Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

The City of La Crosse is accepting applications for a full-time Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator to become an essential member of the Wastewater Department. The purpose of the Wastewater Department is to help protect public health and the environment by providing high-quality regional wastewater treatment services in an effective, efficient, and responsive manner. The Wastewater Treatment plant is a division of Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Utilities. It is our vision to be a recognized, responsive, creative, and flexible team, all while achieving excellence for our community in a positive working environment. The City of La Crosse Wastewater Treatment Plant is under a major upgrade introducing new cutting-edge technology to be one of the more advanced Wastewater Treatment Plants in Wisconsin.

 

The purpose of this position is to operate, regulate and maintain wastewater treatment plant equipment to assure continued operation. Incumbents perform work requiring knowledge of treatment plant equipment operations and principles of mechanical repair. Starting wage for this non-exempt position ranges between $25.34 to $29.04 per hour (80 hours bi-weekly), depending on candidate qualifications. 

 

Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, vocational/technical training in wastewater treatment plant operation/equipment, one to two years progressively responsible wastewater treatment plant operating experience, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities. Commercial driver’s license (CDL) Class B required.  Certifications in CPR, First Aid and confined space entry required during course of employment. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office. Ability to obtain and maintain Basic General Wastewater Certification with Sub grade A-1 Suspended Growth Processes / Activated Sludge within 2 years of employment. Must be able to work around sewage. 

 

Benefits: The City offers a comprehensive benefit package including medical insurance, voluntary dental and vision plan, Wisconsin Retirement Plan, flexible spending account, deferred compensation, Roth IRA, life insurance, income continuation insurance, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, and a variety of wellness initiatives. Benefit perks: low medical plan premium costs having a $400 deductible, participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System with a 6.8% employer contribution, 10 paid holidays, ability to earn sick days and vacation time available as of date of hire.

                                                                                                                       

Selected candidate is subject to background check, post-offer/pre-employment drug screen, physical and physical capacity screen. Applications must be received by July 12, 2023. To be considered, submit an employment application by visiting the City of La Crosse website and clicking on City Services, then clicking Career Opportunities or by visiting https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacrossewi.

Purpose of Position

The purpose of position in this classification is to operate, regulate and maintain wastewater treatment plant equipment to assure continued operation.
 
Distinguishing Characteristics
 
Incumbents perform work requiring knowledge of treatment plant equipment operations and principles of mechanical repair. The work is performed under the general supervision of the Superintendent.
 
 
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
 
The following duties are normal for this classification.  These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other duties may be required and assigned.
 
Observes equipment operation for proper functioning and to records readings.
 
Operates digesters. Drains supernatant, transfers sludge, drains water traps, checks temperature and adjusts valves.
 
Operates preliminary and primary treatment processes. Removes foreign materials, changes and dumps grit buckets, operates degritting equipment.  Pumps sludge, measures sludge blankets, pumps grease, unplugs sludge pumps and pulls rags from system.
 
Lubricates moving parts on pumps and other equipment.
 
Operates mechanical sludge handling equipment.
 
Operates secondary treatment equipment, adjusts aeration system and runs clarifier flights.
 
Operates disinfecting equipment. Cleans ultraviolet bulbs and checks electronic controls.
 
Collects sewage and sludge samples for analysis. Cleans and operates automatic samplers.
 
Cleans and paint plant and equipment.
 
Assists mechanics with repairs. Performs minor/routine equipment repairs.
 
Calibrates dissolved oxygen meters and toxic gas meters.
 
Cleans work areas, treatment plant and lift stations.

May assist spreading sludge on agricultural fields.
 
Maintains regular and predictable on-site attendance.
 
 
Additional Tasks and Responsibilities
 
While the following tasks are necessary for the work of the unit, they are not an essential part of the purpose of this classification and may also be performed by other unit members.
 
Mows lawns and removes snow.
 
May enter payroll.
 
Maintains databases as required.
 
 
Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions
 
High school diploma or equivalent, vocational/technical training in wastewater treatment plant operation/equipment, one to two years progressively responsible wastewater treatment plant operating experience, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities. Commercial driver's license Class B required.  Certifications in CPR, First Aid and confined space entry required during course of employment. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.  Ability to obtain and maintain Basic General Wastewater Certification with Sub grade A-1 Suspended Growth Processes / Activated Sludge within 2 years of employment.
 
Physical and Mental Abilities Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication

Ability to assemble, copy, record and transcribe data and information, following a prescribed plan.  Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure and/or sort data and information.
 
Ability to explain, demonstrate and clarify to others within well established policies, procedures and standards. Ability to follow specific instructions and respond to simple requests from others.
 
Ability to utilize a wide variety of descriptive data and information such as regulations, blueprints, meter readings, activity logs, flow charts, equipment operating/maintenance manuals, material safety data sheets, purchase orders, repair requests, plant policies/procedures and on-call lists.
 
Ability to communicate effectively with customers, department personnel, new employees, collection system maintenance/repair personnel and lab personnel.
 
Mathematical Ability
 
Ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, and calculate percentages, fractions, and decimals.
 
Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability
 
Ability to use functional reasoning in performing semi-routine functions involving standardized work with some choice of action.

Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving a variety of generally pre-defined duties which may be subject to frequent change.
 
Physical Requirements
 
Ability to operate equipment and machinery requiring complex and rapid adjustments, such as valves, equipment controls, hoist, pumps, blowers, sampling equipment, plant boiler, snow removal equipment, common hand tools, toxic gas meter, protective equipment and computer terminal.
 
Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing movements requiring skill and training, such as data entry and assembling.
 
Ability to exert required physical effort to perform moderate to heavy work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.
 
Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, shapes, sounds, odors and textures associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks.
 
Environmental Adaptability
 
Ability to work under often unsafe and uncomfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors such as temperature variations, odors, toxic agents, noise, wetness, machinery, electrical currents and disease can cause discomfort and where there is a risk of injury.
 
The City of La Crosse is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Salary : $25 - $29