Treatment Plant Operator I/II
Salary - $55,668.00 - $84,492.00
Job Purpose/Summary
The ideal candidate will have a wide range of experience and a willingness to learn new skills. Open until filled. The individual selected will join a team of three other skilled operators who work closely to run and maintain the City’s Winslow Wastewater Treatment Plant.
About the plant:
- This is a Class 3 secondary-activated sludge plant that employs dissolved oxygen for solids treatment and ultraviolet light for disinfection.
- Each year, the plant treats 150 million gallons of wastewater with typical conventional pollutant removals above 97%.
- The treated wastewater is discharged east of Wing Point into Puget Sound.
- Plant activities are regulated by the Washington Department of Ecology, and the plant maintains an accredited water quality laboratory.
- The plant is about to undergo a 3-year upgrade that includes equipment upgrades and replacement and process optimization.
Treatment Plant Operators perform operations, maintenance and repairs on all aspects of the wastewater pumping and wastewater treatment systems.
- Treatment Plant Operator I - entry level position, performs routine work under supervision, exercising a limited amount of judgment and independence.
- Treatment Plant Operator II - journey level position, performs more complex work under minimal supervision, exercising a considerable amount of judgment and independence. Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, this position may coordinate one or more job assignments.
About the City of Bainbridge Island
The City of Bainbridge Island is a vibrant community with small-town feel, 52 miles of scenic shoreline and densely forested areas. Our employees are the most important asset in preserving and enhancing the special character of the Island, and in responding to the community's needs. The City provides competitive salaries, outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities.
City Vision
A healthy Bainbridge Island, now and for future generations.
City Mission
Serve and respond with skill, trust, and care.
City Values
- Stewardship: We manage our resources with intention.
- Professionalism: We bring knowledge to our work and energy to new challenges.
- Connection: Respect and communication are central to our success.
- Balance: Personal well-being improves our work and makes our organization strong.
Essential Functions
- Operates, maintains, repairs and constructs wastewater treatment facilities and equipment including bar screens, blowers, grit chambers, aeration basins, dewatering presses, floc tanks, clarifiers and UV disinfection.
- Performs laboratory analysis and maintains laboratory accreditation for pH, BOD, TSS and fecal coliform.
- Makes calculations, inputs data and performs data analysis covering laboratory testing, plant loading and treatment efficiency.
- Maintains records and completes regulatory reports including the monthly discharge monitoring report.
- Investigates and resolves customer complaints involving wastewater treatment plant operations including plant odor, noise and traffic complaints.
- Within one hour of the time called, is able to provide onsite, after-hours, emergency response.
- Operates telemetry system, monitors alarms, creates reports and interprets data to analyze and troubleshoot wastewater treatment systems.
- Provides construction support including wastewater treatment plant plan review, field coordination and construction inspection as assigned.
- Troubleshoots and repairs wastewater treatment plant telemetry, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic and mechanical controls.
- Performs difficult manual labor and technical troubleshooting under adverse physical and environmental conditions for extended periods of time.
- Operates a variety of heavy equipment, including but not limited dump trucks and other equipment.
- Operates a variety of specialized equipment including but not limited to chain saws, weedeaters, lawn mowers, paint sprayers, pumps, cut off saws, concrete saws, jackhammers, tapping machines, shoring equipment, compactors, fall protection equipment, gas detectors, line locators, metal detectors, leak detectors, welders, cutting torches, amp probes, multi meters and voltage testers.
- Operates a variety of specialized laboratory equipment and instruments including but not limited to BOD incubators, DO meters, muffle furnaces, drying ovens, pH meters, distillation systems, chlorine residual analyzers and ORP meters.
- Bids and procures laboratory equipment, materials and supplies as assigned.
- Plans and organizes field work as assigned.
- May coordinate tasks performed by Treatment Plant Operator I job classifications.
- Maintains timely and regular attendance.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Graduation from high school or GED equivalent ;
- Treatment Plant Operator I: one year of wastewater treatment plant operator experience;
- Treatment Plant Operator II: three years of wastewater treatment plant operator experience;
- OR any combination of experience, education and training that would provide the level of knowledge and ability required.
Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of wastewater treatment operations, maintenance, repair and construction including pretreatment, primary treatment, secondary treatment and disinfection.
- Occupational health hazards and standard safety practices and procedures.
- Applicable local, state and federal laws, codes and regulations pertaining to wastewater treatment.
- Basic computer skills and familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook software.
- Principles and practices of wastewater treatment plant laboratory operations including sample collection, preservation, chain of custody, analysis, quality control and records management.
- Construction skills, heavy equipment operation and specialized equipment used in wastewater collection and wastewater treatment.
- City organization, operations, policies and procedures.
Ability to:
- Respond to emergency calls and /or perform after-hours assignments as directed.
- Quickly grasp new techniques, deal with rapid changes in priorities and remain calm and effective in difficult situations.
- Work independently or as a team member and to meet required schedules and deadlines in a timely, efficient, effective manner.
- Communicate in an effective and professional manner.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with management, colleagues and the public.
- Train, coach and mentor subordinates and other co-workers.
- Prioritize, organize and plan work orders.
- Support and model the identified vision, values and behaviors of the organization.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- Use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
- Operate a personal computer utilizing a variety of standard and specialist software.
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
License and Certification Requirements
- Valid Washington State driver's license is required.
- Successful completion of a pre-employment background check is required.
- Ability to obtain a valid first aid/CPR certification within twelve months of employment.
- Treatment Plant Operator I: Certification as Washington State Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I at time of hire, or ability to obtain reciprocity from another state, is required.
- Treatment Plant Operator II: Certification as Washington State Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II at time of hire, or ability to obtain reciprocity from another state, is required.
Additional Information
COVID-19 Vaccination
Effective August 27, 2021, all new hires to the City will be required as a condition of employment to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to start date. If you have questions or would request an accommodation for this requirement due to a disability or religious reason, contact Human Resources for further information.
Working Conditions
The regular work schedule is generally Monday through Friday, 7 am to 3:30 pm. The employee must be able to work on-call for emergency response outside of the normal work schedule on an assigned, rotating basis. Work is performed indoors and outdoors and may be performed alone or as a member of a team. Work may require frequent contact with other City departments and the general public. Work may be performed under scheduled routine conditions or unscheduled emergency conditions for extended periods of time. Work may be performed under adverse conditions, at night and/or during inclement weather. The employee may be exposed to safety hazards, and may be required to use dangerous tools and equipment and affiliated personal protective equipment.
Physical Requirements
The employee in this job classification must have the overall stamina and ability to perform strenuous physical activity, including the ability to climb, bend, and work in tight or confined areas. The employee must be able stand or walk for long periods of time, traverse rough terrain, and work in or over water. The employee may be required to lift and carry up to 100 pounds, climb ladders and work at heights up to 100 feet, and enter manholes and work at depths up to 30 feet. The employee must be able to hear alarms and have the ability to audibly identify the presence of a danger or hazard. Accurate vision including good color and depth perception are essential. Good hand eye coordination is required. Corrective lenses may be utilized. The employee may be required to sit for prolonged periods of time and manipulate a computer keyboard which requires repetitive motion tasks.
Additional Salary Details
Treatment Plant Operator I: the salary range is $4639-$5817 per month. The hiring range is $4639-$5195 per month. Step increases are attained annually based on satisfactory performance.
Treatment Plant Operator II: the salary range is $5612-$7041 per month. The hiring range is $5612-$6284 per month. Step increases are attained annually based on satisfactory performance.