Operator (Wastewater Transport) - Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

POSITION: Operator (Wastewater Transport)

DIVISION: Operations

DEPARTMENT: Wastewater General

UNION/GRADE: Unit 3/Grade 16

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BASIC PURPOSE:

Operates, monitors, and inspects assigned wastewater facilities and operational equipment, processes, and systems on an assigned shift in a designated area. Performs assigned maintenance functions as part of a team under the direction of the assigned Area or Operations Supervisor.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the general supervision of the Area and/or Operations Supervisor.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

May supervise or direct assigned employees at a lower grade. May provide guidance or instruction to Operator-in-Training.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Operates equipment manually and through instrument panel and programmable logic control units, system flows and levels in assigned process area. Equipment may include, but will not be limited to the following; pumps, valves, gates, meters, gauges, controllers, motor control centers, level controls devices, mixers, oxygen generation, chemical feed, odor control and hydroelectric equipment.
• Monitors and inspects operating conditions; records observations and data in area shift log.
• Provides oversight for all barge and truck loading/unloading operation.
• Provides oversight for chemical and fuel oil unloading to facility fuel storage.
• Takes initial action to correct malfunctions of equipment and reports malfunctions and variances to the Area/Operations Supervisor.
• Operators may be dispatched to critical facilities to make operational changes as directed or to investigate alarms.
• Samples various process fluids and odor control systems and analyzes, records, and labels according to schedule.
• Operates equipment through programmable logic control units.
• Operates the Processes Instrumentation and Control System (PICS), TELOG or SCADA and fills-in for the Area/Supervisor as required.
• Calibrates critical process control equipment.
• Follows established safety, operating, and emergency response procedures and policies established by MWRA.
• Communicates with other operators regarding operational and process control conditions.
• Performs work in compliance with Authority established Integrated Contingency Plan.
• Inspects and troubleshoots mechanical, electromechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic equipment using tools and gauges of the trade. Performs preventive maintenance on operations equipment as directed by MAXIMO, such as but not limited to: greasing and lubrication, minor packing adjustments, opening hatches and installing safety rails, changing light bulbs, HVAC filters and performing minor maintenance during shift work as required.
• Performs, documents and reports results in the MAXIMO database of inspections and work performed.
• Assists other trades in the performance of their work, as required, or as assigned.
• Operates motor vehicles such as vans and pick-up trucks to transport materials to work sites, and pickup and deliver supplies and equipment.
• Performs light maintenance independently or as part of a team.
• Operates forklift or other light equipment that does not require a special license.
• Generates inspection lists and maintenance reporting through the Computerized Maintenance Management System.
• Inspects and troubleshoots various systems and equipment.
• Installs and retrofits/new equipment related to facility systems.
• Modifies and/or aligns existing equipment to specifications.
• With proper safety training sets up ladders, staging and rigging and utilizes hoists, jacks, dollies, lifts, etc. for proper access to job and to remove and install equipment.
• Operates portable pumping, ventilation and other equipment necessary to support and accomplish assigned tasks.
• Greases and lubricates, replaces oil reserves, minor packing adjustments and opens hatches.
• Installs safety rails, changes light bulbs and replaces HVAC filters.
• Removes snow from immediate work area in order to perform tasks.
• Conducts routine testing, lockout/tagout, operation (startup/shutdown) and adjustment of process equipment.
• Performs necessary cleanup and housekeeping for work area and other light maintenance tasks.

SECONDARY DUTIES:

• Promotes and participates in the productivity improvement plan.
• Trains other operational staff, peers and subordinates as requested.
• Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

• A high school diploma or GED or basic reading, writing, mathematical and oral communication skills as normally attained through a high school education or equivalent; and
• Working knowledge of wastewater collection and treatment system operation and treatment plant equipment operation and at least one (1) year of experience preferably at a wastewater plant; or
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Basic reading, writing, mathematical, scientific and oral communication skills.
• A working knowledge of treatment plant processes, systems and operation of related equipment, such as instrument panels, programmable logic control units, pumps, valves, motor control centers, level control devices, mixers, oxygen generation, chemical feed and odor control equipment.
• Knowledge in safety practices in operation of wastewater equipment and the wastewater treatment plant facility.
• Ability to interpret data from meters, gauges and other equipment to operate manually and through instrument panels, all kinds of wastewater treatment equipment to control treatment processes.
• Ability to work as a team to support the goals of Operations.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing, and maintain accurate logs and records.
• Experience in operating distributive control systems preferred.
• Computer skills necessary to access and use the MAXIMO and Lawson database.
• Trained in Confined Space Entry, CPR and First Aid, and be capable of entering, setting up, installing, disassembling confined space equipment and ability to work in a confined space.
• Ability to attain knowledge & work processes required to perform maintenance tasks required by Reliability Centered Maintenance or similar Maintenance Management Program.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• A valid Massachusetts Grade 2 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator license (Full or Operator-in Training (OIT)).
• A valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
• Satisfactory completion of competency-based training program in accordance with the productivity improvement plan training program established at MWRA.
• Completion of exam prep class for Grade 2-4 Wastewater Treatment license is strongly encouraged.
• Completion of MWRA Introduction to Supervisory Development course is strongly encouraged.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Office equipment as normally associated with the use of telephone and personal computer including word processing and other software, copy and fax machine.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this 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 use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; taste or smell.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and vibration. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud in field settings, and moderately quiet in an office setting.

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.