Treatment Plant Operator

The City of Pittsfield's Department of Public Utilities, Wastewater Division, is seeking a qualified individual to fill the position of Treatment Plant Operator (TPO) within the Wastewater division of the DPU. The TPO operates, maintains, and repairs machinery and equipment in and around wastewater treatment plants, and adjacent facilities as necessary. The candidate’s duties also include but are not limited to, conducting routine laboratory tests, checking machinery and equipment for malfunctions, taking, and recording readings of instruments, and performing incidental custodial cleaning and maintenance painting.

We are an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer committed to promoting a multicultural work force, excellence in public service, and on-going mutual respect in our working relationships. We strongly encourage people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, bilingualists, and people from other underrepresented groups to apply for our open positions - recognizing and respecting that diverse perspectives and experiences are valuable to our team and essential to our public service.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operates, maintains & repairs wastewater or sewage treatment machinery and equipment, including but not limited to primary and secondary clarifiers, trickling filters, aerators, digesters, sludge dewatering equipment, chemical feed equipment, chlorinators, pumps and ejectors, motors, air and gas compressors, valves, gates and other related equipment.
• Makes routine laboratory tests at various stages of treatment in accordance with standard procedures and makes changes in treatment chemicals and equipment as required to maintain treatment performance within established limits.
• Performs treatment related duties as required, including but not limited to, grounds maintenance, treated water and waste stream sampling on or off the several facilities operating valves and gates to adjust flow rates, adjusting recording instruments, performing inventories of and ordering chemicals as directed, changing chlorine cylinders, operating motor vehicles in support of various treatment related operations, and salting and sanding or plowing snow in support of the facility operations.
• Checks machinery and equipment for malfunctions, conducts regular & routine preventative maintenance, makes repairs to or assists in the repair or overhaul of process machinery and equipment.
• Performs incidental custodial cleaning and maintenance painting required to maintain treatment plants and other facilities in neat, clean, and orderly fashion.
• Takes and records readings of instruments, makes adjustments in equipment as indicated or required and maintain operation and treatment logs.
• Wastewater Superintendent, Chief TPO and Head Treatment Plant Operator are the supervisors for the Treatment Plant Operator.
• Performs other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Valid Massachusetts Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator’s 4M Certificate for Treatment within six months of appointment.
• Valid 1D hoisting license within 1 year of appointment.
• Valid Massachusetts Vehicle Operator’s License.
• Knowledge of, and familiarity with, water or wastewater treatment processes and operations founded on demonstrated record of experience in the same or similar field.
• Knowledge of, and familiarity with, basic water chemistry and laboratory procedures and equipment used in water and wastewater treatment equipment analysis.
• Demonstrated competence in mathematics and familiarity with routine calculations used in water and wastewater treatment and process control, such as detention time, weir overflow rate, chemical feed rates, pollutant concentrations, and process loadings.
• Knowledge of, and familiarity with construction and operating characteristics of valves, gates, pumps, motors, compressors, and other equipment as used in water and wastewater treatment plants and processes.
• Physical ability and agility to operate valves, gates and other equipment as required in the treatment facility or pumping operation and control involving the entry into manholes and vaults, climbing ladders, cross-country travel, etc.
• Ability to interact with people on an upbeat and friendly basis, regardless of circumstances.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The incumbent works in various dynamic municipal buildings and locations.  While performing the duties of the Treatment Plant Operator, the incumbent is required to: interact and communicate frequently with the public, government officials, other staff members and boards, and/or third parties transacting business with the City. Frequent periods of outside work may be entailed, subject to all weather conditions and extremes.  Incumbent may be required to work at any time during the 24-hour day to respond to weather-related or emergency needs. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Physical ability and agility sufficient to operate valves, gates and other equipment as required in treatment facility or pumping operation and control involving the entry into manholes and vaults, climbing ladders, cross-county travel etc. Lift up to 50 lbs.

HOURS

40 hours per week

7AM- 3PM Float (Work schedule is a floating schedule that can change based on scheduling needed for operation shift coverage due to scheduled time off for shift employees. This may include weekends, holidays, second and third shifts. This only occurs on future non-posted schedules).

SALARY

Without Grade 6C Certification

$19.10- $26.44 per hour

With Grade 6C Certification

$23.24 - $32.17 per hour