Hiring for Public Works Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II/III

Department(s): Public Works 

Effective Date: February 13, 2023 FLSA Designation: Non-Exempt 

General Statement of Duties

Performs skilled and semi-skilled maintenance and service work for the City’s wastewater treatment plant and collection system; performs other public works tasks as required.  May represent the city as “Responsible Charge Operator” or “Back-up Responsible Charge Operator” for the wastewater treatment plant.  Secondary responsibilities include a variety of other public works tasks associated with a small mountain town.

Join our Public Works team for a stable, exciting career with opportunities to learn and advance.

 Classification Summary

The principal function of an employee in this class is to work effectively, train, and lead others to perform a variety of Public Works operations and maintenance duties, some of which may require acquired skills, physical abilities, and manual dexterity. The work is performed under the direction of the Public Works Director or Foreman with latitude for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. The principal duties of this class are performed in a shop, laboratory, desk, and outdoor environment that may involve inclement weather and potential personal hazards.

General Statement of Duties

• Act as the City’s “Responsible Charge Operator” or “Back-up Responsible Charge Operator” for the Teton Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). 
• Prepare, submit, and maintain regulatory documentation associated with compliance reporting including but not limited to: DMRs, maintenance records, lab records, classification.
• Maintain, repair and troubleshoot the Teton Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).  The treatment plant is a modern, fixed film plant installed in 2013.  Currently a Class II plant but expected to become a Class III plant.
• Assist in maintaining, repairing and troubleshooting the wastewater collection system (gravity, force mains, lift stations).
• Perform in-house laboratory testing related to the operations of the WWTP.
• Assist with the implementation of the City’s pre-treatment program.
• Mentor and train coworkers in wastewater operations.
• Work closely with the Public Works Director or Foreman to identify potential issues and solutions associated with the wastewater collection and treatment systems.
• Asist the Public Works Director in the preparation of annual budget associated with the wastewater department.
• Perform all duties with regard for personal safety and that of other employees and the public;
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with the supervisor, co-workers, the general public, and other individuals or groups encountered through this position;
• Perform all work duties and activities in accordance with City and Department policies, procedures and safety practices

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities:

• SNOW REMOVAL: Will participate in On-Call responsibilities for plowing City streets, sidewalks, and areas deemed necessary. Ability to reach Driggs within twenty (20) minutes of call out. Will be required to operate snow removal equipment including plows, snowblowers, sweepers, sanding units, etc.
• ON CALL: Will be required to participate in the On-Call Phone rotation after proper training has taken place. Employee will provide 24/7 coverage across all Public Works departments for one week at a time, approximately every 6th week. Ability to reach Driggs within twenty (20) minutes of call out.
• Assist in cleaning storm drains and water valves; exercising water valves; standardizing instruments, pumps, valves, meters and other apparatus; observing condition of raw and finished water and making appropriate adjustments of chemical feed to maintain compliance with regulatory standards; and making daily inspection of mechanical and electrical operating conditions of equipment and recording findings, maintaining necessary records and preparing required reports.
• Assist in checking wells and pumps, booster pumps, tank levels and buildings; locating, servicing and replacing water lines; calling Digline to locate gas, phone and power lines before digging; fixing broken water mains; replacing service lines from street to meter pit; backfilling and sodding;
• Assist in patching streets and roads; implementing weed abatement; maintaining public right of ways; removing residential trash; repairing and replacing street signs; cleaning storm drains and water valves; sweeping streets and sidewalks; exercising water valves; sweeping streets and intersections; maintaining equipment and vehicles.
• Operate a variety of vehicles and heavy equipment, including but not limited to, tractor mowers, dump trucks, front end loaders and attachments, sweepers, backhoes, water tankers, snow removal vehicles, graders, and related equipment;
• Reform routine maintenance on vehicles and equipment and maintaining service and maintenance records;
• Operate a variety of hand tools and power equipment including but not limited to jackhammers, electrical testing equipment, metal detector, welder, hand held meter data collection device as needed;
• Perform installation and repair work including digging and backfilling trenches, installing and repairing pipelines, including cutting, tapping, threading and making joint connections on copper, plastic and other pipe material;
• Performs other related duties as required.
• Must reside with 20 minutes of Driggs for on-call response.

Competency Requirements

Knowledge of:

• Methods, materials, equipment, tools and standard practices for the installation, operation, inspection, maintenance and repair of assigned area which may include one or more of the following:  water distribution, water collection, wastewater collection, street construction, park maintenance or other systems; 
• Federal (OSHA) and state regulations and City policies regarding safety training and safe work practices;
• Heavy and construction equipment operation and maintenance;
• Equipment and tool operation and maintenance practices;
• Customer service principles and procedures;
• Federal, state, local, and other applicable traffic and safety laws, regulations, ordinances, and codes.

Ability to:

• Assist in operating and maintaining water, wastewater, street construction and/or park systems; assist in maintaining facilities and equipment;
• Operate light and heavy equipment and a variety of hand tools;
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with the supervisor, co-workers, the public, the Mayor, City Council and other City employees;
• Exercise sound judgment and generate workable solutions in problem situations;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the supervisor, co-workers, staff, contractors and the public under sometimes stressful conditions;
• Maintain a professional demeanor at all times;
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
• Operate standard office equipment and a personal computer using program applications appropriate to assigned duties;
• Demonstrate integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

Acceptable Experience and Training

• High school diploma or GED equivalency is required; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.  

Special Qualifications

• Valid Class B CDL license with airbrake endorsement within 6 months of hire
• Hold and maintain Idaho Class III Wastewater Treatment Operator license (or higher) or the ability to obtain said license within 12-months.

Essential Physical Abilities

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and communicate effectively on the telephone and in person;
• Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions; to operate light and heavy equipment; to operate a personal computer and related software and office equipment; to review construction plans and blueprints; and to file reports and documents in a prescribed order;
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate a personal computer and other office equipment; and to safely operate light and heavy equipment and a variety of hand tools;
• Sufficient personal mobility, agility, and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to perform essential job functions in an office or field setting that may require lifting/moving 100 lbs., bending, stooping, kneeling, climbing, stretching and other physical exertions including performing tasks involving hand/wrist/arm movements.

The City has one open position for this position, starting salary $58,000-$67,000 with benefits. ONLINE JOB APPLICATION