, conditions of plant and well sites, safety hazards, and coordinates with other Operators to adjust.

- Attends safety training classes, water and wastewater process control classes, and other approved training to advance professional development.

- Checks for electrical and mechanical problems based on SCADA alarms; troubleshoots the problems as needed.

- Performs basic routine maintenance of mechanical equipment at water, wastewater plant, well sites, and lift stations.

- Calculates, documents, and modifies chemical feed settings and other operational data.

- Performs standby duties, as assigned.

- Assists water/wastewater field operations as needed.

- Assists other departments as requested or required.

- Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

# QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

High school diploma or an acceptable equivalent diploma (GED) and six (6) years of experience in water and/or wastewater operations environment with at least two (2) years as an Operator II performing maintenance, sample collections, equipment and system troubleshooting and repair. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Licenses or Certifications

Possession of an Alabama Certified Operator Grade II Water Certification and Grade III Wastewater Certification is required. May be required to complete other certification levels as required by the plant’s permits.

Special Requirements

The selected applicant must obtain a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) within 1 year after the date of hiring. If less than 18 years of age, applicant must have a valid Driver’s License and, within 1 year after turning 18 years of age, applicant must obtain a valid CDL.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

- Knowledge of general plant location, equipment, location of the force mains and bypass stations, and other operations.

- Knowledge of equipment suppliers and vendors in order to communicate on behalf of the co to the vendors.

- Knowledge of personal computing devices, the internet, and business/technical software (WORD, Excel, Outlook).

- Knowledge of the operation, purpose, and basic repair of mechanical and electrical equipment (generators, bypass pumps).

- Knowledge of water treatment processes and distribution assets.

- Knowledge of SCADA systems, what the screens are, equipment being monitored, and purpose of the equipment monitoring to adjust process set points and conditional alarms.

- Knowledge of the water and wastewater plant systems, locations, and equipment.

- Ability to perform basic maintenance tasks such as painting, cleaning, and trimming shrubs.

- Ability to work in a confined space (tanks, wells, manholes) under the direction of experienced and qualified staff.

- Ability to work around hazardous chemicals (caustic) and machinery in a safe manner.

- Ability to interact with and maintain relationships between co-workers and customers in a professional manner.

- Able to listen, understand, and act upon verbal or written instructions.

- Able to work and maintain productivity in a solitary work environment or in a group setting.

- Ability to read, comprehend, and understand documents, tables, manuals, written procedures, and policies.

- Ability to complete basic math operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and percentages.

- Ability to commit time and resources to continuous learning and improvement.

- Ability to communicate orally with a cross functional group of coworkers. (English Language required).

- Ability to document work, material and daily maintenance procedures or work instructions through handwritten records and on the computer.

- Ability to work safely and within procedure constraints.

- Ability to troubleshoot pump station issues and maintain equipment.

- Ability to read maps, schematics, and process flow charts.

- Ability to perform laboratory functions required for Water and Wastewater Plant Operation based on the standard methods.

- Ability to operate small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.

- Ability to operate and repair small/light equipment, such as power tools.

- Ability to operate and repair medium equipment and machinery, such as vehicles or commercial mowers.

- Ability to operate and repair heavy or complex machinery such as construction equipment or water plants.

- Ability to supervise employees using or repairing heavy or complex machinery.

- Ability to work odd hours, standby duty, and work during off days in the event of emergencies and as needed.

- Ability to have regular and predictable work attendance.

# PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is heavy: exerting up to one hundred pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to fifty pounds of force frequently, and/or up to twenty pounds of force constantly to move objects. Additionally, the following required physical abilities:

- Balancing: sufficient to maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. The amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.

- Climbing: sufficient to ascend or descend ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized.

- Crawling: sufficient to move about on hands and knees or hands and feet.

- Crouching: sufficient to bend the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.

- Feeling: sufficient to perceive attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.

- Fingering: perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.

- Grasping: sufficient to apply pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

- Handling: sufficient to pick, hold, or otherwise work, primarily with the whole hand.

- Hearing: sufficient to perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction; ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discrimination in sound.

- Hearing: sufficient to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make discrimination in sound.

- Kneeling: sufficient to bend legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.

- Lifting: sufficient to raise objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.

- Mental Acuity: sufficient to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.

- Pulling: sufficient to use upper extremities to exert force to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.

- Pushing: sufficient to use upper extremities to press against something with steady force to thrust forward, downward, or outward.

- Reaching: sufficient to extend hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

- Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.

- Speaking: sufficient to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely.

- Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.

- Stooping: sufficient to bend body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. It occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.

- Talking: sufficient to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

- Talking: sufficient to shout in order to be heard above ambient noise level.

- Visual Acuity: sufficient to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, and/or extensive reading.

- Visual Acuity: sufficient to include color, depth perception, and field vision.

- Visual Acuity: sufficient to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned or to make general observations of facilities or structures.

- Visual Acuity: sufficient to operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment.

- Visual Acuity: sufficient to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, operation of machines, using measurement devices, and/or assembly or fabrication parts at distances close to the eyes.

- Walking: sufficient to move about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or move from one work site to another.

# WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment is inside during a portion of the time and outside in a variety of weather conditions without effective protection from weather. Works in an environment with heavy equipment and machinery that could result in bodily harm to co-workers or others. Environments that will be encountered are: Wastewater including feces, urine, grease, oil, and sludge.

- Chlorine, lime, and other process chemicals. Diesel and gasoline fuels.

- Noxious odors are normal.

- Insects including roaches, midges, flies, worms, and ants,

- Enclosed spaces including utility holes, construction trenches, clear wells, and lift stations.

- Heights not to exceed two hundred feet.