Wastewater Treatment Operator/Senior Operator - Seattle, United States - King County

Description

Summary

This is a transfer-eligible position is open to qualified employees. First consideration will be given to S.E.I.U. Wastewater Local 925 employees. Current Senior Operators represented by WTD/ SEIU Local 925 will retain their senior operator status, salary, benefits, and seniority if selected for hire for this transfer position. If no qualified internal candidate is selected, external applicants will be considered.
Current internal Operator-in-Training (OIT's) SEIU L925 applicants who have a current Washington State Group I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator-In-Training certification that will convert to a Group I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification within 3 months are eligible to apply.
External candidates are eligible to be hired at the Operator level only. Senior operator level is obtained through internal job progression process. The salary range listed above includes the Operator level ($ $46.1094/per hour) and Senior Operator level ($ $50.6977/per hour).
About the Role:
This position will be involved with following and maintaining established safety policies, guidelines, regulations, and workplace standards. The O&M facilities are currently undergoing major capital improvements expected to continue over the next 10 years. The candidate will be a part of a flexible and dynamic team responsible for providing expertise and support to maintain continuous effective wastewater operations. The candidate will aid other plant staff, other King County staff, contractors and consultants as needed or required. A successful candidate will maintain and strive toward intra-team and cross-team support and cooperation daily. There is always a demand for wastewater operators and the industry is stable and growing. There are plenty of opportunities for advancement within the division.

About the Team:
King County protects water quality and public health in the central Puget Sound region by providing high quality and effective treatment to wastewater collected from our local sewer agencies. King County's wastewater operators not only help prevent the spread of many contagious diseases, but help the environment and the communities they reside in.

Join our team dedicated to ensuring clean water for generations to come With over 700 employees engaged in planning, designing, building, and operating treatment facilities, our agency is at the forefront of environmental stewardship. Success for us means upholding our legacy while promising future generations a pristine environment.

We enforce regulations to reduce harmful waste discharge and actively educate the public and businesses on water quality protection. We prioritize accountability to our ratepayers and operate a well-managed agency that services over 2.3 million King County residents. Our regional wastewater treatment system not only sustains a healthy environment but also fuels economic development, fostering prosperity in our region. If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in a collaborative environment, join us in our mission to safeguard our precious water resources.

Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:
King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As an Operator, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Wastewater Treatment Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.

Job Duties

What You Will Be Doing:

• Operate, monitor, and maintain wastewater and odor control equipment and facilities.
• Operate, monitor, and maintain biological, chemical, mechanical, and hydraulic processes at wastewater treatment plants, collection system pump and regulator stations and associated facilities.
• Conduct sampling and test analysis of wastewater and recommend changes to process to meet federal and regulations and to optimize wastewater plant performance.
• Perform maintenance on wastewater treatment plant and associated facilities, including buildings equipment, and grounds. Duties include cleaning, servicing operating equipment, mowing lawns, and performing housekeeping tasks.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What you Bring as a Senior Wastewater Treatment Operator - performs duties above plus:

• Serve in a lead capacity to operate, monitor, troubleshoot, and maintain wastewater treatment facilities, odor control equipment, biological, chemical, mechanical, and hydraulic processes. Provide advanced level troubleshooting, problem-solving, coordination and decision-making when performing duties, particularly in on-site, unusual and/or emergency situations. Be on call after hours for such situations. Recommend and/or determine changes to wastewater process to meet federal and Washington State permits and regulations and to optimize plant performance. Provide broad, in-depth on-the-job training to other wastewater operations staff. Assist the supervisor in performance feedback and evaluation of staff.
• Plan, schedule, coordinate and perform maintenance for assigned wastewater facilities, systems, and processes. Coordinate and perform on-site response to unusual occurrences and emergencies.
• Serve as technical resource to the other staff, the public and external agencies.
• Operate, monitor, and control wastewater equipment and systems with complex computer systems.
• Assume the full operational responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor in the absence of the Wastewater Treatment Supervisor.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, including preliminary, primary, secondary, digestion, gas handling systems, sludge handling, plant-wide air, water, chemical, electrical and hydraulic support systems.
• Knowledge of collection systems; including pump stations, regulator stations, CSO facilities and miscellaneous structures.
• Knowledge of mechanical and electrical theory, cross connections, and pumps
• Knowledge of wastewater terminology and process control
• Knowledge of industrial safety procedures and practices
• Knowledge of and skill in applying sampling, testing and laboratory procedures
• Communications skills Basic mathematics, algebra, and computer application skills.
• Skill in reading, recording, and interpreting instrumentation and control gauges and meters.
• Skill in operating complex computer control systems and identifying normal and abnormal operating conditions.
• Skill in operating basic hand and power tools and specialized equipment.
• Skill in the interpretation and application of technical information from plant drawings, operations and maintenance manuals and lab tests.
• Skill in manually starting and stopping equipment, systems, and processes.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining work relationships with diverse occupational groups.

Competencies You Bring:

• Communicates Effectively - Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Decision Quality - Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
• Collaborates - Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Manages Ambiguity - Operating effectively, even when things are not certain, or the way forward is not clear.
• Manages Complexity - Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Being Resilient - Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when
  facing difficult situations

Required Licenses for a Wastewater Treatment Operator:

• Washington State Group I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification from the Washington State Department of Ecology or out-of-state equivalency which must be converted to a Washington certification within one year of employment.
  • Current internal Operator-in-Training (OIT's) SEIU L925 applicants who have a current Washington State Group I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator-In-Training certification must obtain a Group I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification within 3 months.
• Valid unencumbered Washington State Driver's License.
• Must obtain a City of Seattle Boiler Operator Grade III license within 2 years of employment (West Point only. City of Seattle requirement for operators to operate our boilers and raw sewage pump engines).
• Additional licenses, certifications and other requirements determined to be necessary to meet the business needs of the employing unit may be required.
• CPR and first aid certification - can be achieved within the first six months of employment

Required Licenses for a Wastewater Treatment Senior Operator:

• Washington State Group III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification or above from the Washington State Department of Ecology or out-of-state equivalency which must be converted to a Washington certification within one year of employment.
• Valid unencumbered Washington State Driver's License
• Must obtain a City of Seattle Boiler Operator Grade III license within 2 years of employment (West Point only. City of Seattle requirement for operators to operate our boilers and raw sewage pump engines).
• Additional licenses, certifications and other requirements determined to be necessary to meet the business needs of the employing unit may be required.
• CPR and first aid certification

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Work Location: West Point Treatment Plant - West Point Treatment Plant Discovery Park Blvd. Seattle, WA 98199
• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible. The position requires the ability to work all shift schedules and required to report to work during adverse and inclement weather conditions.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by S.E.I.U. 925 (Wastewater Treatment Division)
• Physical Requirement: Incumbents perform field work at a wastewater treatment plant and associated facilities and are required to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, use ladders, and there is exposure to hazardous chemicals and noxious odors. A pre-employment physical, review of driving record and reference checks will be conducted prior to any final job offer.

Application and Selection Process:
First consideration will be given to qualified S.E.I.U. 925 WTD applicants. We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in a technical assessment and one or more panel interviews.

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Copy of valid Washington State driver's license
• Copy of current Wastewater Operator certification
• Responses to the supplemental questions

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Angelia Remolana, HR Analyst at

Discover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division: Visit our website and check us out atFacebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTubeand ourWTD Blog.

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website, explore aninteractive mapof our recent accomplishments and check us out atFacebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTubeand Keeping King County Green News.

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement. PDN-9c1dd69f-d5b5-4877-a0fa-72093cb26939