Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator - City of Pharr

General Statement of Duties
Under the general supervision of the WWTP Supervisor,the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator is responsible for operating, monitoring, maintaining, and troubleshooting the wastewater treatment facility and its processes. Work involves responsibility for the technical aspects of plant operations, compliance with state and federal operating regulations, and the collection systems. Work is performed with considerable independence under the direction of the Wastewater Chief Operator, Wastewater Supervisor, and the Assistant Utilities Director. The Wastewater Treatment Operator performs heavy manual labor and operates light machinery used in cleaning, repairing, and the maintenance of the wastewater treatment plant and lift stations. Employee is subject to review through reports, actions, and results achieved.

Essential Functions

• Maintain regular, reliable, and prompt attendance, physically present to work.
• ​Inspects equipment and monitors operating conditions whether it might be through pumps, motors, aerators, reactors, belt-presses, media filters, and UV disinfection.
• Determines load requirements, detects malfunctions of equipment, and corrects malfunctions through thorough basic knowledge of mechanical equipment function.
• Collects and analyzes sewage samples, using analytical test equipment.
• Operates and adjusts controls on equipment that clarify water, process raw and treated sewage, and generate power.
• Will assign, perform, assist in the repair and maintenance of plant equipment, as well as, keeping all structures and grounds neat and clean.
• Employee must be familiar with the safe handling of chemicals such as chlorine (CL2). He/She will inspect and replace (150 lb. cylinders) when necessary.
• Monitors control panels and adjusts valves and gates that to regulate flow to each of the receiving process plants.
• Starts and stops pumps/motors to control flow of raw and processed sewage through screening, aeration, settling, sludge digestion, filtering, dewatering, and disinfection processes.
• Maintains log of operations/maintenance, and records meter readings.
• ​Is able to multi-task while operating a Belt-press/Gravity Belt Thickener (GBT).
• Performs other duties as assigned with minimal to no supervision from management; possesses the ability to work with independence and to make routine decisions on the operation of the plant processes and equipment during the Chief Operator's absence.
• Able to perform general janitorial work in maintaining the plant's administration building and related grounds by scrubbing, wet mopping the floors, and the disposal of the trash.
• Collects samples and performs lab duties for wastewater facilities which include the analysis of suspended solids, ammonia, chlorine residual, dissolved oxygen, and temperature. Charts and identifies lab test results for evaluation in the process control of plant; and
• Perform other duties, as assigned.

Physical Demands

​Employee in this job must use good judgment to work safely and use equipment properly. Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through the use of the telephone and personal contact as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, hear, handle, or feel objects and controls. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. and may also need to pull, push, or drag up to 150 lbs. of maintenance equipment. Physical capability not limited to moving, climbing, carrying, bending, squatting, twisting, crawling, stopping, handling, standing, pushing, and pulling for extended periods of time while monitoring, recording, or participating in maintenance work. Be able to swim, work in confined spaces. Must also be able to work indoors and outdoors in extreme temperatures including hot and cool temperatures, including inclement temperatures. Work under exposure to mechanical, electrical, chemical, and dust hazards. Must have the ability to follow proper safety precautions

Supervisory Responsibility
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time, non-exempt position, with a 40-hour work week. Incumbent must have the ability to work flexible hours including holidays, evenings, and weekends, if needed. Participation in City sponsored special events, trainings, or meetings may be required.

Minimum Qualifications and Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily.

• High School Diploma or equivalent (GED).
• TCEQ Class D Wastewater Operator's License or the ability to obtain one within one (1) year.
• Obtain a TCEQ Class C Wastewater Operator's License within two (2) years.
• Must be able to work shifts, weekends, and holidays.
  Texas Class C driver's license and an acceptable driving record.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge-Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances of the chemical processes and transformation that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods. Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions involved. Knowledge of arithmetic, geometry, and their applications. Knowledge of the content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Skills - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Controlling operations of equipment or systems. Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it. Giving full attention what other people are saying, taking time to understand the point being made, and asking questions as appropriate. Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures for the situation when learning or teaching new things. Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed. Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Abilities- Ability to perform complex chemical analysis and being able to interpret them. Ability to see details at close range. The ability to adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle quickly and repeatedly to exact position. The ability to listen and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules and conclusions. The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

AAP/EEO Statement

The City of Pharr is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act (ADAAA) the City of Pharr will provide reasonable accommodations, upon reasonable request, to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

The city focuses on identifying candidates who are customer oriented and committed to public service to create a culture that is committed to diversity.

Other Duties

​Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Must pass a thorough criminal background check due to the sensitivity of the information handled by this position.