Principal Water Pollution Control Plant Operator

Description

PRINCIPAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL PLANT OPERATOR

Regular, Full-Time Employment Opportunity

First Application Review Date: September 16, 2024

The Principal Water Pollution Control Plant Operator, reporting to the Water Pollution Control Operations Manager, undertakes supervisory responsibilities at the Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control Plant (SWPCP). Their duties include providing instruction, troubleshooting, and maintenance related to plant operations, supervising training programs, ensuring efficient operation and maintenance of equipment, and coordinating with various stakeholders.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This Principal Operator position is the advanced journey-level classification in the Water Pollution Control Operator series. Incumbents are responsible for the coordination efforts between the Operations and Maintenance sections of SWPCP, administering the Operations portion of the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), and ensuring preventative maintenance is performed as required. Incumbents supervise the Operator in Training (OIT) Program. The Principal WPCP Operator is distinguished from the next lower classification of Senior Water Pollution Control Operator in that the Principal WPCP Operator performs a complex range of duties in the scheduling, training, operation, maintenance, and repair of wastewater treatment systems and has supervisor level responsibility.

Essential Job Functions

(May include, but are not limited to, the following):

• Provides leadership for water pollution control operators; works in a collaborative manner with other staff such as maintenance, laboratory, administration, contractors and other city staff to ensure that all safety, compliance and optimization efforts are diligently pursued.
• Coordinates emergency response measures at the plant; notifies the Department of Public Safety as needed; familiarity with contingency plans, emergency operations, layout and activities in the facility, including the location of all pertinent records and documents; offers suggestions to improve safety protocols when needed.
• Monitors all plant treatment processes to ensure that local, state, and federal regulatory requirements are met, and documents process conditions as required.
• Reviews, comments and makes recommendations on plans and specifications for Capital Improvement Projects during design and construction at the Water Pollution Control Plant.
• Acts as liaison and coordinator for contractors and vendors on an as-needed-basis.
• Operates and makes minor repairs to engines, motors, pumps, sedimentation basins, flights, gates, valves, chlorinators, contact channels and other related equipment.
• Is proficient at the application, use, and administration of the SWPCPs CMMS and ensures that associated work orders are appropriate, properly submitted, approved, and issued in a timely fashion to ensure the SWPCP equipment is properly maintained.
• Reviews, adds critical relevant information if needed, and certifies logbook entries are accurate, complete and meet established guidelines.
• Performs and orders analytical tests as needed for pilot studies, process control evaluation or other troubleshooting efforts.
• Ensures cost effective operations through the control and monitoring of electrical loads, chemical usage, staffing overtime/training assignments, and other operations costs.
• Optimizes removal of all solids separation processes such as primary sludge pumping, sedimentation tank FOG skimming, programming of raw sludge pumping cycles, and algae float skimming treatment and disposal.
• Schedules work for all crews based on individual operator Shift assignment including annual vacation requests and other time off requests.
• Updates monthly schedule to ensure the plant is properly staffed at all times on all shifts every day of the year.
• Checks and reviews time cards, and ensures compliance with vacancy guidelines.
• Trains operations staff on new and existing systems and equipment, developing and modifying training materials as needed to keep up with existing and changing technology.
• Evaluates process control programs to ensure they work as designed, preform under extremes and tune/s the system/s when drift of the process is observed.
• May act as the Designated Operator in Charge for the Water Pollution Control Operations Manager in his/her absence.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Position requires sitting, standing, walking on level, uneven and slippery surfaces, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping and making repetitive hand movements in the performance of daily duties. The position also requires near and far vision when operating assigned equipment. Acute hearing is required in both the field and the office. The ability to lift, carry and push tools, equipment and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds is also required. Additionally, the incumbent in this outdoor position works in all weather conditions, including wet, heat, and cold. The incumbent may be exposed to chemicals, hazardous materials, skin irritants, fumes, and solvents. The nature of the work may also require the incumbent to perform confined space entries, climb ladders, use power and noise producing tools and equipment, drive motorized vehicles and work in heavy traffic conditions.

All of the work at the plant requires the use of appropriate personal protective equipment and/or established safety programs to perform the job. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

The base salary for this classification includes pay for potentially hazardous duties as listed in the essential job functions.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:

Graduation from High School or tested equivalent, AND

Five years of experience in the operation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment plant with at least 3 years at the shift supervisor level as defined by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). The Senior WPC Operator position at the SWPCP is considered equivalent to the SWRCB Shift Supervisor definition.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Chemical, biological, physical and mechanical systems associated with the operation of: pre-treatment, primary treatment, oxidation (facultative) ponds, fixed growth reactors (Nitrifying Trickling Filters), dissolved air flotation tanks, dual media filtration, disinfection, neutralization and the production of recycled water.
• The application, control, monitoring, troubleshooting and the equipment to dose polymer, chlorine or sodium hypochlorite, sodium bisulfite , and other related wastewater and water reclamation chemicals.
• Principles and practices necessary in the operation of filtration and disinfection for a Water Reclamation Plant.
• Principal and practices necessary in the operation of the Power (Co-Gen) Generation Facility, electrical distribution, and operation of related equipment.
• Regulatory agency guidelines as they apply to the collection, treatment and discharge of treated wastewater for both receiving waters and water reclamation supply.
• Mechanical, electrical and hydraulic principles.
• Safety procedures pertaining to plant operations, including the techniques for handling and storing hazardous chemicals, and responding to and reporting chemical spills and other emergencies.

Skill in:

• The use of Supervisor Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, Human Machine Interface (HMI) systems to monitor, adjust, and evaluate plant process control parameters to meet performance targets and meet or exceed effluent water quality goals for NPDES compliance.
• The use of computers; SCADA generated trends for wastewater treatment processes analysis, troubleshooting and process control.
• The use of hand, power, other mechanical, electrical and pneumatic tools and other equipment.

Ability to:

• Supervise Operations and coordinate activities during normal business hours requiring a high degree of competence.
• Communicate and prioritize assignments to ensure routine or emergency maintenance activities, maintenance or Capital Improvement Construction, and routine, special or emergency operations are carried out in a safe, compliant and effective manner.
• Carry out the Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control Plant standard operating procedures, and operations and maintenance requirements.
• Work with the mechanical support sections to ensure that required maintenance activities are completed in a safe, timely and effective manner.
• Read and interpret drawings, plans, schematics and specifications.
• Keep accurate records; prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence and memoranda.
• Supervise the SWPCP Operations Training Programs and train/mentor assigned staff.
• Perform all plant operations without supervision.
• Analyze and correct plant operations problems, and ensure continuous safe operation of the plant.
• Perform routine laboratory analysis for treatment and process control evaluation.
• Work as an effective team leader offering support to all levels of staff.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions, and to communicate in a professional manner both orally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Work with, in, and around influents containing municipal wastewater, plant treatment processes, wastewater treatment chemicals, hazardous materials, and residential, commercial and industrial sewage.
• Read and interpret gauges and other recording devices reflecting wastewater treatment plant operations and make complex operational adjustments based on recorded data.
• Be fit tested and wear/dawn and maintain the ability to use an air-purifying respirator and/or self contained breathing apparatus SCBA.
• Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.
• Operate standard office equipment; use word processing and spreadsheet applications.

Willingness to:

• Respond to emergencies at any time of the day or night, including weekends and holidays; occasionally perform duties for periods longer than the normal eight-hour work day or more than five days per week, or both.
• Travel to all areas around the Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control Plant, surrounding ponds and landfill area as needed to evaluate and ensure proper operation during normal and emergency events.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license and a safe driving record.
• Possession of a valid Grade III or above Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators Certificate issued by the California State Water Quality Control Board.

Application and Selection Process

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a City of Sunnyvale employment application and responses to the supplemental questions to the Department of Human Resources. The F irst Application Review Date is September 16, 2024. Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience, or skills relevant to this position. Electronic applications may be submitted on-line through the City's employment page at Sunnyvale.ca.gov and clicking on CITY JOBS. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
EXAM PROCESS
Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position. Based upon a review of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the examination process, which may consist of an oral examination. Note: The examination process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Director of Human Resources.

If selected to continue in the process, a copy of your current California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) record printout will be required.

SELECTION PROCESS
Those candidates that receive a passing score on the examination will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year, in accordance with the City's Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies. Any candidate that is selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a background history check, as well as a medical exam(s) administered by a City-selected physician(s) before hire. Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.

INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION
Please note: Any successful candidate, selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e. copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Positions in this job classification are represented by the Sunnyvale Employee Association (SEA).
The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

The City of Sunnyvale is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Sunnyvale not to discriminate against all qualified applicants or employees on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion (including religious dress or grooming practice), color, sex (includes gender, pregnancy, childbirth, medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, breastfeeding or medical conditions related to breastfeeding), gender identity and/or gender expression, sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality), ethnic or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member status, marital status, family relationship, age, cancer or HIV/AIDS related medical condition, genetic characteristics and/or genetic information, and physical or mental disability. Applicants needing special accommodations for testing should submit a request to the Department of Human Resources at time of application.

Summary of Sunnyvale's Employees Association SEA

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Closing Date/Time: Continuous

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