Wastewater Operator II/I

Salary: $46,416.00 - $78,432.00 Annually

This position serves the public's interest by skillfully operating and maintaining the City's Class IV Water Reclamation Facility and associated pump stations. All work is performed in compliance with Federal and State regulations while meeting stringent effluent standards established by the Facility's NPDES permit. Individuals working in this classification partner with other City departments to protect the safety and health of the citizens of McMinnville. As assigned, work may include, monitoring and controlling plant processes and equipment; running process tests to check plant operation; establishing and maintaining logs and records; performing scheduled work order tasks for equipment maintenance; performing plant walk-throughs to check equipment; managing solids and bacteria load for aerobic digesters; giving plant tours to the public; calibrating equipment, probes and sensors; gathering, running and interpreting samples; working with pretreatment staff on changes to the process and collections systems; checking pump stations out in the field; applying pesticides and herbicides to landscaping; and responding to emergencies.

This position is filling 1 vacancy, and will hire a candidate as either an Operator II or Operator I depending on experience, education, licenses, and certifications. Preference will be given to candidates who qualify as Operator II.

This recruitment will be accepting applications until the position is filled, with a first review of applications on Friday, December 6th.

 

Essential Job Functions

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Performs inspections of the Water Reclamation Facility and pump stations to ensure proper equipment operation, working conditions, and cleanliness per established requirements.
• Reads instruments and records data, and adjusts monitoring instruments, gauges, and other equipment.
• Monitors and controls plant processes, including the biological and chemical nutrient removal system.
• Interprets process control laboratory data and adjusts to meet targets set by the process control guidelines. Participates and makes recommendations at weekly operations meetings.
• Enters, retrieves, and manipulates data from computer; uses SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System) control system to operate, troubleshoot, and control treatment plant and pump station processes. 
• Provides trending information; and creates graphs, charts, and spreadsheets for complex problem analysis.
• Establishes and maintains logs and records as required by laws, regulations, and procedures.
• Adjusts instrumentation and calibration of sensors to control systems such as chemical feed systems, biosolids systems, secondary process systems, wetwell levels, and manages extreme hydraulic fluctuations.
• Collects samples and conducts process control testing. Perform basic laboratory technician duties for permit lab on weekends and holidays.
• Takes appropriate corrective action in response to spills of chemicals, polymers, and biosolids within work area as needed; and responds to emergencies by taking corrective steps.
• Follows all safety rules and procedures for Wastewater Services and City-wide safety.   
• Performs preventive/corrective minor maintenance on equipment at the Water Reclamation Facility and pump stations. Uses independent judgment in response to equipment malfunctions, potential permit violations, and anticipated action required in response to storm events.
• Create and update standard operating procedures (SOP) and Operational Strategies manual.
• Participates as member of the operation and maintenance team to assess conditions, solve problems, and make team decisions.

 
GENERAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other agencies, and the public.
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the classification. 
• Participate in committees when requested.
• Maintain proficiency in job requirements which may include attending training and meetings, reading materials, and meeting with others in areas of responsibility, which may require travel.
• Maintain work areas in a clean and orderly manner.
• Maintain confidentiality, data integrity, and comply with all related city, state, and federal standards related to confidentiality. 

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties as described.  A typical way to qualify would be an associate’s degree in a related field and at least 2 years of related experience. This position also requires:
 
Knowledge of:

• Principles, methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in advanced wastewater treatment facilities.
• Biological and chemical nutrient removal systems.
• Tertiary treatment systems, including sand filtration.
• Principles of biology, chemistry, and mathematics.
• Methods used for sample collection and preservation.
• Hydraulic operations, valves, pumps, etc. 
• Process control laboratory tests.
• Occupational hazards and safety precautions connected with the operation and maintenance of the Water Reclamation Facility.

 
Skill and Ability to:

• Process solids, including gravity belt thickener and auto thermal thermophilic aerobic digestion (ATAD) operation.
• Use the tools necessary to make repairs, run tests, read and calibrate instruments correctly, keep records and make reports.
• Wear and use required safety equipment.
• Work in confined spaces safely and follow all safety rules.
• Exemplify traits that reflect the City’s culture, including integrity, customer service orientation, cultural competency, trustworthiness, flexibility, and a willingness to change.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OR LICENSES:

• Driver’s license valid in the State of Oregon with an acceptable driving record.
• Oregon DEQ Treatment Operator II Certification
• Confined Space Training
• First Aid/CPR Certification

Supplemental Information

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The position requires some (40-60%) ability to use dexterity and fine motor skills assemble, build or repair machines or other objects. Occasional (21-50% of the time) use of office equipment. The position requires some (20-40%) physical effort such as lifting, carrying, or movement, etc. Movements required to complete work require continual speed, agility, hand eye coordination and equipment operation. The work environment has regular hazards or obstacles (40-60%).  There may be some personal risk or hazard.  Job conditions are somewhat uncomfortable, with moderate (40-60%) issues of confinement, temperature change, incident of noise, or interactions of a disagreeable nature, inside/outside work, dirty conditions, exposure to contagious disease, etc.  Position may require regular responsibility for driving.

Position is subject to emergency on-call response after normal duty hours. May require working on rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and pager duty. While on pager duty, you will be required to respond to WRF plant alarms within 30 minutes of being notified of an alarm.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervision of others is not a typical function assigned to this position. May provide training and orientation to newly assigned personnel and may assign work to student workers.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the general direction of Wastewater Services Operations Supervisor.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Required documents must be provided at the time of application. Please remove any personal information such as photographs, date of birth, gender, social security number, and other protected information from your documents. Documents containing protected information will be considered incomplete. Incomplete applications will not be considered.  
• Finalists for this position will be subject to a computerized criminal history check, driving record check (if driving is required for the position), and education/certification verification. Adverse background information will be reviewed and could result in withdrawal of a conditional job offer or termination of employment.
• The City of McMinnville does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States.
• Positions are subject to budget consideration and approval. For the candidate who is hired into this position, salary placement will be based on guidelines in the handbook or association agreement (as applicable) to assess education and experience. For this reason, please be sure to include everything in your application that you want considered towards placement. 

The City of McMinnville only accepts applications through our online application system at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Mcminnville. We want you to be successful in applying with us.  We highly encourage you to complete and submit your application in advance of the deadline.   For technical assistance, please call (855) 524-5627.  

 The City of McMinnville is an equal opportunity employer.

Applicants with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation (e.g., assistive listening devices)

to participate in the recruitment and/or selection process should contact Vicki Hedges, Human Resources Manager.

The City of McMinnville is proud to hire veterans.

Applicants are eligible to use Veteran's Preference in accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230 and 408.235; and OAR 105-040-0010 and 105-040-0015. Military personnel who expect to be honorably discharged from the military within 120 days of certifying veteran status on this job application, may also request preference. Preference will only be given if the applicant meets the minimum qualifications and any special qualifications for the position and they electronically attach the required documentation at the time of application. 

 DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:

• MEMBER COPY 4 of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215) – OR – Letter from the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs indicating a non-service connected pension. If you need to request a copy of your DD-214, click here. 
• Disabled Veterans must also submit a copy of their Veterans disability preference letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

For information regarding Veteran's Preference qualifications, visit the following website: https://www.oregon.gov/boli/workers/Pages/veterans-preference.aspx 

The City of McMinnville prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at the City of McMinnville are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, age, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, ability, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state and federal law. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.