Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee

Job Description

Introduction

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce
dedicated to delivering exceptional service to its residents. If you are passionate about joining an
inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.
The Milwaukee Water Works (MWW) is a national leader in
providing high quality, healthy drinking water and comprehensive water quality
monitoring. For more information, visit http://milwaukee.gov/water.
For more employment opportunities with Milwaukee Water Works and the City of
Milwaukee, visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/jobs.
Eligible candidates who successfully complete the selection
process will be placed on the highest-level eligible list for which they
qualify.
The Water Treatment
Plant Operator (WTPO) Trainee is the first title in the WTPO series, providing
incumbents with the opportunity to learn and gain experience to progress.
The WTPO-1 is the second title in the series. Incumbents
hired to either title may progress through each of the levels, WTPO-Trainee
through WTPO-4, based upon successful completion of a probationary period,
development of competencies, and meeting performance criteria.

Purpose

Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee:
While training under the direction of Water Treatment Plant
Operators, the Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee assists with the
operation of a surface water treatment plant, water distribution system, and
pumping stations to prepare for promotion to Water Treatment Plant Operator 1.
Water Treatment Plant Operator 1:
The Water Treatment Plant Operator 1 maintains process
control of the MWW water treatment plants and distribution pumping systems to
meet production requirements for high quality, sufficient drinking water.

Essential Functions

Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee:
Plant Operations

Assist in conducting inventory and preventative maintenance
on first aid kits, fire extinguishers, automated external defibrillators
(AEDs), emergency lighting, hazardous material (hazmat) storage, safety
showers, eyewash stations, and motor vehicles.
Under the supervision of the Operator in Charge (OIC),
locally operate valves, pumps, instruments, and other equipment to maintain
operations
Under the supervision of the OIC, conduct routine or system
changes and operate, troubleshoot, and maintain a wide variety of chemical feed
systems, pumps, and ancillary equipment.
Perform various tasks involving manual labor including, but
not limited to, basin flushing and filter maintenance.
Assist with inspection of machinery and facilities across
the pumping districts of the water distribution system.
Use tools such as SCADA, GIS viewers, hydraulic modeling
information, energy optimization software, and backup power system to assist
with the assessment and adjustment of the water distribution system and treatment
processes.

Water Treatment Plant Operator 1:
Plant Operations

Monitor and operate the water distribution system including
filtration plant clear wells, elevated and ground level storage tanks, pumping
stations, pressure reducing valves and other infrastructure to maintain flow
and pressure within specified limits under both normal and emergency
situations.
Maintain optimal function of the chemical feed delivery
systems.
With guidance, identify and isolate chemical malfunctions in
a safe and timely manner.
Locally operate valves, pumps, instruments, and other
equipment to maintain operations.
Execute diagnosis or troubleshooting of aberrations or
equipment malfunctions.
Inspect machinery and facilities across the pumping
districts of the water distribution system.
Monitor security at water plants, pumping stations, and
booster stations and take corrective measures.
Perform appropriate notification of emergency events to
supervisors, security personnel, and other City agencies.
Make decisions about the safest and most efficient operation
of the water distribution system and treatment processes, including system
stability, clear well and storage tank supply, pump capacities and
efficiencies, energy consumption, water quality, station/pump availability,
firefighting activities, and critical customer demands.
Use tools such as Supervisory Control and Data Access
(SCADA), geographic information system (GIS) viewers, hydraulic modeling
information, energy optimization software, and backup power system to assess
and adjust the water distribution system and treatment processes.

Both
Positions:
Plant Operations

Participate in training to understand and execute the water
treatment process at both water plants; learn the water distribution system
requirements and operator parameters.
Attend safety training to comply with the MWW's Plants
Safety Program, including training regarding confined space, lockout/tagout
(LOTO), chemical hazardous materials, Global Harmonized System (GHS), and
personal protective equipment (PPE).
Assist the OIC with monitoring, reviewing, and analyzing SCADA
data for the chemical feed delivery systems and proper filter operations.
Perform minor preventive maintenance and routine plant
upkeep.
Perform visual and physical checks of pumps, motors,
chemical feed systems, and monitoring instrumentation; report and document
results.

Water Lab Analysis

Learn and become proficient at the operator-required
laboratory testing skills.
Perform chemical and physical laboratory analysis and
interpret results.
Pumping and Storage Facility Operations
Assist with inspection of machinery and facilities across
the pumping districts of the water distribution system.
Perform sampling and minor chemical testing at booster
stations.
Identify and report problems using the computerized
maintenance management system (CMMS).

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are
interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the
hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of
1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA)
of 2008.

Conditions of Employment

Both
Positions:

After initial training, must work a
rotating shift, including first, second, and third shifts, as well as weekends
and holidays as scheduled.
Travel to all of
the MWW facilities, including the plants, pumping stations, booster stations,
and elevated storage tanks, in Milwaukee and Greenfield.
Must be willing and able to climb ladders, handle heavy hose
equipment, turn valves, lift and move objects weighing up to 50 lbs., and work
in confined spaces.
Must work mandatory overtime and emergency call-out overtime
assignments at any time to meet the needs of plant operations.

The required pre-employment tests include the following:

Physical Exam with lift test
Vision Exam
Audio-Gram
Drug Screen - Non-DOT
Respiratory Clearance Questionnaire
Respiratory Fit Test
Pulmonary Function Test

Minimum Requirements

Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee:

Associate degree in engineering, chemistry, biology,
conservation, environmental science, environmental health and water quality
technology or a closely-related field from an accredited college *OR* two
years of experience operating or maintaining drinking water, wastewater or
beverage processing treatment plant facilities, performing duties closely
related to this position.

NOTE: Students in the final semester of a related Associate
degree may apply for this position, however may not be appointed until the
degree has been completed.
Water Treatment Plant Operator 1:

Bachelor's degree in engineering, chemistry, biology,
conservation, environmental science, or a closely-related field from an
accredited college or university

*OR*
An associate degree in an aforementioned field from an accredited college *PLUS* two
years of experience operating or maintaining drinking water, wastewater, or
beverage processing treatment plant facilities, performing duties closely
related to this position.
MWW certification for assignment as the System Operator or a
Treatment Operator at either water treatment plant within one year of
appointment and throughout employment.

NOTE: Students in the final semester of a related Bachelor's
degree may apply for this position, however may not be appointed until the
degree has been completed.

Both
Positions:

Valid Driver's license and satisfactory driving record at
time of application, appointment, and throughout employment.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Operator
Certification Grade T for either Surface Water (Subclass S) or Distribution
(Subclass D) within one year of appointment and throughout employment.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be
considered.

NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic
transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify
candidates' education as part of the background screening process prior to
extending any job offers

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Characteristics

Technical

Knowledge of basic mathematical principles to analyze data.
Knowledge of chemistry to perform chemical analyses.
Ability to learn the mechanical systems used in a water
treatment facility.
Knowledge of and commitment to workplace safety practices.
Ability to learn to operate the equipment used in a water
treatment facility.
Ability to understand flow diagrams, schematics, blueprints,
and piping and instrumentation diagrams.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety
rules, procedures, and technical materials.
Proficiency using standard computer software programs,
including Microsoft Word and Excel.
Ability to learn and use sophisticated programs, such as SCADA
systems and computerized maintenance management programs.
Ability to learn and adhere to the regulatory and compliance
standards required by MWW, the WDNR, and the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), as well as best practices by the American Water Works Association
(AWWA).

Communication and Interpersonal

Ability to work both independently and as part of

Requirements

requirements for high quality, sufficient drinking water.

Essential Functions

Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee:
Plant Operations

Assist in conducting inventory and preventative maintenance
on first aid kits, fire extinguishers, automated external defibrillators
(AEDs), emergency lighting, hazardous material (hazmat) storage, safety
showers, eyewash stations, and motor vehicles.
Under the supervision of the Operator in Charge (OIC),
locally operate valves, pumps, instruments, and other equipment to maintain
operations
Under the supervision of the OIC, conduct routine or system
changes and operate, troubleshoot, and maintain a wide variety of chemical feed
systems, pumps, and ancillary equipment.
Perform various tasks involving manual labor including, but
not limited to, basin flushing and filter maintenance.
Assist with inspection of machinery and facilities across
the pumping districts of the water distribution system.
Use tools such as SCADA, GIS viewers, hydraulic modeling
information, energy optimization software, and backup power system to assist
with the assessment and adjustment of the water distribution system and treatment
processes.

Water Treatment Plant Operator 1:
Plant Operations

Monitor and operate the water distribution system including
filtration plant clear wells, elevated and ground level storage tanks, pumping
stations, pressure reducing valves and other infrastructure to maintain flow
and pressure within specified limits under both normal and emergency
situations.
Maintain optimal function of the chemical feed delivery
systems.
With guidance, identify and isolate chemical malfunctions in
a safe and timely manner.
Locally operate valves, pumps, instruments, and other
equipment to maintain operations.
Execute diagnosis or troubleshooting of aberrations or
equipment malfunctions.
Inspect machinery and facilities across the pumping
districts of the water distribution system.
Monitor security at water plants, pumping stations, and
booster stations and take corrective measures.
Perform appropriate notification of emergency events to
supervisors, security personnel, and other City agencies.
Make decisions about the safest and most efficient operation
of the water distribution system and treatment processes, including system
stability, clear well and storage tank supply, pump capacities and
efficiencies, energy consumption, water quality, station/pump availability,
firefighting activities, and critical customer demands.
Use tools such as Supervisory Control and Data Access
(SCADA), geographic information system (GIS) viewers, hydraulic modeling
information, energy optimization software, and backup power system to assess
and adjust the water distribution system and treatment processes.

Both
Positions:
Plant Operations

Participate in training to understand and execute the water
treatment process at both water plants; learn the water distribution system
requirements and operator parameters.
Attend safety training to comply wi