Chief Water Treatment Plant Operator

Assists with managing operations of the city’s water treatment facilities; supervises water plant operators; and orders supplies, prepares reports, performs tests, and operates and maintains various plant equipment associated with the treatment of raw water for general consumption.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Assists with managing operations of the city’s water treatment facilities, including ensuring that equipment is correctly maintained and operated;
• Provides trouble shooting of plant and system issues;
• Performs and maintains a preventive and predictive maintenance program on all treatment equipment, and assists maintenance personnel in making repairs to equipment;
• Utilize Work Order programs to upkeep maintenance and customer service records;
• Maintains a ground maintenance program which includes, but not limited to mowing and landscaping at all water treatment facilities;
• Prepares Monthly Operating Reports and other regulatory reports required by state and federal agencies;
• Supervises water plant operators, including assigning and reviewing work, conducting performance reviews, and training;
• Must be on call and respond to emergencies;
• Assists with treating raw water for general consumption, including operating SCADA computer system, calibrating lab and testing equipment, and performing various chemical tests to determine water pH levels, chlorine levels, ammonia levels, and levels of various chemicals in the water;
• Orders chemicals and supplies for water treatment plant;
• Prepares reports detailing equipment calibration, filter, and chemical status, as well as results of daily water tests;
• Operates and maintains various plant equipment, including checking and backwashing filters as necessary, changing chlorine and ammonia cylinders, checking and adjusting compressor air pressure, ensuring the proper operation of chemical pumps, checking and repairing leaks in distribution pumps, and running centrifuge to draw sludge from clarifiers as necessary;
• Using slinger truck, hauls and transfers sludge from water treatment plant to landfill;
• In the absence of the Superintendent, supervises the Water Treatment department; and
• Gathers local weather information from U.S. Weather Service.

Schedule

This Position may including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

• Monday – Friday, 7am – 4pm;
• Available to be placed in the operation schedule, as needed; and
• On call, as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervises water plant operators, including assigning and reviewing work, conducting performance reviews, and training.

Qualifications 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

High school graduation or its equivalent plus eight years of experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Knowledge Of

General management principles; water treatment principles, processes, and procedures; computers; and standard office practices and procedures.

Skill/Ability To

Operate computers; administer water treatment process; perform basic mathematical calculations; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the general public; develop, organize, motivate, and effectively utilize staff; operate, maintain, and repair mechanical equipment; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; and read and interpret manuals, policies, and other documents.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Valid Texas Driver’s License, must obtain Class B Texas commercial driver’s license (CDL) within 180 days of date of hire.  Must possess a TCEQ Class B Surface Water and Groundwater License, Class A Water License preferred.  Individuals that possess either surface water or groundwater Class B license must obtain the missing license within 3 years of date of hire or obtain Class A Water License within 1 year of date of hire.

Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to engage in moderate to strenuous physical activity, work with tools and equipment, perform repetitive motions, perform work involving the entire body, stand, and walk and balance on all types of surfaces.  The employee is required to bend from the waist, crouch or squat, kneel, sit, crawl, climb, twist, and reach with arms and hands.  The employee is required to perform job duties from various heights, lift and/or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds, such as materials and equipment, and must carry, push, and pull materials.  The employee must be able to see clearly, with or without vision correction, in close situations, at a distance, and peripherally, and be able to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment requires that the employee exercise caution at all times and adhere to safety standards to avoid the risk of personal injury.  The employee is exposed to outdoor elements, loud noises, vibrations, and respiratory hazards such as dust, gases, chemicals, and bacteria.  The employee may be required to work in confined spaces around gas, water, and sewer lines.  The work environment is noisy and distracting.