pre-treatment Technician

Responsibilities/Pay Grade

JOB SUMMARY: PG H107 The candidate selected for this position typically starts at the beginning of the Pay Range.

Work is performed under supervision of the Pre-Treatment Coordinator and is evaluated through observations and results obtained. Assists in administering ECUA's Pre-Treatment program. Performs inspections of waste treatment processes of industrial and institutional facilities to ensure that no hazardous or unauthorized materials will be discharged to ECUA treatment plants. Follows established policies and procedures for conducting field sampling and testing. Assists in preparing environmental permits for new, proposed and existing industrial customers for the Pre-Treatment Coordinator's review and signature. Tracks compliance with established federal, state and local regulatory standards and regulations. Exercises judgment within established policies and procedures while performing the position's essential functions. Works with other ECUA divisions, including Water Reclamation, Lift Stations, Regions and Engineering as necessary to coordinate requests for industrial discharges or dewatering discharges to our systems. Inspects and reviews industrial facilities and their operations to insure compliance with the pretreatment program.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Receives and gathers information necessary for required permits. Information obtained includes location (site map), pollutants of concern (lab reports), volume requested to discharge, discharge location (lift station, manhole, etc.), metering equipment and location, facility contacts, legal documents, monitoring equipment proposed and location, costs, etc. Prepares permits for industrial/commercial waste discharges, including groundwater remediation applications, in accordance with ECUA's Sewer Use Ordinance. Answers questions from applicants regarding pre-treatment and monitoring requirements.

Responds to questions regarding disposal of environmentally regulated waste products.

Confirms that all industrial users are in compliance with pollutant discharge permitting. Interviews industrial company personnel to assess discharge procedures.

Monitors routine sampling of industrial and commercial facilities to ensure compliance with pretreatment standards. Reviews industrial/commercial lab sheets and makes sure all analyses are completed.

Collects and processes discharge meter readings and prepares monthly surcharge report sheets for billing.

Monitors compliance with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and ECUA requirements. Updates Local Limits as required.

Tracks compliance of Pretreatment requirements; prepares notices of non-compliance; drafts correspondence concerning violations and non-compliance; assists in providing direction for bringing conditions into compliance.

Participates in site monitoring as required. Reviews and records monthly, quarterly and semi-annual self-monitoring reports (lab analysis). Reports violations, such as late reports, missed sampling and exceeded parameters. Notifies violations to permittee and follows-up on solutions to violations.

Participates in mandatory yearly inspections of significant industrial users.

Assists the FDEP in performing an annual audit that evaluates effectiveness in controlling industrial discharges and in meeting the requirements of Chapter 62-625 Florida Administrative Code (FAC).

Compiles information for the Annual Pretreatment Report, which is an extensive review of the influent and effluent of ECUA's three (3) water reclamation facilities, and all significant industrial users.

Prepares and maintains technical operational reports and records related to sampling, inspections and analytical work.

Sets up pretreatment field sampling equipment (portable environmental sampler) for industrial sample collections.

All other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or GED. Bachelor's degree in Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Environmental Science or Environmental Management or a closely-related field is preferred. (Educational documentation will be requested upon offer of employment.)

Two (2) years of on-the-job experience and skill developmentin water and wastewater laboratory analysis, pre-treatment, and water/wastewater environmental programs, or any combination of education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Collection of samples to the monitoring of permits is preferred.

Intermediate level of computer skills is required for this position.

Licenses and Certifications:

A valid Driver License is required upon offer of employment.

Industrial pretreatment certification at the Class "B" level from the Florida Industrial Pretreatment Association is desirable.

Other Job Requirements:

Worksovertime or alternate hours, including weekends as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.

Employment offers to all new hires are contingent upon the job candidates successfully passing background, motor vehicle and reference checks, drug screening, and post job offer physicals (that may include pulmonary testing). Offers of transfers or promotion to current ECUA employees are not subject to nicotine screening. All applicants are subject to physical assessments as required by job.

Physical Requirements/Working Environment

Must be physically able to enter confined spaces using fall prevention/retrieval and other required safety equipment and not exceed the equipment safe load ratings published by the equipment manufacturer.

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including computers, telephones, facsimile machines, laboratory equipment, tools, etc. Must be able to occasionally exert 20 to 50 pounds of force.

Physical demands are in excess of sedentary work; must be able to walk or stand for prolonged periods of time. May be subject to a certain degree of danger or risk when working with chemical/toxic agents and pathogenic substances.

The job requires normal visual acuity, and field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of taste, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.

While performing the essential functions of this position in the field, there is potential for exposure to disagreeable environmental factors, such as outside weather conditions, dampness, wetness, humidity, toxic/caustic substances, grease, dirt, fumes, gasses, and odors.

Job risks include exposure to chemical, biological, electrical and mechanical hazards.

As a disaster team member, the employee is required to be available to work before, during, and after any disaster as directed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities/Supplemental Information

MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT USED:

Various diagnostic equipment, hand and power tools, computer and peripheral equipment, various test equipment, water test kit, and light truck or other motor vehicle.

Knowledge of:

Materials, tools, and equipment processes utilized in chemical and biological laboratory analysis. Basic chemistry and principles, practices, protocols and methods for testing and analysis.

Sampling techniques and proper and environmentally safe methods for transfer and analysis of chemical and biological samples.

Intermediate level mathematical computations, including addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, ratios, percentages and decimals.

Skill in:

Reading and interpreting governmental regulations, technical journals and periodicals, industry-specific periodicals and related technical information and data.

Researching, compiling, and summarizing training data and information materials.

Writing reports, preparing meeting minutes, and communicating with other divisions and customers.

Ability to:

Work independently, plan, prioritize and complete work on time.

Manage both time and equipment resources.

Prepare accurate and concisely written technical reports and recommendations.

Work cooperatively with industrial and commercial representatives on matters related to wastewater discharge regulations.

Interact with industry leaders, internal and external customers in a professional manner maintaining good customer service skills.

Work with hazardous chemicals in a safe manner.

CAREER PATH/PROGRESSION

ECUA provides opportunities for employees to learn and grow within their positions. For a Pretreatment Technician to be eligible for in-grade progressions and up to three (3) separate 5% increases in pay, there are certain conditions which must be met. These conditions include a combination of training, certifications, and level of experience.