Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (Operations Technician IV)

THE OPERATIONS TECHNICIAN IV POSITION IS DEDICATED TO THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT AND WILL BE ASSIGNED TO THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:

Western Riverside County Regional Wastewater Authority (WRCRWA) in Eastvale

Western Water Recycling Facility (WWRF) in Riverside

Western Water’s vision is to integrate the best-in-business processes and business systems while developing a leading-edge workforce that continuously creates greater efficiency and value for our customers.

Western Water’s values include:

• Service Excellence
• Efficiency 
• Water Supply Reliability
• Fiscal Responsibility and Value
• Public Trust, Accountability and Transparency
• Environmental Stewardship
• Employee Empowerment
• Innovation

Are you looking to take your career to the next level at an agency committed to the vision and values above? Are you an advanced level operator with progressive experience supporting a team dedicated to the maintenance of wastewater facilities? If you have skills focusing on the following areas, we invite you to submit your interest to be considered for this position:

• Strong knowledge of principles and practices related to the assigned functional areas of responsibility within a tertiary Wastewater Treatment Plant Facility. 
• Operate and maintain treatment facilities.
• Strong ability to operate and maintain equipment, associated with the day-to-day operations and maintenance of wastewater systems and facilities. 
• Extensive use of modern office equipment including computer software applications related to the field of work.
• Utilize exceptional customer service and communication skills both verbally and in writing, with the ability to cultivate professional business partnerships and inspire team collaboration.
• Read and interpret blueprints, construction designs and drawings and hydraulic/pneumatic schematics.
• Perform intermittent heavy manual labor.

 

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will possess strong knowledge and capabilities to coordinate repairs and maintenance with internal support systems. In addition, the position requires prior hands-on experience and working knowledge of troubleshooting (from an Operator’s perspective): wastewater systems including mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation component of the systems.

The selected candidate will be placed in the Operation Technician series level which is commensurate with current experience. 

Individuals within the Operations Technician series can expect to perform routine to complex duties related to the operation of Western Water wastewater treatment plant facilities. Incumbents to the series will be assigned to a department within the Operations function.

Operations Technician IV

The Operations Technician IV is the advanced-level class in the Technician series. Under general direction, incumbents work independently to carry out duties and assignments requiring advanced technical knowledge and skill. Incumbents exercise independent judgment in the interpretation of procedures and regulations, participate in special projects, and provide training to entry or journey level employees. Incumbents may provide oversight of operational areas or subordinate staff as assigned.

Incumbents within the Operations Technician series report to an Operations Field Manager. or Operations Supervisor. Operations Technicians may receive general direction from a Senior Operations Technician I/II.

Western Water employees are expected to work overtime, weekends, evenings and holidays as required to accommodate the Western Water needs, in addition to responding as a Disaster Services Emergency Worker.

Examples of Duties:

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this classification.

 Universal Functions to Operations Technician Series:

• Perform grounds maintenance, weed abatement and facilities cleaning duties, some of which requires heavy manual labor.
• Operate a pager, cell phone, and a mobile and/or base station two-way radio for dispatching and routine communications.
• Investigate public complaints and recommend corrective action.
• Maintain accurate and legible records for timesheets, workload planning, and related documents in accordance with state and federal laws, regulations, and District policies and procedures.
• Utilize and maintain detailed records for use within the Computerized Work Management System (CWMS).
• Participate in safety training programs and other related functions.
• Inspect, operate, calibrate, and maintain light/heavy equipment linked to department functions.
• Perform inspections and maintenance of District facilities, equipment, tools, and vehicles.
• Monitor and utilize the District’s SCADA system as required by department or call team roles.
• Coordination and purchase of department supplies or equipment.
• Operate GPS equipment in order to locate and survey District systems as determined by department functions.
• Perform lockout/tag out (LOTO) procedures to block electrical and other energy sources utilizing District safety policies and procedures.
• Perform duties in confined spaces utilizing District safety policies and procedures.
• Perform a variety of semi-skilled and skilled maintenance, operational, and repair tasks involved in the Western’s water or wastewater systems.
• Operate sign boards, flagging, placing and removing barricades, delineators, warning signs and traffic plates in work areas.
• Contingent upon meeting certification and experience requirements, employees may be assigned to the appropriate department call team to provide continuous operational services in accordance with the California Municipal Water District Act of 1911. This requirement is at the sole discretion of Western and typically occurs on a rotating basis for a 1–2-week period following supervisor approval.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Team:

Members of this team will be assigned to either the WRCRWA WWTP or WWRF WWTP as needed. Also, working hours and schedules may change with operational need. 

The Wastewater Treatment Plant team is responsible for operating and maintaining wastewater treatment plants to ensure compliance of applicable discharge and regulatory requirements. The team spans from the Western Water Recycling Facility (WWRF) in Riverside to the operation of the Western Riverside County Regional Wastewater Authority (WRCRWA) in Eastvale. The performance of this team is essential to protect public health and the environment through the operation of compliant treatment plants. Incumbents in the department can expect to utilize their skills in the areas noted below:

• Operate and maintain wastewater treatment facilities to control flow and processing of wastewater, sludge and effluent; monitor gauges, meters, SCADA and control panels; observe variations in operating conditions; interpret and gauge readings and test results to determine processing requirements.
• Operate valves, gates, pumps, engines and electric motors to control and adjust the flow and treatment processes, in addition to operating and maintaining boilers and incinerators.
• Inspect plant machinery, equipment, storage ponds, disposal systems and related equipment to determine need for repairs, calibrations, and perform routine preventative maintenance work.
• Calculate loading and flow rates, sets pump rates and make process adjustments in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Read and interpret plant piping and distributing plans; and assists in locating and troubleshooting plant malfunctions.
• Perform lab analysis of process samples, while calculating and verifying results.
• As a member of the Wastewater Treatment team, individual may be required to maintain ability to wear respirator protection and maintain cleanly shaved face in the sealing areas of the mask; in the event that a public health concern is identified, and specific protocols enacted (i.e. a known Ebola patient in the service area).

Typical Qualifications:

• Operate a variety of hand and power tools and related equipment, in addition to properly caring for tools, materials, supplies and similar equipment.
• Use modern office equipment including computer software applications related to the field of work.
• Utilize exceptional customer service and communication skills both verbally and in writing, with the ability to cultivate professional business partnerships and inspire team collaboration.
• Operate equipment and materials used in the construction, maintenance, and repair of water or wastewater systems and facilities.
• Interpret and apply pertinent local, State and Federal laws, rules and regulations.
• Adherence to District personnel rules, policies and labor contract provisions.
• Think creatively and seek alternative solutions in order to produce results that benefit the District and its internal and external customers.
• Knowledge of principles related to the assigned function of the incumbent such as hydraulics, mathematics, water quality, construction, SCADA systems, pipeline construction, meter installation, and industrial electric.
• Working knowledge of water or wastewater systems, including mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation component of the systems.
• Adhere to organizational practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs.
• Use principles of effective safety practices including the use of equipment in a proper and safe manner, use of preventative personal ergonomic techniques, and maintaining safe personal and common workspaces.
• Define and explain key processes and business requirements within the department.
• Assist with implementing department business plans, processes and performance measures, ensuring that they align with the District’s Strategic Plan.
• Perform heavy manual labor.
• Perform highly detailed work under changing, intensive deadlines on multiple concurrent tasks.
• Coordinate operations of the assigned area of responsibility with other District departments
• Operate computerized telemetry terminals.
• Read and interpret blueprints, construction designs and drawings and electrical schematics.

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, AND LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

Any combination of experience and education that provides the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, along with the specific licenses/certifications outlined below:

Minimum Certification/License Requirements

Certifications: Wastewater Operator = California State Water Resources Control Board Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate.

Supplemental Information:

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS 

The characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  All groups in the series may be required and medically able to wear respiratory and fall protection, to be annually fit tested, confined space entry trained, and maintain facial hair such that it does not interfere with any respirator or SCBA sealing surface. Each may be required to be a member of the confined space rescue team at the sole discretion of the District.

Physical: Employees are regularly required to operate equipment, machinery, controls and tools; perform manual labor, work overhead, frequently grasp, hold and reach; frequently walk, stand, squat, twist and bend; frequently climb ladders, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl; frequently lift and carry up to 50 pounds or 100 pounds with assistance; constantly use overall color vision plus hand, eye, and feet coordination; and frequently hear and talk, in person and on the phone. Employees may be required and medically able to wear respiratory and fall protection equipment.

Mental: Employees should possess the ability to speak, read, and write English, in addition to exercising math and computer aptitude as required. Employees work under pressure with frequent interruptions while communicating and interacting with a variety of District personnel, the public, and others encountered in the course of work. The ability to explain, interpret, and apply related rules, regulations, policies and procedures; and work on multiple concurrent assignments, often within tight timeframes using good business judgment is necessary.

Environmental: Employees primarily work outside with exposure to various weather conditions and regularly work near moving mechanical parts. The noise level is typically loud. Employees may work in confined spaces and may be exposed to fumes, vapors, dust, sewage, toxic or caustic chemicals. Employees may work in areas with poisonous plants and/or venomous or threatening animals or insects. Incumbents are expected to use principles of effective safety practices including the use of personal protective equipment in a proper and safe manner, use of preventative personal ergonomic techniques, and maintaining safe personal and common workspaces.

Western is a tobacco free campus prohibiting smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and unregulated nicotine products in any District vehicle and building, which includes any building owned and occupied, or leased and occupied, by the District, including, Headquarters, the Operations Center, and any remote facilities owned, leased and/or operated by the District.