City of Baldwin City, Kansas -- Job Description

Department: Wastewater Treatment Plant & Collection

Reports To: Director of Wastewater

FLSA Status: Non-exempt (eligible for overtime pay)

Pay Range: $24.41 - $ 34.77, DOE

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Director of Wastewater, the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II position is non-exempt under FLSA. This position monitors and maintains treatment units and equipment in and ancillary to the Wastewater Treatment Plant and the sewage lift stations located throughout the City. This employee performs laboratory analysis. Maintaining safety is required. This employee should possess a strong mechanical and technical aptitude, as well as effective communication and public relations skills.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Does process control, including laboratory analysis and process adjustments;

• Monitors and maintains plant and lift station equipment;

• Inspects Wastewater Treatment Plant equipment for malfunctions;

• Inspects the liquid/solid level in the plant processing units;

• Collects samples for laboratory analysis;

• Performs laboratory analysis and prepares reports:

• Loads and hauls sludge;

• Operates and monitors belt press, sludge storage and disposal;

• Monitors and repairs pumps and aerators;

• Cleans plugged valves, clarifiers, wet wells, bar screens, flume, and pump house;

• Repairs leaking pipes and pumps;

• Changes oil in pumps;

• Lubricates gears and chains;

• Checks lift stations;

• Cleans and maintains plant facilities;

• Performs carpentry and cement duties;

• Follows department policies and procedures;

• Follows safety procedures and practices;

• Is subject to participation in the City’s on-call program for emergency and after-hours response.

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MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

• Collects drinking water samples and prepares paperwork;

• Performs sludge and soil sampling and testing;

• Performs lead and copper sampling and prepares paperwork;

• Obeys and complies with all City ordinances and policies

• Assists and/or performs other duties as deemed necessary or assigned.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Confined Space training.

• Class II Wastewater Certification required; Class III Wastewater Certification preferred.

• Class I Water Certification required; Class II Water Certification preferred.

• Valid Commercial Driver’s License.

• Must be insurable by the City’s insurance carrier.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Required Experience: Five years of similar or related experience is required. Employee is expected to have acquired the necessary information and skills to perform the job reasonably well within six months of employment.

Minimum Required Education: High School Diploma or GED required.

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POSITION PREFERENCES

Preferred Experience: Five years of similar or related experience is required.

Preferred Education: Associate’s degree from a college or technical school; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Ability to accurately perform laboratory analysis where results will be used for process control and state permit reporting.

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

• Ability to carry out duties reliably and predictably.

• Ability to operate trucks, loaders, tractors, hand tools, pumps, generators, and other department equipment.

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

• Ability to solve practical problems.

• Ability to understand and anticipate problems, follow department safety policies and procedures, and interpret written instructions, blueprints, schematics, and manuals.

• Ability to understand computer systems for collecting, reporting, analyzing, and transmitting data as well as general office operations.

• Ability to work and get along with others.

• Mechanical, electrical and technical aptitude.

• Knowledge of mechanics, equipment maintenance, and electrical processes.

• Skill in public relations, computer, oral and written communication.

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Problem Solving: Some independent problem-solving exists in this position. This position encounters problems with equipment malfunctions, water and gas leaks, weather-related problems and power failures. Serious problems are reported to the Director of Public Works.

Decision Making: Some independent decision-making exists in this position. This employee makes decisions about performing necessary repairs, maintaining department equipment, and performing daily duties in the safest and most efficient manner.

Supervision: This employee works with limited supervision from the Director of Public Works. Job-related decisions are normally reviewed by this position’s supervisor. Employee has no supervisory responsibility over other personnel.

Financial Accountability: This employee is responsible for safe operation of department equipment. Employee is not responsible for budgetary control of the department and does not participate in the annual department budget process.

Personal Relations: Daily contact with the general public, co-workers and supervisory personnel is expected.

Working Conditions: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Some adverse working conditions exist within this position. Exposure to blood-borne pathogens, hazardous chemicals, hazardous atmospheres, heavy machinery, excessive noise, and work in confined spaces, high voltage areas, heights and all types of weather conditions is expected. Exposure to adverse weather conditions and caustic chemicals is possible. This position is subject to being on call or called out during emergency situations. This position may work nights, graveyard shifts, or weekends. Position wears personal protective equipment such as traffic vest, hearing protection, steel-toed boots, or prescribed uniform.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly engaged in manual labor including lifting and carrying heavy objects, required to stand, walk, hear, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, climb ladders or stairs, work in small and confined spaces, and communicate by phone and radio. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, eye and hand coordination, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up, push, and pull up to 75 pounds with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision to read small gauges and meters, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. Omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change as the City’s needs and requirements of the job change. The State of Kansas and City of Baldwin City are at-will employment jurisdictions. The City is an equal opportunity employer.

Applicants/employees with a disability as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended as Amended may request accommodation to perform the position’s functions. Requests should be directed to the City Administrator.