Wastewater Treatment Apprentice Operator 1st year

at City of Coffeyville in Coffeyville, Kansas, United States

Job Description

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.

DEFINITION

To assist in the performance of a variety of semi-skilled and skilled technical duties and manual labor in the operation and maintenance of the city's wastewater treatment plant.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry level class in the Wastewater Plant Operation series. This class is distinguished from the Wastewater Plant Operator II by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series. Incumbents are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters related to established procedures and guidelines as are incumbents allocated to the journey level. Since this class is an entry level class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.

SUPERVlSION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives immediate supervision from the Assistant Superintendent of Wastewater Treatment.

Exercises no supervision.

ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS--Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

Essential Functions:

1. Assist in the performance of inspections of wastewater treatment plant; monitor and document plant operations; read plant equipment gauges, dials, graphs and other instrumentation.
2. Assist in the operation and adjustment of treatment plant pumps, motors, feeders and other equipment; maintain appropriate tower and reservoir levels.
3. Fill chemical tanks and feeders; adjust chemical feed rates and document amount of chemicals used; report material or equipment needs to supervisor.
4. Collect liquid samples; perform a variety of routine wastewater quality laboratory tests.
5. Perform residuals disposal operations.
6. Assist in the performance of process control testing including pH, alkalinity, fluoride, hardness, specific conductance, turbidity, chlorine residual, and coagulant jar tests.
7. Maintain accurate daily, weekly and monthly logs recording plant operations; prepare required reports.
8. Assist maintenance staff with repairs and maintenance of facilities and equipment.
9. Perform minor preventive maintenance including cleaning and lubricating plant equipment.
10. Clean and maintain plant facilities and equipment.
11. Assist supervisory staff with chemical, equipment and supply inventories.

Marginal Functions:

1. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required or assigned.

Knowledge of:

Basic principles and practices of wastewater treatment plant operations.

Basic operating principles of plant equipment such as valves, pumps and motors.

Basic principles of mathematics and chemistry, or biology.

Laboratory analysis techniques as it relates to wastewater treatment.

Basic principles and procedures of record keeping.

English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Recent developments, current literature and information sources regarding wastewater plant operations. 

Safe work practices

Hazards and applicable safety precautions.

Operational characteristics of equipment and tools used in the area of work assigned.

Wastewater sampling methods and techniques.

Federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations related to wastewater treatment and quality.

Basic functions and purposes of wastewater treatment systems.

Ability to:

Operate and maintain wastewater treatment plant and equipment.

Read and interpret gauges and other recording devices at treatment plants and facilities.

Recognize and react to treatment process changes and demands.

Follow all safety rules and regulations of the department.

Understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Conduct routine lab tests and take action when tests so indicate.

Operate a variety of stationary mechanical equipment in a safe and effective manner.

Maintain records and compile data.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Ability to:

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

Work shifts including days, evenings, nights, and weekends.

Interpret and apply Federal, State, and local policies, laws, and regulations.

Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include the following:

    - walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time

    - lifting and/or carrying heavy to moderate objects

    - climbing ladders

    - bending, stooping, kneeling for extended periods of time

    - conducting inspections.

Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for: 

    - making observations

    - communicating with others

    - reading and writing

    - evaluating status of equipment

    - operating assigned equipment

    - answering questions

    - speaking in a clear and audible voice

    - monitoring assigned activities and operations.

Maintain mental capacity which permits:

    - making sound decisions and using good judgment

    - analyzing and interpreting data and trends

    - communicating clearly

    - responding to questions.

Effectively handle a work environment and conditions which involve:

    - working alone

    - field and office work

    - working with hazardous chemicals and materials 

    - working under harsh weather conditions

    - high level of noise

    - potentially dangerous equipment and machinery.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abil-ities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

No experience is required.

Training:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

License or Certificate

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class I Wastewater Operators Certification from the Kansas Department of Health & Environment within 18 months of employment with the City Wastewater Utility, and a valid Class III Wastewater Operators Certification from the Kansas Department of Health & Environment within 48 months of employment with the City Wastewater Utility.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid Kansas driver's license within 2 months of employment with the City Wastewater Utility.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental Conditions:

Wastewater treatment plant environment; exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals; work with wastewater, waste and infectious materials.

Physical Conditions:

Essential and other important duties and responsibilities require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, standing, walking, stooping or bending for prolonged periods of time; climbing with both legs and arms; general manual dexterity; ability to distinguish color.