Wastewater Plant Operator I

Description

• Practices good housekeeping in assigned area and properly disposes of waste
• Cleans and paints equipment, washes windows, sweeps and mops floors, maintains buildings and grounds throughout the plant.
• Operates plant processes including primary treatment, activated sludge secondary treatment, sludge thickening, gravity thickening & blending, belt filter press & centrifuge systems.
• Performs routine lab tests.
• Ensures conformance to process specifications.
• Samples wastewater, sludge and gases (odor control, digester, etc.) according to schedule.
• Assists in other areas of plant as needed.
• Verifies and reports suspected malfunctions and variances to supervisor and takes corrective actions.
• Tends automatic and semi-automatic machines and related equipment including pumps, engines, generators, valves, gates, mixers, conveyors, blowers, chemical feed and odor control and vacuum filters used to decontaminate waste water by settling, aeration and sludge digestion.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Performs minor maintenance including, but not limited to, routine preventive maintenance, lubrication and minor adjustments.
• Performs manual labor including filling and emptying of machine bins and cleaning equipment, facilities and grounds as required.
• Performs routine instrument calibration for portable meters including, but not limited to, dissolved oxygen, pH, H2S, percent oxygen, lower explosive limit.
• Operates vehicles for plant operational purposes.
• Monitors flow meters, gauges, flow ratios, pressures and related controls through instrument panels, computer terminals and programmable logic control units in assigned area.
• Writes work orders for major repairs and submits to maintenance department.
• Prepares chemical solutions and services automatic samplers. Monitors process chemical supplies and recommends reorder.
• May be required to use ladders or stairs.
• Performs field tests (chemical, physical and biological) in order to pace chemical dosages for process and odor control units or alter unit processes.
• Monitors and records operating conditions observations and data in area shift log.
• May need to work outside in inclement weather conditions and drive company vehicle to perform duties.
• Performs routine and preventative maintenance and maintenance related items as assigned.

Requirements

• Must have the ability to read, write and comprehend English (operational, process, safety and quality instructions). Must have the ability to perform basic mathematical calculations.
• Amount of time spent – Standing 25%, Walking 75% for as many as five miles per shift.
• Must demonstrate ability to learn and independently operate equipment such as pumps, engines, centrifuge, generators, valves, gates, mixers, conveyors, blowers, dryers, chemical feed, odor control, disinfection equipment, sludge processing filters, belt presses and measuring/control devices, testing equipment and material handling equipment.
• Spends 100% of time in operations environment.
• Must be able to serve rotational 24 hour emergency on-call if required by site.
• High School Diploma/GED.
• Michigan Class D Wastewater Certification within six (6) months of hire date or as soon as possible.
• Ability to train and direct other operators in various duties as needed.
• Must demonstrate ability to work in a team environment and willingness to assume additional or new responsibilities readily.
• Work toward higher level water treatment certification.
• The employee must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds (occasionally 60 pounds).
• Must consistently demonstrate the ability to learn and independently operate assigned machines and equipment meeting or exceeding processing and quality targets.
• The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch and enter confined spaces.
• Diagnoses basic operational problems and takes corrective action per procedure.
• Must demonstrate a working ability to use computer programs for process control.
• Ability to read meters, gauges, scales, charts, and totalizers and records these readings on appropriate log sheets.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and a safe driving record.
• Must become proficient in the care and use of all site specific, facility required PPE (Personal Protection Equipment), including respirators, gas detectors, confined space equipment, etc.).
• Incumbent will be required to complete the following training:
• HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response)
• Requires close visual observation to detect process non-conformance and machine malfunction.
• Typically holds or is working toward a Michigan Class D wastewater treatment certificate.
• Forklift Certification, if required at site.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• Zero to two years of experience in a related position and environment with knowledge of the methods, techniques, and practices of water/wastewater treatment.

Benefits

• Quality Training.

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance