Wastewater Treatment Operator / Senior Operator

About the Role:
Brightwater is the front line of protecting the waterways and community. You can develop your troubleshooting skills and learn about our membrane system. Brightwater is a 24/7 operation that requires you to be on standby and respond to emergencies, overflows, and odor complaints. You will operate, monitor, troubleshoot, and control wastewater equipment. 

About the Team:
Brightwater offers the opportunity to support the local community and waterways, which gives you a great opportunity for growth and learning. The Brightwater operations team is highly collaborative, communicates well, and works well together. You will gain knowledge and exposure to construction and processes within the division. Brightwater is a 24/7 operation and can build great leaders moving forward. 

Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:
King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive.  We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As an Operator/Senior Operator, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

Job Duties

What You Will Be Doing:  

• Operate, monitor, troubleshoot, and maintain systems and processes in wastewater and stormwater facilities.
• Conduct sampling and test analysis of wastewater. Determine, recommend, and implement changes to systems and processes to meet permits and regulations to better optimize the performance of wastewater facilities.
• Perform maintenance on wastewater treatment plant and associated facilities, including buildings, equipment, and grounds. Duties include cleaning, servicing operating equipment, mowing lawns, and performing housekeeping tasks.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:   

• Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, including preliminary, primary, secondary, digestion, gas handling systems, sludge handling, plant-wide air, water, chemical, electrical and hydraulic support systems.
• Knowledge of collection systems, including pump stations, regulator stations and miscellaneous structures, and disinfecting methods.
• Knowledge of mechanical and electrical theory, cross connections and pumps.
• Knowledge of wastewater terminology and process control.
• Knowledge of and skill in applying sampling, testing and laboratory procedures.
• Knowledge of industrial safety procedures and practices.
• Skill in reading, recording, and interpreting instrumentation and control gauges and meters.
• Skill in operating basic hand and power tools and specialized equipment.
• Skill in operating complex computer control systems and identifying normal and abnormal operating conditions.
• Skill in the interpretation and application of technical information from plant drawings, operations and maintenance manuals and lab tests.
• Skill in manually starting and stopping equipment, systems, and processes.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining work relationships with diverse occupational groups.
• Ability to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays and demonstrate predictable, reliable and timely attendance.
• Ability to work during adverse and inclement weather conditions.
• Ability to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in confined spaces, climb in and out of tanks using ladders, and work around noxious odors, heat and high noise levels.
• Ability to effectively engage in and sustain relationships with people from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Demonstrated proficiency with business applications, such as Microsoft Office suite.

• Washington State Group III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification from the Washington State Department of Ecology or out-of-state equivalency which must be converted to a Washington certification within six months of employment.
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring: 

• Washington State Wastewater Operator IV certification issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Work Locations: Brightwater Treatment Plant - 22505 State, Route 9 SE, Woodinville, WA 98072 
• Work Schedule: This is a full-time position, you must be available to work, nights, weekends, and holidays. This position works a rotating shift schedule. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.  
• Union Representation: This position is represented by S.E.I.U. 925 (Wastewater Treatment Division).

Application and Selection Process:
First consideration will be given to qualified S.E.I.U. 925 WTD applicants. We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives, and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness, and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in a technical assessment and one or more panel interviews.  

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter 

Note:  Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Rodney Dungo, HR Analyst at rdungo@kingcounty.gov.  

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.