$58,531.20 - $82,742.40 Annually
The Sewer Utility Division operates four wastewater treatment plants and maintains 58 pump stations, 148 miles of gravity pipe, 37 miles of force mains and 3,775 manholes in Kitsap County. Recycled water services are planned for future demand. Other services include construction plan review and inspections, sewer utility billing, community education and outreach, GIS mapping, maintenance of sewer records and responding to public information requests. It is our goal to protect public health and the environment while providing cost effective service for our customers. To learn more about what we do check out this video: https://vimeo.com/39645552
Position Information
The incumbent is responsible for wastewater treatment plant and pump station operation and maintenance. Monitors and makes adjustments to the wastewater treatment process control, operates various equipment for the liquid and solid processes, and perform routine wastewater laboratory tests and analysis. Responsibilities include maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of a variety of wastewater treatment process equipment.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR PERFORMANCE OF THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Required Education and Experience
- One year of treatment plant experience and Group I Wastewater Operation Certification; OR
- Group II Wastewater Operator Certification.
- Please note: In order to progress beyond pay grade step 8 of the pay scale an employee must obtain a Group II Wastewater Certification.
Preferred Education, Experience or Other Qualifications
- Group III Wastewater Operator Certification.
Certification information available at: https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Wastewater-operator-certification/Certification-information
Please note:
-
Employees within the classification of Plant Operator who are assigned to work at Central Kitsap Treatment Plant and who have obtained a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Level III certification or higher will receive a seven percent (7%) premium pay for all compensable time.
-
Employees receiving the certification premiums above will remain eligible to receive shift differential pay in accordance with Article 26, Section B.7 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (Shift Differential).
Driving Requirements:
The successful incumbent must meet the driving requirements of this position and submit a copy a current driving record/abstract (from state of residency) to review for eligibility to drive for Kitsap County prior to employment.The successful incumbent must obtain a valid Washington State Driver's License prior to hire and maintain a satisfactory driving record as outlined in the Kitsap County Vehicle Use Policy. This position is categorized as Category 1: Driver operates County-owned vehicle.
Required Licenses, Certificates, Examinations/Tests and Other Requirements
Please note: The incumbent is responsible for obtaining and maintaining all of the following required licenses, certifications and other requirements.
Prior to employment the successful candidate must:
- Pass a criminal background check through law enforcement agencies.
- Pass a medical/physical evaluation, including audiometric testing, conducted in accordance with WAC 296-817-400, medical evaluations.
- Pass all job-related examinations/tests necessary to demonstrate required knowledge, skills and abilities, as determined by the hiring authority at time of job posting.
- Provide references that demonstrate reliability, a good attendance record and a positive work ethic/attitude.
- Authorize and complete a criminal background check. Information received is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will not necessarily remove a candidate from consideration.
Within six months of employment must obtain (and maintain during employment) the following licenses and certifications:
- Washington State Industrial First Aid/CPR certification
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (May vary by position)
- The standard practices, methods, tools and materials used in the mechanical trades.
- Processes involved in wastewater treatment.
- Occupational hazards and safe practices as applied to the work performed.
- Wastewater mathematics as related to process control
- Read and understand engineered drawings.
- Read meters and gauges correctly.
- Keep records and make reports.
- Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
- Establish and maintain satisfactory relationships with other employees.
- Operate automotive equipment, generators and standard equipment used in the operation of a wastewater treatment plant.
- Maintain and repair various mechanical equipment for wastewater treatment processing.
- Physically perform assigned duties and essential functions of the position.
- Work various shifts, evening, weekends, holidays, overtime, on-call as required.
- Work under the occupational hazards and safety precautions required when performing assignments.
- Wear protective gear as needed.
- Report for duty on time and remain at work until the end of their scheduled shift even if an inclement weather event or emergency is declared as an "Essential Employee" under the Public Works Inclement Weather/Emergency Response policy.
Working Conditions/Physical Activities
(The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Kitsap County provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)
Positions in this class typically require:
- Work performed both inside and outside the wastewater treatment plants.
- Exposure to physical hazards associated with working around pumping equipment, generators, all forms of sewage (solid, liquid, gaseous) and large diesel/gasoline vehicles.
- Enter confined spaces under alternate entry procedures which ensure safety.
- Bending, stooping, reaching (over shoulders, at waist and below waist), walking, standing and working high above ground, adequate vision sufficient to view gauges and operate equipment and prepare log books, and hearing sufficient to respond to audible alarms, speaking adequate to communicate effectively, manual dexterity to grasp/handle equipment and materials.
- The exertion of force of up to 50 pounds occasionally, and/or up to 35 pounds frequently and/or 10 pounds constantly to move objects.
- To pull 50 ft. hoses, weighing at least 25 lbs. each, which includes bending, stooping, reaching, and pulling motions.
- To turn sometimes difficult large, 24 inch diameter, wheel valves up to 30 revolutions.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
- Operate Wastewater Treatment Process Control: Collect samples, perform routine laboratory tests and analysis, interpret data for process control, make process adjustments based on laboratory analysis, examine micro-organisms for biological conditioning of the plant, filament identification to determine corrective action, chemical addition for process recovery, perform calculations for process adjustments, and understand and troubleshoot plant processes.
- Operate Wastewater Solids Process - Dewatering/Thickening/Septic Receiving:
Operate: centrifuge for biosolids dewatering, rotary drum thickeners/gravity belt thickeners for sludge thickening, maintain and monitor septage receiving station
Monitor: gauges, meters, alarms, control panels, emergency generators and transfer switches. Observe variations in operating conditions and test results to determine processing requirements.
- Perform Plant Maintenance: Operate and troubleshoot plant equipment, Surface preparation and painting, use hypochlorite for cleaning and algae control, wash down, pressure washing and cleaning tanks, and grounds maintenance.
- Perform Preventative Maintenance and operate: motors, pumps, clarifiers, dewatering and thickening equipment, relevant mechanical equipment, exercise valves and rotate equipment, and UV disinfection system.
- Monitoring of Plant Systems: Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer application for monitoring plant operations, Telemetry program and Plant PLC's. Monitor: gauges, meters, alarms, control panels, and observe operating conditions
- Perform other duties as assigned.
OTHER POSITION RELATED INFORMATION
- Who May Apply: This position is open to the general public. Applications will be screened for qualifications and completion of all the required materials and forms. The most competitive applicants may be contacted for further steps in the selection process, which may include testing for office and computer skills.
- This position is classified as eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- Covered under a collective bargaining agreement with Public Works Utilities - Teamsters Local 589. The contract is available at: https://www.kitsapgov.com/hr/Documents/CBA-Teamsters589PublicWorksUtilities.pdf (Download PDF reader). Membership in the (union/guild) is optional.
- Internal applicants should be aware that a change in union status or bargaining unit may impact your benefits and accruals. Please contact Human Resources if you have questions.
- Kitsap County is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please contact our Human Resources Office.
- This posting may be used to fill future openings.
- Only authorized employees and hiring authorities have access to the application materials submitted. Per RCW 42.56.250, all applications for public employment, including the names of applicants, resumes, and other related materials submitted with respect to an applicant are exempt from public inspection.
This position is open until filled first review scheduled for the week of January 22, 2024 and then will be reviewed weekly!