City of Boulder is hiring a Plant Operator for Water Treatment

Employment Opportunities Title:
City of Boulder is hiring a Plant Operator for Water Treatment

Post Date
9/20/2019

Expiration Date
12/19/2019

Details:
Overall Job Objective
Under general supervision, to operate multiple water treatment facilities, to perform routine maintenance and minor repairs of plant equipment, direct the distribution of treated water through a system of pipes and reservoirs, perform appropriate monitoring, operate and control hydroelectric facilities, and to perform related duties as required.

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hrs/week), In one 2 week period, this position requires working 48 hours (four shifts) one week and 36 hours (three shifts) the following week. This position is required to work one of two 12 hour shifts, "a" shift or "b" shift. The hours are 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM or 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. The position requires working nights, weekends, and holidays.
Location: Water treatment plant(s) - Either Betasso WTF or Boulder Reservoir WTF (63rd)

*Salary Range is $20.00/hr-$44.23/hr



Duties & Responsibilities

1. Operates the facilities and associated processes in accordance with state and federal water quality regulations. Obtains/maintains a Colorado Class A Water Treatment Plant Operators Certification within five years of hire and updates job knowledge as necessary

2. Controls and monitors mechanical and chemical water treatment processes including the distribution of the treated water. This includes the following duties at both of the City's water treatment facilities:
• Regulates, and/or adjusts raw water sources, preliminary treatment process, chemicals, sedimentation process, filtration process, residuals recovery, chemical feeders, pumps and valves to control liquid stream, and solids treatment processes.
• Utilizes Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) instrumentation and direct observation to continuously monitor and interpret data transmitted from local and remote equipment locations. Uses data, as well as facility schematics and O&M manuals to identify, locate, and resolve treatment problems.
• Plans for, practices, and responds to emergencies including but not limited to power outages, chemical spills, and equipment failures. Provides first response troubleshooting of equipment and process when emergencies arise.
• Performs routine laboratory analyses and appropriately adjusts treatment processes based on laboratory results and direct observations.
• Orders, loads, unloads, and regulates treatment chemicals and supplies.
• Assists maintenance staff in maintenance/operations activities.
• Performs troubleshooting of treatment process, equipment problems, and prepares equipment for repair work
• Assists in maintaining facilities and property, including cleaning and upkeep of process buildings, equipment, and grounds.

3. Oversees treatment and distribution system operations on assigned shifts. This includes the following:
• Controls multi-zoned high-pressure water distribution system using pumps, valves and hydroelectric generators, operate raw and finished hydroelectric power stations (nine), with pressures ranging from 100 to 800 PSI.
• Ensures adequate shift coverage for 24-hour operation which includes filling shifts as necessary and/or calling in appropriate coverage.
• Communicates operational information to management team.
• Maintains inventory of operations laboratory supplies, chemicals and orders supplies as needed.

4. Maintains logs and records of plant data, including entering and retrieving data on a PC, reviewing and signing off on all logs at the end of the shift, and ensuring that logs are complete. Analyzes data utilizing trending and statistical tools.

5. Serves on facility committees such as safety, emergency response, design review, and treatment optimization studies. May take the lead role on committees and projects as requested and develop appropriate reports and summaries.

6. Assists with the development of the annual operations work plan. Assists in formulating and updating standard facility and process operating procedures including development and implementation of safety related procedures and programs.

7. Remains alert to conditions and events occurring at the Water Treatment Facility indicating anticipated or needed maintenance and repair. Assists in and performs troubleshooting of plant processes to improve overall treatment quality.

8. Maintains a clean and safe work environment, including monitoring work in progress to pinpoint hazards.

9. Responds to questions from the public about treatment, distribution system, and hydro-electric stations, and conducts facility tours as necessary.

10. Ability to work variable shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays.

11. Is alert to security of treatment plants, distribution reservoirs, pump and valve stations, and hydro-electric stations.

12. Serves as after-hours contact for water-related problems and citizen concerns. Appropriately responds to citizen problems and initiates Department of Public Works call-out procedure when necessary.

13. Trains, directs and reviews the work of other operation staff including lower-level certified operators and operator trainees.

14. Other:
- Performs related duties as required to meet the needs of the city.
- Takes proper safety precautions, anticipates unsafe circumstances, and acts accordingly to prevent accidents.
- Responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment. Uses all required safety equipment and follows all safety regulations, policies and procedures. Reports all accidents and damage to city property.
- Responsible for knowing and complying with all city and department policies; participating in professional trainings and development; and adhering to attendance and workplace attire policies.


Qualifications:
REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
High school diploma. Colorado Water Treatment Plant Operators' Certification. Must be able to work under minimal supervision and exercise good judgment. Possess good verbal and written communication skills, and good organizational and problem-solving skills. Mechanical aptitude. Physical ability to work in an industrial setting to work in and around areas of limited access and confined spaces requiring standing, walking, bending, and kneeling; ability to use ladders, stairs, underground vaults, cat walks, and scaffolding; ability to lift up to 50 pounds; ability to hear audible alarms at 80 DB and higher; visual acuity, manual dexterity in using precision and non-precision hand tools, power tools, and technical devices; an ability to train others in the use of, storage of, and routine maintenance of safety equipment. Ability to use technical devices for sample measurement and equipment calibration. Ability to work variable hours, including night shifts as well as being the sole operator on duty. Ability to work well with others including good communication skills, team skills, and appropriate conflict resolution skills. Basic certification in first aid and CPR. Valid driver's license. Have and maintain acceptable motor vehicle record and criminal history.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS – In addition to the required minimum qualifications:
Associate or higher degree in related field. Previous experience working at a Water Treatment Facility. Hazardous chemical response training. Process optimization experience, electrical and mechanical troubleshooting experience. Training/certification in hydroelectric facility operation. Certification in distribution and collection system operation.

Supplemental Information
WORKING CONDITIONS - Required Physical and Mental Effort, and Environmental Conditions:
In addition to the information listed in the required minimum qualifications section.
Physical and Mental Effort: See "required minimum qualifications" section for additional information.
Also requires ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines, public contact, and changing priorities and conditions.
Work Environment: Works in an industrial setting subject to continuous interruptions and background noises.
Machines and equipment used include, but are not limited to the following: City vehicle, laboratory equipment, sampling and monitoring equipment, hand tools, power tools, telephone/paging system, cell phone, long?handled tools, computers, and various software programs including Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and Access.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Note: The above description is illustrative only. It is not meant to be all-inclusive.

Employer:
City of Boulder Public Works Dept
Contact:
Vanessa Bonner

Work Phone:
3034411985

Email:
bonnerv@bouldercolorado.gov

Website:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cityofboulder/jobs/2330355/plant-operator-a-d