Under direction, leads, oversees, and participates in the more complex and difficult work of staff responsible for performing a variety of skilled technical duties in the operation, maintenance, and repair of the City's wastewater treatment plant; conducts water quality tests and ensures compliance with applicable water quality standards; performs routine maintenance; maintains a variety of records related to area of assignment; and performs a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the advanced journey level class in the Water Reclamation Plant Operator series. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned including exercising technical and functional supervision over lower level plant operator staff. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Lead, plan, train, and review the work of staff responsible for the operation and maintenance of a variety of plant equipment in connection with the continuous operation of the City's wastewater treatment plant; ensures compliance with all state and federal wastewater quality standards.

Train assigned employees in their areas of work including proper wastewater methods, procedures, and techniques.

Supervise the use, care and operation of wastewater treatment plant equipment including vehicles, power tools and equipment.

Verify the work of assigned employees for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques, and compliance with applicable standards and specifications; ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.

Operate wastewater treatment, sludge processing and disposal equipment, and lift stations; adjust valves and gates and start and stop pumps, engines, and generators to regulate the flow through filtering, settling, aeration, and sludge digestion processes; clean and level sludge beds.

Observe variations in operating conditions; inspect, monitor, and document plant operations by reading plant equipment gauges, dials, graphs, and other instrumentation.

Inspect and maintain electric motors and pumps for proper operation; lubricate, overhaul, and install new and rebuilt motors and pumps; replace worn bearings; perform mechanical adjustments and repairs to ensure efficient operation of equipment.

Collect liquid samples and perform a variety of routine water quality laboratory tests; ensure proper treatment of sewage and purification of water.

Operate a variety of vehicles, tools, and equipment necessary to maintain the water reclamation plant system and equipment.

Perform a variety of carpentry, electrical, concrete, plumbing, pipe fitting, soldering, and welding functions as required.

Maintain, compile, and update plant operations logs and reports; perform and record mathematical calculations related to plant operational activities.

Perform general plant facility maintenance such as cleaning, painting, and repairing plant facilities, various grounds maintenance duties, and weed abatement.

Maintain an inventory of chemicals and other materials and supplies used at the wastewater treatment plant.

Respond to inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information within the area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.

Estimate time, materials, and equipment required for jobs assigned; requisition materials as required.

Perform related duties as required.

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:
Operations, services, and activities of a wastewater treatment plant.
Principles of lead supervision and training.
Principles and practices of wastewater plant operations.
Materials, methods, practices, and equipment used in the maintenance and repair of wastewater treatment plant facilities.
Principles and practices of wastewater treatment, sludge processing, and water purification.
Operating principles of plant equipment such as valves, pumps, and motors.
Chemicals and testing procedures used for water purification.
Maintenance and operation of equipment commonly found in a wastewater treatment plant.
Operational characteristics of the SCADA system.
Chemical and biological tests used in monitoring wastewater treatment plant processes.
Methods and techniques of reading and interpreting gauges, recording devices, and related system monitors.
Principles, practices and methods of basic laboratory testing methods and procedures.
Occupational hazards and standard safety precautions.
Principles and procedures of record keeping and reporting.
Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations governing the treatment and disposal of sewage.

Ability to:
Lead, organize, and review the work of staff.
Independently perform the most difficult wastewater plant operations duties.
Interpret, explain, and enforce department policies and procedures.
Operate, repair, and maintain wastewater plant facilities and associated equipment including pumps, valves, and electronic monitoring devices.
Adjust controls and treatment processes located in a wastewater treatment facility.
Read and interpret gauges and other recording devices related to wastewater plant operations.
Take liquid samples and perform routine laboratory tests.
Diagnose operating problems and take effective courses of action.
Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state and local rules, laws and regulations.
Operate assigned equipment and tools in a safe and effective manner.
Perform heavy manual labor.
Collect a variety of samples for laboratory tests.
Understand and analyze lab results.
Troubleshoot chemical systems, blower aeration systems, screening/grit removal systems, and filtration systems
Observe and understand visual changes to the wastewater treatment plant and make corrective changes.
Understand lab results in order to generate reports.
Maintain records and files.
Work independently in the absence of supervision.
Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Work in a team based environment to achieve common goals.
Coordinate multiple projects and complex tasks simultaneously.
Meet the physical requirements to safely and effectively perform the assigned duties.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in wastewater or sewage treatment plant operations or a related field.

Experience:
Three years of increasingly responsible experience in wastewater plant operations and maintenance at a level comparable to a Water Reclamation Plant Operator with the City of Reno.

License or Certificate:
Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license.
Possession of an appropriate, valid Grade IV Treatment Plant Operator Certificate issued by the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein 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 job functions.

Environment: Wastewater treatment plant and field environment; exposure to noise, dust, grease, fumes, gases, potentially hazardous chemicals, electrical energy, and inclement weather conditions; work around water or wastewater; work on slippery surfaces; regularly work near moving mechanical parts; and work around moderately loud noise levels; incumbents may be required to work evenings, nights, and weekends.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a wastewater treatment plant and field environment; walk, stand, and sit for prolonged periods of time; frequently stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, reach, and twist; push, pull, lift, and/or carry moderate to heavy amounts of weights; operate assigned equipment and vehicles; ability to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Local 39 Non-Supervisory

G26

Last Update: 5/2022

(Formerly Sewage Treatment Plant Operator II)

JD 11/2018