Waste Water Operator III - (Water Reclamation Plant Operator III) - Public Works, Utilities

Position Summary: An employee in this class works with others on an assigned rotating shift basis to control plant operations and maintain grounds and equipment. Starting Salary Hiring Range: $29.26 - $32.30/Hourly $60,866 - $67,186/Annually This is the anticipated starting salary range for this position. Please note that the final salary will be determined by the Office of Human Resources, commensurate with experience and aligned to ensure internal equity with similarly situated roles.

Class Description: This is skilled work at the full performance level in the operation, maintenance, and care of mechanical and electrical equipment in a water reclamation plant. Work may include overseeing the work of lower level employees as an assistant shift leader. This is a Classified position, meaning that it is a part of the Howard County Classified Service upon completion of a probationary period of at least six (6) months Please note that this position falls within a collective bargaining unit and is represented by AFSCME Local 3085, Local 3888, or Local 1810. This position has been designated as "essential personnel," meaning an employee is expected to report for regular work shift during inclement weather, emergency situations, County holidays and on an on-call basis.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Operations and Process Control:

• Monitors gauges, meters, control panels, and process control computers.
• Observes variations in operating conditions and determines processing requirements.
• Takes corrective action on routine problems and reports serious issues to superiors.
• Operates valves and gates manually or by remote control.
• Starts and stops pumps, engines, and generators to adjust flows, chemical dosages, and treatment processes.
• Responsible for equipment operation, adjustment, and cleaning.
• Equipment Inspection and Maintenance:
• Inspects mechanical and electrical equipment such as bearings, valves, seals, filters, generators, and compressors.
• Performs minor repairs and reports major malfunctions to superiors; may assist with major repairs.
• Performs routine preventative maintenance, including lubrication and minor corrective actions.
• Performs minor maintenance painting and assists with grounds maintenance.
• May perform or direct routine maintenance and custodial duties.
• Sampling, Testing and Recordkeeping:
• Obtains wastewater samples and performs routine laboratory tests and analyses as required by regulatory agencies.
• Maintains shift logs, enters field and test data, and records meter readings and laboratory results.
• Assists in maintaining operating records for the shift.
• Leadership and Support:
• May direct the work or instruct lower-level employees.
• May perform duties of shift supervisor in their absence.
• Emergency and Other Duties:
• Required to report to work during inclement weather or emergency situations (emergency essential position).Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Required Education/Experience: High School diploma or G.E.D. plus three years of wastewater treatment experience at the Class "5A" level; or, at least one year of college course work in wastewater treatment or a related field plus two years of wastewater treatment experience at the "5A" level. Required Certifications, Licenses, and Registrations: Possession of a regular Class "5A" Operator's certificate issued by the Maryland State Board of Waterworks and Waste System Operators required prior to appointment and during tenure of employment. Applicants with appropriate experience and equivalent licensing from another state will be considered for appointment but will be required to obtain a Statement of Reciprocity from the Maryland State Board prior to appointment. A valid Maryland driver's license may be required, depending upon job assignment. Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods used in water reclamation operations. Knowledge of the operation and servicing of wastewater treatment equipment and machinery. Knowledge of fundamental laboratory and sample collection techniques. Knowledge of safe working practices and procedures. Some knowledge of supervisory methods and techniques. Skill in repairing and maintaining pumps, valves, gauges, and other wastewater treatment equipment. Ability to direct the work of others and instruct them in the performance of job tasks. Ability to maintain records and prepare reports. Ability to work in a cooperative, courteous, and effective basis with people. Ability to follow oral and/or written instructions. Ability to read gauges and meters accurately and to interpret the data gathered. Ability to make operational decisions in the absence of higher-level supervisory personnel. Ability to clean and perform minor maintenance and adjustments on equipment.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: 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 required to stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Required to work a rotating shift. Language Skills and Reasoning Ability: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups. Mathematical Skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as flow rates, Mean Cell Residence Times, weights, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.