SEWAGE PLANT OPERATOR / WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR

Code: 05943 Local Non-Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction operates, adjusts, and regulates sewage plant pumps, valves, and other equipment, takes periodic readings of relevant gauges, and may conduct routine standardized tests on sewage samples; does related work as required.

Under direction, operates, adjusts, regulates, and maintains plant machines and equipment to purify and clarify water for human consumption and industrial use; does other related duties.

Examples of work

• Operates, adjusts, and regulates chemical feed machines, sludge digestion pumps, flowmeters, valves, and other equipment.
• Checks and adjusts the flow and levels in varied tanks and sludge chambers.
• Takes periodic readings of relevant gauges and records these readings.
• Opens and closes appropriate valves.
• Maintains proper liquid levels in pressure accumulators.
• Reads and checks gas meters and regulates gas cocks.
• Operates, adjusts, and regulates chlorinators.
• Operates sewage plant incinerator.
• May perform routine tests on samples taken from portion of sewage passing through the plant.
• Maintains the working area in a clean/sanitary condition.
• Packs pumps and maintains proper flow in sedimentation tanks.
• Periodically inspects plant and equipment for malfunctions and needed repairs, performs minor repairs, and lubricates machines and equipment.
• May maintain and prepare all equipment and paraphernalia necessary for performance of tests to sewage samples.
• Keeps records and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Operates and controls electric motors, pumps, and valves to regulate flow of raw water into treatment plant.
• Dumps specified amounts of chemicals such as chlorine, ammonia, and lime into water or adjusts automatic devices that admit specified amounts of chemicals into tanks to disinfect, deodorize, and clarify water.
• Starts agitators to mix chemicals and allow impurities to settle to bottom of tank.
• Turns valves to regulate water through filter beds to remove impurities.
• Pumps purified water into water mains.
• Monitors panelboard and adjusts controls to regulate flow rates, loss of head pressure and water elevation, and distribution of water.
• Cleans tanks and filter beds using backwashing (reverse flow of water).
• Repairs and lubricates machines and equipment using handtools and power tools.
• Tests water samples to determine acidity, color, and impurities using colorimeter, turbidimeter, and conductivity meter.
• Dumps chemicals such as alum into tanks to coagulate impurities and to reduce acidity.
• Records data such as residual content of chemicals, water turbidity, and water pressure.
• May perform minor repairs such as replacing packing in pumps or valves and/or replacing bearings in motors and pumps, lubricating machines, and equipment.
• May operate primary pumping equipment to transfer raw water to treatment plant or to distribute treated water to residential, commercial, or industrial establishments.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Experience

One (1) year of experience in operating, adjusting, regulating, repairing, and maintaining pumps, valves, electric motors, and other electrical and mechanical equipment of the type used in a sewage treatment plant.

One (1) year of experience in operating, adjusting, regulating, repairing, and maintaining electric motors, pumps, valves, and other electrical and mechanical equipment of the type used in a water treatment plant, pumping station, or filtration plant.

License

Appointees may be required to possess a current and valid Public Wastewater Systems Operator License and/or a Public Water Treatment System Operator License of the appropriate class issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Appointees may be required to possess a valid Public Water Treatment Operator license of the appropriate class, depending on the permit level of the facility, issued by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection.

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of procedures used in operating, adjusting, and regulating sewage plant pumps, valves, and other equipment.
• Ability to understand, remember, and carry out oral and written directions.
• Ability to determine whether equipment is working properly.
• Ability to understand significance of various gauges.
• Ability to maintain records and files.
• Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
• CODE: @ 10/10/1996
• <b>WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR</b>
• Knowledge of the purpose and operation of varied equipment found in a water treatment plant such as pumps, valves, and gauges.
• Knowledge of methods used in operating, adjusting, and regulating alum and lime feeders, chemical feed machines and chlorinators, purification machines, water pumps, filters, and flowmeters.
• Knowledge of methods used in regulating amounts of water and pumping it into a distribution system or storage tanks.
• Knowledge of the location and functions of all equipment present in the plant.
• Knowledge of techniques used in collecting water samples and in conducting and recording standard bacteriological analysis of water.
• Knowledge of methods used in replacement of packing in pumps and valves, replacement of bearings in motors and pumps, and of equipment lubrication.
• Knowledge of techniques used in conducting other tests using colorimeter, turbidimeter, and conductivity meter.
• Knowledge of arithmetic operations used in determining correct amounts of chemicals (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers).
• Knowledge of precautions to be observed when handling chemical agents.
• Knowledge of water treatment processes including but not limited to ammoniation, deflouridation, chlorination, and so forth.
• Ability to work under general direction and to follow a prescribed schedule.
• Ability to do work that is repetitive but requires strict adherence to prescribed procedures.
• Ability to check operations throughout a shift and to record various data according to established format.
• Ability to maintain proper water levels and water pressures.
• Ability to relay information regarding shift operation such as problems encountered and action taken.
• Ability to perform minor maintenance such as oiling and greasing, cleaning and replacing gaskets and piping, and replacing packing.
• Ability to stand and walk for prolonged periods of time.
• Ability to climb.
• Ability to turn valves and controls.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
• CODES: LG- MER 8/28/08
• DUAL TITLE CODE:
• This job specification is for local government use only.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Appointees may be required to complete other job-related training courses, as required by the Appointing Authority.