Chief Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

The City of Idaho Falls is accepting applications for a Chief Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator.  This position performs a variety of first-line supervisory and skilled technical duties while directing, controlling, and performing the daily operation and maintenance of the City Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).Schedules and supervises daily work activities and provides on-the-job training of personnel involved in operation and maintenance of WWTP; monitors overall plant operations; ensures completion of assigned projects, maintenance schedules and prescribed maintenance tasks.
 
Monitors biosolids land application, schedules fields for application with landowners/farmers. Works with contract hauler, and monitors application rates in the field.
 
Evaluates efficiencies of the WWTP; prepares and recommends changes in practices, policies, and procedures; implements changes upon approval.
 
Tours plant to determine normal conditions exist and equipment is functioning properly.
 
Checks progress of work assignments and evaluates work quality; makes personnel recommendations for personnel actions.
 
Monitors daily records; reviews logs, meter data, determines WWTP flows, wasting rates, etc.; schedules and initiates maintenance programs.
 
Evaluates problems arising concerning WWTP performance, operation, and maintenance; determines alternative solutions and implements optimum remedies; performs technical repairs.
 
Reviews laboratory data and interprets data into actual process control and WWTP operation; prepares a variety of City, State, and Federal reports related to WWTP operation, percent recover, meter readings, influent and effluent volume, chlorine usage, gas production, etc.
 
Requisitions WWTP supplies necessary for efficient operation (i.e., gas supplies, janitorial, equipment, parts, etc.); monitors personnel to ensure proper safety and health policies are adhered to; schedules vehicles for service and /or repairs.   May perform duties related to plant operations.
 
Operates and maintains all chlorination and dechlorination equipment using self-contained breathing apparatus while changing tanks and performing maintenance of chlorine system.
 
Performs other related duties as required.
 
Assists in the plowing and removal of snow from public rights-of-way as may be required.1.         Education and Experience:
  
2.         Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
 
Thorough knowledge of safety regulations associated with plant operations; technical WWTP equipment and machinery, along with their operation, maintenance, and repair; plant processes; plant policies and procedures; ordinances, laws, and regulations governing wastewater treatment and discharge; Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) guidelines. Working knowledge of principles of supervision.
 
Skill in the operation of various types of equipment, dump truck, auto-crane, tractors, lawn mower, hand and power tools, and computer.
 
Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; make interpretative judgments in emergency situations; ability to operate a variety of types of hand and power tools related to the maintenance of plant facilities and equipment; ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; ability to develop working relationships with supervisors and co-workers; tolerate weather extremes in the work environment.
 
3.         Special Qualifications:
 
Must possess a valid Idaho Commercial Driver’s License, Class B, with tanker endorsement.
Must possess an Idaho Class IV Wastewater Treatment Operator’s Certification or be able to obtain the same within one (1) year from date of employment.
Must complete 0.6 Continuing Education Units annually in Wastewater.
Residency Requirement: Shall be expected, within 6 months of hire, to establish residence within a 45-minute notification to respond zone from the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
 Incumbent of the position experience daily exposure to hazardous conditions such as working on high ladders and in manholes;  daily potential for hazardous exposure to methane, hydrogen sulfide, chlorine gases, sodium bisulfate, acids and other chemicals;  daily potential for hazardous exposure to oxygen deficient atmosphere;  daily exposure to seasonal changes and weather extremes;  daily potential for hazardous exposure to electrical shock, industrial wastes and raw sewage (containing pathogens such as typhoid, paratyphoid, dysentery, polio, tetanus, etc.);  daily exposure to moving parts and equipment such as pumps, motors, heavy equipment, etc.;  daily exposure to stressful environmental conditions such as dust, fumes, dampness, cold, heat and noise.