Job description

Salary: Operator II - Salary $35.57 - $50.63/hourly
Operator III - Salary $38.85 - $55.22/hourly

The Irvine Ranch Water District is accepting application for an Operator II / III in our Recycling Operations Department.

Operator II's perform work activities related to the operation of sewage treatment and recycling processes and equipment. Monitor treatment process operation and performance. Make adjustments to treatment processes and equipment. Perform established treatment and quality control activities in order to consistently meet effluent discharge requirements, standards and regulations.

Operator III's perform the more complex and difficult work activities related to the operation of sewage treatment and recycling processes and equipment.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Recycling Operations Operator II classification is the beginning of the Journey Level for the series and is required to possess a California Water Resources Control Board Grade II Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator Certificate at the time of employment.

Recycling Operations Operator III's is the advanced journey level classification, as Operator III's must possess a California State Water Resources Control Board Grade III or higher Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator Certificate. Incumbents perform the full range of skilled plant operations and maintenance tasks and at any time may oversee the work of lower grade operators. Assignments are varied and require sound judgment and initiative. Incumbents are required to accept standby duty, make process adjustments from a laptop computer or provided electronic device, and/or respond to process problems and equipment malfunctions.

Summary of Duties

OPERATOR II DUTIES:

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Meet reclaimed water distribution requirements and consistently achieve 100% compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal environmental permit requirements.

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Perform all assigned operational duties required to operate the plant efficiently and for responding to emergencies and changing conditions within the plant, including: daily plant process and equipment inspections; review of process performance; process efficiency testing; solids handling and disposal; maintenance of daily log of operations; order and receive bulk chemical deliveries; Dissolved Oxygen profile testing; 30-minute settling Sludge Volume Index (SVI) testing; chlorine residual testing; turbidity testing; H2S testing; micro-organism examination; calibration and maintenance of monitoring equipment.

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Makes adjustments and/or recommend operational changes to maintain and improve treatment efficiency. Record flow and hour meter readings from gauges, graphs, and related instrumentation and make appropriate calculations as required.

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Effectively communicate all facts essential to the efficient operation of the reclamation plant and report all operating problems or emergencies immediately to a higher grade Operator, a supervisor, or a manager as available.

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Trouble-shoot variations in operating conditions and report findings as directed to prevent a process imbalance or upset.

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Effectively communicate and interact frequently with other departments.

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Identify sources of existing or potential operational and mechanical problems with treatment processes and mechanical equipment. Work efficiently to correct, troubleshoot, diagnose and process equipment malfunctions.

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Assist with projects such as tank dewatering, cleaning operations and preparation of mechanical equipment to facilitate repairs and replacement as needed.

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Perform routine housekeeping and maintenance of assigned treatment plant facilities and equipment.

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Inspect the operation of sewage treatment plant including recycling pumps, motors, structures, tanks, and equipment and submit work orders for timely and appropriate repair and/or replacement of treatment process mechanical and related equipment. Utilize Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) for the creation of work orders.

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Submit purchase requests for equipment, materials and chemicals. Verify shipments to ensure they are complete and correct.

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Maintain all recycling plant process systems in an efficient, safe and cost-effective manner

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Safety Responsibilities: Attend appropriate safety training regarding job duties. Assist in presenting safety topics at the biweekly department safety meetings. Report safety violations or safety hazards to management and the Safety Office as soon as possible after awareness.

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May be required to serve on the District Hazardous Materials Response Team and respond to emergency situations and/or chemical spills.

OPERATOR III DUTIES:

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Under minimal supervision, oversee and participate in the work activities of staff responsible for performing operational duties related to the operation of sewage and recycling processes and equipment.

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Operate and monitor the operation of sewage and recycling processes in order to produce a quality tertiary effluent, consistently meet recycled water distribution requirements and consistently achieve 100% compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal environmental permit requirements.

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Perform all assigned operational duties required to operate the plant efficiently and for responding to emergencies and changing conditions within the plant, including: Daily plant process and equipment inspections; Review of process performance; Process efficiency testing; Process control calculations and spreadsheets; Solids handling and disposal; Maintaining a daily log of operations; Ordering and receiving bulk chemical deliveries; Dissolved Oxygen profile testing; 30-minute settling Sludge Volume Index (SVI) testing, Chlorine residual testing; Turbidity testing; H2S testing; ambient air monitoring, Micro-organism examination; and a variety of other test including calibration and maintenance of monitoring equipment.

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Possess and apply knowledge of principles, methods, and techniques for operating pumps, valves, electric motors, diesel engines and electronic, computerized and manual control systems; functions and servicing requirements of the equipment used in a recycling facility; principles, methods, practices and techniques utilized in chemical, bacteriological and biological analyses; relevant federal and state laws and regulations; computer applications related to the work, including modern, state-of-the-art process control and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems.

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Ability to operate a variety of pumping, treatment and control equipment and machinery, including digital control equipment; accurately read meters, gauges, valve books, blueprints and schematic drawings; make mathematic calculations, including metrics; prepare basic records and reports of work performed; operate and maintain hand and power tools pertaining to the work.

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Makes adjustments and/or recommend operational changes to maintain and improve treatment efficiency. Record flow and hour meter readings from gauges, graphs, and related instrumentation and make appropriate calculations as required.

• Performs routine and non-routine assigned operational duties.

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Assist with the planning, implementation and monitoring of routine and non-routine assigned operational duties by reviewing operations work schedule, planned operational duties, special projects, and scheduled coordination with contractors.

• Effectively communicate all facts essential to the efficient operation of the reclamation plant and report all operating problems or emergencies immediately to the Operations Supervisor or the Operations Manager.

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Trouble-shoot and report variations in operating conditions, report findings to the Operations Supervisor and make recommendations to address changes, in order to prevent a process imbalance or upset.

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Effectively communicate and interface frequently with other departments and occasionally with regulatory agencies.

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Assist with review and updating of Standard Operational Procedures, (SOP's), Energy Control Procedures (ECP's), Job Safety Analysis (JSA's), confined space inventory, and specialized operational safety procedures.

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Assist in the preparation of reports summarizing treatment plant operational activities, including: Process performance and efficiency; Equipment operation; Work performed; and materials used. Assist in the preparation of a weekly and monthly report detailing unit process efficiencies, flows and cost of operation.

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Identify source(s) of existing or potential operational and mechanical problems with treatment processes, operational procedures and mechanical equipment and work efficiently to correct, troubleshoot and diagnose process and equipment malfunctions.

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Assist with or leads in projects such as: tank dewatering, cleaning operations and preparation of mechanical equipment to facilitate repairs and replacement by the Mechanical Maintenance Department. Clean and consistently maintain assigned treatment plant facilities and equipment.

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Leads and participates in performing housekeeping and maintaining the entire treatment facility.

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Monitors collection system lift stations; inspects collection system lift stations on a regularly scheduled basis; services equipment and machinery in lift stations and reports the need for repairs.

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Inspects the operation of sewage treatment plant including recycling pumps, motors, structures, tanks, and equipment and assist with scheduling and coordination of mechanical work activities with the Maintenance Department for timely and appropriate repair and/or replacement of treatment process mechanical and related equipment. Utilize Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) for the creation of work orders.

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Submit purchase requests for equipment, materials and chemicals within the Agency's system programs and network for the continuous operation of the treatment plant. Monitor spare parts and daily expendables inventory. Assist in ensuring inventory is maintained at an acceptable level via purchase orders. Verify shipments to ensure they are complete and correct then administrate correct storage.

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Possess process treatment knowledge and experience to efficiently, safely, and cost effectively maintains all recycling plant process systems.

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Assist with coordination, scheduling and inspection of contract maintenance work and participate in special operational and maintenance projects including Capital Projects.

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Participates in the development, counseling and training of treatment plant operators.

• May be required to work varying shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, on-call duty (Standby Program) and respond to call backs. May be required to work alone on weekends and Holidays.

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Incumbent may be required to work any of the District's work schedules including weekends and holidays. Assigned work shift may be changed from time to time at discretion of the District.

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Respond to emergency situations during off-hours as required. Participate in Emergency Standby Program at the sole discretion of the District.

• Assist in presenting safety topics at the biweekly department safety meetings.

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Conduct or assist with preparation of plant tours.

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In the absence of the Operations Supervisor, will perform his/her duties.

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Comply with safety work-related practices and attend relevant safety training.

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May be required to serve on the District Hazardous Materials Response Team and respond to emergency situations and/or chemical spills.

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Participate on process teams and committees as required.

Qualifications
Operator II Requirements:

Education:

• High School graduation or equivalent is required. For degrees obtained outside of the U.S., an official equivalency evaluation is required.
• Completion of fifteen college level units related to water/sewage treatment or environmental studies, and/or Water/Sewage.
• Associates degree is preferred.

Experience:

• Two years of experience in the operation of a sewage treatment plant, incorporating biological pond treatment, preliminary and primary treatment, Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) activated sludge treatment, tertiary treatment, and solids handling facilities is required.
• Ability to read and interpret standard operating procedures (SOPs), operational manuals and required facility permits is required
• Hazardous materials response experience is desirable.

License/Certifications:

• Depending on assignment, a valid Class 'C' California Driver's License may be required.
• California State Water Resources Control Board Grade II Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate is required.
• Forty hours emergency Response, Hazardous Materials Technician Certificate is desired.

Operator III Requirements:

Education:

• High School graduation or equivalent required.
• Completion of thirty college level units related to water/sewage treatment or environmental studies is preferred.
• Water/Sewage Associate's degree or equivalent is preferred.

Experience:

• Three years of experience in the operation of a Grade V wastewater recycling facility, incorporating biological pond treatment, preliminary and primary treatment, Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) activated sludge treatment, tertiary treatment, membrane treatment, and solids handling facilities required.
• Ability to read and interpret standard operating procedures (SOP), blueprints, schematics, operational/maintenance manuals, required facility permits, and follows written and verbal instructions.
• Hazardous materials response experience is desirable.

License/Certifications:

• Depending on assignment, a valid Class 'C' California Driver's License may be required.
• California State Water Resources Control Board Grade III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate is required.
• Forty hours emergency Response, Hazardous Materials Technician Certificate is desired.
• Related Collection Systems Maintenance, Water Treatment, and/or Water Distribution Certificate desired.

Additional Information

The physical and mental demands described below are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication
Ability to effectively communicate both orally and written. Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of office/field employees, management and vendors. Represent District in a professional manner when dealing with outside contractors and regulatory agency officials. Ability to advise and provide interpretation to others on how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.
Mathematical Ability
Ability to perform basic mathematical functions, including college level algebra and geometry. Must be able to perform algebraic and geometry calculations and water/sewage calculations and formulas.

Technology Ability
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Keyboarding abilities sufficient to perform the job.
Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability
Ability to use professional personal judgment and discretion in performing all job functions. Ability to use functional reasoning in performing influence functions such as mentoring, leading, teaching and training.
Physical Requirements
Will lift 50 lbs. on a routine basis. Must be certified annually to wear respiratory equipment. Must be clean shaven such that facial hair does not interfere with the fit of self-contained breathing apparatus. Ability to exert moderately heavy physical effort in moderate to heavy work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, twisting and pulling. Ability to operate equipment and machinery with some requiring complex and rapid adjustments, such as power hand and shop tools, shovel, motor vehicles, compressors, hoists, ladders, drafting tools, etc.
Environmental Adaptability
Ability to work under sometimes uncomfortable conditions with exposure to environmental factors such as raw sewage, toxic agents, wildlife, disease, equipment, traffic, or machinery. Ability to work in a confined space environment and in high locations.

To submit an application, click on the green "APPLY" button at the top right of the screen.

For more information regarding our benefits, click here.
For complete job descriptions, please click on either of the links below:

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Operator II, please click HERE

• Operator III, please click HERE

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $35.57 - $55.22 per hour

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