Lead Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

U.S. Water Services Corporation is a well-established and diverse water and wastewater utility organization specializing in utility maintenance, operations, engineering and construction services. U.S. Water is a fast paced and rapidly expanding company headquartered in New Port Richey, Florida with a staff of over 700 employees in twenty states.

The lead operator performs a variety of operational, maintenance and laboratory duties designed to produce a safe and adequate supply of properly treated water. The employee serves as a lead worker assuring appropriate treatment, sampling, plant maintenance activities, and assures meter readings, cut-ons and cut-offs and response to customer concerns. Work is performed on assigned or rotating shifts and includes assuring monitoring the plant's operations 7 days a week. Work is performed through observation, mechanical readings, and the results of standard chemical and biological tests, and requires making necessary adjustments in the process as demand or other operational conditions dictate. Work also includes a variety of equipment and facility maintenance tasks, including ordering supplies and materials. Employees maintain records of work activities and test results. Work is performed in accordance with regulations of the State of Florida. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Regional Operations Manager and evaluated on the basis of water quality, supply, standard logs and records and the adherence to established operating policy.

Description

Operates wastewater treatment facilities in accordance with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection rules and regulations, Florida Administrative Code, the facilities operating permit and company protocol. Satisfies the minimum staffing requirement imposed by FDEP for each water and/or wastewater facility operated.

Duties and Responsibilities

- Provides leadership and ensures proper safety conditions and procedures are followed; assures 7 days a week schedule for testing and treatment; is on-call for emergency response at the plant.

- Makes assignments to other staff members and may participate in reading meters, cutting service on and off, flushing lines, and answering customer complaints or questions.

- Calibrates instruments at the plant; takes and prepares water distribution system samples for laboratory analysis; review lab results.

- Operates the water plant; observes the operation of water pumps, electric motors and chemical feed machines; reads various charts, graphs, gauges, and meters; computes from readings and records the water volume pumped.

- Collects lab samples and performs standard analyzes and tests; keeps precise records and interprets results; with appropriate certification, serves as Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) or works with a contracted ORC to assure appropriate records are kept.

- Performs standard repairs and maintenance of plant equipment; may assist with more difficult or complex equipment repair or replacement.

- Operates pumps and heavy equipment as needed.

- Assists in repairing leaks in the water distribution system.

- Receives and unloads chemical deliveries to the plant; assures proper storage; fills, cleans and replaces tanks of chemicals and other tanks.

- Orders chemicals and supplies needed for the plant.

- Performs building and grounds maintenance tasks.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

- Considerable knowledge of state laws regulating water and wastewater treatment and the standard procedures necessary to meet permitted requirements.

- Considerable knowledge of the operation and maintenance requirements of equipment, instruments and control devices used in water treatment.

- Considerable knowledge of the standard tests and equipment used in required laboratory analysis of water.

- Ability to solve routine technical or operational problems.

- Ability to perform and conduct standard laboratory tests.

- Ability to understand and interpret detailed and procedural oral and written instructions.

- Ability to prepare detailed records and reports accurately.

- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and superiors.

- Good knowledge on computers, work, excel, Gmail, etc.

Physical Requirements

- Work requires the regular exertion of up to 10 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 25 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of force.

- Work regularly requires standing, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires walking, climbing, or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions and occasionally requires sitting and tasting or smelling.

- Work has standard vision requirements.

- Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly.

- Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound.

- Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using measuring devices, assembly or fabrication of parts within arms length, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and

activities.

- Work regularly requires exposure to wet humid conditions (non-weather) and exposure to blood borne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment, frequent working near moving mechanical parts and exposure to outdoor weather conditions and occasionally requires working in high, precarious places, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to extreme heat (non-weather), exposure to the risk of electrical shock, exposure to vibration and wearing a self contained breathing apparatus.

- Work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic).

Desirable Education and Experience

Graduation from high school supplemented by chemistry, biology, or mechanical

Maintenance course work and water treatment plant operations experience.

Must currently have a Class C or higher FL Wastewater License.

Must be able to take and pass a pre-employment background and drug screen.

A valid Driver's license

Compensation and Benefits: Pay is commensurate with experience and market-reflective. US Water/USW Utility Group offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short/long-term disability, paid time off, holiday pay and 401(k) with company match including relocation assistance for this position.

US Water/USW Utility Group offers competitive wages and benefits and is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.