Description

General Description of Position:
Under general supervision of the Wastewater Operations Supervisor, the Wastewater Operator ensures the safe and continuing service of the City’s wastewater collection system by performing routine tasks to collect data, construct, repair, and maintain appropriate operations of the wastewater treatment plant and lift stations. 

The intent of this position description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbent(s) in this position. Incumbent(s) may be required to perform position-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this description.

 Essential Functions:

•          Represents the City of Van Alstyne in a professional, appropriate manner at all times;
•         Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work hours is essential;
•         Assists with daily operations of facilities including cleaning, maintenance, sampling, reporting, record keeping, quality control, and improvements;
•         Monitor, inspect, operate, and maintain water treatment equipment such as pumps, valves, motors, electric motor controllers, blowers, filters, membrane systems, chemical feed equipment, UV treatment units, flow meters, clarifiers, chlorinators, and well field equipment;
•         Monitor water treatment processes and disinfection processes;
•         Determines and performs sludge wasting from aerobic digester;
•         Perform various laboratory tests and analysis on process streams for control and reporting purposes to maintain compliance with Federal, State, and Local regulations;
•         Monitor plant equipment and processes to ensure the treatment plant is operating in accordance with all applicable State and federal requirements;
•         Assist in the performance of regular and unscheduled maintenance and repairs on all water and wastewater infrastructure, equipment, and machinery;
•         Maintain consistent and accurate communications with supervisor regarding processes, operations, and malfunctions.
•         Performs on call responsibilities to respond to emergencies or malfunctions at the plant and/or pump stations;
•         Develops and maintains databases and records relating to water quality, including spreadsheets, files, and maps to record dates, locations, test results, etc.;
•         Identifies and informs supervisor of potential hazards, liability exposures, problem areas, public inquiries of the general public, and the status of work activities;
•         Inspects, cleans and maintains all components of the wastewater treatment plant and lift stations;
•         Identifies maintenance and repair needs and recommends corrective action;
•         Orders, maintains, uses, and safely stores all chemicals and/or hazardous materials;
•         Calibrates and maintains all testing equipment and makes repairs as needed;
•         Responds to inquiries and complaints from residents, vendors, contractors and consultants and recommends corrective action as necessary to resolve issues;
•         Completes sample chain of custody records and delivers samples to laboratories as needed;
•         Safely operate heavy construction equipment such as backhoes, excavators, loaders, trenchers, dump trucks, jetting equipment, hydrovac, and related machinery to support water distribution and wastewater collection system work around existing underground utilities and structures;
•         Complete daily work orders, service requests, and related documentation accurately and in a timely manner;
•         Perform routine inspections on assigned City vehicles and equipment; monitor fluid levels and report the need for major repairs;
•         Interprets, applies, and enforces provisions of applicable laws, regulations, standards, policies and procedures relating to grease interceptors and initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations;
• Conducts quarterly inspections of grease interceptors for compliance with standards and/or regulations;
• Issue enforcement documents to entities that violate local, state, and federal laws such as Notice of Violations, Compliance Orders, and Cease and Desist Orders as required;
• Discusses issues or violations with property owners and recommends solutions to problems; researches complaints/problems and initiates resolution;
• Prepares and maintains records of inspections and compliance activities;
• Assists in the drafting of ordinances pertaining to fats, oils, and grease;
• Creates and maintains a database of key personnel in commercial entities and major campus locations for emergency contact or general information on FOG related issues and education;
• Prepares or completes various forms, correspondence, work orders, inspection reports, laboratory reports, annual reports or other documents;
• Comply with all established safety practices, regulations, and procedures; maintain a safe work environment at all times;
• Provides backup assistance, on-call coverage, and support to other crews and City departments as needed
• Must work overtime as required;
• Travels to job sites and to attend meetings, conferences, and training; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Working Conditions
Somewhat disagreeable working conditions. Continuously exposed to one or two elements such as noise, intermittent standing, walking; and pushing, carrying, or lifting. May involve some travel and/or work is at times, in the evening or during the night hours.

Environmental Conditions
The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to work near moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, outdoor weather conditions; and occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Physical Activities
The following physical activities described here 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 and expectations.

Moderate diversity, low physical. Work activities which allow for a moderate amount of diversity in the performance of tasks which are not as varied as those positions with high-level diversity and decision- making.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk or hear; and frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception; and ability to adjust focus.

Protective Equipment Provided
Hard hat, gloves, boots, mask, and eye protection. 

Compensation and Benefits
Salary Range: $41,600 – $57,080 annually, commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience.
The is a full-time nonexempt position.
Hours: At will. Mandatory overtime and on-call as needed.

TMRS Retirement. 7% employee contribution with a 2 to 1 employer match. Vested after five years of service. TMRS provides 1x your annual salary in life insurance benefit. Employees are retirement eligible upon vesting and at least age 60 or with 20 years of service credit at any age as well as restricted prior service credit.
12 paid holidays.
100% of employee health, dental vision, life, telehealth, tele-counseling, short/long term disability benefits paid as well as 50% of dependent health coverage!

For more information regarding all of the benefits offered by the City of Van Alstyne please review our Summary of Benefits.

Candidates MUST successfully complete a background check (including criminal history), drug screening and pre-employment physical. All candidates MUST SUBMIT CITY APPLICATION and resume to be considered to: City of Van Alstyne, Attn: Human Resources, 152 N. Main Dr.; P.O. Box 247, Van Alstyne, Texas 75495-0247.

Requirements

Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

•         Federal and State regulations regarding water quality sampling, testing, and storage of hazardous materials;
•         Reporting requirements for Federal, State, and Local government agencies;
•         Occupational safety and health rules, regulations, practices, and procedures;
•         Basic laboratory testing practices used for process control and regulatory compliance;
•         City policies and procedures; and
•         Water sampling for any unique situation.

Ability to:

•         Exercise sound and ethical judgment in decision-making processes;
•         Establish and maintain a working environment conducive to positive morale, individual style, personal discipline, quality, creativity and teamwork;
•         Communicate technical data and sensitive information to citizens in a clear and persuasive manner;
•         Respond to public inquiries and complaints in an effective manner using tact, patience and courtesy;
•         Maintain accurate records and reports to remain in compliance with regulatory agencies;
•         Monitor and interpret gauges, digital displays, and various recording devices to ensure compliance with prescribed safety and/or operational guidelines;
•         Utilize required PPE where safety hazards are present;
•         Skill in effective oral and written communications; and
•         Work independently and with little direction.

Education, Training, and Experience:
Minimum two (2) years of experience in wastewater treatment. Experience in operating an activated sludge wastewater plant preferred. An equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered.

•         High school diploma or equivalent required.
•         Must possess and continue to possess a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Texas.
•         Possession of a Class C Wastewater Operator’s certificate issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of employment.
•         Possession of a Class II Wastewater Collections certificate issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Critical Thinking Skills
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. 

Work Environment/Physical Requirements
Heavy. Exerting force to lift, carry, or drag 50-100 pounds rarely, 25-50 pounds occasionally, or up to 10-20 pounds frequently. Other essential and important duties/functions require maintaining physical condition necessary for adequate physical performance abilities including moderate and heavy lifting; bending stooping, kneeling, crawling, climbing; the use of fingers, both hands and both arms; the use of both legs; walking, standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time; the ability to operate motorized equipment and assigned vehicles; adequate speech, hearing and eyesight required; lift, carry, push, pull, drag or hold moderate to heavy weight objects; visual acuity and ability to distinguish color.

Machines, Tools, Equipment
Knowledge and ability to properly use and operate small, medium, and large trucks, probe rod, pumps, power tools, and hand tools.