WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR IN TRAINING

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under close supervision, participates in a program for training in the operation of a major wastewater treatment facility.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the trainee level class in the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator series. Positions at this level generally have some prior experience in mechanical repair and maintenance and are expected to progressively accumulate working knowledge of the principles and practices utilized in the operation, maintenance, and repair of a major wastewater treatment facility. As a condition of employment, incumbents must obtain a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator In Training Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board within 60 days of employment. As a further condition of employment, incumbents must obtain a Grade I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board within two years of employment, at which time the employee will be eligible to progress to the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I classification.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Inspects, cleans, repairs, lubricates, and adjusts large pumps and motors.
• Operates pumps, valves, electric motors, and filters.
• Takes and records readings of meters, gauges, and temperatures; participates in processes to regulate flow of water and sewage; changes and properly aligns flow-meter charts.
• Performs chemical tests of wastewater.
• Washes and cleans bar screens, clarifiers, and tanks.
• Cleans, paints, and maintains plant equipment, metering stations, buildings, and grounds.
• Operates a light truck in and out of plant. 
• Operates tractor, forklift or other vehicles/carts inside the plant grounds as required.

• Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Materials, tools, and methods used in the general repair and maintenance of equipment and machinery and in the operation of large pumps.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety precautions.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications.
• Principles and practices of customer service.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Principles and practices of record keeping.

Ability to:

• Perform heavy manual labor.
• Perform mechanical repairs.
• Operate assigned equipment and tools in a safe and effective manner.
• Learn the operations, services, and activities of a wastewater treatment program.
• Learn departmental policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and unit functions.
• Learn, apply, and make decisions in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Learn the principles, practices, and materials related to the maintenance of a wastewater treatment plant.
• Learn the operating principles of plant equipment including valves, pumps, and motors.
• Learn methods and techniques of reading and interpreting gauges, recording devices, and related monitoring systems.
• Learn to utilize the tools and equipment used in the maintenance of wastewater treatment plant facilities.
• Learn to collect a variety of samples and conduct appropriate routine tests in accordance with state and federal regulations and requirements.
• Learn basic principles of microbiology.
• Learn hydraulic principles.
• Learn to perform mathematical calculations used in wastewater treatment operations.
• Learn operational and safety regulations pertaining to wastewater treatment plant operations.
• Learn basic electrical principles.
• Learn principles and procedures used in the proper handling of chemicals.
• Follow detailed oral and written instructions.
• Compile and record data; maintain accurate and detailed logs and records.
• Complete emergency response training and perform in emergency situations.
• Respond to emergency situations outside of normal working hours.
• Operate office equipment including computers and applicable software applications.
• Work cooperatively with others and contribute to a successful team effort.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. College level course work or trade school training in mechanical repair, wastewater treatment technology, or a related field is highly desirable.

Experience: Two years of experience in mechanical maintenance work preferably including the operation of pumps and electric motors.

License or Certificate - Possession of a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator In Training Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board within 60 days of employment. Ability to obtain a Grade I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board within two years of employment, at which time employee will be eligible to progress to Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I. Proof of passing the Grade I Wastewater Operator certification test issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board is highly desirable. Possession of a valid Class C driver's license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein 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 job functions.

Environment: Wastewater treatment plant. Wastewater treatment plant. Exposure to noise of plant machinery and other equipment; mechanical and electrical hazards of operating equipment; fumes and odors of sewage, chemicals, and gases; toxic substances such as chemicals, cleaners, solvents, and gases; all types of weather and temperature conditions. Work and/or walk for long periods of time on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain. Subject to 24-hour emergency callbacks and standby and requires working varying hours, overtime, weekends, and holidays. Work environment is informal, team-oriented, having both routine and variable tasks with variable pace and pressure. Work is performed in both indoors in plant area and outdoors in field and collateral facilities.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in a plant and field setting and operate assigned equipment. CONTINUOUS walking; FREQUENT bending, stooping, squatting, and climbing; OCCASIONAL standing, sitting, reaching at and above shoulder height, kneeling, balancing above ground, pushing and pulling, twisting at waist, upward and downward flexion of neck, side-to-side turning of neck; lifting of objects weighing up to 75 lbs. from below waist level to above shoulder level, with or without assistance; lifting of objects weighing from 76-100 lbs. from below waist level to shoulder level, with or without assistance; transporting of objects weighing up to 25 lbs. for distances up to 300 yards, with or without assistance; transporting of objects weighing 26-50 lbs. for distances up to 100 feet, with or without assistance; transporting objects weighing 51 to over 100 lbs. for distances up to 50 feet, with or without assistance; transporting objects weighing over 100 lbs. for distances up to 50 feet with assistance; hand strength and manual dexterity to grasp and manipulate tools, parts and supplies; fine finger dexterity to operate computer and laboratory equipment. INFREQUENT crawling; lifting of objects weighing over 100 lbs. below and at waist level, with or without assistance.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens, printed documents, meter-reading equipment, dials, and gauges and to operate vehicles and equipment; color vision acuity.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Other: Safety regulations prohibit incumbents from wearing contact lenses when working with certain chemicals, or from wearing beards or other facial hair that prevents a proper respirator fit as required depending on work assignment. Must pass annual respirator physical and fit testing depending on work assignment.

October 2012
Revised by JP/Department

December 2005
Revised by Johnson & Associates

March 1995
Revised by Department – KG1