Current Employment Opportunities with the City of Meridian:

Job Title: Wastewater Treatment Operator I / II / III
Department: Public Works
Reports To: Wastewater Operations Supervisor
Open Date: September 2, 2024
Close Date: Open Until Filled
Operator I Salary: $24.72 per hour
Operator II Salary: $27.14 per hour
Operator III Salary: $29.56 per hour


Apply at: https://apps.meridiancity.org/jobs/


Job Summary:
This position performs basic plant operational activities such as rounds, equipment service, equipment cleaning, and basic troubleshooting. This position is responsible for the operation of a Class IV advanced tertiary wastewater treatment plant. This role is responsible for implementing the operating procedures of the City of Meridian’s Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility, ensuring compliance with all local, federal and state environmental requirements. This position is directly responsible for evaluating and changing operational control settings with considerable independence. Operates and inspects facility to ensure that equipment is performing at optimal efficiency. This position works as part of a team of Wastewater Operators. Work is performed under general oversight and requires independent judgment, forward thinking and initiative.


Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Evaluates plant conditions and makes operational decisions and changes to optimize the overall treatment plant performance, wastewater effluent, and biosolids quality;

Responsible for identifying operational data trends and plant issues daily, performs building and facility cleaning, SCADA monitoring and reporting, data/process review, making minor process changes. Communicates regularly with operations team and supervisors;

Lab testing including, but not limited to: settleometers, microbiological examinations, gram stains, percent solids;

Takes samples as necessary throughout the plant for laboratory analysis;

Responsible for accurately tracking, maintaining, and retaining records related to facility permit compliance and operation. Maintains spreadsheets and databases;

Operate and inspect facility to ensure that equipment is performing at optimal efficiency; Ensure that proper maintenance and servicing is performed on all facility equipment;

Initiates work orders and performs regular preventative maintenance through an asset management program;

Starts up and shuts down wastewater equipment and systems daily. Cleans and maintains unit processes;

Removes grit and screenings to disposal areas;

Performs general custodial and maintenance work, and other related work as may be required for proper plant operations;

Responds to plant alarms, evaluates and addresses abnormal plant conditions;

Required to be on-call for response to plant alarm conditions or other emergencies;

This position requires or may require: On Call, Weekends, Holidays, Day, Swing and Graveyard shifts to support 24/7 operation throughout the year;

Performs other duties as assigned.


Job Specifications:
Must have a High School diploma or equivalent;

Experience at a Wastewater Treatment Facility is desired.

Operator II: Three (3) years of experience at an advanced activated Sludge Wastewater Treatment Facility and possession of an Idaho Class I Wastewater Treatment Operator license or OIT is required.

Operator III:
A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in environmental science, civil engineering, chemical or biological science preferred;

Five years’ experience operating at a biological nutrient removal (BNR) activated sludge Wastewater Treatment Facility.


Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Computer Skills – ability to learn the following programs:

Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook);

SCADA;

Infor Asset Management software;

Hach WIMs;

Ability to learn operations laboratory testing and sampling. Knowledge of lab sampling procedures and operations testing such as: Grams stain techniques, microscopic evaluations, settelometers, Hach DR unit test tube sampling, Dräger tube, pH, dissolved oxygen;

Basic knowledge of safety regulations, policies, and practices;

Basic knowledge of NPDES, Reclaimed Water, Air, Biosolids, and Pretreatment Regulations

Must be able to read, write, and speak English;

Some knowledge of the biological, mechanical, and chemical treatment methods and control operations commonly related to wastewater treatment;

Working knowledge of applicable wastewater health standards and regulations;

Knowledge of the procedures used in sampling & handling of field samples and the “chain of custody”;

Must have skills in adaptability, flexibility, problem solving, decision making, collaboration, customer service, and conflict resolution;

Must be able to work all shifts, weekends, holidays and be able to work unsupervised in the operation and care of machinery and mechanical devices, electrical equipment, buildings and grounds within wastewater treatment facility;

Must display an attitude of cooperation and the ability to work well with others;

Ability to work effectively with mechanical equipment, ability to recognize equipment failure and to act in an emergency, and skill in the use of hand tools and equipment;

Ability to utilize various types of industrial equipment including: forklift, tractor, front-end loader, man-lift, reach lift, bobcat;

Ability to maintain records (operations logs) and prepare activity reports;

Ability to work as a team player;

Ability to communicate with management, supervisors, and co-workers with respect in a pleasant, courteous manner.


Licensing and Certification:
Must hold a valid State of Idaho Driver’s License and safe driving record;

Possession of an Idaho Class I Wastewater Treatment Operator license or OIT, or ability to obtain within 12 months.

Operator II: Wastewater Treatment class I or Operator-in-Training (OIT) required with ability to obtain Treatment Class II within 12 Months;

Operator II: Must be able to attend and complete all required safety training requirements and certifications including but not limited to: confined space entry, CPR/AED, ICS, fall protection, forklift.

Operator III:
Possession of an Idaho Class II Wastewater Treatment Operator license; or a wastewater treatment license of equal or higher class from another state;
Ability to obtain Idaho Class III Wastewater Treatment Operator License within 12 months of hire;

Must be able to attend and complete all required safety training requirements and certifications which may include but is not limited to: confined space entry, CPR/AED, ICS, fall protection, and flagger/traffic safety.


Work Environment & Physical Demands:
Regularly performs outdoor work in extreme weather conditions at times, with areas of dust, odors, mist, gases or other airborne matter;

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and in outside weather conditions. The employee infrequently works in an office environment while sitting at a desk for short periods of time. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office and moderate to loud in the field;

Work may be performed in confined spaces;

Employees work at heights, in confined spaces, and are exposed to mechanical, electrical hazards;

Work environment is full of uneven walkways/surfaces and stairs;

Work is performed outdoors during all seasons, with extreme heat and winter ice and snow conditions. Winter driving may be required;

Construction hazards including trenches, heavy equipment, and overhead dangers are often present at the plant;

Work includes protected exposure to biological and chemical hazards including infectious bacteria, bodily fluids, and chemicals;

Requires driving a motor vehicle or maintenance equipment;

Requires lifting and moving up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lifting or moving objects up to 100 pounds with assistance;

Assists covering other operations shifts as necessary.


Travel Requirements:
Drives a City motor vehicle to other City sites or local areas;

Regional travel may be required on occasion for training.

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