Water Treatment Plant/Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator 1 - Specialist

**THIS IS A WATER TREATMENT PLANT POSITION .**
JOB SUMMARY:
Where does the clean water flowing out of your kitchen faucet come from? In Clarksville, Tennessee, it is pumped from the Cumberland River to the water-treatment plant. And after you use the water, it goes to the wastewater-treatment plant. At both facilities, plant operators control processes and equipment that remove pollutants from the water. They take water samples and read meters and gauges. After examining this data, they adjust equipment or the dosing of chemicals to ensure that the water is safe. And that's just a typical day. As an operator, you may sometimes have to handle emergencies, remaining calm while working in dangerous conditions. Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant careers are fulfilling and an excellent way to serve your community and provide a stable work environment.
A new Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP/WWTP) Operations employee is placed on a career path of in-house and formal classroom training progressing the employee through four positions of WTP/WWTP Operations (from Operator I to Specialist). Training shall consist of both extensive in-house instruction and external education from TDEC and other sources. The new operator shall be evaluated regularly throughout his/her career path until the employee has received a Tennessee Grade 4 Water or Wastewater Treatment Operators Certification, respective to the plant assigned. The position of WTP/WWTP Operations Specialist shall be obtained within 30 months of employment with the WTP or WWTP. In-house training evaluations shall be performed by management on a monthly basis until the employee obtains his/her first certification. Pay increases will accompany promotion from the Operator I (106) position to the Specialist (111) position (four total positions).
Employee shall access and properly operate all process equipment, above and below ground level; perform all necessary laboratory, operational and maintenance duties of the plant; operate a computer using a Windows environment; use spreadsheets; and utilize a computerized Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.

• Promotes teamwork environment and assists coworkers when necessary.
• Prepares for state certification exam by attending classes.
• Correctly wears appropriate personal protective equipment when required.
• Trains to monitor and monitors plant status and sewer lift stations or water pump stations/tanks through the SCADA systems and makes adjustments (with supervision) at the treatment plant as necessary to meet the changing flows/demands from the wastewater collections or water distribution system.
• Maintains records in compliance to Federal, State, and City regulations.
• Trains to operate, operates, and maintains a wide variety of pumps, motors, chemical feed equipment, disinfection equipment, and other related equipment used in water and wastewater treatment and biosolids disposal.
• Maintains sanitary cleanliness of work areas, the treatment plant, and associated facilities. Focuses on areas directed by the supervisor.
• Follows all OSHA, Federal, State, and City safety regulations; utilizes all safety equipment; and monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals. Reports any accidents immediately to supervisor.
• Trains to operate, operates, and troubleshoots. Performs corrective action in plant operations while adhering to Standard Operating Procedures to ensure finished potable water or discharged water quality meets or exceeds the standards of EPA and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
• Performs cleaning/preventative maintenance tasks necessary to keep plant facilities, equipment, vehicles, and tools in operable condition. Duties may include inspecting and calibrating equipment, performing minor repairs, replacing parts, refueling vehicles, checking/replacing fluids, and greasing, washing, and cleaning equipment.
• Trains to determine and determines (with supervision) when to change various chemical dosages based on lab results and alarm systems; calculates appropriate chemical dosages and changes dosages by adjusting the necessary equipment and making appropriate computer entries to ensure that discharge water quality, biosolids, or finished potable water meets all applicable standards.
• Trains to operate and operates Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.
• Trains to monitor and monitors all plant operations regularly for proper operation and treatment. Learns to make changes needed as directed by supervisors and/or Standard Operating Procedures.
• Trains to collect and collects samples at various stages of the treatment process and performs a variety of chemical and biological analyses.
• Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review, or modify data; verifies accuracy of entered data; and makes corrections when appropriate. Prepares or completes various forms including DORs, reports, correspondence, logs, checklists, charts, maintenance records, or other documents, either hand written or computer generated.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• In the waste water treatment plant, learns to properly operate biosolids dewatering equipment, and biosolids stabilization equipment as directed by supervisor.

• Wears all mandatory safety equipment.
• Employee will be required to work shifts (day and/or night). Shifts will be assigned by the Public Utilities Manager/Senior Manager (WTP/WWTP).
• Performs duties as required by the Public Utilities Senior Manager (WTP/WWTP) or Public Utilities Manager (WTP/WWTP).
• May be required to work after hours in emergency situations.
• Maintains an active phone number for 24-hour contact.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) with a background in algebra.
• Other qualifications, such as positive evaluations and state certifications, will be required to progress through the four (4) step career path.
• Must have a valid Tennessee Driver's License to begin work. WWTP Operators must obtain a Class B CDL within the first six (6) months of hire.

• Must be able to perform multiple tasks;
• Must have excellent organizational skills;
• Ability to comprehend all EPA and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation rules and regulations relative to wastewater treatment or water treatment, respectively;
• Ability to work independently and with a group;
• Excellent mechanical aptitude;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with other employees and the general public.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills;
• Excellent mathematical aptitude;
• Ability to understand the significance of laboratory results;
• Must have good verbal and written communication skills;
• Ability to work alone on an operating shift and to take responsibility for previously outlined procedures;
• Attention to detail;
• Ability to understand maps, drawings, blueprints, manufacture's data, gauges, computer printouts, etc.;
• Ability to determine nature and seriousness of system malfunctions and to take remedial action;

• Computer, printer, and various office machines (phone, calculator, copier, etc.);
• Radio;
• Service truck;
• Water or wastewater treatment plant equipment including, but not limited to, screens, air blowers, pumps, dewatering equipment, etc.;
• Various laboratory equipment;
• General hand tools;
• Other related equipment.
• Cell phone;

• Frequently exposed to toxic, caustic, and acidic chemicals and gases.
• Shift schedule is subject to change without notice.
• Work environment can be dirty with unpleasant odors.
• Occasionally works in confined spaces.
• General physical and working conditions are such that minor cuts, abrasions, bruises, or burns may be encountered with various jobs.
• Occasionally exposed to fumes, airborne particles, risk of electric shock, vibration, and loud noise due to pumps, etc.
• Working environment is indoor and outdoor setting with periods of heavy workloads in which multitasking is required.
• Must be available to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Working conditions are indoors as well as the field environment with exposure to noise, dust, heat, cold, rain, and other inclement weather conditions.
• Frequently works near moving mechanical parts.
• Mandatory overtime is sometimes required.

• Must be able to climb heights over thirty (30) feet or depths., including confined spaces, of thirty (30) feet.
• Must be able to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; stoop; kneel; crouch; crawl; talk; and hear.
• Must be able to stand, walk, climb, bend or balance, taste, and smell.
• Must be able to lift and move fifty (50) pounds on a regular basis. Occasionally, may be required to lift, carry, or place weights greater than fifty (50) pounds.
• Will be exposed to standing on concrete and tile floors for long periods of time.
• Dexterity and fitness sufficient to safely operate, utilize, and maintain tools and equipment used in work.
• Must be able to see close, distance, color, peripheral, depth, and focus.