Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee

The Alameda County Water District, located in Fremont, CA, is seeking a highly qualified candidate to fill a Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee position. This position under supervision from the Treatment and Distribution Supervisor, operates, inspects and maintains District water treatment plants and related facilities to supply, treat, store and distribute water for a large urban potable water distribution system; operates all equipment needed to regulate water flow through the hydro-electric power and water treatment plant processes; and performs other related work as required.

Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee is the entry level classification in the Water Treatment Plant Operator series. Under close to general supervision within a framework of established policies and procedures, incumbents receive on-the-job training and experience in the operation of a water treatment and distribution system. Assignments are given in specific terms and are subject to frequent review while in progress and upon completion, except where tasks are well defined by established standards, policies and procedures.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF DUTIES MAY INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:

• Monitors operation of membrane treatment facilities, shuts down such facilities as necessary, and notifies Treatment Facilities Operators of membrane facility alarms and actions taken.
• With proper training, may perform the assigned responsibilities of a Solids Handling Operator on an as-needed basis.
• Performs a variety of laboratory tests to determine plant process performance and compliance with water quality regulations; maintains laboratory equipment in clean condition.
• Performs other related work as required.
• Monitors and controls the water supply, transmission and storage systems through a plant supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, and analyzes and acts accordingly to control flow through various transmission and distribution facilities or to take other actions as required.
• Operators may instruct Trainees and new journey-level operators.
• As assigned, operates the plant communications during off hours, on weekends and holidays; receives calls from customers, dispatches personnel if needed; maintains telephone and radio communications with field employees, security forces and others, including lock out/tag out programs, confined space program and emergency operations plan.
• Maintains plant, operating equipment and facilities in a clean and orderly condition; performs routine housekeeping chores inside and outside the plant and conducts regular site safety inspections.
• Takes regular inventories of chemicals and other supplies used during the operation of water facilities; orders operating supplies and chemicals as needed; and assists with the safe unloading and storage of chemicals.
• Operates all equipment needed to regulate water flow through the hydropower and water treatment plant processes, including equipment related to conventional treatment (with ozone disinfection) and management of residuals generated from such processes in order to meet production requirements and drinking water quality standards.
• May conduct tours for individuals or groups, as requested.
• Makes equipment adjustments, lubrications and minor repairs and participates in major plant repairs.
• May operate a motor vehicle, fork lift or front-end loader incidentally in the performance of work.
• Works with hazardous chemicals related to water treatment; receives training and responds to hazardous chemical spill events at District facilities.
• Learns and receives training on a variety of issues including: advanced operational and technological developments in the water industry and safety and environmental compliance requirements.
• Prepares and maintains detailed logs, records and reports on a variety of functions including; plant operations, test results, maintenance work performed, unusual operating conditions and the results of periodic inspections conducted; uses a computer to maintain data base files and generate reports.
• Computes chemical dosages and adjusts chemical feeders.

Education and Experience:
High school diploma or its equivalent plus specialized training (recent acceptable formal courses of instruction) in water treatment and plant operations; and no work experience required.

• Application materials must be submitted online at www.acwd.org by 5:00 p.m. on Friday September 1, 2023. Application materials must include a completed Alameda County Water District Employment application. Incomplete applications will not be given further consideration.
• Candidates passing the interview panel will be ranked on an employment list for further consideration.
• Employment offers are normally made following conduct of reference checks and are always contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment physical exam, and a security background check. Employment is made contingent upon verification of identity and legal right to work in the U.S.A. pursuant to federal law, and the signing of a loyalty oath, pursuant to state law.
• Represented employee applicants receive promotional consideration consistent with the provisions of the MOU.
• Candidates that possess the minimum qualifications will be invited to a written exam. Top-scoring candidates following the written exam will be invited to an interview panel.

Health Insurance: Coverage is provided through the PERS Health program. Employees will contribute 0.25% of salary towards their medical benefits. The employee medical deductions shall not occur in the paycheck in which Union dues are withdrawn.

Dental and Vision: Coverage for the employee and eligible dependents is fully paid by the District.

Retirement: California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) benefit depends on whether the employee is a "new" member or "classic" member under state law.

Classic member: Employee who is a member of PERS or reciprocal agency within six months of hire at ACWD. 2.5% @ 55 with 8% employee contribution. $5000 Retired Death Benefit, 3% Annual Cost-of-Living Allowance Increase, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance to Continue After Remarriage, Pre-Retirement Death Benefits to Continue After Remarriage of Survivor, Additional Opportunity to Elect 1959 Survivor Benefits, 1959 Survivor Benefit Level 4, Unused Sick Leave Credit, Public Service Credit for Peace Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA, or AmeriCorps Service, Military Service Credit as Public Service, Final Compensation 1 Year, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, Prior Service. The District picks up 2.5% of the CalPERS retirement contribution.

New member: Employees hired after 12/31/12 who were not members of PERS or a reciprocal agency within the last six months of hire at ACWD. 2% @ 62 with 7% employee contribution. Effective 7/1/23 PEPRA employee contributions will increase to 7.75%. $5000 Retired Death Benefit, 1959 Survivor Benefit Level 4, 3% Annual Cost-of-Living Allowance Increase, Additional Opportunity to Elect 1959 Survivor Benefits, Final Compensation 3 Years, Military Service Credit as Public Service, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance to Continue After Remarriage, Pre-Retirement Death Benefits to Continue After Remarriage of Survivor, Pre-Retirement Option 2W Death Benefit, Prior Service, Public Service Credit for Peace Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA, or AmeriCorps Service, Unused Sick Leave Credit.

Social Security/Medicare: The District does not participate in Social Security, but provides a 1.45% matching Medicare contribution.

Retiree Health Benefits: Coverage is provided through the CalPERS Health program. The District's contribution for retiree coverage shall be the PEMHCA minimum contribution as determined by CalPERS on an annual basis. Please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for various eligibility and plan details.

Employees hired on or after January 1, 2019 will receive a defined-contribution benefit into a retiree health savings account.

Life Insurance: The District provides Basic Life Insurance and Basic AD&D Insurance of one times your annual salary to a maximum of $150,000. There is no cost to the employee for this insurance.

Long Term Disability: The District provides you with Long Term Disability Income Insurance of 66 2/3% of monthly earnings with a maximum monthly benefit up to $7,000.

Short Term Disability: Coverage is provided through the District for employees working a minimum of 20 hours per week at 66 2/3% of base weekly earnings for the first 12 weeks up to a weekly benefit maximum of $1,650.

Deferred Compensation: Optional deferred income plans allowing tax sheltering of current income and payment later as supplemental retirement income.

Vacation: 10 days first year, increasing to 25 days after 20 years.

Holidays: 11 days per year, plus 4 Floating Holidays per fiscal year.

Sick Leave: 12 days per year plus 30 hours/year Medical Appointment Leave.

Employee Assistance Program: Up to 6 sessions for employees and family members for professional consultation and short-term counseling for personal problems.

Tuition Reimbursement: The District will reimburse 100% of the total tuition and textbook costs incurred in taking courses outside of normal working hours related to District employment up to an annual maximum of $5,250.