Current Employment Opportunities with the City of Meridian:

Job Title: Wastewater Treatment Specialist
Department: Public Works
Reports To: Wastewater Plant Operations Manager
Open Date: April 27, 2023
Close Date: Open Until Filled
Salary: $6,415.58 per month

Job Summary:

An advanced position within the operations group of a Class IV tertiary wastewater resource recovery facility. This position requires a broad knowledge of wastewater treatment practices and principles. Responsible for analyzing and reporting on the effectiveness and efficiency of all wastewater and associated treatment processes. Plans, organizes, and coordinates facility treatment procedures ensuring compliance with all federal and state requirements. Provides training of employees performing process evaluations. Work is performed under general supervision but requires independent judgment, forward-thinking, and initiative.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Oversight of complex wastewater processes, including primary treatment, chemical addition, aeration basins, activated sludge, membrane filtration, disinfection, sludge thickening, anaerobic digestion, sludge fermentation, struvite control, and biosolids handling;

Analyzes operational SCADA data and laboratory analytical data daily;

Review plant records, operating reports, and technical data to monitor the efficiency of plant process control and equipment maintenance;

Create reports related to operational process trends and compliance status including statistical analysis, graphing, and technical memos;

Creates sampling and analysis plans to evaluate component processes of treatment plant; Executes approved plans, performing required sampling, analysis, documentation, and reporting;

Creates proposals for jar-testing projects; Coordinates jar tests including sampling plan, sampling, analysis, quality assurance/quality control, data tracking, data analysis, report creation, and communication of results;

Develops data-based proposals for process control changes to meet established targets for component removals, targets for chemical dosing rates, targets for pump/motor/energy efficiency, etc.; utilizes professional, organized presentation methods and tools;

Troubleshoots process systems and equipment to determine and correct problems;

Accurately and completely logs all treatment process changes or adjustments made in the Operations log notes;

Reviews Operations Logs daily to ensure process changes, issues, and resolutions entered by others have been accurately, clearly, and fully documented;

Evaluates pump and motor run times, cycle times, efficiency, and function by analyzing SCADA trends; correlates findings to treatment performance (compliance, removal rates, chemical dosing, etc.)

Evaluates chemical dosing efficiency, dosing rates, dosing mechanisms, and dosing points utilizing detailed analysis of laboratory data and SCADA trending;

Serves as subject matter expert for complex, advanced, technical treatment processes;

Utilizes advanced knowledge of automated, multi-chemical cleaning processes to ensure optimal function with minimal chemical use and ensure proper treatment of chemical cleaning waste prior to discharge back to the plant;

Creates process laboratory bench sheets, tracking spreadsheets, and job aids; updates related operational documents and procedures;

Provides oversight for process-related lab testing, ensuring the accuracy of sampling, analytical technique, final results, and documentation of results;

Researches, initiates, and provides training for operational lab testing for troubleshooting or optimizing plant performance;

Communicates process targets, equipment concerns, and special sampling to all shifts; alerts facility management of treatment process issues and equipment status which may challenge permit compliance;

Develops Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for plant operations processes; Coordinates regular SOP updates and review with staff;

Reviews interprets, and provides constructive feedback on blueprints, technical memorandums, proposals, equipment manuals, and SCADA control programming;

Meets and coordinates with engineers, technicians, contractors, and consultants for facility planning, design, construction, and startup of new processes and equipment;

Participates in engineering planning meetings for the design and operation of future wastewater treatment facilities and long-term facility planning needs;

Provide general operational direction, guidance, and mentoring to facility Wastewater Operators;

Cleans and maintains treatment unit processes;

Inspects equipment and monitors operating conditions, meters, and gauges to identify operational issues with equipment or process, and takes corrective action to ensure effective optimal operation;

Attends and provides input at weekly operations data review meetings for determining plant process control measures and initiatives;

Assists with plant tours and answers public inquiries regarding plant operations;

Assist other teams with regular maintenance and special projects when required;

Assists in the performance of compliance laboratory duties when assigned;

Effectively and courteously communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, public, outside agencies, or other individuals or groups as needed;

Provide excellent customer service to both internal and external customers;

Integrity in the performance of assigned tasks;

Position is subject to callback, overtime, weekend/holiday emergency call outs and on-call duty;

Perform other duties as assigned or needed.


Job Specifications:

Requires a high school diploma or equivalent;

Requires an Associate’s degree in a scientific field; Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in environmental science, civil engineering, chemical or biological science preferred;

Five (5) years of experience operating at a biological nutrient removal (BNR) activated sludge Wastewater Treatment Facility.

Five (5) years of experience performing Wastewater Process Control Testing and Wastewater Analysis.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Computer Skills:

Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook);

SCADA;

Ability to learn Hach WIMS;

Ability to learn Asset Management Software;

Advanced knowledge of NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) Compliance, Reclaimed Water compliance; Air permit compliance; Biosolids disposal regulations;

Root-cause analysis skills and techniques;

Intermediate technical and business writing skills;

Intermediate knowledge of Continuous Process Improvement;

Position requires considerable understanding of activated sludge, and enhanced biological and chemical nutrient removal systems;

Ability to maintain records and prepare activity reports, and spreadsheets and make statistical analysis of data from multiple sources including SCADA, Historian, and WIMS;

Ability to create, retrieve, interpret, and make statistical analysis of data in multiple computer programs;

Must have an excellent understanding of industrial wastewater safety procedures and proper use of varied PPE such as Personal Gas monitors, safety glasses, goggles, respirators, lockout tag-out, confined space entry, etc.;

Ability to perform operations laboratory testing and sampling. Advanced skills and knowledge in lab sampling procedures and operations testing such as Grams stain techniques, microscopic evaluations, settleometers, Hach DR unit test tube sampling, Dräger tube, pH, dissolved oxygen;

Working knowledge of quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) measures and protocols;

Accurately perform complex mathematical calculations; develop, and assist with complex testing of equipment, chemicals, or processes;

Ability to analyze complex operational problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend or implement effective courses of action;

Ability to interpret wastewater and analytical data, draw sound conclusions, recommend solutions, and correct problems;

Ability to independently identify, research, and analyze complex technical problems, processes, and procedures;

Demonstrate creative and unique solutions to resolve problems or develop new processes and strategies to improve the reliability and cost-effectiveness of technical processes;

Ability to guide operators during complicated operational procedures and initiate advanced troubleshooting techniques;

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

Ability to inspect equipment and make minor repairs for basic mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation problems;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with respect to subordinates, stakeholders, other city personnel, and the general public;

Ability to physically perform the essential functions of the job;

Ability to communicate effectively in the English language and in writing at a level necessary for efficient job performance and complete assignments in a timely fashion.

Ability to display Collaboration, Communication, and Coordination;

Ability to quickly shift between multiple tasks;

Ability to make independent decisions and utilize good reasoning;

Ability to perform all essential and marginal functions as assigned by an authorized employee, supervisor, and/or manager;

Ability to provide forward-thinking quality service in a cost-effective manner and recommend improved methods of performing work;

Working knowledge of asset management programs and software;

Working knowledge of project management;

Licensing and Certification:

Must hold a valid State of Idaho Driver’s License & safe driving record;

Possession of an Idaho Class IV Wastewater Treatment Operator license or ability to obtain within 12 months;

Possession of an Idaho Class I Wastewater Laboratory Analyst license or ability to obtain within 12 months;

Must be able to attend and complete all required safety training requirements;

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in an office environment while sitting at a desk for intermittent periods of time;

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

Outdoor work in extreme weather conditions at times, with areas of dust, odors, mist, gases, or other airborne matter;

Work is performed during all seasons, with extreme heat, winter ice, and snow conditions, including winter driving, being part of the work environment;

Requires the ability to climb stairs;

Requires work in confined spaces;

Requires work in/at heights;

The noise level often in the work environment is usually quiet in the office and moderate to loud in the field;

Workers are exposed to mechanical, and electrical hazards, work frequently occurs near moving mechanical parts;

Work environment contains uneven walkways/surfaces;

Construction hazards during facility upgrades, including trenches, heavy equipment, and overhead dangers are present at times;

Requires driving a motorized vehicle or maintenance equipment;

Travel Requirements:

Local travel is occasionally required via city vehicle;

Some in-state and out-of-state travel may be required for training.

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