WATER REPAIRER 1/WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR

Definition

Under supervision, installs, maintains, and repairs mains, valves, pumps, hydrants, and other water service equipment; does other related duties 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

• Installs, maintains, and repairs water mains, pipes, valves, pumps, hydrants and other equipment.
• Ensures that water taps are closed in work areas.
• Sets drilling machines and taps water mains to the size required by placing sleeves and setting valves.
• Disassembles fire hydrants, removes defective parts, installs new parts, and reassembles hydrants.
• Replaces water valves.
• Operates an air compressor and pneumatic drill.
• Digs trenches to remove defective pipes and install new pipes and mains.
• Yarns, pours, and caulks joints.
• Loads and unloads pipes and fittings.
• Obtains, safeguards, and uses needed equipment, tools, materials and supplies.
• 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 the installation, repair, and maintenance of water mains, pipes, valves, hydrants, and other water service equipment and/or in the operation of water treatment plant apparatus and/or in varied plumbing work "OR" one (1) year of experience as a laborer in a public works department.

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 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 Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated.

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 making routine and complex repairs to water mains, pipes, and appurtenances.
• Knowledge of varied types of tools used in maintenance and repair of water installations.
• Ability to understand, recall, and carry out oral and written directions.
• Ability to learn quickly from oral and written explanations and from demonstrations.
• Ability to work with others.
• Ability to work for long periods in emergency situations and remain until all repairs have been made.
• Ability to operate an air compressor and skillfully use other specialized tools and equipment.
• 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 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.
• CODE: MER 10/08/2011
• <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
• This job specification is for local government use only.
• DUAL TITLE CODE: LG -
• This dual title job specification is for local government use only

Note

The definition 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 responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the required motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class and type of vehicles they operate, rests with the Appointing Authority.

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.