WATER PLANT OPERATOR I (TYPE A PLANT) 61710

(Competitive)

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

The work involves responsibility for the operation of and assisting in the routine maintenance of a Type A water treatment plant during an assigned shift. Under supervision, an employee in this class performs routine technical work for the proper control, operation and maintenance of a Type A water plant in a public water supply system.

These positions exist at the Onondaga County Water Authority facilities in Oswego, N.Y. and Marcellus, N.Y., both Type A Water Treatment Plants, containing facilities for filtration with pretreatment.

The work is performed under general supervision of an operator qualified to be in charge of the operation of the plant. Supervision may be exercised over subordinate employees in the performance of their assigned duties. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

Operates and, as instructed, performs maintenance on, plant equipment and facilities such as pumps, filters, valves, motors, hypochlorinators, chemical feeders, process instrumentation, telemetering controls, communication systems, and other water supply system equipment and facilities. These activities may include lubrication of equipment and changing belts; cleaning sight glasses; cleaning and oiling pumps; changing and/or tightening nuts and bolts; repairing and replacing ruptured hoses; tightening and replacing gaskets; activating and deactivating alarm systems; adjusting thermostats; cleaning filters; checking oil levels and pressures; starting and stopping water pumps.

Operates, regulates and maintains chemical feed equipment to produce treated water in compliance with established quality standards, which includes setting of rotometers; setting, calibrating and adjusting chemical feed pumps, mixing of chemical solutions; weighing of dry chemicals, continual monitoring of influent and effluent water quality and making treatment decisions based upon changing conditions when necessary.

Supervises and assists in unloading chemical shipments.

Assists other operators and/or maintenance workers and mechanics in the performance of their duties when so assigned.

Reads meters, scales, gauges and charts; records data pertaining to system operation, such as gallons of water pumped and hours of pumping, hours of backwashing of filters and water used, amount of chemicals used in treating water, water temperature, pH and turbidity and reservoir levels.

Records information and changes charts on telemetering equipment.

Maintains written inventory of supplies, chemicals, and equipment, and computes operating figures from the above information.

Assists in sampling and performs chemical and physical tests to determine the pH, residual chlorine, fluoride concentration, turbidity, taste, odor and other qualities for control of plant operations and posts information into operational records of same.

Backwashes filters, cleans contact tanks, filters and screens.

Collects, installs and unloads shipments of, filter media.

Assists in the instruction of trainees.

May supervise the work of laborers and other subordinate employees.

Completes and submits simple written maintenance reports to supervisor(s) describing the condition of equipment and apparatus that may require repair, adjustment or replacement.

Operates automobiles, trucks, tractors, lawn and snow handling equipment.

May change oil, lubricate, change tires and wash and vacuum motor vehicles.

Performs building, pump station, operational and maintenance checks, noting and recording the condition and status of electrical and mechanical equipment and notifying supervisor of any security problems.

Performs miscellaneous housekeeping, custodial and maintenance duties, such as cleaning and vacuuming floors, trimming and clearing brush, shoveling snow, salting sidewalks and washing and painting of walls, floors and piping.

61710

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Good knowledge of the practices used and the equipment required in the operation and maintenance of a Type A Water Treatment Plant containing facilities for filtration with pretreatment or a chemical softening process.

Some knowledge of the principles and applications of physics, chemistry and bacteriology as they relate to water purification.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS, Cont.

Skill in the operation and minor maintenance of pumps, valves, meters, hypochlorinators, chemical feeders, telemetering and electrical instrumentation and treatment equipment.

Working knowledge of the principles and application of physics, chemistry and bacteriology as they relate to water purification.

Ability to make routine laboratory and field tests for control of plant operations.

Ability to read, understand and record data from gauges, scales and meters.

Ability to use basic computer skills involving word processing, spreadsheets and database applications.

Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.

Mechanical aptitude.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from high school with a New York State Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation in a STEM Pathway of either mathematics or science, or;
Graduation from high school with a New York State Regents Diploma and twelve (12) credit hours in biology, chemistry or physics from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees.

SPECIAL NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS

Possession of a New York State Grade II A Community Water Systems Operator Certificate issued by the New York State Department of Health pursuant to Subpart 5‑4 of Part 5 of the State Sanitary Code.

When required to operate a motor vehicle, possession of a valid New York State Non-CDL or CDL, including any special endorsements, as required for the type of vehicle being operated.

11/2019 Revised