Job Description
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Job Title: Treatment Plant Operator - $36.80/hour
Posting Start Date: 10/9/26
Job Description:
Position Information
Posted Range: $36.80
This position may be eligible for annual incentive pay and contracted increases as determined by the collective bargaining agreement, and you will have the opportunity for continued salary growth.
In addition to compensation, you will be offered a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k), Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, plus disability, paid time off, life insurance, voluntary benefits, health and wellness programs and much more!
American Water is also proud to offer employees learning opportunities and work experiences to grow professionally!
Primary Role
Under the direction of the Production Supervisor, the Treatment Plant Operator operates, maintains and inspects the water treatment plant and related facilities to supply, treat, store, and distribute potable water, and/or operates and maintains the solids handling facilities of the water treatment plant as required to thicken, dewater and dispose of the residuals from the water plant. The Operator performs technical work related to the overall plant operation and maintenance, and/or the solids handling operation and maintenance.
The position requires experience and possession of a Kentucky Class IV-A Water Treatment Operators License.
Key Accountabilities
- Performs all work involving operations, maintenance and control of the water treatment plant, tanks, boosters, and solids/dewatering facilities. Monitors overall operations, analyzes chemical processes, and performs functions related to process control.
- Operates, monitors and adjusts, as necessary, all related plant process equipment, pumps and instrumentation.
- Responsible for the daily operation of all solids handling and dewatering processes associated with and resulting from the water treatment plant operation.
- Must meet the dewatering needs of the treatment plant. This includes operating a belt filter press dewatering system, monitoring and adjusting thickener performance, tracking solids volume and offloading dewatered sludge to the solids holding area.
- Performs duties related to the operation, maintenance (preventative/routine, adjustments, repairs) and control of all related plant process equipment including: basins, pumps, motors, chemical feeds, belt press dewatering systems, lagoons, holding tanks, thickeners, and laboratory instruments.
- Conducts various tests to determine proper chemical feed rates; calculates chemical feed rates and changes pump settings and feeders as needed; timing and calibration of chemical feed equipment. Monitors and controls the water supply, transmission and storage systems through SCADA.
- Assists in the safe unloading and storage of chemicals. Takes daily inventory of process chemicals.
- Operates water plant processes to provide compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations. Makes rounds of the treatment facilities, collects and analyzes samples required for compliance and process control.
- Performs a variety of laboratory tests to determine plant process performance.
- Maintains the plant, facilities, operation equipment, and laboratory equipment in clean and orderly condition (including routine housekeeping and grounds maintenance, site safety inspections).
- Maintain, standardize and calibrate bench top, on-line monitoring equipment, analyzers and treatment equipment.
- Take routine readings and records plant operation data as required. Maintain daily logsheet of plant operations, test results, maintenance work performed and unusual operating conditions.
- Work with computer equipment to input data for files and reports.
Key Accountabilities Continued
- The Treatment Plant Operator performs quarterly filter inspections. Performs basin washes as needed. During basin washes inspect all pipes, connections, cables, blades, and associated equipment within the basins.
- Monthly exercising of exterior diesels and inventory of diesel fuel.
- Monitors the performance and levels of gravity thickeners, holding tanks, and settling basins.
- Calculates chemical dosages and makes adjustments to flows, polymer feed and cake size based on visual inspections and physical testing. Operates and adjusts mixing and feed systems to ensure optimum polymer feed rate and evenness of sludge feed onto belt. Prepares polymer and sodium thiosulfate solutions.
- Takes daily meter readings and records press operation data as required on daily logsheet of press operations.
- Makes multiple rounds of the basins, holding tanks and thickeners daily to verify equipment operation and conditions of incoming residuals.
- Inventories supplies and chemicals used with the dewatering system. Assists in the safe unloading and storage of chemicals.
- Operates a dump truck daily in hauling the solids materials. Responsible for daily vehicle checks and proper use. Inspects and maintains dump truck, backhoe, and forklift for Production.
- Performs all preventative maintenance items per manufacturer's recommendations on belt press, pumps, conveyor, basin equipment and chemical feed systems.
- Makes equipment adjustments, lubrications, and minor repairs. Reports equipment problems in a timely fashion. Performs solids analysis on slurry, dry cake and supernatant discharge samples.
- Performs duties related to annual carbon exchange on filters.
- Maintains personal DOT certification for required operation of dump truck.
- Operates residuals program to maintain compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations.
- Maintains, standardize and calibrates assigned equipment throughout the plant. Maintain sludge holding area; keep solids leveled out, transport around property for beneficial reuse and land applications.
- May also perform the duties of other Treatment Plant Operators in their absence.
- Work with and assist other Treatment Plant Operators daily with operations as needed and to stay current on operational changes.
- When assuming the role of other Treatment Plant Operators, all duties and job responsibilities within that classification are to be performed. Operator must maintain effective, respectful communications and interactions with other Operators, Supervisors, and employees from other departments.
- Inform other work areas, departments and operations personnel of situations, which may affect overall operations.
- Follow the Company's Environmental, Health and Safety Policies.
- Performs other related functions and duties as assigned by Supervisor or as they become apparent.
Knowledge/Skills
- Able to read and interpret charts, gauges, meters and recording devices.
- Ability to prepare and maintain neat and accurate paperwork such as records, logs, and routine reports and computer entries as directed.
- Able to perform accurate mathematical calculations related to this position.
- Perform standardized water process control, monitoring, and compliance sampling, testing and laboratory analyses.
- Knowledge of water rules and regulations, and the ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions.
- Past working knowledge using mechanical skills, for making minor repairs to process equipment.
- Ability to use initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
- Forklift, dump truck and backhoe experience preferred.
- Computer skills; MS Word, MS Excel and SCADA systems experience
Requirements
- Knowledge of the operations, methods, practices, techniques, equipment and materials used in the water treatment, solids handling, pumping facilities and maintenance of related equipment and systems.
- Should posses a good overall working knowledge of tools, equipment, safety hazards and precautions common to assigned area of responsibility.
- Knowledge of methods and precautions in storing and handling industrial chemicals.
- Knowledge of health and safety regulations and practices in the operation of electrical and mechanical equipment used in water facilities.
- Employee may be required to work indoor or outdoor during seasonal heat and cold or other adverse weather conditions.
- Employee may be required to work where they regularly may be exposed to fumes, dust and odors.
- Must be physically able to complete necessary tasks while wearing an approved full face respirator as required.
- Must be able to lift in excess of 55 pounds, unassisted. Must be able to perform activities such as walking, stooping, lifting and climbing.
- Employee may be required to work shifts other than their regularly assigned shift. The shift work may be eight (8) to sixteen (16) hour shifts and Operator may be assigned to day, night, or early morning shifts as needed. There will be weekend, holiday and overtime work as needed.
- High school graduate or state recognized Educational Equivalency Certificate.
- Position requires experience and possession of a Kentucky Water Treatment Plant Operator Class IV-A License.
- Requires a valid Kentucky driver's license
- Must be able to satisfactorily pass the Company's physical examination, drug screening, and background investigation.
Work Conditions
- Exposed to noise, weather, extreme temperatures, atmospheric conditions, chemicals, potential allergenic/irritant conditions, potential hazards.
Competencies
Plans & Aligns
Decision Making
Communicates Effectively
Builds Networks
Action Oriented
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