WTP Operator Apprentice at South San Joaquin Irrigation District (CA) – Oakdale, California

Assists water treatment operators and maintenance personnel in monitoring and performing water quality testing and performing maintenance and repair work at the district’s water treatment plant, pump stations, and reservoirs.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the entry-level class in the Water Treatment Operator series. Employees in this class perform duties related to the operation and maintenance of the district’s water treatment plant, water distribution, pump stations, and reservoir systems. This class of employees is considered to be on a training status. Positions in this class typically have one year related operational or maintenance work experience and work under immediate guidance and supervision while learning job tasks. Incumbents in this class may be reallocated to the higher class Water Treatment Operator II class after an employee has completed one year of experience, gained knowledge of the whole system, achieved the skill level necessary to operate the plant on an assigned shift, has completed requirements for and received a State Water Resources Control Board Water Treatment Certificate T-2, Water Distribution Certificate D-2, and meets other requirements the District has set for the higher class.

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

1. Learns water treatment operations including raw water management, water treatment processes, water sample collection and handling, laboratory testing, water distribution systems, pump stations, and reservoir maintenance and care.
2. Learns to monitor, inspect, and adjust controls, and make repairs on water treatment plant, pump stations, reservoirs, and distribution system equipment and machinery.
3. Performs standardized laboratory tests such as alkalinity, turbidity, chlorine, hardness, and jar testing.
4. Assists in many preventive maintenance tasks, standardizing procedures, and calibration of laboratory testing equipment.
5. Assists with major maintenance and repair work such as disassembling, cleaning, sanding, lubricating, and reassembling valves, gear cases, and reduction units, and aligning motors, pumps, and membrane filtration cassettes.
6. Performs 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:
Basic mathematical computations
Basic water treatment plant operation and the principles of water treatment.
The basic operating principles of valves, pumps, flow measurements, and motors.
Basic water distribution delivery systems.
Commonly used computer software for personal use.

Ability to:
Demonstrate mathematical skills.
Demonstrate mechanical aptitude and use of a variety of hand tools.
Learn the operation of water treatment plant facilities.
Correctly interpret color-coded diagrams and computer screens.
Work shifts that include rotation, nights, weekends, holidays, and callback.
Learn standardized chemical tests.
Follow oral and written instructions.
Wear and work in a self-contained breathing apparatus.
Keep accurate records of plant operations.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS ANDWORKING 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: Work is performed primarily in an outdoor setting, with travel from site to site; exposure to noise, potentially hazardous chemicals, and heights. May be required to work weekends, nights, unusual shifts, or be subject to emergency recall.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an outdoor water treatment plant setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to climb ladders, stairs, and ramps; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull moderate amounts of weight; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.