Treatment Plant Operator
Join our team at Chelan County Public Utility District. As one of the largest hydroelectric generating utilities in the Northwest, our mission at Chelan PUD is to improve the quality of life for the thousands of people who call our pristine desert and mountain community home.
Overview
Operate and maintain wastewater collection and treatment systems consistent with District policies, procedures, industry best practices, and local, state and federal regulatory requirements.
Responsibilities
- Operate wastewater treatment systems; identify and implement procedures to optimize performance and efficiency; perform equipment maintenance, repair and replacement; maintain legible records; maintain property and facilities.
- Perform septic tank effluent pump (STEP) system maintenance, repair and replacement; inspect and clean collection system components as needed
- Collect wastewater samples and perform laboratory tests; prepare monthly discharge monitoring reports; update laboratory procedures and manuals; maintain laboratory accreditation
- Perform basic water system operations and maintenance tasks
- Review and provide input on the development of asset management and facility planning documents
- Review construction documents and procedures; participate in construction meetings; provide on-site inspection and coordinate Contractor and District work, as needed
- Maintain regular and predictable attendance: Perform related duties and responsibilities as required. Comply with District policies. Complete all required training. Maintain a working knowledge and comply with District safety procedures and specific safety requirements of this position, and those in accordance with applicable provisions of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC). Employees with access to confidential employee records and information are required to restrict access from any unauthorized person, except on a need to know basis.
- As an essential function, drive a motorized vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the District.
Reports To
Superintendent, Water/Wastewater
Overtime exemption
Non-Exempt
Qualifications
Education
Equivalent experience (year for year) may substitute for required education.
- No post-secondary education required.
Experience
- 3+ years Wastewater collection and treatment system operation, maintenance, repair and construction required.
Licenses and Certifications
- Valid Driver's License at hire and WA Driver's License within 30 days of hire and
- CPR – Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation with Valid First Aid Card within 180 days and
- Flagger Certification WA within 180 days
- WA Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II certification or higher upon hire is required.
- WA Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III within 90 days required.
Skills and Abilities
A fully skilled incumbent will have the following knowledge skills & abilities:
- Strong knowledge of sewage collection and wastewater and biosolids treatment processes, principles, and regulations
- Advanced ability to maintain and optimize wastewater equipment and treatment systems
- Advanced ability to learn and understand new equipment and systems and to independently assess problems and implement solutions
- Strong understanding of wastewater sample collection, preservation, handling, analysis, chain-of-custody requirements, and lab accreditation requirements
- Proficient in using tools and equipment of the Waterworks trade; Occasional operation of snow removal equipment and power tools
- Knowledge of PeopleSoft Timekeeping/HR, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Maximo Asset Management, geographic information systems and general office equipment including computers and printers
- Ability to understand and carry out instructions in written, oral and diagram form
- Strong communication and active listening skills
- Good organizational and time management skills
- Must be proficient in reading, writing and speaking English.
Drug Screening
Drug screening prior to position entry is required for the following reason(s):
- Drives or operates motorized vehicles for purposes of transporting passengers, including other employees (occasional driving of a District passenger vehicle is not a Safety Sensitive job duty)
- Drives or operates heavy machinery, or uses rotating or heavy equipment, or power machines or tools in the vicinity of the public or other employees
- Works with, in, on, or near distribution or transmission lines or equipment in a manner that can impact the safe flow or distribution of electricity or water, or otherwise create imminent harm to the public or other employees, such as flooding, fire or explosions
Physical Demands
- Sitting - Occasionally
- Standing - Frequently
- Walking - Frequently
- Confined Spaces requiring laying down - Occasionally
- Lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds - Frequently
- Lifting and/or moving up to 100 pounds - Occasionally
- Lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds above shoulder height unassisted. - Frequently
- Lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds above shoulder height unassisted - Occasionally
- Twist/Flex/Extend – Neck area - Frequently
- Balancing/Climbing (ladders, equip., etc.) - Frequently
- Pulling, Pushing, or Exerting Force - Frequently
- Wrist/hand/fingers manipulation (keyboarding, manual tool usage, etc.) - Frequently
- Reaching with Hands and Arms - Frequently
- Handle/Grasp - Regularly
- Forceful Grasp - Occasionally
- Performing Repetitive Hand or Arm Motion - Frequently
- Using Hands to Finger, Handle, or Feel - Regularly
- Stooping, Kneeling, Crouching, Crawling or Twisting Torso - Frequently
- Vibratory Task - Low (drills, jackhammer, sanders....) - Occasionally
- Talking - Regularly
- Hearing - Regularly
- Visual - Near Acuity - Regularly
- Visual - Peripheral Acuity - Regularly
- Visual - Color Discrimination - Frequently
- Visual - Far Acuity - Occasionally
- Visual - Depth Perception - Occasionally
Working Conditions
- Exposure to Weather - Frequently
- Extreme Cold - Occasionally
- Extreme Heat - Occasionally
- Wet and/or Humidity - Occasionally
- Proximity to Moving Mechanical Parts - Frequently
- Atmospheric Conditions (dust, fumes, etc.) - Occasionally
- Exposed Heights (over 5 ft.) - Frequently
- Work in Confined Spaces - Occasionally
- Exposure to Electricity - Occasionally
- Exposure to Toxic/Caustic Chemicals - Occasionally
- Noise Intensity Level: - Moderate
District Values
- Safety - Protect public and employee health and safety
- Stewardship - Acting on behalf of customer-owners, protecting public resources entrusted to us
- Trustworthy - Competence, integrity, respect
- Operational Excellence - High-quality innovative work execution
Equal Opportunity/ADA
Chelan PUD is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled). We value diversity at all levels of the organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected classifications as defined by law.
EEO Law Posters can be found on the main Careers (chelanpud.org) page in English and Spanish.
The job functions and physical requirements described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.