Wastewater Operator jobs in Olympia, WA

POSITION TITLE: Wastewater/ Water Treatment Plant Operator

DEPARTMENT: Housing

LOCATION: Toledo, WA

REPORTS TO: Facilities Utilities Manager

FLSA STATUS: Nonexempt, fulltime

WAGE RANGE: $36.93 to $51.69per hour DOE

Review Date: August 8, 2024

• If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered for hiring, please note this on your cover letter and/or resume***
  
  

Position Summary

Inspects, repairs, and maintains various equipment and devices to ensure water/wastewater standards and compliance with tribal, federal, state, and regional requirements. Honors and represents the mission, vision, values of CIT and Housing department.

• If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered for hiring, please note this on your cover letter and/or resume***
  
  

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Maintains and operates equipment and performs water/wastewater duties including mowing, flushing hydrants, and responding to customer complaints.
• Checks all well sites for security, operation, chlorine dosage, and cleanliness; visually inspects storage tanks; checks water wells, wastewater plants, and lift stations to identify potential problems.
• Obtains and logs basic information and chlorine residuals at each well site.
• Follows EPA-required sampling schedules for each water system; completes paperwork, obtains samples properly, records and reviews results, and submits in a timely manner.
• Uses “best methods” to decide sampling needs for each wastewater facility; creates schedule of contaminates to sample and timeline.
• Repairs or replaces equipment as needed at wells and storage facilities including chlorination equipment and fuses; adjusts timers as needed.
• Inputs and maintains equipment locations in work order system; checks work order system for all assigned duties; creates work orders as needed.
• Installs, maintains, and inspects water and sewer lines for tribal and enterprise backflow and chemical treatment.
• Repairs sewage back-ups and performs customer clean-outs as needed.
• Prepares wastewater discharge, treatment facility flow, well production reports, and other monitoring requirements set forth by regulatory agencies.
• Completes tests, reports, and environmental reviews for HUD applications and the Department of Ecology.
• Obtains required information on broken equipment; recommends ordering of supplies, equipment, and materials; maintains inventory records.
• Operates septic tanker in emergencies.
• Performs grounds keeping duties around plants, wells, and lift stations.
• Maintains confidential information.
• Adheres to safety procedures and utilizes safety apparel as appropriate.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of traditional form of government and tribal customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, county and local laws, regulations, and requirements.
• Knowledge of department organization, functions, objectives, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of water and wastewater, construction, and operations.
• Knowledge of the safety practices and procedures followed in wastewater treatment.
• Knowledge of the principles and methods of waste treatment facilities.
• Skill in making effective decisions in emergency situations.
• Skill in using heavy equipment and hand and power tools.
• Skill is supervising, training, and evaluating assigned staff.
• Ability to use chlorine test kit, snake machine, voltage meter, and electrical tools.
• Ability to anticipate, recognize, and evaluate hazardous conditions, as well as develop hazard and safety control methods.
• Ability to operate various word-processing, spreadsheets, and database software programs in a Windows environment.
• Ability to read, analyze, and understand specs, blueprints, and plans.
• Ability to interpret applicable federal, state, county and local laws, regulations, and requirements.
• Ability to work independently and meet strict timelines.
• Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with the individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt appropriate courses of action.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED.
• Three years of wastewater treatment operator experience.
• Level 2 Water and Wastewater Operations certification is required.
• A valid driver’s license is required when driving vehicles for work-related purposes.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background screening/investigation according to the established requirements below.
  
  

Tribal preference in accordance with Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CIT’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Background Investigation Requirements

• Pre-employment drug screen.
• Reference checks, education and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks.
  
  

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is required to talk, hear, stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, and use hands to handle objects, equipment, and controls. The employee occasionally is required to stoop, bend, kneel, and climb. Use of close vision is necessary while reading blueprints, specs, reports, and other documents. The employee occasionally will lift and/or carry objects up to 20 pounds.

Work Environment

Work is generally performed in an interior setting or in an outdoor environment. Exposure to water, chemicals, hazardous materials, slippery floors, raw sewage, and excessive noise will occur. Exposure to natural weather conditions and various dusts and mists may occur while performing outdoor duties. The employee may be required to work at high locations, in confined spaces, and in sensitive and/or hazardous areas. Situations may arise where safety-toe shoes, goggles, gloves, or other protective clothing are needed. Evening and/or weekend work will occasionally be required.

• If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered for hiring, please note this on your cover letter and/or resume***
  
  

The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and a Drug & Alcohol-Free workplace.

Except as provided by Title 25 CFR, Section 472 which allows for Indian preference in hiring, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, sex, national origin, physical handicap, marital status, politics, or membership or non-membership in an employee organization.