WWTP Operator at City of Northampton, MA – Northampton, Massachusetts
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About This Position
· One (1) Full-time Vacancy: 40 Hours per week
· Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Pay Rates effective July 1, 2025:
- Grade 5G; Hourly Pay Rate Range: $33.37-$38.90
- Anticipated Hiring Hourly Rate Range: $33.37-$36.42
· Additional Stipend available: $2.50 per hour for 6C license
DEFINITION:
This position is responsible for skilled technical work in the operation, maintenance and repair of the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant and its ancillary sewer, leachate and flood control pumping facilities and equipment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Operates and maintains the Wastewater Treatment Plant and its ancillary pumping facilities and equipment.
- Checks equipment and inspects recording instrumentation to ensure all systems are operating normally; makes control adjustments to the Plant processes as needed.
- Assists in operation of Flood Control pumping facilities as needed.
- Responsible for maintaining inventory of chemicals and supplies.
- Operates and maintains all aeration tanks, grit tanks, digesters, clarifiers and other Plant equipment.
- Obtains wastewater samples and performs laboratory analyses as directed; maintains operational records.
- Collects, records and interprets readings of instruments monitoring treatment processes; maintains operational records.
- Performs preventive and corrective maintenance on Wastewater Treatment Plant equipment and systems.
- Assists in training new operators.
- Understands and follows all safety regulations.
- May be required to perform responsibilities of subordinate positions.
- Performs similar or related work as required.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Education and Experience:
Associate’s Degree in science or related field; one to three years of experience in the operation, maintenance and repair of a wastewater treatment plant or similar industrial facility; equivalent combination of education and experience. Massachusetts Grade V Wastewater Treatment Operator's certificate, or eligibility to obtain certification, required; Massachusetts Class D Driver’s license required. Other licenses, if any, are required after date of hire and are defined in the Local 98 Union collective bargaining agreement. Residency within 15 miles of the physical boundaries of the City of Northampton is desirable.
KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY, AND SKILLS
Knowledge: Knowledge of wastewater treatment process; knowledge of federal and state regulations concerning wastewater treatment; knowledge of the methods and techniques for conducting wastewater treatment analysis.
Abilities: Ability to read and interpret plans, drawings, gauges and recording devices; ability to use tools and equipment; ability to perform laboratory analysis.
Skills: Mechanical skills; computer skills; recordkeeping skills.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Physical Skills: Work requires moderate physical strength and effort daily, such as lifting heavy objects, carrying the object(s) and stacking them or moving them. In addition, pulling, pushing, standing or walking for the full work day may also be involved.
Motor Skills: The work may involve assignments requiring application of hand and eye coordination with finger dexterity and motor coordination. The work requires the ability to perform laboratory tests.
Visual Skills: Essential position functions require the ability to operate a motor vehicle and to use hand and power tools. In addition, essential position functions require good close, distant, color and peripheral vision and depth perception at correctable ranges.
FRINGE BENEFITS:
Full benefits and privileges are consistent with Local 98 Collective Bargaining Agreement Contract.
~ Equal Opportunity Employer ~
DEFINITION
Skilled technical work in the operation maintenance repair and testing of wastewater treatment plant equipment and processes; all other related work as required.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Monitors equipment for abnormalities; collects and records operational data; adjusts operation parameters to maintain the process within state and federal specifications.
May act as Chief Operator on weekends and under emergency conditions; in the absence of the Chief Operator.
Assists Pretreatment Coordinator with sampler placement; performs lab tests on industrial samples; performs industry inspections. Enters and retrieves computer data; backs up computer data files.
Operates the laboratory on a rotating schedule; runs all tests for process control; runs tests to verify compliance with state and federal regulations; generates reports on results; makes up lab solutions.
Operates the leachate facility on a rotating schedule; performs preventative maintenance tasks; records operational data; makes changes to process equipment; generates reports.
Operates the dewatering equipment on a rotating schedule; adjusts the dewatering equipment for optimum performance; mixes chemicals; cleans equipment and area; takes samples.
Responds to alarms from the wastewater treatment plant autodialer system or when called in by other plant personnel.
Performs similar or related work and plows as required or as situation dictates.
Education and Experience
High school diploma or equivalency; Associate's degree in related field desirable; two years experience in wastewater treatment and collection; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge; Ability and Skills:
General knowledge of wastewater treatment theory and of processes and equipment involved; general knowledge of state and federal pollution control regulations; working knowledge of the latest materials; methods; and technologies used in wastewater treatment operations; basic knowledge of computers; software; installation and trouble-shooting.
Ability to calibrate and maintain lab equipment and perform lab tests; ability to observe and troubleshoot abnormal operating conditions in equipment; ability to maintain and evaluate records; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to supervise lower grade employees.
Licensing & Other Requirements
Massachusetts Grade V Wastewater Treatment Operator's certificate; or eligibility to obtain certification; required;
Massachusetts Class B CDL license desirable.
Residency within 15 miles of the physical boundaries of the City of Northampton is desirable.
Physical Requirements
Light to moderate physical effort generally required in the performance of lab testing and collection work; with occasional heavy lifting required. Must be able to access all areas of multi level facility. Good close; distant; color; and peripheral vision; as well as depth perception. Ability to operate a computer keyboard.
MISC. INFORMATION
One (1) Full-time vacancy: 40 hours per week. Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Grade 5G; Full Hourly Rate Range: $27.72.-$35.90 Anticipated Hiring Hourly Rate Range: $27.72-$31.23 All benefits and privileges are consistent with the Local #98 Collective Bargaining Agreement Contract. ~ Equal Opportunity Employer ~