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Plant Operator (Water Production Operations)

THE POSITION

THIS POSITION IS FOR THE WATER DIVISION

This position will be required to work in confined spaces for extended periods of time (between 2 to 8 hours a day) with frequent climbing up and down ladders for entry and exit of drinking water reservoirs. Plant Operators assigned to the Reservoir Crew are expected to work closely with operations, and supporting crafts on all work, in relation to potable water processes. Occasionally, Plant Operators on the Reservoir Crew are assigned to the E.A. Fairbairn Water Treatment Plant or Sacramento River Water Treatment plant for plant start-up, plant shutdown, or to fill shift vacancies. This position may work on the dewatering, groundwater, surface water, and/or reservoir teams. There is a high likelihood that the position may assist with wastewater and drainage rain patrol duties during the winter months if working a weekday schedule.

IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT

The ideal candidate will be a motivated individual who communicates clearly and concisely. They will be able to demonstrate good teamwork skills and must effectively support co-workers. The ideal candidate will be capable of adapting to changing priorities to support other team’s work and the needs within the Department of Utilities.

To perform skilled work in the operation of the City's drinking water treatment plants, wells, reservoirs and distribution system; combined wastewater control system, primary wastewater treatment plants and pumping stations; and to assist in monitoring and directing the pumping of storm water, wastewater, and potable water.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Plant Operator is the journey-level classification in the Plant Operator series. Positions assigned to this class are expected to independently perform the full range of drinking water treatment and wastewater plant operations and monitoring duties on an assigned shift. This class is distinguished from the next higher class of Senior Plant Operator in that the latter is the responsible shift lead operator. The next lower class of Junior Plant Operator is the entry-level class in the series assigned routine maintenance duties and plant equipment
operational duties.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
General supervision is provided by a Superintendent and/or the Supervising Plant Operator. Technical or functional supervision and lead direction is provided by a Senior Plant Operator. Assignments may require technical direction of lower-level plant personnel.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Depending upon assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Perform and interpret standardized water quality tests such as chlorine residual, pH, turbidity, alkalinity, total suspended solids, settleable solids, chlorine residual, pH, dissolved oxygen and jar tests, and calculate and make dosage and related chemical feed equipment adjustments based upon the results from such tests.
Operate and monitor the combined wastewater control system, potable and nonpotable water facilities, and outlying pumping stations on an assigned shift.
Monitor water quality during treatment process through visual inspection and the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system and adjust influent flows, chemical dosages and filtration rates based on observations.
Inspect and operate plant equipment and intake facilities including computer controls, telemetry systems, microprocessors, flow control devices, power-driven machinery, and chemical feed equipment.
Adjust pump speeds and/or activate or deactivate pumps as necessary to regulate flows.
Monitor and adjust water pressures in the City-wide water distribution system and operate finished water reservoirs and water treatment plant influents and effluents to maintain adequate water supplies.
Monitor and inspect plant equipment and respond to treatment process and equipment alarms.
Assist in performing various filter tests as part of the filter surveillance program.
Perform efficiency tests on pumps, compressors, and related equipment.
On a rotating basis, act as a trouble-call operator and assist a Supervising Plant Operator and/or Senior Plant Operator in monitoring and interpreting telemetry board, dispatching an assigned crew to inspect designated installations, and to take corrective action on problems identified including hazardous or toxic material spills that affect water supplies.
Monitor the status of flows and equipment, using technical information such as force main pressure, wet well elevation, wastewater elevation in the flow control structure, electrical system voltages, and computer system outputs.
Maintain control and water treatment system logs and records.
Use SCADA and computerized maintenance management systems.
Assist in performing efficiency tests on pumps, compressors, and related equipment.
Troubleshoot and correct a variety of electrical and mechanical problems or potential problems involving pumping and measuring equipment and recalibrate equipment as required.
Perform preventive maintenance duties, including painting equipment, cleaning of trash screens, filters, and custodial and grounds maintenance.
Operate equipment, such as engine-driven pumps, generators, compressors, hoists, forklifts, cranes, and other heavy equipment as necessary.
Work in confined spaces, on temporary scaffolding, and on high structures; using breathing apparatus and/or Level I Hazmat suits.
Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual holding this classification.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Principles, applications, functions, operation and maintenance requirements of pumps, motors, compressors, generators, valves, internal combustion engines, flow control devices and measuring instruments.
General principles of water and wastewater treatment processes, including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection, fluoridation, corrosion control, and sludge handling.
General mechanical principles and practices relating to plant equipment and machinery.
Principles of mathematics, algebra, chemistry, and hydraulics as they apply to plant operations.
Safe and efficient work practices.
Hazardous materials related to plant operations.

Ability to:

Understand and apply the principles, theories, and operations of process control computers.
Operate and monitor large pumps, compressors, generators and automated control equipment.
Read instruments, measuring devices, and pressure gauges.
Learn and interpret water-related trends, schematics, charts, prints, and specifications.
Work with considerable independence and initiative.
Perform a variety of physically demanding tasks on a regular basis.
Work any shift (e.g., day, swing, relief, night), weekends, holidays, and standby that is mandatory for some assignments.
Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date records and operation logs.
Understand the location, function, operation, preventive maintenance and troubleshooting procedures for pumps, motors, chlorinators, alum, polymer and fluoride feeders, lime slakers and other associated equipment and machinery.
Understand basic personal computer programs including inter/intranet access, word processing, spreadsheets and databases.
Understand SCADA and computerized maintenance management systems operation.

Experience and Education:

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:

Experience:

One year of progressively responsible experience in the operation of a drinking water treatment plant or wastewater facility.

PROOF OF EDUCATION

Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Driver License:
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of appointment. Ability to obtain a valid California Class A or B Driver License with required endorsements during the probationary period is required for some assignments. Loss of the license is cause for discipline. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Certificate:
Assignments to surface water treatment require a T-2 Water Treatment Operator Certificate from the California Department of Health Services. Assignments to groundwater operations require a T-2 certificate. For assignments to the combined wastewater control system, a T-2 certificate is desirable.

PROOF OF CERTIFICATION

Proof of the required certificate and/or license should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

Assessment:
If considered for appointment, candidates must pass a pre-employment drug test for some assignments.

Respiratory Protective Equipment:
Work in this class may require wearing respiratory protective equipment at times. When assigned to such assignments, individuals must act in accordance with the regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:

Employees must complete twelve (12) months of probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status.

THE SELECTION PROCEDURE

Please note, the City of Sacramento's preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e-mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.

1. Application: (Pass/Fail) – All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application by the next posted cut-off date;

Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.
Employment applications will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified:
- If applicants do not list current and/or past job-related experience in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section. Note: Qualifying experience is based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Qualifying experience is calculated to the full-time equivalent (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).
- If "see resume" is noted in the "Work Experience" section; a resume will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section.
Proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted online with your application. Proof of education will be required at time of appointment.
Proof of certification and/or license should be submitted online with your application. Proof of certification and/or license will be required at time of appointment.
Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position.
If you’re requesting Veteran’s credit, a copy of your DD214 must be submitted online with your application or emailed to the Employment Office by the next posted cut-off date. Information regarding the use of Veteran’s credit can be found in the Civil Service Board rules under rule 4.9C. (Download PDF reader)
Applicants are responsible for attaching a copy of their DD214 to each position for which they apply.

2. Training and Experience Exam: (Weighted 100%) – The questions located at the end of the application are the Training and Experience (T&E) Exam. Responses to the T&E questions will be rated and scored. This exam will evaluate the relevance, level, and progression of a candidate's education, training and experience. The exam score will determine your ranking on the eligible list for this job. When completing the T&E questions, please note:

Responses to the T&E questions must be submitted online; paper questionnaires will not be accepted.
A resume will not substitute for the information required in the T&E questions.

3. Eligibility: Candidates who pass the Training and Experience Test will be placed on the eligible list. The hiring department may contact candidates for interview at any time during the life of the one-year list. Candidate’s eligibility expires one year from the date of notification of a passing score for the Plant Operator examination.

4. Screening Committee: (Pass/Fail)– All candidates that pass the examination and are in one of the top three ranks will have their application forwarded to the hiring department for review. The hiring department will select the most competitive applications for further consideration. Human Resources will only evaluate employment applications for the minimum qualifications, as stated on the job announcement, for applications selected by the hiring department.

5. Conditional Hire: Upon receipt of a conditional offer, the selected candidate must complete and pass Live Scan / fingerprinting; review by Human Resources, a pre-employment medical exam, controlled substance and / or alcohol test, and possess any required licensure or certification prior to receiving a start date from the Department. Failure to meet these prerequisites will be grounds for withdrawal of your conditional offer of employment.

QUESTIONS:
For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process:

Please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/Home/ApplicationGuide for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the application process.
For technical support between 6 AM - 5 PM PT, contact Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627.
Visit the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department website at https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/employment;
Send an email to employment@cityofsacramento.org; or
Call the Human Resources Department at (916) 808-5726

Bilingual Pay
Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? That's right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.

Pension Reform Act
The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employee's Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicant's eligibility and/or selection for open vacancies at the City of Sacramento.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Sacramento is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

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