Utility Operator

Description

NATURE OF WORK This is skilled technical work in operating a major portion of the water and/or wastewater treatment or pumping equipment on an assigned shift. An Operator is defined in Florida Administrative Code 62-699 as "any person who is in on-site charge of the actual operation, supervision, and maintenance of a domestic wastewater or water treatment plant or water distribution system and includes the person in on-site charge of a shift or period of operation during any part of the day. Operator also means any person operating an electronic control system. Such persons shall be licensed in accordance with Chapter 62-602, F.A.C."
An employee in this class is responsible for performing a variety of semi-skilled assignments necessary to the operation of a municipal water or wastewater treatment plant or auxiliary facility under the supervision of a higher level employee. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: pumping systems; treatment operations; laboratory testing; quality control; sludge treatment, and storage, and preventive maintenance. Utility Operators are required to have basic knowledge in the relationships of microorganism predominance to sludge quality and more complex process like nitrification/denitrification. An employee in this class may also direct and assist in the repair of equipment, housekeeping and cleaning of treatment units. Supervisors will check the work of employees in this classification on an assignment basis. Work is performed on a rotating shift which might include nights, weekends, and holidays. Tasks, learned through on-the-job training, are of average difficulty. Assignments are performed in accordance with established procedures; however, the exercise of some initiative and independent judgment is required especially when completing emergency repairs to equipment. Under general supervision, the employee receives instructions orally and in writing; a higher level employee is available to provide technical advice and assistance when necessary. Work is reviewed while in progress and upon completion, through observation and results obtained.

Examples of Duties

ILLUSTRATIVE TASKS  
  Conducts routine checks on a water or wastewater treatment plant; inspects each of the various treatment stages; takes samples as required for operational process control and/or regulatory agencies for compliance. Inspects area of responsibility to determine that all machinery is operating properly; takes samples of water or wastewater at various stages of the treatment process to determine effectiveness of treatment procedures; on the basis of sample result institutes alteration of processes to provide effective treatment. Inspects and adjusts treatment plant equipment such as chlorinators, lime slakers, flocculators, sludge collectors, mixed media filters, chemical feeders, vacuum filters, conveyor systems, screens and related equipment. Inspects recording charts and meters, and on the basis of such information adjusts treatment plant procedures in conformance with operating instructions. Measures and adjusts slurry feed; checks water pressure on spray nozzles of a slaker; assists in the overall maintenance of the plant. Inspects, starts, stops and operates pumps and auxiliary equipment; determines operating conditions and needed adjustments for repairs; assists in general repair of pumping equipment. Prepares records of shift operations; may supervise a small group of skilled and unskilled employees; checks the work of employees in the trainee classification for conformance to instructions given. Performs related work as required.

Requirements

EDUCATION
  Graduation from an accredited high school, vocational school or possession of a G.E.D. equivalency diploma. PROOF OF THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF COMPLETED EDUCATION MUST BE SUBMITTED AS AN ATTACHMENT WITH APPLICATION. (Applications without attached proof of education will not be processed for consideration.)
EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
  Two (2) years experience in the operation of a water and/or wastewater facility Trainees Only : Six months full-time utility plant experience or completion of a FDEP approved course in water or wastewater plant operation.
CERTIFICATIONS / LICENSES
  Possession of an FDEP Class "C" (or higher) operator's license (certificate) in the area of assignment, i.e. Water or Wastewater Operator, as defined in Florida Administrative Code FAC 62-602, "WATER OR DOMESTIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATORS AND WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OPERATORS." Possession of valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: (Trainees Only) 

Salary: $52,396.48 Trainee) (2 Steps below Utility Operator salary)
Completion of Trainee status to Probation: Must acquire dual licenses in Water and Wastewater Must comply within below outlined time limits: Within three (3) months, the trainee must enroll in an approved Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Resident Correspondence Course in Water or Wastewater. Within twelve (12) months, the trainee must successfully complete the FDEP approved required training course for Class C license classification and pass the FDEP Water or Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Examination (depending on license needed). Eighteen (18) months to obtain an FDEP Class "C" operator's license (certificate) in the area of assignment, i.e. Water or Wastewater Operator, as defined in FAC 62-602, "WATER OR DOMESTIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATORS AND WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OPERATORS." Thirty-six (36) months to obtain dual Class "C" operator's licenses (certificates) in both Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant operation. The City will reimburse tuition cost upon successful license acquisition.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
  Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through personal contact, the use of the telephone and/or other City-issued technology devices. Physical capability to effectively use and operate City assigned motorized vehicles, manual or power tools. Ability to climb, balance, bend, stoop, squat, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, push and/or pull, twist and make repetitive hand movements. Ability to walk, stand and sit for prolonged periods of time. Ability to work outdoors under varying temperatures, inclement weather and/or other adverse conditions. Ability to load, carry, lift, push and/or pull objects weighing up to 50 pounds. Ability to operate a motorized vehicle. Ability to climb and descend stairways and ship ladders at unusual heights of up to 40 feet. Ability to hear within normal audio range, with or without correction. Ability to see in the normal visual range with or without correction. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Ability to withstand exposure to the following conditions without stress: excessive noise, unpleasant odors, chemicals/other environmental substances, blood borne pathogens. If applicable: Perform work at locations with exposure over, in and around water, which may not be accessible to the physically handicapped.

Supplemental Information

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES 
  Knowledge of the operating theory and principles of a water or wastewater plant. Knowledge of preventive maintenance and repair techniques for equipment operated. Knowledge of the procedures and operating standards applicable to the equipment operated. Knowledge of the general operating principles of a wide variety of electrical and mechanical equipment. Knowledge of the safety hazards and relevant precautions of the work. Ability to make minor repairs to equipment operated. Ability to accurately follow routine operating and recording procedures. Ability to detect faulty operating characteristics in equipment or processes, and to institute remedial action. Ability to maintain detailed routine operating records. Ability to work with and supervise subordinate unskilled and semi-skilled personnel. Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions. Skill in making minor repairs and adjustments to pumping equipment and valves Ability to safely operate a City-issued motorized vehicle
  Ability to manage multiple, high-priority assignments Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, officials, other governmental agencies, other City departments and the general public Ability to withstand pressure of competing priorities and varied responsibilities and works efficiently and effectively to develop win-win solutions

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