Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I - IV at City of Clarksville

Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

This position is located at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Four job descriptions are displayed to reflect the career pathway.

General statement of job: In Clarksville, Tennessee, clean water flowing out of your kitchen faucet is pumped from the Cumberland River to the water-treatment plant. 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. 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.

Pay increases will accompany promotion from the Operator I (106) position to the Operator IV (112) 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.

Example of Duties

Specific duties and responsibilities (Operator I):

1. Trains to perform duties and responsibilities by monitoring processes of the water/wastewater treatment plant including but not limited to filtration, solids management, adding/adjusting chemicals, and monitoring tank levels, pumping stations and performing lab tests to analyze water/wastewater samples.
2. Trains to independently monitor, operate, service, and maintain plant equipment, systems, and processes to ensure proper operations, which includes inspecting pump valves, motors, filters, meters, and computerized controls; checking chemical feed pump settings; and repairing and/or replacing equipment.
3. Trains to operate water/wastewater SCADA systems by monitoring gauges, equipment, meters, and controls.
4. Trains to collect samples and performs applicable laboratory analyses and testing; review and interpret laboratory results; document records and logs of systems operation and maintenance activities.
5. Trains to respond to customer calls regarding water quality concerns including taste, odor, color, and pressure, and potential leaks from underground utility lines, overflowing tanks; and relays messages to proper department for inspection and repair.
6. Trains to oversee the handling of hazardous and toxic chemicals and materials.
7. Performs other work as required.

Specific duties and responsibilities (Operator II - IV):

1. Performs duties and responsibilities by monitoring processes of the water/wastewater treatment plant including but not limited to filtration, solids management, adding/adjusting chemicals, and monitoring tank levels, pumping stations and performing lab tests to analyze water/wastewater samples.
2. Independently monitors, operates, services, and maintains plant equipment, systems, and processes to ensure proper operations, which includes inspecting pump valves, motors, filters, meters, and computerized controls; checking chemical feed pump settings; and repairing and/or replacing equipment.
3. Operates water/wastewater SCADA systems by monitoring gauges, equipment, meters, and controls.
4. Collects samples and performs applicable laboratory analyses and testing; reviews and interprets laboratory results; documents records and logs of systems operation and maintenance activities.
5. Responds to customer calls regarding water quality concerns including taste, odor, color, and pressure, and potential leaks from underground utility lines, overflowing tanks; and relays messages to proper department for inspection and repair.
6. Oversee the handling of hazardous and toxic chemicals and materials.
7. Performs other work as required.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum education and training (Operator I):

• High school graduate or GED equivalent.

License and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid Class D driver's license.

Minimum education and training (Operator II):

• High school graduate or GED equivalent.
• Completion of six months training in Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I position.
• Continues formal training as specified within the four (4) step career path.

License and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid Class D driver's license.

Minimum education and training (Operator III):

• High school graduate or GED equivalent.
• Continues formal training as specified within the four (4) step career path.

License and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid Class D driver's license.
• Grade III Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification (respective to assigned area).

Minimum education and training (Operator IV):

• High school graduate or GED equivalent.

License and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid Class D driver's license.
• Grade IV Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification (respective to assigned area).

Supplemental Information

Minimum qualifications and standards required:

Knowledge, skills, and abilities: (Operator I) Knowledge of:

• Applicable tools, equipment, and materials.
• Safety procedures.
• Recordkeeping principles.
• Computer and related software applications.

Skill in:

• Performing mathematical calculations.
• Ability to adhere to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) principles.
• Using basic equipment and tools.
• Maintaining operational records.
• Using a computer and related software applications.
• Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with subordinates, coworkers, supervisors, the public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities: (Operator II) Knowledge of:

• Basic understanding of plant operation, processes and procedures.
• Applicable tools, equipment, and materials.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) principles.
• Safety procedures.
• Recordkeeping principles.
• Computer and related software applications.

Skill in:

• Performing Mathematical calculations.
• Using basic equipment and tools.
• Maintaining operational records.
• Using a computer and related software applications.
• Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with subordinates, coworkers, supervisor, the public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities: (Operator III) Knowledge of:

• Understanding of water/wastewater treatment plant operation, processes and procedures.
• Water sampling techniques.
• Data collection techniques.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) principles.
• Applicable tools, equipment, and materials.
• Chemical handling procedures.
• Safety procedures.
• Recordkeeping principles.
• Computer and related software applications.

Skill in:

• Performing skilled water/wastewater treatment facility operation and maintenance.
• Operating treatment facility equipment and processes.
• Collecting water samples and recording data.
• Performing laboratory analyses.
• Using basic equipment and tools of the trade.
• Operating motor vehicles.
• Maintaining operational records.
• Using a computer and related software applications.
• Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with subordinates, coworkers, supervisor, the public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities: (Operator IV) Knowledge of:

• Advanced understanding of water/wastewater treatment plant operation, processes and procedures.