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The City of Gig Harbor is seeking either a Wastewater Operator OR
Wastewater Operator In Training (OIT) to support Public Works
Wastewater Division.
Wastewater Operator in Training $68,266
Wastewater Operator I Range $73,849 - $92,379
Wastewater Operator II Range $81,234 - $101,617
Wastewater Operator III Range $89,357 - $111,779
The ideal candidate will have experience within general maintenance or trades-related work that can exhibit transferable skills, is excited to learn new things, has excellent work ethics, knows how to collaborate well with team and other departments, has excellent communication skills, and a positive attitude. We are looking for an individual who models the way, a team player focused on serving our community, accustomed to follow-through, following up and helping others.
An Operator in Training (OIT) will train to become a Wastewater Operator. This is an entry-level position, and the incumbent will train to become skilled in the operation and maintenance of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Collection system to become certified as a Wastewater Operator. An employee occupying this position is on an accelerated program to acquire knowledge and certification for the operation and general maintenance of a wastewater treatment and collection system utilizing wastewater lift stations, pressure mains and biological treatment in a single plant.
Wastewater Operators (1, 2, 3) are responsible for operating and maintaining a single biological nutrient removal wastewater treatment plant and collection system utilizing wastewater lift stations and pressure mains. After acquiring skills through training, this individual will be expected to work independently or as a team.
Work involves operating, inspecting, and maintaining plant and collection systems equipment; performing required chemical tests and analysis; and monitoring control and alarm equipment. This employee may work overtime and is subject to 24-hour callouts during scheduled duty periods and emergencies. The employee will also be part of the scheduled on-call rotation and will be required to work occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Under general supervision of the Wastewater Superintendent with oversight of higher-level operators and the Lead Operator, incumbent operates with relative independence of action in planning and carrying out day to day activities. Technical guidance in the form of operating procedures and processes has been established by equipment manufacturers, design engineers, and the Department of Ecology. As the city's technical authority in wastewater treatment and disposal, incumbent will be confronted with problems for which these guidelines are inadequate, requiring the exercise of sound judgment in modifying or extending traditional methods with the approval of the Lead Operator, Superintendent and the Public Works Director. In the resolution of serious operational problems, the incumbent should consult with the manufacturer's local representatives, lead operator, as well as the Public Works Director, City Engineer, and Wastewater Superintendent.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Wastewater Operator in Training Duties
- Records equipment and instrument data on record sheets and computer.
- Performs visual/operational inspections of various equipment used throughout the treatment facility/pump stations.
- Operates, maintains, repairs, and replaces primary and secondary treatment equipment including, but not limited to, tanks, pumps of various types, generators, UV disinfection, odor control equipment, process water equipment, instrumentation and controls, odor control scrubbers, centrifuge, gravity drum thickener, blowers, de-gritting equipment, clarifiers and machinery.
- Participates in the operations and maintenance of pump stations, collection system and related equipment.
- Operates and maintains sewer line video inspection equipment.
- Utilizes the city’s asset management and maintenance program (Cartegraph).
- Operates various hand and power tools.
- Operates a variety of heavy equipment such as dump trucks, forklifts, backhoe, excavator, small crane truck, portable pumps, generators, diesel pumps, pressure washers and related equipment.
- Operates a variety of specialized equipment including but not limited to chain saws, weed eaters, lawn mowers, paint sprayers, pumps, cutoff saw, concrete saws, jackhammers, shoring equipment, compactors, fall protection, gas detectors, line locators, metal detectors, welders, cutting torches, amp probes, multi-meters, voltage testers, and closed-circuit television (CCTV).
- Stores, accounts for, and handles hazardous chemicals per Safety Data Sheets and safety practices.
- Repairs and maintains lift station pump and generator, and other general plant and pump station housekeeping and maintenance duties.
- Purchases equipment, parts, and supplies necessary for operation and maintenance of facilities.
- Operates the city’s eductor truck for line jetting and cleaning.
- Participates in required continuing education and training programs related to wastewater treatment.
Wastewater Operator Duties
- Maintain collection system which consists of approximately 57 miles of sewer main and 17 lift stations of various sizes.
- May periodically collect samples from the incoming wastewater, recirculated sludge, effluent, aeration basins, anoxic basins, and digester to determine such things as biochemical oxygen demand; temperatures, pH, suspended and dissolved solids; food to micro-organism rates; recirculation rates, chlorine residual; etc.
- Accurately and legibly record equipment and instrument data on record sheets and computer.
- Accurately perform and analyze wastewater samples.
- Collect data from lab bench sheets and biosolids production sheets, then enter in database.
- Inspects and maintains plant and system equipment which includes assuring proper operation of wastewater lift stations by checking operation of pumps, valves, and ventilators; cleaning and servicing equipment; and checking telemetry alarm system which detects malfunctioning equipment.
- Operate, maintain, repair, and replace primary and secondary treatment equipment including, but not limited to, tanks, pumps of various types, generators, UV disinfection, odor control equipment, process water equipment, instrumentation and controls, odor control scrubbers, centrifuge, gravity drum thickener, blowers, de-gritting equipment, clarifiers, and machinery.
- Routinely participates in the operations and maintenance of pump stations, collection system and related equipment.
- Operate and maintain sewer line video inspection equipment.
- Operate the city’s eductor truck for line jetting and cleaning.
- Lift station pump and generator repair and maintenance, and other general plant and pump station housekeeping and maintenance duties.
- Use of a computer or tablet to effectively utilize the city’s asset management and maintenance program (Cartegraph).
- Operate and safely use various hand and power tools.
- Safely operate a variety of heavy equipment such as dump trucks, forklifts, backhoe, excavator, small crane truck, portable pumps, generators, diesel pumps, pressure washers and related equipment.
- Safely operates a variety of specialized equipment including but not limited to chain saws, weed eaters, lawn mowers, paint sprayers, pumps, cutoff saw, concrete saws, jackhammers, shoring equipment, compactors, fall protection, gas detectors, line locators, metal detectors, welders, cutting torches, amp probes, multi-meters, voltage testers, and CCTV.
- Participate in the Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) program to ensure that fast food service establishments are adhering to the City’s municipal code pertaining to grease.
- Stores, accounts for, and safely handles hazardous chemicals per Safety Data Sheets and safety practices.
- Purchase equipment, parts, and supplies necessary for operation and maintenance of facilities.
- Participate in required continuing education and training programs related to wastewater treatment.
- Perform unscheduled emergency work during evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.
Wastewater Operator II
- Read laboratory sample results and recognize any abnormalities and notify the Superintendent or their designee.
- Make process control changes per the Superintendent’s, or their designee’s direction.
- Operation of computer-based systems including telemetry systems, Supervisory Control Data Acquisition (SCADA) programs and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs).
Wastewater Operator III
- Review lab testing results and make recommended process control changes.
- Identify and correct any maintenance or operational problems observed.
- Biosolids program to include required testing to ensure that all state and federal 503 biosolids regulations are being met.
- Maintaining all monthly, quarterly, and yearly biosolids data.
- Filing of state and EPA biosolids permit application.
- Perform annual laboratory performance evaluation testing.
- Inspects and maintains plant and system equipment which includes assuring proper operation of wastewater lift stations by checking operation of pumps, valves, and ventilators; cleaning and servicing equipment; and checking telemetry alarm system which detects malfunctioning equipment.
- Recommend treatment equipment/lift station equipment repair or replacement.
- Advanced electrical and mechanical troubleshooting and repair using blueprints, diagrams, and schematics.
- Serve as lead in maintenance or operations repair projects.
- Performs or assists in Wastewater Treatment Plant tours.
- May serve as the “operator in responsible charge” per WAC 173-230.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Ability to undertake accelerated training to understand and become certified in secondary wastewater treatment processes and the operation of plant and wastewater system equipment within one year.
• Basic knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations and procedures as pertains to Wastewater Treatment.
• Knowledge of basic math with the ability to read and calculate mathematical formulas.
• Ability to learn attendant laboratory test equipment and procedures for collecting and testing wastewater samples.
• Working knowledge of the principles and application of electrical motors, hydraulic equipment, and mechanical equipment troubleshooting and repair.
• Ability to complete data entry in both Cartegraph and manual logging systems.
• Ability to operate and maintain plant and collection system equipment and facilities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with citizens, staff, elected officials, manufacturer's representatives, and other municipal technicians and officials.
• Ability to respond to emergency calls and/or perform after-hours assignments as directed.
• Ability to quickly grasp new techniques, deal with rapid changes in priorities and remain calm and effective in difficult situations.
• Ability to work independently or as a team member and to meet required schedules and deadlines in a timely, efficient and effective manner.
• Ability to operate a personal computer utilizing a variety of standard and specialized software.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing in a professional manner.
Additional Wastewater Operator Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
• Knowledge of secondary wastewater treatment processes and the operation of plant and wastewater system equipment.
• Ability to analyze wastewater test results and determine adjustments needed to increase, decrease, or stabilize treatment processes and gain accurate and necessary information for required records and reports.
• Ability to operate and maintain plant and collection system equipment and facilities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with citizens, staff, elected officials, manufacturer's representatives, and other municipal technicians and officials.
Physical Demands / Work Environment:
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.
• Work is performed primarily in an outside environment.
• Plant operation, inspection, and systems maintenance exposes the incumbents to discomforts such as adverse weather conditions, noxious and toxic fumes and gasses, and infection and disease carried by raw wastewater.
• Work may involve moderate risks, discomfort, or unpleasantness such as a high level of noise, dust, grease, mud, moving vehicles or machines, and cold and/or wet weather.
• Normal safety precautions are required, and the incumbent may wear protective clothing and equipment such as rain and snow gear, boots, goggles, and gloves.
• Work requires physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking over rough and uneven surfaces, and lifting moderately heavy items.
• Work requires a considerable amount of activity involving walking, bending, stooping, reaching, and lifting and/or relocating items of considerable weight, and climbing stairs.
• Work requires average physical agility and dexterity.
• Ability to lift 80 pounds occasionally and 50 pounds frequently.
• Employee will be exposed to noise from machine operation.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate various pieces of equipment.
• The work environment is fast-paced and moderately noisy.
Driving:
• Driving for this position would typically require more than 5 hours a workweek.
• If driving on City business, the incumbent must meet and follow all driving requirements.
• Access to guaranteed, reliable transportation is required as needed.
• Position requires the ability to transport oneself to a variety of locations, primarily in and
around Pierce County.
QUALIFICATIONS
OIT Required Education & Experience:
• High school diploma or GED equivalent; AND
• Three (3) years of experience in general maintenance and/or trades-related work; AND
• Ability to obtain a Washington State Department of Ecology Group 1 Certification within twelve (12) months of date of hire: AND
OIT Preferred Qualifications:
• At least 6 months of full-time work related to Wastewater Treatment or Collections.
• Basic knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and procedures as related to wastewater collections and treatment.
OIT Certifications and Licenses:
•A valid Washington State driver’s license and two years of driving experience.
•Ability to obtain a Washington State Department of Ecology Group 1 Certification within twelve months of date of hire.
•First Aid/CPR card or the ability to obtain within six months of date of hire.
•Forklift certification or the ability to obtain within six months of date of hire.
•Commercial Class A or B Washington State Driver’s License (CDL) with a Tanker endorsement preferred.
Wastewater Operator Education & Experience:
• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Two (2) years of experience in general maintenance and trades-related work.
• One (1) year of full-time work related to Wastewater Treatment or Collections
Wastewater Operator Preferred Qualifications:
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in wastewater technology, environmental sciences, or related field.
Wastewater Operator Certifications and Licenses:
•A valid Washington State driver’s license and two years of driving experience.
Washington State Department of Ecology Group 1 Certification at time of hire.
•First Aid/CPR card or the ability to obtain within six months of date of hire.
•Forklift certification or the ability to obtain within six months of date of hire.
•Commercial Class A or B Washington State Driver’s License (CDL) with a Tanker endorsement preferred.
Additional Requirements: The incumbent is responsible for obtaining and maintaining all the following required licenses, certifications and other requirements.
• Prior to employment, the successful candidate will be required to pass pre-employment drug and alcohol testing, physical examination, and past driving record review to determine eligibility to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Successfully pass criminal background check and maintain the ability to pass a criminal background check.
• OIT: Once a Group 1 Certification is obtained the incumbent will automatically progress to the entry level step of the Wastewater Operator position.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
At the City of Gig Harbor, our aim is to extend salary offers that fall within the range from the minimum to the midpoint. These offers will be determined by assessing the applicant's relevant experience in alignment with the requirements of the applied position at the city, alongside a comprehensive evaluation of pay rates for our existing employees engaged in comparable roles. It's important to note that our salary ranges are currently under review and may be subject to adjustment.
- This position is classified as eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
- This position is covered under a collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters 117.
- If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@gigharborwa.gov.
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