Water Plant Operator I

Under general supervision, operates the water treatment facilities as prescribed by regulations, requirements, standards and guidelines. Performs a variety of operations necessary to produce the proper amount of clear, safe potable water for consumer use, including testing water coming from the wells, putting the water through a series of purifications processes, testing the final product before it is distributed and disposing of waste/by-products products from the process. This position is non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and reports to Chief Water Plant Operator. Follows a daily sequence of tasks as assigned and responds to assignment changes during the shift, ensuring all appropriate activities are completed in a timely and efficient manner. Conducts hourly checks and analyses of water for pH, turbidity, and chlorine residual; makes corrections as needed. Regulates the flow of water in order to maintain proper levels in tanks; takes and analyzes readings of raw water and water pressure hourly to determine rate of rise in storage tanks; adjusts pumps as needed. Inspects plant equipment as necessary verifying proper operation; reports any maintenance needs to appropriate personnel and, when necessary, conducts emergency maintenance repairs to ensure consistent operation of critical equipment; performs preventative maintenance checks and procedures on certain plant equipment. Collects water samples from raw water, treatment processes, distribution system, and waste treatment processes; analyzes water samples for certain chemical, physical and microbiological parameters in order to ensure proper water treatment processes are being followed. Performs various housekeeping duties to include cleaning slakers, emptying grit wheel barrows, etc. Operates, utilizes and maintains various water plant pumps and motors in the performance of daily activities; utilizes small hand tools in making adjustments to equipment as required. Maintains daily logs and meter charts for the department. Receives emergency calls and relays the information to personnel on duty when main office is closed. Monitors department radio communications and provides information or other assistance as required. Performs other related duties as required. Must possess a high school diploma or GED with one year of experience in water treatment procedures. Must possess State of Florida Water Treatment Plant Operator Class C certification. Must possess a valid Florida driver's license. Must successfully complete required continuing education courses to meet requirements. Must possess basic computer skills with general knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including Word and Excel. Good communication skills required, including fluency in English (oral and written). Bilingual preferred (Spanish-English; French/Creole-English). Knowledge of the principles, practices, programs, policies and procedures of the department pertaining to the specific duties of the position. Knowledge of the regulations, policies, and procedures of water and waste treatment specifically as they pertain to the responsibilities of the position. Knowledge of the functions and servicing requirements of mechanical equipment and machinery and how to clean, and maintain a variety of machines and equipment to promote safe and efficient operations. Knowledge of the processes involved in the purification of water. Knowledge of applicable safety rules and procedures and ability to properly follow those rules and consistently use related protective equipment. Knowledge of the required chemicals used in operations in order to utilize and control such chemicals in a safe and effective manner. Understands the proper procedures used in testing and sampling water as required. Ability to complete, process, and maintain a variety of records, charts, and logs that are required in the performance of daily operations. Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things. Ability to speak or signal people to convey or exchange information. Ability to read instructions and work assignments. Requires the ability to maintain daily work logs and meter charts, using proper format. Ability to apply principles of rational systems such as water plant operations to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form. Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Ability to utilize mathematical formulas and accurately perform mathematical calculations; to determine decimals, percentages, time and weight; and to perform basic algebraic calculations. Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape. Ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using water plant machinery and equipment. Ability to interact and communicate effectively with supervisors, other staff members and the general public, and adapt under minimal levels of stress when confronted with an emergency. Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including water plant pumps, motors, hand tools, etc. Must be able to see and distinguish colors, hear and smell. Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Work involves walking more than a mile per day, climbing stairs and ladders, moving, reaching, handling, bending, and stooping for periods of time. Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of 25 to 50 pounds.