WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR

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 direction, supervises daily operation and occasionally participates in the shift work at the Water Treatment Plant (WTP). Performs a variety of duties essential to the operation of the WTP, including planning and coordinating work, supervision, scheduling and training of new operators.

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.

• Directs, schedules and supervises the daily activities of plant maintenance and operation.
• Coordinates activities associated with the proper operation and maintenance of the physical plant including process control.
• Coordinates activities of the operations staff with the Deputy Utilities Manager / Water to determine proper operation and process parameters for the WTP and assists their implementation.
• Participates in the selection and training of the WTP operations and maintenance personnel.
• Provides day-to-day leadership and works with assigned staff to ensure the proper, safe and efficient operation of the water treatment plant; provides for the training of assigned personnel in proper and safe plant operation.
• Assists supervisor in developing written manuals and instructions; instructs staff in new operating procedures and methods; assists in creating training instruction manuals in assigned areas of responsibilities.
• Responds to emergency situations as required, including those occurrences after normal working hours and HAZWOPER related events.
• Supports the City’s safety program at the WTP; ensures subordinates follow safety practices in work methods and procedures; enforces proper safety procedures while working in dangerous situations. Educates employees on rules, regulations, codes, safe work habits and potential hazards presented by their work.
• Responsibility for after-hour emergencies such as mechanical failure of equipment, chemical spills, emergency plant shutdowns and HAZWOPER type emergencies, and to insure that the WTP supervisor is notified.
• Keeps records, maintains files and assists in preparation of a variety of technical research and reports.
• Coordinates treatment plant operations with laboratory staff and treatment plant management to ensure that the plant is in compliance with all health and safety standards.
• Prepares performance evaluation of assigned plant personnel.
• Acts in lead capacity regarding plant operations and informs WTP supervisor of issues requiring attention.
• Participates in budget preparation.

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:

• Principles, practices and methods of operating a conventional potable water treatment plant.
• Local, state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to the productions, treatment, storage and transmission of potable water, including safe Drinking Water Act and relevant EPA and California Department of Health Services Regulations.
• Equipment and material requirements for plant operations.
• Standard OSHA safe work practices and safety equipment related to the work; special safety requirements when working with chemicals, respiratory safety requirements related to the work, and HAZWOPER requirements for chlorine.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including training, work evaluation, discipline and customer service.
• Treatment process instrumentation used for control and monitoring of unit processes.

Ability to:

• Supervise and participate in the operations of equipment and processes commonly found in a conventional potable water treatment plant, transmission and distribution facilities.
• Plan, organize, supervise, assign, work schedules and evaluate the work of subordinates.
• Lead, evaluate and provide guidance to staff and provide for their training and development.
• Read and interpret technical illustrations, blueprints, maps, plans, specifications, wiring and pneumatic diagrams.
• Analyze complex operational problems; evaluate alternatives, recommend and/or implement effective courses of action.
• Learn and understand the WTP SCADA system and the relationship to plant and field operations.
• Prepare technical reports and perform a variety of operational calculations and analyses to improve plant operations to reduce costs.
• Assist the WTP Superintendent in planning and scheduling emergency shutdowns of the plant.
• Organize, set priorities and exercise independent judgment within areas of responsibility.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing and give clear written and verbal instructions.
• Maintain records and files.
• Subject to 24-hour emergency callback and may require working overtime, varying hours, weekends and holidays.

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: Graduation from high school or equivalent.

Experience: Five years of experience in the operation of water treatment facilities, treatment processes or treatment process control as a California T-4 or higher operator, including one year of supervisory experience as a T-4 in a Water Treatment Facility.

License or Certificate – A valid California Class C or higher driver’s license. State of California T-4 Certificate required at the time of application. Within 18 months of hire, must successfully acquire a T-5 Water Treatment Certification issued by the State of California Department of Public Health as a condition of continued employment.

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: May be required to work in inclement weather, including sun, cold and rain; wear protective apparel, including goggles, face protectors, respirator, noise insulator, apron and shoes; work on a overtime or call-back basis; work around hazardous material and substances and work in confined spaces. Some positions in certain assigned areas are exposed to extreme heat, humidity, and noise; explosive hazards of gasses; mechanical and electrical hazards of machinery; fumes, odors and dust from excavation and construction.

Physical: FREQUENT walking, standing, sitting, downward flexion of neck, side-to-side turning of neck, lifting below and at waist level of tools weighing up to 25 lbs., including carrying of these tools up to 300 feet. OCCASIONAL bending and stooping, squatting, reaching above and at shoulder height, kneeling, balancing above ground, pushing/pulling, twisting at waist, upward flexion of neck; lifting objects weighing 26-75 lbs. from below waist to above shoulder level either with or without assistance and transporting for distances up to 25 feet; lifting of objects weighing over 75 lbs. and with assistance transporting for distances less than 10 feet; manual dexterity to operate computer keyboard, grasp writing materials; strength to grasp hand and power tools. INFREQUENT crawling, climbing, lifting of objects weighing 26 lbs. to over 100 lbs. from below waist to chest level either with or without assistance and transporting for distances less than 10 feet.

Communication: VISION (may be correctable) to see writing, computer input, traffic hazards, field condition and discern small detail differences. HEARING for telephone, equipment, back-up alarms, two-way radios and headphones. VERBAL ability to converse in person and over telephones and two-way radios. WRITING for completion of logs, reports and performance evaluation. READING of logs, reports, and computer screens.

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. Must pass annual respirator physical and fit testing.

Date: 08/08
Revised by JL/Department

Date: 10/02
Revised by Dept., SB, OH