Water Treatment Operator

Position Description

Minneapolis Water Treatment & Distribution Services (WTDS), a division of the City’s Public Works Department, is the largest water utility in the upper Midwest. Our mission is to reliably provide safe, high-quality drinking water while serving as effective stewards of public resources and infrastructure. We take great pride in making significant contributions to the public health and safety of the community by delivering drinking water to over a half million people in the City of Minneapolis and its surrounding communities. Our Department is committed to creating a culture of information and knowledge sharing among employees.

Water treatment operators will operate a wide variety of pumps, valves, pipes, and reservoirs used in the water production system, impacting pumping stations, chemical water treatment systems, dewatering facilities, lagoons, lift stations, and boilers and monitor chemical dosage levels and operate chemical feed equipment to ensure proper functioning and application of chemicals . .
Availability: The Minneapolis drinking water utility is a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week operation. The person(s) filling this position must be willing to work fixed or rotating shift assignments, 24 hours a day and 365 days per year including weekends and holidays and be willing and able to work unanticipated, extended shifts until relieved by another employee.

Typical Shifts: 6:30am - 2:30pm, 2:30pm - 10:30pm, 10:30pm - 6:30am

Work Location:
This position currently works on-site only.

The City of Minneapolis does not sponsor applicants for work visas

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor the water systems equipment such as filters, membrane units, chemical feeders, pumps, boilers, valves, tanks, and filter presses to produce potable water.
• Operate pumping stations, chemical water treatment systems, dewatering facilities, lagoons, lift stations, and filter presses.
• Monitor and measure chemical dosage levels and operate chemical feed equipment to ensure proper functioning and application of chemicals.
• Operate various pumps, valves, pipes, and reservoirs used in the water production system.
• Inspect and perform essential maintenance of all related chemical, pumping, and analytical equipment.
• Perform inspections throughout the facilities on a roving schedule to assess conditions and effect required corrective action, including regular, pre-defined, and as-needed tasks.
• Record and maintain process information on water quality, production, pumping, and maintenance.
• Perform and interpret routine water quality analyses by collecting samples and performing physical and chemical analyses.
• Positively engage in training both as a trainee and mentor in areas in Minneapolis plant operations. When serving as a mentor, assist supervisors in assessing training progress.
• Clean, maintain and calibrate analytical equipment and chemical feed pumps.
• Perform routine monitoring of building mechanical systems and low-pressure heating boilers. If qualified and properly licensed, additional boiler duties may be assigned.
• Perform housekeeping duties and ground maintenance within and around facilities.
• Operate forklifts, pallet movers, and specialized equipment for moving railroad cars.
• Receive chemical deliveries, including escort, unloading, and transferring.
• Repair ultrafiltration membrane filters.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Perform office and fieldwork. Field type conditions in a water treatment plant and outside; work may include working in all kinds of weather conditions; exposure to heat, gases, fumes, chemicals, dust, dirt, and noise; ability to climb and work off of stairs, ladders and other platforms; ability to lift, maneuver and carry tools/equipment weighing up to 50 pounds; operate valves requiring up to 100 pounds of force; as needed, wear a respirator; work alone; work in confined spaces, in spaces which are not easily accessible and underground; climb down and work in manholes; work/stand on various surfaces.

Required Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:
Water Environment Technologies Diploma (One Year Program) or Equivalent; post-secondary course work in Environmental Science, Chemistry, Biology or related science field.

Minimum Experience:
This is an entry level position, years of experience performing operator work is a plus, but not required.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Minnesota Class 'D' Water Supply System Operator Certificate. (please attach a copy in your application)
• Possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.

Equivalency:
A combination of directly related education and/or experience may be considered.

Selection Process
The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience (100%). It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions. Only those candidates who attain a passing score (70%) on each step in the selection process will be placed on the eligible list. The City of Minneapolis Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process.

Background Check
The City has determined that a criminal background check and/or qualifications check may be necessary for certain positions with this job title. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the City to obtain their criminal history and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.

Drug and Alcohol Testing
All job applicants must pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be required to sign a notification and consent form prior to undergoing drug and alcohol testing. Applicants who do not consent to undergo drug and alcohol testing will not be required to do so and the City will withdraw the conditional job offer, resulting in the job applicant no longer being considered for the position.

Medical Exam
After a conditional job offer, candidates will be required to pass a medical examination which includes a physical screening.

Union Representation
This position is represented by a collective bargaining agreement between the City of Minneapolis and the Laborer's Local #363. For more information on the terms and conditions of this agreement please visit: https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/government/departments/hr/labor-agreements/laborers-local-363/

Eligible List Statement
The names of applicants who meet minimum qualification and who pass the screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for employment consideration. This list will be certified to the hiring manager who may use the list to fill a vacancy of the same job title. This eligible list will expire Three months after it has been established.

Interview Selection
The hiring authority reserves the right to determine the maximum number of candidates to interview from the established eligible list. If the hiring authority decides to interview other than by exam score order, they may select additional people to interview based on a candidate’s education or experience related to the field, work history, or skills uniquely related to the operational needs of the position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of mathematics, introductory chemistry, laboratory techniques and interpretation, and analytical instrumentation used in water treatment operations.
• Knowledge of Computerized Water Control (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)
• Knowledge of water plant maintenance and ability to identify and solve problems with water treatment systems.
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of emergency response procedures
• Knowledge of national and state regulatory monitoring and reporting requirements for water treatment and residual disposal
• Ability to monitor/evaluate/adjust treatment processes.
• Ability to work in teams.
• Skill in the operation and regulation of machinery and mechanical equipment
• Skill in analytical testing
• Ability to read and interpret prints and mechanical drawings, and equipment manuals.
• Ability to identify potential safety hazards and recognize unsafe work habits
• Ability to interpret data
• Ability to perform chemical analysis and interpret results
• Ability to evaluate the condition of equipment and perform preventive maintenance
• Ability to perform safety procedures
• Ability to operate mechanical process equipment in a water facility (pumps, valves, gates).
• Knowledge of chemical feeding equipment
• Knowledge of testing equipment and calibration procedures for analytical instruments
• Knowledge of analytical laboratory procedures and sampling techniques

Benefits Summary
Our employees enjoy competitive salaries and generous benefits. We pride ourselves on a comprehensive benefits program that supports employees' health and financial well-being. Programs, resources, and benefit eligibility varies based on position, average hours worked, location and length of service. For detailed benefits information, please visit the benefits page .

New 12 weeks of paid parental leave
City employees are eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in the event of a birth or placement for adoption of a child.

Insurance
Health insurance
Eligibility for benefits begins the first of the month following employment date. The City of Minneapolis offers eligible employees one plan design with a choice of six provider networks, allowing you to select the best option for you. Available plans include Medica Choice Passport, Medica Elect, VantagePlus with Medica, Park Nicollet and HealthPartners Medical Group First with Medica, Ridgeview Community Network powered by Medica, and Clear Value with Medica.

Dental insurance
The City of Minneapolis offers dental insurance through Delta Dental of Minnesota and pays 100% of the monthly premium for eligible employees.

Benefits
Paid time off
Our generous leave package includes vacation, holidays and paid sick leave, which gives employees the opportunity to enhance their quality of life outside work. Amounts and accrual rates are based on years of experience and collective bargaining agreements .

Retirement
City employees earn a pension and may choose to participate in additional retirement savings programs.

• Pension: The City of Minneapolis participates in the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). Employees and the City both contribute a percentage of your pay to fund future benefits.
• Deferred compensation: Employees may choose to participate in pre-tax or after-tax savings plans through the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS).

Transportation
Eligible City employees may choose to participate in the following transportation programs:

• Metropass: The Metropass program allows eligible employees to enroll in a pass for unlimited bus or light rail rides at a discounted price.
• Parking or Van Pool: The City of Minneapolis Transportation Benefits Plan gives you options to pay certain commuting costs, such as qualified parking and van pool expenses, with pre-tax dollars.

Learning and development
To engage and develop employees, the City of Minneapolis offers classes in leadership, cultural agility, change management and more. Additionally, educational discounts at Augsburg University, Hamline University, St. Catherine’s, and St. Mary's University of Minnesota are available to City employees.

Other perks
Employees can also take advantage of optional life insurance, flexible spending accounts, the Employee Assistance Program , health club discounts and more.

Closing Date/Time: 7/15/2024 11:59 PM Central

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