Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator - Oakdale, United States - City of Oakdale, CA

Description

Salary : $68, $88,094.16 Annually

Location : Oakdale, CA

Job Type: Full-time

Job Number: 00052

Department: Public Services

Opening Date: 03/25/2024

Description

Examples of Duties

The City of Oakdale has an exciting new job opportunity for a Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator and timing is perfect because our City Council just approved a $3,000 Hiring Incentive, a $3,000 Incentive upon completion of one year in the position, and a $3,000 Incentive upon the completion of three years, for a total of $9,000

We also just adjusted the salary range for this position, putting us on par with the Cities of Patterson and Turlock, with a salary range of $5,730 to $7,341

Must meet the qualifications for the position. See below.
Typical Qualifications

JOB SUMMARY:

The Senior Wastewater Plant Operator performs highly skilled and semi-skilled work in the operation of all equipment in a wastewater treatment plant on an assigned shift; supervise the operation of plant periodically in absence of Plant Supervisor.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This position is distinguished from the Wastewater Plant Operator I/II by its lead function and the degree of technical expertise required in performing the more complex work. This classification is responsible for lead supervision of Wastewater Plant Operators I/II. Specific key duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Operate wastewater treatment facilities to control flow and processing of wastewater, sludge, and effluent; monitor gauges, meters, and control panels; observe variations in operating conditions, interpreting meter and gauge readings and test results to determine processing requirements
• Operate valves and gates; start and stop pumps, engines and electric motors to control and adjust flow and treatment processes; operate and maintain blowers; perform routine maintenance work on valves, tanks, related equipment and facilities
• Operate and maintain headwork screening, aeration basins, blowers, pumps, screw press, sludge drying beds, cloth filters, and ultraviolet disinfection
• Monitor the disposal of dried sludge; collect samples and perform routine laboratory tests and analyses; take dissolved oxygen readings, and oversee effluent flow to percolation ponds
• Determine system changes to maintain quality control standards
• Maintain and repair air blowers to the aeration system, floats, diffuser assemblies, air hoses, pumps, valves, and bar rake
• Operate and maintain clarifies, scum box, and related equipment
• Perform recordkeeping functions and submit applicable reports
• Train and assign work to plant staff
• Perform related duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ABILITY TO

• Clean, clear, maintain, and adjust motors, pump and other equipment; read meters and gauges correctly and to act quickly and competently
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; prepare simple written reports
• Collect samples and perform routine laboratory tests; troubleshoot operational problems with plant process equipment; perform all plant operations without direct supervision
• Read, understand, implement and practice safety procedures in plant operations
• Implement principles and practices necessary in wastewater plant operations
• Train, prioritize, and schedule the work of plant staff
• Operate backhoe, , forklift, trucks, tractors, and other relevant equipment
• Meet schedules and time lines
• Maintain up to date knowledge of regulations
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Operate a computer and related software

KNOWLEDGE OF

• Principles and practices necessary in the operation of a wastewater treatment plant including the operation and maintenance of wastewater plant machinery
• Functions and purposes of wastewater treatment systems
• Basic mechanical and electrical systems
• Safe work practices with high pressure piping, vessels, gasses, steam, corrosive liquids, electricity, and chemicals
• Goals, polices and objectives of wastewater treatment plant operations
• Chemistry and math
• Operation of computers and related software
• Policies and objectives of assigned programs
• Operation of heavy equipment around the plant grounds
• Collection and testing of samples
• Chemical applications for wastewater treatment

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); three years experience as Wastewater Plant Operator II.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

-Possession of a Grade III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate issued by the State Water Resources Board OR, possession of a Grade II Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate and be able to obtain a Grade III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate within one (1) year of employment for continued employment

-Possession of an appropriate valid California driver's license

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.

PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PAY: is provided for Miscellaneous and Non-Sworn Police employees with 7-years of service or more for performance that equaled or exceeded department standards. This pay is assigned in 2.5% increments to a maximum of 5%.

COMPENSATORY TIME: Misc. emp. may not accrue more than 150 hours of compensatory time. Employee shall be paid overtime for all hours worked in excess of maximum accrual provided it is not the intent of the City to buy back overtime currently accrued in excess of the maximum accrued amount.

VACATION: Employees are eligible to use vacation leave after 12 continuous months of employment. The accrual rate is as follows:

Miscellaneous
1-3 yrs. of service - 10 days per year
4-8 years of service - 15 days per year
9-15 years of service - 18 days per year
16 or more years - 20 days per year plus 1 day for every year of service past 20 years to a maximum of 25 days

VACATION ACCRUAL: Earned vacation may be accrued to a maximum balance of twice the annual accrual.

SICK LEAVE ELIGIBILITY/ACCRUAL: Employees shall accrue 1 day per month beginning with the first month of employment and are eligible to take sick leave after 6 continuous months of employment.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Employees may take up to 3 days bereavement leave for the death of an immediate family member or close relative residing in the employee's household.

SICK LEAVE CONVERSION: Employees who have not taken more than 36 hours of sick leave during a fiscal year and have a balance of 192 hours on the books may convert up to 24 hours (32 for Misc. employees) of unused sick leave to pay or leave with pay. If employee chooses leave with pay, the 24 hours (32 for Misc. employees) must be taken in the following 12 month period or the leave will be subject to forfeiture.

HOLIDAYS: There are 12 paid holidays per year as follows:

January 1 (New Year's Day)
Third Monday in January (Martin Luther King Day)
Third Monday in February (President's Day)
Last Monday in May (Memorial Day)
July 4 (Independence Day)
First Monday in September (Labor Day)
November 11 (Veteran's Day)
Thanksgiving Day
Day after Thanksgiving Day
December 25 (Christmas Day)
Good Friday
Floating Holiday (1 per calendar year)

UNIFORM ALLOWANCE: $200 reimbursement allowance for safety shoes.

HEALTH INSURANCE: the City pays premiums for medical, dental, vision, and prescription insurance for employees and dependents to a maximum of $1,080 per month for Miscellaneous (plus 1⁄2 of cost in excess of $1,150). Misc. employees choosing a health plan less expensive than the maximum or who choose not to be covered because they have coverage elsewhere shall receive in cash 50% of the savings.

HEALTH PLAN: You can choose between Sutter Health Plus, Blue Shield, or Kaiser.

LIFE INSURANCE: The City provides a $20,000 life insurance policy for all employees.

RETIREMENT

The City pays premiums for retirement benefits with PERS. Miscellaneous and Non-Sworn employees receive 2% at 65 for new members.

Employees leaving City service have the following sick leave conversion options:

1. After 1 year of employment employees leaving City employment may receive pay for unused sick leave based on a formula in the Personnel Rules and Regulations.

2. Employees retiring from the City may convert 50% of their sick leave value (based on hourly rate at time of retirement) to health coverage. Health insurance premiums will be paid from these funds until all of the employee's funds are spent or until the employee dies. The money in this account may not be converted nor the benefit transferred upon the employee's death.

3. Employees retiring may use any portion of their sick leave for the PERS retirement conversion as allowed under PERS law and the City contract with PERS.

These three benefits may be used individually or in combination. See the Personnel or Finance Department for further details.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: City provides the opportunity for employees to participate in a deferred compensation plan with I.C.M.A. Payroll deductions are available for deferred compensation payments.

CREDIT UNION: Financial Center Credit Union in Stockton is provided. Payroll deductions are available for savings and loan payments.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: This program is offered for employees and their families and provides confidential counseling on legal, financial, relationship, emotional, and alcohol and drug abuse problems.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE POLICY: There is an Alcohol and Drug Abuse Policy in effect. A copy is provided to every employee.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PLAN: A disaster plan and survival guide, prepared by the Fire Department, is provided to every employee.