Find & Apply For Water Treatment Specialist / Waste Water Operator Jobs in Emmitsburg, Maryland

JOB SUMMARY

The Wastewater and Water Treatment Plant Operator is responsible for the safe, efficient, and reliable operation, monitoring, maintenance, and troubleshooting of municipal water and wastewater treatment systems. The position requires the ability to operate and maintain a Maryland Class 5A wastewater treatment facility as well as T4/5DE water treatment plant along with collections and distribution systems. The operator performs daily process control, inspections, laboratory testing, preventive and corrective maintenance, collection-system and distribution-system activities, equipment troubleshooting, regulatory compliance, recordkeeping, and general maintenance of treatment plants and associated facilities.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY

The Wastewater and Water Treatment Plant Operator is a multi-disciplinary water and wastewater professional responsible for maintaining reliable treatment operations, protecting public health and the environment, maintaining regulatory compliance, and ensuring the proper operation and maintenance of treatment facilities, collection systems, distribution systems, laboratory operations, equipment, and associated infrastructure.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Wastewater Treatment Operations Operate and monitor a Maryland Class 5A wastewater treatment facility in accordance with approved operating procedures, permits, and regulatory requirements. Monitor treatment processes, flows, levels, chemical feed systems, pumps, motors, blowers, clarifiers, filters, disinfection systems, and other treatment equipment. Make process adjustments as necessary to maintain proper treatment performance and effluent quality. Perform routine plant inspections and identify abnormal operating conditions, equipment failures, leaks, odors, or other potential problems. Operate sludge handling, dewatering, pumping, aeration, clarification, and other wastewater treatment processes. Maintain accurate operational logs, process-control records, maintenance records, and regulatory documentation. Respond to alarms, emergencies, equipment failures, spills, and other abnormal operating conditions. Water Treatment Operations Operate and maintain T4 and T5DE water treatment facilities and systems. Monitor raw-water and finished-water quality and treatment processes. Operate pumps, motors, chemical feed equipment, filtration systems, disinfection equipment, storage facilities, and related treatment equipment. Perform chemical handling and feed-system inspections and adjustments in accordance with established procedures. Monitor treatment plant operating parameters and make appropriate adjustments to maintain compliance with water-quality requirements. Conduct routine inspections, preventative maintenance, and troubleshooting of water treatment equipment and facilities. Maintain accurate water-treatment operating records and reports. Collections and Distribution Systems Inspect, operate, maintain, and repair wastewater collection systems and water distribution systems. Perform inspections of sewer lines, manholes, pump stations, lift stations, water mains, valves, hydrants, meters, and related infrastructure. Operate and maintain wastewater lift stations and associated pumps and controls. Perform or assist with sewer cleaning, line maintenance, blockage removal, and emergency response. Perform water distribution system inspections, valve exercising, hydrant maintenance, leak detection, and related field activities. Assist with water-main and sewer repairs, service connections, system shutdowns, and emergency repairs. Maintain accurate records of collection and distribution system activities. Laboratory Operations Perform routine laboratory testing required for process control and regulatory compliance. Collect, preserve, label, and transport water and wastewater samples as required. Perform laboratory analyses and document test results accurately. Monitor process-control parameters and use laboratory results to evaluate treatment performance. Maintain laboratory equipment, supplies, chemicals, reagents, and records. Follow established laboratory procedures, quality-control practices, and applicable regulatory requirements. Recognize abnormal laboratory results and communicate conditions requiring operational adjustments or further investigation. Facility and Equipment Maintenance Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on treatment plant equipment and all facilities. Maintain pumps, motors, blowers, compressors, valves, piping, chemical-feed systems, electrical components, controls, instrumentation, and mechanical equipment. Troubleshoot mechanical and operational problems and perform repairs. Maintain buildings, grounds, tanks, process areas, pump stations, and other facility infrastructure. Perform basic plumbing, carpentry, painting, groundskeeping, and general facility maintenance. Assist contractors with major repairs, inspections, and equipment installations. Maintain tools, vehicles, equipment, and work areas in a safe and orderly condition. Regulatory Compliance and Safety Operate all treatment systems in compliance with applicable Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) requirements, permits, operating procedures, and environmental regulations. Maintain required operational, laboratory, maintenance, and compliance records. Assist with preparation of regulatory reports and documentation. Follow OSHA, confined-space, lockout/tagout, chemical-safety, and other applicable safety requirements. Properly handle, store, and use treatment chemicals and hazardous materials. Participate in emergency response activities, including water or wastewater system emergencies. Maintain professional communication with supervisors, coworkers, contractors, regulatory personnel, and the public.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Education/Work Experience:

High School graduate or equivalent preferred, plus minimum of one (1) year related work experience. Required Qualifications Must possess at least a valid Maryland Class 5A Wastewater Treatment Operator certification or a valid Maryland T4 water treatment operator certification. Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, drinking-water treatment processes, collection systems, and distribution systems. Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and process-control systems used in water and wastewater facilities. Ability to perform laboratory testing and interpret process-control results. Ability to read and understand operating manuals, equipment specifications, safety procedures, permits, and technical documents. Ability to perform physical work in treatment plants, pump stations, collection systems, distribution systems, laboratories, and outdoor environments. Ability to respond to emergency and after-hours operational situations when required. Valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record. Preferred Qualifications Experience operating a Class 5A wastewater treatment plant. Experience operating T4/T5DE drinking-water treatment facilities. Experience with water distribution and wastewater collection systems. Experience with SCADA, PLCs, instrumentation, and automated control systems. Experience with preventive-maintenance programs and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS). Experience performing laboratory analyses for water and wastewater treatment. Experience troubleshooting pumps, motors, chemical-feed systems, blowers, valves, controls, and instrumentation.

Job Skills/Abilities:

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong understanding of water and wastewater treatment processes.
• Mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting ability.
• Ability to recognize changes in treatment processes and take corrective action.
• Ability to interpret laboratory results and process-control data.
• Ability to work independently and make sound operational decisions.
• Strong attention to detail and accurate recordkeeping.
• Ability to safely work with chemicals, mechanical equipment, electrical equipment, and confined spaces.
• Ability to prioritize multiple maintenance and operational tasks.
• Strong commitment to environmental protection, public health, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to perform job with minimal supervision; good problem identification and solving skills; reliable project/task follow-through.
• Good verbal and written communication skills; legible handwriting; good math ability (including metrics system).
• Willingness and availability to work varied shift schedules, including weekends, nights, early mornings, holidays and overtime.

Physical Requirements:

The position may require prolonged standing and walking; climbing ladders and stairs; working around water, wastewater, chemicals, machinery, and outdoor environments; lifting and carrying equipment and materials; performing maintenance in confined or difficult-to-access areas; and working in varying weather conditions. The duties, responsibilities, skills and qualifications listed above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an individual assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities and regular work schedule from time to time, as needed in support of the business management needs of the Town.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$47,314.00 - $61,507.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Life insurance Tuition reimbursement

Work Location:

In person