Treatment Plant Operator - Water

The City of Pittsfield's Department of Public Utilities, Water Division, is seeking a qualified individual to fill the Treatment Plant Operator position (TPO). Working under Water Superintendent, Head Treatment Plant Operator and Chief Treatment Plant Operator, the TPO operates and maintains machinery and equipment in and around water treatment plants and appurtenant facilities as necessary for the supply and purification of water prior to delivery to the drinking water distribution system of the City.

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 drinking water supply & treatment machinery & equipment, including but not limited to watersheds, reservoirs, WTP’s, chlorinators, transmission mains, flow control stations, chemical feed equipment, pumps & ejectors, motors, air 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.
• Takes and records readings of instruments, makes adjustments in equipment as indicated or required and maintain operation and treatment log.
• Checks machinery and equipment for malfunctions, conducts regular & routine preventative maintenance, makes repairs to or assists in the repair or overhaul of process machinery & equipment.
• 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.
• Performs incidental custodial cleaning and maintenance painting required to maintain treatment plants and other facilities in neat, clean and orderly fashion.
• Performs other duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS

• Valid (any grade) Massachusetts Drinking Water Operator’s Certificate for Treatment, or an advanced degree in the physical or biological sciences with a special emphasis on water or waste water treatment, High School Diploma or equivalent and two years of satisfactory experience working in a public or private water or wastewater treatment facility, Ability to obtain a valid Massachusetts Drinking Water Operator’s Certificate within eighteen months of appointment
• Valid Massachusetts driver’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 & laboratory procedures and equipment used in water and wastewater analysis
• Demonstrates competence in mathematics and familiarity with routine calculations used in water or wastewater treatment and process control, such as detention time, filtration rate, chemical dosage & feed rate, pollutant concentration and process loading rate 
• Knowledge of and familiarity with construction and operating characteristics of valves, gates, pumps, motors, compressors and other equipment as used in water or wastewater treatment plants and processors
• Physical ability and agility sufficient to operate valve, gates and other equipment as required in treatment facility or pumping operation and control involving the entry into manholes and vaults, climbing ladders, etc.

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. M-F

SALARY

Starting rate $18.72 - $19.87 per hour

Annual Increases up to $25.92 per hour

With T1 license

Starting rate $20.61 -$21.87 per hour

Annual increases up to $28.53 per hour