Water Treatment Plant Operator – Nottingham

About the Chester Water Authority:

The Chester Water Authority is a regional municipal water authority that provides service to more than 200,000 residents and business owners in western Delaware County, southern Chester County and the city of Chester.  The CWA treats water at the Octoraro Treatment Plant, which derives its water from two sources: the 520-acre Octoraro Reservoir on the Octoraro Creek and the Susquehanna River. The Octoraro Reservoir is man-made lake that was created to serve as a source of water for CWA’s customers.  Prior to treatment, water is retained in the reservoir by the Pine Grove Dam, which is owned and operated by the CWA.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Plant Operator monitors and controls the production of potable water at the Octoraro Treatment plant and its transmission to Village Green storage facilities.  Process control and flow adjustments are made as required, in accordance with plant procedures and regulatory requirements.

Typical duties include performing routine chemical analyses, making operational checks of mechanical and electrical equipment, keeping operational data logs, adjusting chemical feeds to achieve correct process results, monitoring and calibrating process analyzers, backwashing filters, adjusting raw water flows, starting and stopping pumps, operating remote valves and pumping stations, detecting and reporting equipment/instrumentation malfunctions and keeping the station in a neat and orderly condition.

The Plant Operator position is essential to Operations.  The Octoraro Treatment Plant is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days per week by two Plant Operators.  On any given shift, the designated lead Plant Operator is responsible for coordination of shift duties and assuring that all shift duties are performed in accordance with plant procedures and regulatory requirements.

REPORTS TO

The Plant Operator reports to the Production Supervisor.  In the absence of the Production Supervisor, the Plant Operator reports to the Director of Plant Operations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

1)    In accordance with procedures, take samples, make wet chemistry measurements of various process control parameters, including, but not limited to pH, chlorine residual, alkalinity, filterability, turbidity, odor and fluoride. Set up and analyze routine microbiological tests of the finished and raw waters, typically heterotrophic plate count and total coliform. Perform jar tests or other treatment control tests as directed.  Accurately record results of all tests performed.

2)    In accordance with procedures, start and stop diesel and electric driven pumps and monitor units in use.  Monitor raw water inflows from Octoraro, Susquehanna and lagoon recycle sources. Make adjustments as required.

3)    In accordance with procedures, make routine visual inspections of gages, meters, charts, controls, and displays, taking readings and recording observations.  Based on measurements, observations and readings, take action as required  to achieve proper process results, maintain required potable water quality and assure proper operation of pumping and transmission facilities.

4)    In accordance with procedures, monitor incoming electric line power.  In the event line power is lost, take action as appropriate to minimize station down time and maintain station discharge pressure.  Monitor and adjust emergency diesel generators as needed to maintain house power.

5)    Backwash filters as required by filter condition and normal operating procedures.

• Take chemical deliveries, assist in unloading chemicals, transfer chemicals, assist other Plant Operator in changing chlorine and ammonia cylinders, monitor bulk chemical storage tank levels, monitor chemical feed equipment and log chemical feed rates.
• In accordance with procedures, make regular routine inspections of various facilities at the main treatment plant site. Accurately record observations and take action as appropriate to observed conditions.
• Perform routine cleaning and minor maintenance of chemical feed equipment as needed to keep equipment operating properly.
• Perform routine maintenance, such as checking/filling batteries, checking/filling bearings to maintain proper oil levels, adjusting packing glands, cleaning drains on pumps, keeping station and equipment clean and orderly, etc.
• Document any malfunctioning equipment/instrumentation and advise the Production Supervisor.

11)  Promptly notify the Production Supervisor (or On-Call Supervisor) of any process upsets, power outages, equipment or instrumentation malfunctions, or any conditions that could adversely impact potable water quality or the ability to deliver required flow to Village Green. Follow emergency notification procedures developed for dam failure, floods, and chemical emergencies.

12)  Take corrective action as needed to insure plant performance remains in compliance with operating requirements and regulatory performance requirements.

OTHER FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

1)    In accordance with procedures, start, stop and operate the hydroelectric station.

2)    Assist the Production Supervisor in calibration, care and maintenance of equipment used by Plant Operators.  Typical work could include cleaning chlorinator tubes, cleaning and calibrating chlorine analyzers, turbidimeters, pH meters, and streaming current meter, stocking charts, checking spare chlorinator parts, checking/testing chemical feed equipment,

3)    Assist the Production Supervisor in downloading, reviewing, and maintaining process data and flow records

4)    Assist the Production Supervisor in tracking chemical inventory, chemical usage and ordering chemicals.

5)    Assist the Production Supervisor in special projects, e.g. performing filter inspections, monitoring filter to waste performance, evaluating alternative coagulants, jar testing, etc.

6)    Works as otherwise assigned and follow direction given.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

Communicate and coordinate work with the other Plant Operator throughout each shift.  On any given shift, the designated lead Plant Operator is responsible for coordination of shift duties and assuring that all shift duties are performed in accordance with plant procedures and regulatory requirements.  Coordinate treatment process adjustments; filter backwashing, etc. with pump changes, filling of backwash tank, to ensure satisfactory treatment results.  Coordinate timing of duties outside the area of the Main Plant with the other Plant Operator to insure that one Plant Operator is in Main Plant area at all times.

HOURS OF WORK

Plant Operators work a rotating 12 hour shift schedule that provides 24 hour, seven day per week operational coverage of the plant.  Plant Operators may be scheduled to work day shift, night shift, weekday, weekend and holiday work in the course of their normal work week, as well as scheduled and unscheduled overtime.  Shift start and stop times are either 7 AM or 7 PM.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

MUSTS

Completion of the twelfth grade with a High School diploma or equivalent.

Residence within 30 minutes travel time of plant, established within one year of hire.

A valid driver’s license from state of residence.

Pass the Pennsylvania Waterworks Operators Exam at the level required to operate the Octoraro Water Treatment Plant within three years of hire.  Comply with all regulatory requirements applicable to obtaining and maintaining a Pennsylvania Waterworks Operators License at the level required to operate the Octoraro Water Treatment Plant.

Basic mechanical and electrical knowledge and aptitude.

Willingness to attend training seminars, continuing education courses, etc., at the expense of the Authority, and to otherwise advance skills and knowledge.

Ability to operate manual valves, climb stairs, climb ladders, negotiate catwalks, bend and squat to inspect equipment, open pit lids, read gages and charts, push and pull loaded overhead crane, and shovel snow to clear paths.

Ability to don a self-contained breathing apparatus and work in the presence of chlorine gas or anhydrous ammonia while wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus.

Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions.

Ability to communicate effectively and keep written logs and records.

Ability to make measurements, to read a wide variety of instruments, charts and meters and to make operational settings using computers and electronic interface devices.

Ability to learn and to perform mathematical calculations for determining dosages and chemical consumption rates.

Ability to learn water treatment process and to perform operating duties in accordance with established plant procedures and regulatory requirements.

Ability to learn and to safely operate switches, circuit breakers, electrical switchgear up to 4160 Volt used at the treatment plant and appurtenant facilities.

Ability to learn operational requirements of the high service pumps and other transmission system facilities and to perform operating duties in accordance with established plant procedures.

Ability to learn, operate and maintain diesel driven pumps and diesel generators, safely and efficiently.

Ability to learn and to safely operate remote valves and pumping stations along the transmission main from the plant to Village Green.

Ability to learn and to safely operate the hydroelectric station in accordance with established plant procedures.

Ability to learn and to work safely with the various chemicals used in water treatment (e.g. alum, lime, chlorine, anhydrous ammonia, hydrofluorosilicic acid, powdered activated carbon, permanganate, polymer).

Ability to learn and to safely perform manual tasks in the maintenance, cleaning and operation of chemical feed and storage equipment.

Ability to learn and to safely operate and maintain mechanical equipment routinely used at the treatment plant and appurtenant facilities.

Ability to perform the essential functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

This job description was prepared to indicate the kinds of activities and levels of work difficulty required for the position within this class.  It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities.

If you are interested in this position: email Michael D’Agostino at mdagostino@chesterwater.com

Chester Water Authority is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based on his or her age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because they are an individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.