HomeMy WebLinkAboutWastewater Plant Operator Job Description 01 24 25
CITY OF MONROE
JOB DESCRIPTION
WASTEWATER PLANT OPERATOR
Supervised by: Operations Supervisor Wastewater
Supervises: No supervisory responsibilities
Position Summary:
Under the supervision of the Operations Supervisor - Wastewater, the employee is responsible for the
daily operations of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, ensuring that all equipment and treatment
processes are functioning correctly. Performs a variety of cleaning and facility maintenance tasks.
Essential Duties and Job Functions:
An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions.
These examples do not include all of the duties that the employee may be expected to perform. To
perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.
1. Monitors all plant operations, including pretreatment, primary treatment, secondary treatment,
disinfection, and sludge handling, making adjustments to maintain proper treatment and produce
water safe to discharge. Determines appropriate times to add chlorine, put tanks into service, or
take tanks out of service, and implement other changes, based on current conditions.
2. Completes routine lab tests, including but not limited to: determining solids, settling rate,
dissolved oxygen, etc., and uses results to guide adjustments in the process to maintain proper
treatment. Collects and delivers samples to the laboratory for technical analysis.
3. Reports all utility work progress and plant operations to supervisors. Confers with supervisors,
noting any potentially serious, irregular, unusual situations or concerns. Logs any issues in the
daily log book.
4. Confers with other treatment plant personnel on issues related to high flows, power outages,
equipment failure, or unusual waste characteristics. Initiates adjustments and takes corrective
actions according to established procedures or agreed-upon strategies.
5. Operates all equipment and wastewater plant processes, including putting equipment into
service, taking equipment out of service and determining if equipment/processes are functioning
correctly. Take appropriate steps to correct any problems. Notifies supervisors of uncorrectable
major equipment malfunctions or suspected problems.
6. Cleans screens, removing and disposing of debris. Empties hoppers via Terex forklift if properly
trained and licensed.
7. Uses a variety of power and manual equipment including ladders, grease guns, hoses, portable
pumps, shovels, lawn mowers, weed whips, tractor, fork lift and trucks to complete tasks.
8. Reads gauges and meters, monitors lift station alarms, wet well alarms, equipment alarms and
flow, recording data in accordance with departmental standards.
9. Performs plant utility tasks, including painting, cutting grass, cleaning weirs, walls, tanks,
unplugging lines and so forth. Cleans equipment to maintain safe and efficient operations.
10. Assists wastewater maintenance and/or collection crews as needed to perform work tasks
related to collection systems, pump stations and the wastewater plant.
11. Incorporates all department safety procedures and practices in work activities, including confined
space entry, wastewater handling, chemical use, machine operations and other duties. Performs
safety equipment checks according to established procedures.
12. Maintains training on all plant updates, safety standards and wastewater treatment processes.
Participates in and provides input on plant upgrades.
13. Uses computers, computerized controls and applicable software to complete job duties, including
report writing, record keeping, data logging, process controls, SCADA and other hardware and
software as needed.
14. Responds to emergencies.
15. Participates in a rotating schedule to ensure adequate plant coverage.
16. Performs calculations related to work activities, including but not limited to areas, volumes,
detention times, flow rates, pumping, and treatment processes.
17. Receives calls or complaints. Initiates/relays calls to the appropriate contact and
explains treatment methods in accordance with standards.
18. Performs confined space entries as required.
19. Performs related work as required.
Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Minimum Qualifications:
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and minimum
qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations
may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job.
Requirements include the following:
• A high school diploma or GED.
• State of Michigan D Wastewater License required within two years of becoming eligible to take
the exam. Progressive training to C Wastewater License desirable.
• A
to maintain one throughout employment.
• CDL (B) license preferred.
• Minimum score of 70% on the City of Monroe aptitude examination.
• Ability to learn, through on-the-job training, the principles, practices and methods used in
wastewater treatment plant operations in a Michigan "Class A" plant.
• Knowledge of safety equipment and practices used when working with hazardous chemicals,
gases, or wastewater constituents, including hazardous gas detectors.
• Skill in operating equipment, utilizing hand and power tools, problem solving and following
complex instructions.
• Ability to respond and function safely and effectively in emergencies and after hours.
• Ability to learn computer programs or technical devices used by the department to maintain
records, specifications and repair work orders.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing. Ability to prepare and maintain a wide variety of
records and reports according to accepted standards.
• Ability to perform visual inspections of outdoor projects and conduct field visits.
• Ability to respond to emergency situations on a 24-hour basis.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those
an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk. The
employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms;
stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb or
balance and is frequently required to use motorized equipment, and occasionally operate a vehicle to
travel to other locations such as lift stations to perform work tasks. The employee must lift or push/pull
objects of up to 75 lbs. without assistance. Accommodation will be made, if needed, for employees
required to lift or move objects that exceed this weight.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and
is exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electrical shock. The
employee may be required to travel between work sites using a motor vehicle The noise level in the work
environment is usually moderate to loud.
January 2025