Water Treatment Plant Operator/Mechanic

City of South Milwaukee is seeking a versatile pro with a mechanical aptitude.  First shift hours, plus emergency call-ins on a rotational basis.

Paid training and additional education opportunities.

POSITION SUMMARY: Under the immediate supervision and direction of the Chief Operator and Water/Wastewater Facilities Manager, the Water Treatment Plant Operator/Mechanic performs a variety of semi-skilled and skilled technical and maintenance work in the operation, maintenance, and repair of membrane water treatment facilities and systems for efficient operation and performance of the water filtration plant, including treatment, filtration, pumping, and associated duties. This position provides maintenance and mechanical repair to Water Treatment Plant tools and equipment. This position qualifies as emergency personnel as permitted Wis. Stat. Sec. 66.0502.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Operates, inspects and performs routine maintenance on pumps, filters, and motors, reservoirs, settling basins, and other water treatment plant mechanical and electrical equipment.
• Monitors the performance of all equipment, gauges and charts in the water treatment plant stations.
• Reads and records statistical data secured from recording charts and gauges and logs operational functions.
• Inspects and/or repairs chlorine machine and other water treatment equipment, pumping stations, reservoir, wells, meters, and other elements of the water supply system at frequent intervals to ensure that all aspects of the systems are functioning properly.
• Assists in maintaining water quality by taking water samples, testing for plant efficiency; and maintaining proper operation of water treatment equipment.
• Performs laboratory tests using various equipment such as spectrophotometer, titrator, and turbidimeter.  Examples of tests include P.H., Total and Free Chlorine, Alkalinity, hardness, fluoride and various bacteriological tests.
• Maintains a variety of written and computerized records relating to inspections, maintenance activity, water supply, treatment, etc.
• Monitors water quality and turbidity.
• Checks chlorine and fluoride levels.
• Assists in unloading and feeding of chemicals. Requires safe handling of dangerous chemicals.
• Consults with lab tech/operator in determining chemical feeding quantities.
• Determines efficient operation by observing operation, interpreting results, and recording plant performance on designated forms and computerized applications.
• Ensures that all work is performed in a safe manner
• Keeps premises neat and orderly.
• Maintains and repairs water treatment plant pumps and feeder systems; checks valves, motors, and air lines; installs bearings in shafts and motors.
• Performs sonic test and pin membrane modules.
• Maintains pumping stations; maintains and repairs pumps; replaces bearings, valves, seals and sleeves, and repacks pumps.
• Performs regularly scheduled preventive maintenance work on plant and pumping station equipment; maintains comprehensive logs of all maintenance work done on equipment.
• Designs and/or modifies existing equipment and systems as needed; prepares reports and sketches of installations or changes.
• Repairs chlorinating and metering equipment; changes chlorine cylinders.
• Maintains air compressors.
• Welds, cuts, fabricates, brazes and repairs heavy equipment parts; lays out marks and welds light and heavy gauge metals.
• May operate equipment such as forklift, lawnmower, air hammer, backhoe/loader, and dump truck.
• Maintains spare parts and supplies for all plant and auxiliary station equipment.
• Mows lawn and maintains landscape.
• Cleans underground reservoirs.
• Assists in on-the-job training for co-workers.
• Assists with distribution operations as needed.
• Assists at the Wastewater Facility as needed.
• Maintains prompt, predictable, and regular physical attendance.
• Performs other related duties consistent with the function of the classification; other duties as assigned.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Post-secondary education or training in water treatment technology or chemistry with Associate degree preferred.
• Two years of recent, relevant experience in equipment maintenance or mechanical repair desired.
• Two years of experience in Water Filtration Plant operation desired.
• Experience in the operation and programming of SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) software desired.
• A combination of education and experience that can be demonstrated to result in possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position may also be considered.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• • Thorough knowledge of water treatment plant operations.
  • Excellent knowledge of mechanical, plumbing, and electrical equipment of the types found in water treatment plants.
  • Ability to maintain a good safety attitude and to abide by all safety practices.
  • Knowledge of Water Filtration Plant operations and the equipment, materials, methods and procedures used in water treatment plant operation, maintenance, and mechanical repair.
  • Knowledge of occupational and safety hazards and precautions necessary in the work place.
  • Ability to monitor, control, and adjust operations of the treatment plant via use of a SCADA system.
  • Ability to maintain written and computerized records and reports accurately and independently.
  • Thoroughness, resourcefulness, and good judgment.
  • Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
  • Ability to perform tasks with strong attention to detail.
  • Ability to effectively communicate, orally and in writing.
  • Ability to deal with the public with tact and discretion.
  • Ability to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the public.
  • Ability to work independently.
  • Computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Office software, e-mail, and internet.
  • Ability to provide truthful and accurate written and verbal communications.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• • • Valid State Driver’s License.
    • Possession of Grade S-1 Wisconsin DNR Certification as a Water Utility Operator within one year of hire.
    • This position is scheduled to work on a 4 on, 2 off; 5 on, 2 off rotating schedule.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED: Water Filtration Plant components; personal computer and related software; office equipment including telephone, copy machine, calculator, printer, and fax machine; motor vehicles, dump trucks, backhoe/loader, forklift, lawnmowers, ladders, generators, pumps, gauges, common hand and power tools, shovels, wrenches, detection devices, mobile radio, and a variety of lab equipment.

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 position.  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 frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl; climb, balance, bend, twist and reach; smell, feel, hear, and talk; push, pull, grasp, carry, use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, controls, and machinery; reach with hands and arms.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and in outside weather conditions.  The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, risk of electric shock and vibration, and may work in high, precarious places.  The employee is frequently exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals.  The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.  Must be able to withstand exposure to inclement weather and loud noises and exposure to laboratory chemicals.

Special Conditions of Work: Required to work nights, weekends, overtime, and at odd hours when emergency conditions require such duty and to serve on a rotational “Stand-by” week. Must be able to work unsupervised for extended periods of time.

SELECTION GUIDELINES: Formal application; rating of education and experience; oral interview; reference check; job related tests may be required.  All applicants may be required to submit to medical examination prior to appointment, consistent with the requirements of the position.  Background check of local, state, or federal authorities will be conducted for all applicants.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

RESIDENCY: The residency requirement for all emergency city employees shall be as permitted by Wis. Stat. Sec. 66.0502.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: As outlined in the annual Salary Ordinance and Civil Service Personnel Manual.

DISCLAIMER: The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.  This is an “at will” position, and no language found in this posting should be interpreted in any way to create an employment contract of any type.

The City of South Milwaukee is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the city will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

The City of South Milwaukee does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, creed, color, national origin, political affiliation, or the presence of sensory, mental, or physical disability, or any other non-merit factor.

Minority applicants and Military Veterans are encouraged to apply.