Job Details

Treatment Plant Trainee II/Treatment Plant-System Operator III

OPENING DATE: 10/03/2024

CLOSING DATE: Continuous

Salary Range:

• Treatment Plant Trainee II $7,993 - $9,768 Monthly
• Treatment Plant/System Operator III $8,790 - $10,764 Monthly

Position may be filled at either level dependent on candidate qualifications and the current needs of the department.

The District:

The District is a medium-sized, municipal, water agency with a Board of Directors/General Manager form of government, 245 full-time employees and a $143.2 million combined annual operating and capital budget for FY 2024. Annually, the District delivers water to over 190,000 residents and businesses in the central and southern portions of Marin County and has stewardship responsibilities for 21,000 acres of pristine watershed lands on Mt. Tamalpais.

The Position:

Treatment Plant Trainee II: Under supervision, assists in the operation and maintenance of a water treatment facility on an assigned shift; and performs related work as required.

Treatment Plant/System Operator III: Under general supervision, operates, evaluates, inspects and maintains a water treatment plant and control system facilities on an assigned shift; and performs related work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Treatment Plant Trainee II is the intermediate training step preparatory to full journey-level class in the Treatment Plant System Operator series. This class differs from the full journey-level Treatment Plant System Operator III classification which entails performance of skilled level work under general supervision. Incumbents work under general supervision in the operation of a water treatment facility. As a condition of employment, employees in the Treatment Plant Trainee II classification are required to pursue training and education to obtain a T3 Water Treatment Operator certification through the California State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water.

Treatment Plant/System Operator III is the full journey-level classification in the Treatment Plant Operator series. Individuals in this classification use a computer-based supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system to efficiently operate and generally maintain the water supply facilities or water treatment plants on an assigned shift without immediate supervision. Work requires independent judgement, initiative and action within established operational parameters. Incumbents perform the full range of duties assigned to the series and may have lead responsibilities over other operators on a shift.

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. The deadline for the first review of applications is on Friday, October 18, 2024 at 12:00 AM. Applicants are encouraged to apply promptly as this recruitment may close at any time without notice.

Typical duties may include but are not limited to the following:

Treatment Plant Trainee II:

• Operates pumps and valves to regulate the flow of water through treatment plant; determines the rate from appropriate control system information and visual inspection, and coordinates the rate with demand, storage and production from other facilities; regulates the flow of water through the facility to maintain distribution tanks levels;
• Performs such records and report functions as maintaining a log of plant operations, test results, maintenance work performed, and unusual operating conditions; make periodic inspections and prepares reports as required;
• Operates, monitors, adjusts and controls process functions within a water treatment facility;
• Learns the operation of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) equipment, computerized control systems and instrumentation, and equipment related to water treatment facilities;
• Takes samples of water at established times, makes standardized quality control tests, performs laboratory analyses to assure that all water leaving the facility meets or surpasses all water quality requirements; adjusts chemical feeders and other plant equipment accordingly;
• Works with hazardous chemicals in laboratory and bulk volumes;
• Performs routine plant maintenance such as filter inspections, and may make minor equipment repairs or adjustments;
• Assists in maintaining operating equipment and facilities in a clean and orderly fashion, including hosing filters and basins;
• Receives materials delivered and ensures that they are properly recorded, examined and stored;
• Follows applicable safety rules and regulations;
• May assist in the shut down of portions of a plant system as necessary; and
• May conduct tours for the public.

Treatment Plant/System Operator III:

• The shift operator will have responsibility over the plant operations and may assign work to other operators at the facility. The shift operator will take the lead role in evaluating and optimizing plant processes, developing standard operating procedures, and authorizing technical reports. They compile technical information and data, evaluate it and take ot recommend actions to improve water treatment operations and water quality within established guidelines.
• Relief operators work varying shifts at all facilities and may work shifts of 8, 10 or 12 hours during day or night time hours depending on the scheduling needs. Relief operators generally assume the responsibility for the plant operations when the shift operator in on vacation or out sick.
• Operates pumps and valves to regulate the flow of water through treatment facilities; determines the rate from appropriate meters, gauges, trends, and visual inspection, and coordinates the rate with demand, storage, and production from other facilities;
• performs such records and report functions as collecting, maintaining, analyzing, and interpreting computer-generated data on a log of plant operations, test results, maintenance work performed, and unusual operating conditions; makes periodic inspections and prepares reports as required;
• may drive a motor vehicle to a number of pumping stations and water distribution and treatment facilities; operates District communication equipment;
• observes pumping equipment and reports any failures or operating difficulties;
• observes condition of pumping station building, fences, reservoirs, tanks, grounds, and other facilities, and reports any maintenance needs;
• takes samples of water at established times, makes standardized quality control tests;
• operates a computer-controlled console to regulate the supply facilities, or water treatment plants;
• monitors water quality at control console and adjusts chemical feed rates and other plant equipment accordingly;
• establishes, implements, and adjusts computer scheduling programs to efficiently operate the water supply/treatment facilities;
• directs, coordinates, and communicates water supply/treatment operational changes, outages, shutdowns, limitations and information with District staff;
• monitors pressure and flow data, routine field activities, and plants and facilities security;
• responds to alarms, equipment failures, security violations, and takes necessary actions to maintain a reliable water supply;
• maintains the plant and operating equipment and facilities in a clean and orderly condition, including hosing filters and basins;
• performs routine plant maintenance, and may make minor equipment repairs or adjustments;
• shuts down portions of a plant system as necessary;
• works with hazardous chemicals in laboratory and bulk volumes;
• orders and maintains bulk chemical supplies;
• conducts tours, trains new employees and may have lead responsibility over operators of lesser certification;
• receives materials delivered and ensures that they are properly recorded, examined and stored;
• operates computerized instrumentation and equipment related to water supply/treatment facilities; and
• compiles technical information and data, evaluates and takes or recommends, as appropriate, actions to improve water treatment operations and water quality within established guidelines.

Qualifications

Treatment Plant Trainee II:

Knowledge of:

• Elementary mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic principles;
• Current water treatment standards and regulations;
• Principles, methods, materials and equipment used in the safe, efficient treatment, testing and production of water for domestic purposes;
• Chemistry and mathematics as used in the operation of a water treatment facility; and
• Hazardous chemical safety.

Ability to:

• Learn the practices, procedures, techniques, regulations, and laws pertaining to a water treatment plant and distribution system;
• Read and interpret plant piping, metering gauges, recording equipment, mechanical systems and distribution diagrams;
• Learn to operate a Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) control system;
• Understand the operation of a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC);
• Learn to operate, clean, and perform minor maintenance on water treatment plant equipment and facilities;
• Learn to recognize unusual, inefficient, or dangerous operating conditions and exercise independent judgment within established guidelines;
• Work with decreasing supervision while accepting increasing responsibility, maintain accurate records;
• Utilize computerized applications related to the assigned work such as MicroSoft Word, Excel, email, business enterprise systems, and document management systems;
• Understand and carry out written and oral instructions;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and work cooperatively with others;
• Depending upon job assignment, drive a vehicle; and
• Travel to alternative work locations depending upon job assignment.

Training and Experience: Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Completion of the twelfth grade or its equivalent; and,
• Preferred: Experience, (which can include internships), in a drinking water treatment plant, drinking water distribution system, or wastewater treatment plant with exposure to the operation and/or maintenance of such facilities;

Licenses:

• Possession of a valid Grade T2 Water Treatment Operator certification issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) is required.
• Possession of a valid T3 Water Treatment Operator certification issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) is required within 24 months from date of hire.
• Possession of or the ability to obtain an appropriate California driver's license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles and satisfactory driving record.

Treatment Plant/System Operator III:

Knowledge of:

• Operation, maintenance and cleaning of water treatment plants;
• current and upcoming water treatment regulations;
• principles, methods, materials and equipment used in the safe, efficient treating, testing and production of water for domestic purposes;
• chemistry and mathematics as used in the operation of a water treatment facility;
• storing and handling of hazardous chemicals;
• standardized water quality tests;
• mechanical, electrical and hydraulic principles;
• uses and principles of computerized electronic equipment in the collection, storage and interpretation of operational data related to water treatment and water supply;
• computer inventory control for water treatment chemicals, fuel and supplies;
• routine operating report generation;
• principles and practices of servicing, repairing and calibrating water plant equipment; and
• current technological developments in water treatment, and water quality.

Ability to:

• Operate a programmable controller;
• analyze and evaluate the water treatment process, including unusual, inefficient or dangerous operating conditions, and exercise independent judgment within established guidelines to make corrective changes as needed;
• read and interpret plant piping, metering gauges, recording equipment and distribution diagrams;
• perform standardized water quality tests and adjust equipment accordingly;
• operate and maintain water treatment facility equipment;
• maintain and prepare operational and water quality records, reports, and charts;
• work cooperatively with others;
• understand and follow written and oral instructions;
• observe and accurately record operating conditions and make verbal or written reports;
• operate and routinely service computerized instrumentation and plant operational equipment;
• depending upon job assignment, drive a vehicle; and
• travel to alternative work locations and offsite meetings.

Training and Experience: Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Completion of the twelfth grade or its equivalent; and two years of experience in the operation of a water treatment plant.

Licenses:

• Possession of a valid T3 Water Treatment Operator's certification issued by the the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)
• Possession of or the ability to obtain an appropriate California driver's license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles and satisfactory driving record.

Other Requirements:

• Per California Government Code, Title 1, Division 4, Chapter 8, Section 3100 "all public employees are hereby declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law."
• Work on an "on call" basis for emergency situations;
• Must be willing to work any day and any 8, 10 or 12 hour shift within a 24-hour period as assigned, including holidays, weekends and overtime as needed.