Utility Operator at Village of Grafton – Grafton, Wisconsin

Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Utility Director/Engineer and/or the Field Operations Coordinator, the Utility Operator performs a variety of tasks pertinent to the operation and maintenance of the Village’s water and wastewater systems, including water pumping, storage, and distribution facilities and wastewater conveyance pumping and collections facilities as called upon. This position may also receive assignments and instructions from the Director of Public Works.

Well buildings, water pumping and chemical addition:
- Complete daily site visits to each well location, logging operational and maintenance activity data and visual inspection of site
- Operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of well and booster pumping equipment including related instrumentation and controls
- Operation and maintenance of water treatment chemical feed and storage systems; adjustment of dosages and residual sampling
- Ensure accurate well house master meter accuracy per state requirements; test and repair as necessary
- General well building upkeep including interior and exterior cleaning, painting and minor repairs
- Perform well and water tower site grounds keeping including general landscaping, snow removal and salting
- Monitor operation and maintenance of all well generators; exercise as needed
- Perform air stripping tower and reservoir tank operation and maintenance

Water distribution system activities:
- Perform hydrant flushing, maintenance, replacements and fire flow testing as required
- Operate system mainline and service valves; perform valve and curb box maintenance and repairs as required
- Provide assistance with water meter purchase, installation, testing, repair, reading, and appointment scheduling
- Assist with completion of Diggers Hotline locate request orders and associated recordkeeping
- Perform collection and analysis of water samples as required for Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) compliance monitoring and chemical feed control (fluoride, chlorine, and poly-phosphates)
- Perform time-of-sale Clearwater and cross connection control inspections
- Assist with water system infrastructure repairs as required

Sanitary sewer lift stations:
- Complete daily site visits to each lift station location; logging operational and maintenance activity data and visual inspection of site
- Operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of lift station pumping equipment, valves, mixing systems, instrumentation and controls
- Monitor operation and maintenance of all lift station generators; exercise as needed
- Maintain lift station buildings through regular interior and exterior cleanings; perform minor structural repairs as necessary
- Perform lift station site grounds keeping including general landscaping, snow removal and salting

Sanitary sewer collection system:
- Assist with the cleaning, rodding and televising of sanitary sewers
- Set-up, operate, maintain and repair portable flow meter and sampling equipment
- Perform weekly and monthly sanitary manhole inspections
- Assist with sanitary sewer collection system repairs as necessary

The wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) includes preliminary treatment, primary clarification, extended-aeration activated sludge, final clarification, UV disinfection, anaerobic digestion, and bio-solids thickening. This position performs wastewater treatment plant operation duties which includes: monitoring, maintenance, trouble shooting, laboratory analysis, and building and grounds upkeep.

Specific WWTP duties include:
- Monitors proper operation and adjustment of all processes at the wastewater treatment plant via the SCADA system.
- Collects grab and composite samples for regulatory compliance and plant operational laboratory analysis.
- Collects random grab samples from septage haulers utilizing automated sampling equipment.
- Laboratory analyses including pH, BOD, TSS, TVSS, ammonia, phosphorus, chloride, fluoride, coliform, and detailed record keeping.
- Perform lab analyses on primary and anaerobic digester sludge including: solids, VA/ALK and coliforms, and detailed recordkeeping.
- On a rotating basis, complete monthly DNR wastewater discharge monitoring long report.
- Preparation of laboratory reagents and detailed record keeping.
- Monitors operation of anaerobic digesters and makes adjustments as necessary.
- Monitors operation of activated sludge process, and makes adjustments as necessary.
- Monitors sludge blankets, and makes adjustments as necessary.
- Monitors dissolved oxygen, and makes adjustments as necessary.
- Operation of sludge thickening equipment, and general management of in-plant solids.
- Assures adequate quantities of treatment chemicals including polymer and ferrous chloride are stocked appropriately.
- Operation of facility emergency power generator.
- Inspects, monitors and maintains the septage receiving station equipment.
- Operates pumps, blowers, valves, and various mechanical and electrical equipment related to wastewater treatment processes.
- Performs janitorial cleaning to maintain neat conditions throughout the plant.
- Performs routine clarifier cleaning.
- Performs periodic inspection, take-downs, and return-to-service of all WWTP tankage.
- Performs plumbing-related tasks facility-wide.
- Assists with equipment maintenance and repair as required.
- Serves as a first responder for utility-related operation emergencies.
- Assists with facility snow and ice removal in all paved areas, walkways, stairs, clarifier bridges, roofs, etc.
- Completes facility-wide safety inspections as assigned including follow-up corrective actions.

General Utility work activities:
- Perform reading and recording data from meters and gauges; active interface with SCADA system as necessary. Perform SCADA trouble-shooting and repair or repair coordination as necessary.
- Perform both field and Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) activities, including lab work, required during weekend and holiday work rotation.
- Respond to both normal work hour and off-hour complaints, alarms and other emergencies as directed or assigned.
- Participate in daily staff meetings and submit weekly work schedule suggestions.
- Perform any other operation, maintenance or custodial work as requested by supervisory personnel.
- Rotates responsibility for weekend on-call duties with other operators. Completes weekend rounds and sampling including wells, lift stations and wastewater treatment plant. Responds to response to “off-hour” complaints, alarms and other emergencies.

Performs any other maintenance, operation or custodial work as requested by supervisory staff.

As requested, assists field operations staff with maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of well pumping equipment, lift station pumping equipment, remote site standby generators, and all electrical-related components.

As requested, performs reading and recording of data from meters, gages, trend charts; monitoring and active interfacing with both the WWTP and field SCADA systems as necessary.

Performs SCADA trouble-shooting and repair or repair coordination as necessary or directed by supervisory staff.

Provides Assistant Utility Director/Engineer with operations budgetary items to be included in the CIP and annual utility budget based on the items.

Completes all assigned budget items and ensure the purchase or construction completion depending on the budget item.

As requested, serves as confined space entry team member for below-ground lift station inspections, wastewater tankage and vault entry, sanitary sewer manhole entry and all other Utility designated permit-required confined spaces.

Regular full-time attendance at this position is required.

Education and Experience:
- Graduation from high school or GED equivalent and supplemented by two (2) years of college or technical training in one or more of the following areas of study: water and/or wastewater treatment/operations, environmental science, or a closely related field.
- Course work in environmental sciences, water & wastewater treatment/operations, or a closely related field.
- Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Thorough knowledge of equipment, facilities, materials, methods, and procedures used in the operation and maintenance of public wastewater treatment and sewer collection systems, water supply and distribution systems, and the ability to perform necessary maintenance and repairs of those facilities and systems.
- Ability to read, follow and comprehend electrical wiring diagrams, ladder diagrams and schematics.
- Working knowledge of rules and regulations which affect Utility operations and activities.
- Skill in operation of the tools and equipment listed below under “TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED”
- Ability to handle a variety of duties without close supervision.
- Ability to apply common sense understanding in carrying out instructions whether oral, written or in diagrammatic form.
- Ability to perform typical mathematical calculations as required for water and wastewater systems operational control and evaluation.
- Ability to interpret technical manuals of operation, standard operating procedures, equipment specifications and technical bulletins.
- Demonstrate working knowledge of SCADA and PC computer equipment with proficient use of current productivity software such as MS Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Must possess a valid state driver’s licenses and have own vehicle with minimum Village required insurance coverage.
- Possess or have the ability to obtain CDL Class B with N (Tanker), A, B and C endorsements within 12 months of hire, as assigned.
- WDNR Certification as Waterworks Operator -- Grade 1: Subclasses G,D,V or ability to obtain within (18) eighteen months of hire; is desirable.
- WDNR Certification as Wastewater Operator – Basic: Subclass SS or ability to obtain within (18) eighteen months of hire; is desirable.
- Employee will be assigned rotating weekend (approximately one weekend every six weeks) and holiday duty as scheduled by supervisory staff.
- While on assigned weekend and holiday duty, serve as first point of contact and respond to all Utility-related emergencies as they arise.
- Employee must reside within twenty (20) miles of the Village of Grafton boundaries within one year from the date of hire.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Knowledge of operation and use of motorized vehicles and equipment including: pick-up truck, vac-all truck with hydro-excavating tools , sewer rodder, generators, pumps, compressors, gauges, other monitoring and detection devices, grounds maintenance equipment including: lawn tractor, push mower, weed-eater, snow blower, etc. various safety equipment items and a variety of lab equipment. Skill in use of a mobile radio, SCADA and PC computer equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job which can be described as medium to heavy work. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee is regularly required to walk; talk or hear; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and smell.

The employee is required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds on occasion. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee must adjust to a variety of duties which include working in concert with others and also working alone and apart in physical isolation from others.

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee will work both inside and outside and may be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The employee will work regularly near moving mechanical parts and may occasionally work in high precarious places with risk of bodily injury.

The job’s noise level as associated with operation and maintenance of Utility facilities can be described as moderately loud.

SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interviews, background check, reference check, physical ability, alcohol/drug screening, and pre-employment medical examination.

Special consideration will be given to applicants who meet the Desired Minimum Qualifications and have Wisconsin Firefighter 1 certification and/or current Emergency Medical Technician Basic certification.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.