Senior Operator In Charge - BW

About the Role:
The Brightwater Operations SOIC (3-year Special Duty Appointment) is a leadership opportunity to expand skills. This position coordinates work and leads a team of operators. The SOIC works directly with the plant operations to support daily plant operations and operations activities related to construction and maintenance. The candidate will be a part of a flexible and dynamic team responsible for operating and maintaining the plant.  

A successful candidate will maintain and strive toward intra-team and cross-team support and cooperation daily. The leadership skills required will help improve communication, support conflict resolution, and assist in coaching and coordination. The SOIC requires a high level of knowledge in the membrane processes, solids streams, dewatering, digestion, and odor control.

About the Team:
Join our team dedicated to ensuring clean water for generations to come! With over 700 employees engaged in planning, designing, building, and operating treatment facilities, our agency is at the forefront of environmental stewardship. Success for us means upholding our legacy while promising future generations a pristine environment.

We enforce regulations to reduce harmful waste discharge and actively educate the public and businesses on water quality protection. We prioritize accountability to our ratepayers and operate a well-managed agency that services over 2.3 million King County residents. Our regional wastewater treatment system not only sustains a healthy environment but also fuels economic development, fostering prosperity in our region. If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in a collaborative environment, join us in our mission to safeguard our precious water resources.

Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:
King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive.  We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Wastewater Treatment Senior Operator in Charge (SOIC), you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

What You Will Be Doing: 

• Plan, schedule, coordinate, monitor and review the daily work of a crew. Coordinate multiple work groups and prepare reports for assigned system or process.
• Assist supervisor in performance feedback and evaluation of personnel; make recommendations on performance improvement measures.
• Identify and work with others (supervisor and/or other staff) in purchasing supplies and equipment; maintain inventory; ensure purchasing procedures are followed; provide data for budget forecasting.
• Coordinate and provide technical expertise on large special projects.
• Serve as a technical resource for Brightwater systems and processes.  Respond to questions from other work crews.
• Operate, monitor, troubleshoot and maintain systems and processes in wastewater and stormwater facilities.
• Conduct sampling and test analysis of wastewater. Determine, recommend/implement changes to systems and processes to meet permits and regulations and to optimize the performance of wastewater facilities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications You Bring:  

• Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, including preliminary, primary, secondary, digestion, gas handling systems, membrane systems, odor control, Emerson ovation, sludge handling and plant-wide air, water, electrical and hydraulic support systems.
• Knowledge of reclaimed water distribution system, knowledge of collection systems, including pump stations and miscellaneous structures and of disinfecting methods.
• Knowledge of mechanical and electrical theory, cross connections, and pumps.
• Knowledge of wastewater terminology and process control.
• Knowledge of industrial safety procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of and skill in applying sampling, testing and laboratory procedures.
• Communications skills Basic mathematics, algebra, and computer application skills.
• Skill in reading, recording, and interpreting instrumentation and control gauges and meters.
• Skill in operating basic hand and power tools and specialized equipment.
• Skill in operating complex computer control systems and identifying normal and abnormal operating conditions.
• Skill in the interpretation and application of technical information from plant drawings, operations and maintenance manuals and lab tests.
• Skill in manually starting and stopping equipment, systems, and processes.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining work relationships with diverse occupational groups.

Required Licenses:  

• Washington State Group lll Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification from the Washington State Department of Ecology.
• Valid Washington State Drivers License.

Competencies You Bring:   

• Communicates Effectively - Develop and deliver multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Manages Complexity - Make sense of complex, high-quality, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Manages Ambiguity - Operate effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is unclear.
• Collaborates - Build partnerships and work collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Manages Conflict - Handle conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.
• Optimizes Work Processes - Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Senior Operator, possessing a Wastewater Operator 4 certification issued from the Washington State Department of Ecology

• Work Location: Brightwater - 22505 State Route 9 SE, Woodinville
• Work Schedule: The treatment plants are operated 24/7.  This position works a 4 day/10 hours per day schedule. The schedule will be determined by business needs and candidates must be available to work any and all assigned shift schedules. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.  
• Union Representation: This position is represented by S.E.I.U. 925 (Wastewater Treatment Division).
• Duration: This is a Special Duty Assignment for up to three years. Please note that Special Duty Assignments are only for internal career service employees who have passed their initial probationary period. Employees must have supervisor approval prior to accepting a Special Duty Assignment. 
• Physical Requirement: Incumbents perform field work at a wastewater treatment plant and associated facilities and are required to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, use ladders, and there is exposure to hazardous chemicals and noxious odors. 

Application and Selection Process:
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in a technical assessment and one or more panel interviews.  

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application

Note:  Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Helen David at hdavid@kingcounty.gov

Discover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division: Visit our website and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube and our WTD Blog.

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website, explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Keeping King County Green News.

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.  
Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ , people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Salary : $45 - $57