Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

Washington County Service Authority Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

SUMMARY: Performs intermediate to complex technical work to learn, operate and maintain wastewater treatment plant equipment, performing routine tests, performing general plant and grounds maintenance tasks, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under general supervision.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and in accordance with Federal, State, and Local regulations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may also be assigned.

- Makes tours of plant and checks engines, generators, pumps, aerators, tanks, clarifiers and other equipment for proper functioning.

- Operates and maintains wastewater equipment used in treatment and solids handling.

- Performs assigned tasks related to permits and regulatory compliance including documentation, sampling, analysis, recordkeeping, and reports; maintains and checks logs and records for accuracy and completeness.

- Checks and records readings from meters, gauges, and instruments; operates handheld meters; reads and records data on plant operations.

- Pumps sludge, rakes bar screen; cleans and clears basins, troughs, etc.

- Checks machinery and pumps for proper operation.

- Starts, stops, and/or adjusts motors, pumps, and other plant equipment according to changes in operating conditions.

- Adds chemicals per prescribed standards

- Observes and collects samples of wastewater effluent; performs simple biological, chemical, and physical laboratory tests; enters test results.

- Skims grease from settling tanks.

- Performs minor equipment adjustments and repairs.

- Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education and/or Experience: High school diploma or GED and minimal experience in the operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations: Possession of a valid and appropriate driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

- Knowledge of the operating characteristics and maintenance requirements of a wastewater treatment plant.

- Knowledge of hydraulic, chemical, and mechanical principles pertinent to wastewater treatment plant operations.

- Knowledge of the occupational hazards of the work and of the necessary safety precautions

- Skill in the use and care of hand tools.

- Ability to read and comprehend. Ability to speak and communicate effectively using correct English

- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.

- Ability to detect flaws in the operation of mechanical equipment and to determine proper remedial measures

- Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

- Ability to read meters and charts accurately and to maintain records of shift operations.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Required Physical Activities: Requires moderate physical effort working regularly with lightweight materials and occasionally with heavy weight materials (over 60 pounds) including but not limited to walking, talking, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, bending, crouching, lifting, hoisted, pushing and pulling.

Environmental Conditions: Work is conducted indoors and outdoors under variable weather conditions. Frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to noise, wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, vibration, risk of electrical shock and toxic or caustic chemicals.

EQUIPMENT ESSENTIAL TO DO THE JOB: Basic hand tools, diagnostic tools, calculator, computer, printers, copiers, analytical laboratory equipment, and other facility-specific equipment and chemicals.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.19 - $26.64 per hour

Benefits:

- 401(k)

- Dental insurance

- Employee assistance program

- Health insurance

- Life insurance

- Paid time off

- Retirement plan

- Tuition reimbursement

- Vision insurance

Ability to Commute:

- Abingdon, VA 24211 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

- Abingdon, VA 24211: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person