Job Title:  Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I  
Department: Wastewater     
Reports to:  Lead Operator
Open Date:  September 7, 2012
Close Date: Open Until Filled
Hiring Salary: $14.20 – $15.39 per hour, DOE

Job Summary:  Work in the operation, maintenance, and repair of the City Wastewater Treatment facility sewage collection system.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
• Evaluates plant conditions and makes unsupervised operational decisions and changes to optimize the overall treatment plant performance, wastewater effluent, and Biosolids quality;
• Help train new operators as required by the Lead Operator or Wastewater Superintendent;
• Checks, lubricates, maintains, and makes minor repairs and adjustments to pumps, motors, sludge heating equipment, mechanical equipment, blowers, and other related equipment within the facility;
• Draws off and transfers digester sludge, influent screens, and removes grit and screening to disposal areas;
• Takes samples as necessary throughout the plant for laboratory analysis;
• Analyzes samples for Federal D.M.R. reporting;
• Performs some plumbing and carpentry tasks, general custodial and maintenance work, and other related work as may be required for proper plant operations;
• Maintains electrical generator, waste gas burner, pumps, and motors;
• Checks lift stations, and monitors collection system performance;
• Performs daily, weekly, monthly, and semi-annual maintenance as assigned or scheduled;

Other Duties Responsibilities:
• Line locates as needed;
• Performs other related duties as required by Division Managers and Lead Operator.

Job Specifications:
• High School Education or equivalent;
• Some knowledge of the biological, mechanical, electrical and technical treatment methods and control operations commonly related to wastewater treatment;
• Working knowledge of applicable wastewater health standards and regulations;
• Knowledge of the procedures used in sampling & handling of field samples and the “chain of custody”.
• Must have knowledge and skill in MS Office software; i.e. Word, Excel, Outlook, and SCADA;
• Must have skills in adaptability, flexibility, problem solving, decision making, collaboration, customer service, and conflict resolution;
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds;
• Must hold a valid State of Idaho Driver’s License;
• Must be able to work all shifts, weekends, holidays and be able to work unsupervised in the operation and care of machinery and mechanical devices, electrical equipment, buildings and grounds within wastewater treatment facility;
• Must be able to read, write, and speak English;
• Must display an attitude of cooperation and the ability to work well with others;
• Ability to work effectively with mechanical equipment, ability to recognize equipment failure and to act in an emergency, and skill in the use of hand tools and equipment;
• Ability to maintain Plant Operations Log, and Operations Report;
• Ability to keep excellent records maintains good rapport with the public, and fellow employees;
• Ability to work as a team player;
• Ability to communicate with management, supervisors, and co-workers with respect in a pleasant, courteous manner;
• Integrity, in the performance of assigned tasks;

Required Technical Skills:
• Computer Skills –
     o       Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)   
     o       SCADA (Wonderware), Asset Management Software (Hansen)
• Operation of Wastewater Plant
     o       Biological
     o       Mechanical
     o       Basic Electrical
• Safety

Required Soft Skills:
Positive Performance Foundation
     o       Attitude - Represents a commitment to choosing an optimistic and positive attitude on a daily basis. Also includes a modicum of resiliency with the ability to "keep your head up."
     o       Adaptability/Flexibility - Includes the ability to adapt to changing conditions and ability to accept change as well as an individual's openness to new ideas or new ways of doing things.
     o       Proactive Engagement - Consists of the ability to an practice of actively initiating communication and relationships with those around you.  Represents a proactive mindset towards approaching others to address conflict, communicate expectations, encourage participation, provide mentorship, gain buy-in, or build rapport and credibility.
     o       Problem Solving - Consists of the ability to proactively take action to troubleshoot problems and successfully apply problem solving techniques to overcome them.  Includes proactive problem solving and risk management.
     o       Decision Making - The ability to evaluate ramifications, input, information, applicable factors, and alternative actions to make effective decisions. 
     o       Organization/Time Management - Represents a positive foundation for individual time management as well as the ability to effectively prioritize one's efforts and follow through to see things to their completion.
     o       Enhancement Opportunity Identification - Represents a continuous commitment to identifying and evaluating options and alternative methods to improve the functional performance of the organization and or unit/team.
Communication
     o       Collaboration - Consists of the capability to effectively communicate and engage others.  Understanding what effective communication is and the art of one-on-one interaction.  Also consists of the ability to appropriately assert your opinions and express your ideas.
     o       Introduction to Conflict Resolution - An introduction to effectively resolving conflict.
     o       Customer Service - Represents a solid understanding of the concepts and practices for effectively dealing with customers both internal and external.
     o       Teamwork - Consists of the ability to work effectively amongst a team or within a team environment.  Understanding the art of team interaction and providing positive contribution to the Team. 

Other Position Specifications:
• Class I Idaho Wastewater Treatment license.

Tools and Equipment Used:
• Cleaning & janitorial equipment;
• Pickup truck, backhoes, tractor, snowplow, chainsaw, and various spray equipment, air compressor, front-end loader, drill press, hydraulic press, samplers and pipe tap and die;
• Miscellaneous power tools;
• Various office equipment such as telephone, calculator and copy machine.

Licensing/Certification:
• Class I Idaho Wastewater Treatment license;
• Must hold a valid driver’s license and safe driving record;
• CDL may be required if assigned to operate bio-solids application equipment.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and in outside weather conditions. Infrequently works in an office environment while sitting at a desk for short periods of time.  The noise level in the work environment is sometimes loud;
• Occasionally works in high precarious places and is often exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and vibration;
• Constantly requires driving a motor vehicle or maintenance equipment;
• Occasionally is exposed to risk of electrical shock;
• Occasionally requires lifting and moving up to 50 pounds;
• There is potential for exposure to biological hazards while performing the duties of this position.