WATER PLANT OPERATOR I (TYPE B PLANT) 61830
(Competitive)
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
The work involves responsibility for the operation of and assisting in the routine maintenance of a Type B water treatment plant during an assigned shift. Under direct supervision, an employee in this class performs routine technical work for the proper control, operation and maintenance of a Type B water plant and pumping, chlorination and control stations in a water supply system, with facilities for the application of chemicals to the water, such as, chlorine or chlorine compounds, chlorine-dioxide, chlorine-ammonia, fluoride compounds, or the process of dechlorination. The work is performed either alone or 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, valves, motors, chlorinators, chemical feeders, telemetering controls, communication systems, and other water supply system equipment and facilities. That is, lubricating 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; checking oil levels and pressures; starting and stopping water pumps, replacing pump packing.
Operates, regulates and maintains chemical feed equipment to produce treated water in compliance with established quality standards, which includes setting of rotometers; setting and adjusting chemical feed pumps; mixing of chemical solutions; weighing of dry chemicals; performing quality control for adding of chemicals to water; supervising and assisting in unloading of 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, amount of chemicals used in treating water, water temperature, pH and turbidity, reservoir levels, records information and changes charts on telemetering equipment; maintains written inventory of supplies, chemicals and equipment and computes, using simple arithmetic, operating figures from the above information.
Takes samples and makes chemical and physical tests to determine the pH, turbidity, residual chlorine for control of plant operations and posts information into operational records of same.
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 condition of equipment and apparatus that may require repair, adjustment or replacement.
May operate automobiles, trucks, tractors, lawn and snow handling equipment; may change oil, lubricate, change tires, and wash and vacuum motor vehicles.
May make security rounds of buildings to see that doors and windows are secure; notifies supervisor of any security problems.
May perform miscellaneous housekeeping, custodial and maintenance duties such as cleaning and vacuuming floors; trimming and clearing brush, shoveling snow, salting sidewalks, washing and painting of walls, floors and piping.
May operate boat and help apply copper sulfate for algae control.
May respond to dig requests from Dig Safely New York for buried facilities location.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Good knowledge of the practices used and equipment required in the operation and maintenance of a Type B Plant with facilities for the application of chemicals to the water, such as chlorine or chlorine compounds, chlorine-dioxide, chlorine-ammonia, fluoride compounds.
Some knowledge of the principles and applications of physics, chemistry and bacteriology as they relate to water purification.
Skill in the operation and minor maintenance of pumps, valves, meters, chlorinators, chemical feeders, telemetering controls, communication systems, and related mechanical and electrical instrumentation equipment.
Ability to read, understand and record data from gauges, scales and meters.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS, Cont.
Ability to use basic computer skills involving word processing, spreadsheets and database applications.
Ability to make routine laboratory and field tests for control of plant operations.
Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
Mechanical aptitude.
Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Graduation from high school or possession of a New York State High School Equivalency Diploma and one (1) year of experience, or its part time equivalent, in the actual operation of a water treatment plant with facilities for the application to the water of chemicals having direct health significance such as chlorine or chlorine compounds, chlorine-dioxide, chlorine-ammonia, fluoride compounds, or the process of dechlorination or any similar process.
SPECIAL NECESSARY REQUIREMENT
Possession of a New York State Grade II B or Grade II A Community Water Systems Operator Certificate issued by the New York State Department of Health pursuant to 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.
3/01 Revised