Water Treatment Operator (Class IV)

Requisition ID: 108827

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About American Water

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people across 14 regulated jurisdictions and 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

As one of the fastest growing utilities in the U.S., American Water expects to invest $40 to $42 billion in infrastructure repairs and replacement, system resiliency and regulated acquisitions over the next 10 years. The company has a long-standing history of executing its core operations, aligned with sustainable best practices, through its commitments to safety, affordability, customer service, protecting the environment, an inclusive workforce and strengthening communities.

American Water has been recognized on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the fifth consecutive year, ranked 18th on Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2023 List, earned the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act designation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense® Excellence Award, among additional state, local and national recognitions.

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Kentucky American Water is seeking a water treatment professional to join our team in Lexington, KY. As a Water Treatment Operator, you will be responsible for the day-to-day oversight and treatment process at our two surface water treatment plants, as well as remote stations. Our ideal candidate will be an experienced operator with a Class IV-A Treatment Operators license (KY). We are looking for someone who is dedicated to the craft of providing safe, healthy and reliable water to our customers and communities we service.

Primary Role

Under the direction of the Production Supervisor, the Treatment Plant Operator operates, maintains and inspects the water treatment plant and related facilities to supply, treat, store, and distribute potable water, and/or operates and maintains the solids handling facilities of the water treatment plant as required to thicken, dewater and dispose of the residuals from the water plant. The Operator performs technical work related to the overall plant operation and maintenance, and/or the solids handling operation and maintenance.

The position requires experience and possession of a Kentucky Class IV-A Water Treatment Operators License.

Key Accountabilities

- To make decisions within the guidelines established by the Supervisor necessary to carry out and complete the work assigned. Assume and perform all duties and responsibilities of the Treatment Plant Operator.

- Performs all work involving operations, maintenance and control of the water treatment plant, tanks, boosters, and solids/dewatering facilities. Monitors overall operations, analyzes chemical processes, and performs functions related to process control. Operates, monitors and adjusts, as necessary, all related plant process equipment, pumps and instrumentation. A Treatment Plant Operator may also be responsible for the overall daily operation of all solids handling and dewatering processes associated with and resulting from the water treatment plant operation. This Operator will have primary responsibility for meeting the dewatering needs of the treatment plant. This will include operating a belt filter press dewatering system, monitoring and adjusting thickener performance, tracking solids volume and offloading dewatered sludge to the solids holding area. Maintenance, adjustments and repairs are routinely performed.

- Performs duties related to the operation, maintenance and control of all related plant process equipment including: basins, pumps, motors, chemical feeds, belt press dewatering systems, lagoons, holding tanks, thickeners, and laboratory instruments.

- Conducts various tests to determine proper chemical feed rates; calculates chemical feed rates and changes pump settings and feeders as needed. Timing and calibration of chemical feed equipment.

- Monitors and controls the water supply, transmission and storage systems through SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System).

- Assists in the safe unloading and storage of chemicals. Takes daily inventory of process chemicals.

- Makes equipment adjustments, lubrications, and minor repairs. Performs preventative maintenance and reports equipment problems in a timely fashion. Assist the Maintenance classification employees as required.

- Operates water plant processes to provide compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations.

- Makes rounds of the treatment facilities, collects and analyzes samples required for compliance and process control. Performs a variety of laboratory tests to determine plant process performance. Maintains laboratory equipment in clean and orderly condition.

- Maintains the plant, operation equipment and facilities in a clean and orderly condition. Performs assigned routine housekeeping and grounds maintenance duties inside and outside the plant and conducts site safety inspections.

- Maintain, standardize and calibrate bench top, on-line monitoring equipment, analyzers and treatment equipment.

Key Accountabilities (cont)

- Take routine readings and records plant operation data as required. Maintain daily logsheet of plant operations, test results, maintenance work performed and unusual operating conditions. Takes daily and monthly meter readings. Work with computer equipment to input data for files and reports.

- Treatment Plant Operator performs quarterly filter inspections. Performs basin washes as needed. During basin washes inspect all pipes, connections, cables, blades, and associated equipment within the basins. Monthly exercising of exterior diesels and inventory of diesel fuel. Assist the Maintenance classification employees as required. Perform mowing and cleanup of grounds and property as requested.

- While operating the belt filer press, the operator monitors the performance and levels of gravity thickeners, holding tanks, and settling basins. Calculates chemical dosages and makes adjustments to flows, polymer feed and cake size based on visual inspections and physical testing. Operates and adjusts mixing and feed systems to ensure optimum polymer feed rate and evenness of sludge feed onto belt. Prepares polymer and sodium thiosulfate solutions. Takes daily meter readings and records press operation data as required on daily logsheet of press operations. Makes multiple rounds of the basins, holding tanks and thickeners daily to verify equipment operation and conditions of incoming residuals. Inventories supplies and chemicals used with the dewatering system. Assists in the safe unloading and storage of chemicals. Operates a dump truck daily in hauling the solids materials. Is responsible for daily vehicle checks and proper use. Inspects and maintains dump truck, backhoe, and forklift for Production. Performs all preventative maintenance items per manufacturer’s recommendations on belt press, pumps, conveyor, basin equipment and chemical feed systems. Makes equipment adjustments, lubrications, and minor repairs. Reports equipment problems in a timely fashion. Performs solids analysis on slurry, dry cake and supernatant discharge samples. Performs duties related to annual carbon exchange on filters. Maintains personal DOT certification for required operation of dump truck. Operates residuals program to maintain compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations. Maintains, standardize and calibrates assigned equipment throughout the plant. Maintain sludge holding area; keep solids leveled out, transport around property for beneficial reuse and land applications.

- May also perform the duties of other Treatment Plant Operators in their absence. Work with and assist other Treatment Plant Operators daily with operations as needed and to stay current on operational changes. When assuming the role of other Treatment Plant Operators, all duties and job responsibilities within that classification are to be performed.

- Operator must maintain effective, respectful communications and interactions with other Operators, Supervisors, and employees from other departments. Inform other work areas, departments and operations personnel of situations, which may affect overall operations.

- Follow the Company's Environmental, Health and Safety Policies. Safety is a core value at American Water. Reports unsafe conditions in a timely manner. Performs other related functions and duties as assigned by Supervisor or as they become apparent. The Treatment Plant Operator reports directly to immediate Supervisor. Communicates operational issues to Supervisor in a timely manner.

Knowledge/Skills

- Able to read and interpret charts, gauges, meters and recording devices.

- Ability to prepare and maintain neat and accurate paperwork such as records, logs, and routine reports and computer entries as directed.

- Able to perform accurate mathematical calculations related to this position.

- Perform standardized water process control, monitoring, and compliance sampling, testing and laboratory analyses.

- Knowledge of water rules and regulations, and the ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions. Past working knowledge using mechanical skills, for making minor repairs to process equipment.

- Ability to use initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines.

- Forklift, dump truck and backhoe experience preferred.

- Computer skills; MS Word, MS Excel and SCADA systems experience.

- Knowledge of the operations, methods, practices, techniques, equipment and materials used in the water treatment, solids handling, pumping facilities and maintenance of related equipment and systems. Should posses a good overall working knowledge of tools, equipment, safety hazards and precautions common to assigned area of responsibility.

- Knowledge of methods and precautions in storing and handling industrial chemicals.

- Knowledge of health and safety regulations and practices in the operation of electrical and mechanical equipment used in water facilities.

- Employee may be required to work indoor or outdoor during seasonal heat and cold or other adverse weather conditions. Employee may be required to work where they regularly may be exposed to fumes, dust and odors.

- Must be physically able to complete necessary tasks while wearing an approved full face respirator as required.

- Must be able to lift in excess of 55 pounds, unassisted.

- Must be able to perform activities such as walking, stooping, lifting and climbing.

- Employee may be required to work shifts other than their regularly assigned shift. The shift work may be eight (8) to sixteen (16) hour shifts and Operator may be assigned to day, night, or early morning shifts as needed. There will be weekend, holiday and overtime work as needed.

Experience/Education

- High school graduate or state recognized Educational Equivalency Certificate.

- Position requires experience and possession of a Kentucky Water Treatment Plant Operator Class IV-A License.

- Requires a valid Kentucky driver’s license.

- Must be able to satisfactorily pass the Company’s physical examination, drug screening, and background investigation.

Work Schedule

- Full-time, on-site

- Normal work hours: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday- 8pm-6am.

- Employee may be required to work shifts other than their regularly assigned shift.

- The shift work may be eight (8) to sixteen (16) hour shifts and Operator may be assigned to day, night, or early morning shifts as needed.

- There will be weekend, holiday and overtime work as needed.

Travel Requirements

- Local travel within service territory

Competencies

Champions safety

Customer obsessed

Cultivates innovation

Nimble learning

Drives Results

Collaborates

Join American Water...We Keep Life Flowing™

American Water is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based on his or her age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because they are an individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.