Basic Certified Operator

Salary: $33.82 - $37.38 Hourly

Location : Stoughton, WI

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 335

Department: Utilities

Opening Date: 07/17/2024

SUMMARY OF JOB

The purpose of this position is to maintain and operate the water pumping, storage, and distribution systems, and the wastewater treatment facilities and sanitary sewer collection system for the City of Stoughton, with a focus on water distribution operations. This position is identical to other Basic Certified Operator positions in terms of job scope and required qualifications and certifications, however may differ in day-to-day duties and assignments.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide safe drinking water conditions to protect Stoughton Utilities customers, via obtaining and testing routine water samples, monitoring and recording well pump operations and storage tank volumes, monitoring and testing water and wastewater quality conditions, and monitoring and recording data and operations on the water/wastewater SCADA system.
  
• Ensures environmentally responsible wastewater treatment and discharge via obtaining and testing routine wastewater treatment samples throughout the treatment process, monitoring and recording plant operations and tank volumes, monitoring and testing wastewater influent and effluent quality conditions, and monitoring and recording data and operations on the water/wastewater SCADA system.
  
• Repairs and maintains water distribution mains, pumps, valves, curb stops, services, and hydrants. Installs and maintains water service connections. Performs routine maintenance to other water system infrastructure and equipment. Exercises system valves and flushes hydrants.
  
• Repairs and maintains sanitary sewer collection mains and pumps. Performs routine maintenance to sanitary sewer collection system infrastructure and equipment. Flushes, televises, cleans, and repairs the sanitary sewer collection system.
  
• Repairs and maintains pumps, motors, valves, flow meters, screens, and all other equipment at the wastewater treatment facility.
  
• Obtains and prepares samples of drinking water and wastewater treatment, and performs laboratory analysis including sample testing and calculations for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), suspended solids, pH levels, volatile solids, phosphorous, ammonia, fecal coliform, chlorine residual, fluoride content, industrial effluents, glucose glutamic acid, and other analysis as directed, and/or delivers samples to outside laboratories. Prepares graphs, charts, and reports from sample data, and reports out findings. Makes adjustments to drinking water and wastewater treatment operations and calculates amount of chemical additives according to test results.
  
• Prepares, or assists with the preparation of monthly water pumpage and wastewater treatment reports, and submits to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
  
• Maintains, calibrates, and repairs testing equipment. Maintains knowledge regarding testing requirements for wastewater treatment facilities. Cleans and maintains lab equipment. Prepares and sends EPA samples as directed.
  
• Operates the water/wastewater SCADA system to monitor system health, record data and equipment readings, operate controls, evaluate system performance, and investigate trouble conditions.
  
• Responds to customer inquiries and complaints and performs corrective measures. Communicates with customers as required to resolve inquiries and complaints, and to provide notice of planned system outages.
  
• Performs work tasks at active job sites to plan, direct, and oversee system and equipment maintenance and repair tasks. Works onsite to recommend operational changes and safety improvements, and to evaluate safety compliance.
  
• Attends and assists with utility-sponsored public events, prepares public educational materials and participates in outreach efforts, conducts system demonstrations and tours, and gives safety and conservation presentations.
  
• Completes and maintains work orders, time sheets, preflight checklists, tailgate meetings, inventory forms, and all other division paperwork, and maintains records and prepares reports as directed. Conducts system inspections and records findings.
  
• Maintains GIS software applications and databases, including service connection details, flushing and exercising maintenance records, televising records, equipment maintenance tasks, and other records as directed.
  
• Maintains an ability to work a flexible schedule to accommodate planned activities outside of the typical work schedule, including but not limited to planned customer outages or system maintenance work, as well as planned seasonal schedule changes and tasks.
  
• Maintains an ability to serve on standby on-call duty, scheduled on a rotational basis within the Water and Wastewater System Divisions. Maintains an ability whenever possible to respond to utility emergencies and assist those serving on-call.
  
• Complies with all Stoughton Utilities safety programs, and guidelines and regulations set by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW). Ensures full Water and Wastewater System Divisions compliance of the same.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High School diploma or equivalent and one or more years water and/or wastewater operator experience.
  
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator - Basic certification for the Stoughton Wastewater Treatment facilities.
  
• Wisconsin DNR Grade 1 Waterworks Operator Certification with subclasses G and D for the Stoughton Waterworks.
  
• Ability to maintain the required continuing education credits for the above DNR operator certifications.
  
• Commercial driver's license with tanker and air brake certification required.

JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to perform mid-level data analysis, including the ability to audit, deduce, assess, conclude and appraise. Requires discretion in determining and referencing such to established criteria to define consequences and develop alternatives.
  
• Ability to classify, compute, and tabulate data and information, following a prescribed plan requiring the exercise of some individual judgment, with reference to established criteria/standards. Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure, and sort information, as well as assemble, copy, record, and transcribe data and information.
  
• Ability to utilize a variety of advisory data and information, such as work orders; utility maps and diagrams; construction specifications; blueprints; lab records and reports; facilities operation and maintenance manuals; technical operating manuals; city and utility policies and procedures; guidelines; non-routine correspondence; Public Service Commission of Wisconsin rules, regulations, and tariffs; Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources rules and regulations; and safety rules and manuals.
  
• Ability to explain, demonstrate, and clarify to others within well-established policies, procedures, and standards, as well as the ability to follow specific instructions and respond to requests.
  
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally with customers, department and all levels of City personnel, plumbers, contractors, regulatory representatives, and the general public.

FULL-TIME BENEFITS - 32+ Hours/Week
Effective 1-1-2019
The following benefits are offered to regular full-time (32+ hours per week/1664+ annual hours minimum) employees, Please note that this is a summary and benefits are not guaranteed. Review the Quartz HMO or Quartz PPO Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) document for coverage details or contact Quartz directly.

HEALTH INSURANCE
Coverage is effective the day after hire; premiums are deducted monthly from the 1st payroll of the month.

Quartz HMO-benefits listed for in-network providers only.
Employee responsibility toward monthly premium:
Family $54.26
Employee & Spouse $35.60
Employee & Child $32.21
Single $16.95

In Network Provider Coverage ONLY- See SBC for details
Deductibles are $500/single - $1,000/family
$0 co-pay for preventative/screening
$30 co-pay on office visits
$100 co-pay on emergency room visits (co-pay waived if admitted to hospital)
Prescription drug co-pays:
$10/Tier 1
$35/Tier 2
$60/Tier 3
$200 Specialty drugs
$5 RX Outcomes
Out of Pocket Limit $2850 Single/ $5700 Family

Quartz POS
Employee responsibility toward monthly premium:
Family $334.30
Employee & Spouse $219.38
Employee & Child $198.49
Single $104.47

Note: the Quartz POS coverage has higher and separate deductibles and out of pocket costs. Refer to the SBC for details. This Plan does allow the flexibility to use in and out of network providers. But, the costs are higher. Refer to the SBC for details.
Employee out of pocket qualified medical expenses can be run through the flexible spending plan (Section 125) which is managed through Employee Benefits Corporation (EBC). Enrollment into this plan occurs only during annual enrollment which is November/December.

DENTAL INSURANCE
Coverage is effective the day after hire. The City covers 100% of the premium for dental coverage. Note: Full-Time employees pay no portion of the dental premium.
Delta Dental benefits listed for in-network providers only

Delta Dental In-Network Coverage:
There is no deductible for dental coverage.
Per person, per benefit accumulation period is $1,000.
Diagnostic and preventive procedures are paid at 100%;
Basic restorative procedures are paid at 80%;
Major restorative procedures are paid at 50%;
Orthodontic procedures are paid at 0%.
Check Up Plus - lets you obtain diagnostic and preventive services - including examinations, X-rays, regular cleanings and other related treatments without the costs of those services applying to your individual annual maximum. The full value of your annual maximum is applied to the benefits you receive for base and major
restorative services.

RETIREMENT Provider Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)
2019 Wisconsin Retirement Rate is 13.10% for general employees. The employer and employee shares are equal at 6.55% each.
2019 Wisconsin Retirement Rate is 17.10% for protective employees. The employer share is 10.55% and the employee share is 6.55%.

Eligibility to Participate- from the ETF Your Benefit Handbook (ET-2119) Rev10/13
Depending on when you began your job, your job will have to meet one of these two standards for it to be covered under the WRS.

• One-third standard -- A position that is subject to the one-third standard meets WRS participation standards if you are expected to work at least one-third of full-time (600 hours for non-teaching employees) for at least one year from date of hire. You will remain eligible even if your job subsequently drops below one-third.
• Two-thirds standard -- A position that is subject to the two-thirds standard meets WRS participation standards if you are expected to work at least two-thirds of full-time (1200 hours for non-teaching employees) for at least one year from date of hire. You will remain eligible even if your job subsequently drops below two-thirds.

If you were a continuing employee as of July 1, 2011, your job must meet the one-third standard. You will remain eligible even if your job subsequently drops below one-third.
If you were hired after July 1, 2011:

• If you were a participating employee before July 1, 2011, left WRS service, did not take
• A separation benefit, and are now returning in a new job, your job must meet the one-third standard.
• If you were a participating employee before July 1, 2011, left WRS service, took a separation benefit, and are now returning in a new job, your job must meet the two-thirds standard.
• If you were not a participating employee before July 1, 2011, your job must meet the two-thirds standard.*

If you are not expected to meet these eligibility criteria when you are hired, you will not be enrolled in the WRS at that time. However, if you subsequently work at least 12 months, and in any 12-month period you meet the hour's requirement, you are prospectively enrolled in the WRS. In this situation, your WRS coverage is not retroactive.

WRS Mandatory Employee Contributions
If your employment is eligible to be covered under the WRS, you must make employee-required contributions. These contributions are credited to your individual WRS account. These contributions are vested immediately.
Your contributions are calculated as a percentage of your WRS earnings. The contribution rates are different for each WRS employment category. The rates generally change from year to year based on the recommendation of the consulting actuary.
Your employer may have agreed to pay part or all of your employee required WRS contributions on your behalf, pursuant to a contract or collective bargaining agreement entered into prior to June 29, 2011. In addition, certain employees retained the right to bargain with their employers after that date over who will pay the employee-required contributions. Please contact your employer for more information.

GROUP LIFE INSURANCE Provider Employee Trust Funds (ETF)/Minnesota Life
The city pays for the basic premium: Premium based on salary and age. Each employee will receive $1,000 insurance for each portion of $1,000 in earnings the previous year.
Eligibility: first of the month following 30 days of employment (timely enrollment-within 30 days from hire). No evidence of insurability required if the employee files within 30 days from date of hire.
Coverage for spouse/dependent and additional units is available, as an employee deduction.

INCOME CONTINUATION INSURANCE Provider Employee Trust Funds (ETF)
The city provides the 90-day waiting period without cost to the employee.
The 60 or 30-day waiting period is available with the employee paying the cost of the difference between the 90-day waiting period and the period selected. An employee must have participated in the Wisconsin Retirement System for six (6) months before becoming eligible for income continuation insurance.

ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENTProvider Employee Trust Funds (ETF)
Coverage is equal to the total amount of your group life insurance under the basic, supplemental and additional coverages. See The Wisconsin Public Employers Group Life Insurance Program Booklet ET-2101 Rev 1/2016 for further details.

VACATIONOne (1) week after one full year of service, but less than 2 years of service
Two (2) weeks after more than 2 full years of service, but less than 6 full years of service.
Three (3) weeks after more than 6 full years of service.
Four (4) weeks after more than 10 full years of service; and one additional day of vacation for each additional year of service thereafter until reaching a maximum of 5 weeks.
*Vacation is effective as of January 1st each year*

SICK LEAVEEarned per month based on normally scheduled hours per day (i.e. 8 hour day earns 8 hours per month - 5 hour day earns 5 hours per month).

LENGTH OF SERVICE PAYMENT (longevity) The first length of service payment is $150.00 (for a 40 hour per week employee) after the employee has completed three full years of continuous full-time City employment prior to December 1 of the calendar year in which the payment is made. Subsequent length of service payments are increased by $50 for each additional year of continuous full-time employment. This amount is prorated for employees working less than a 40 hour week.

HOLIDAYS Employee is eligible for the listed paid holidays (in the Work Rules) based on the employee's normal scheduled hours of work per week.

FUNERAL LEAVE Employee may take up to three (3) days for a death in the family based on the employee's normal scheduled hours of work per week (family is defined in the Work Rules). 8 hours scheduled = 8 hours funeral leave per day, 6 hour regular day = 6 hours funeral leave per day.

HEALTH CLUB MEMBERSHIP Employees are eligible for a free membership to Anytime Fitness. Anytime also offers spouse and family discounts to City of Stoughton Employee families that reside in the same household. See the City of Stoughton Employee Health Club Membership Flyer in your new hire orientation packet. *This is not a guaranteed benefit and is subject to change at any time.

OTHER BENEFITS AVAILABLE The following benefits are available to employees and are 100% employee paid if elected. These insurances are offered to complement our existing benefits package and to offer the group rates to all benefit eligible employees.

• Flexible Spending (EBC) As stated above, eligibility for this benefit is only during annual enrollment in November/December for the next calendar year.
• AFLAC Short Term Disability, Accident, Cancer etc.
• Legal Shield Identity Theft protection & Legal Services
• Delta Vision (EyeMed) Vision Coverage
• Costco Shop at any Costco Store, Costco.com, Costco Gas Station, Costco Optical, and Costco Travel.
• US Cellular Discount

Disclosure: Please note that this document serves as an overview and in no way should be used to determine coverage. Please refer to your plan documents and or contact the carrier for coverage, out of pocket expenses, co-pays and insured amounts. This document is subject to change at any time and by no means serves as or is intended to serve as a contract.

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