Operator III (Recycling Operations)

Job Description:

Operator III (Recycling Operations)

Description

General Description

Irvine Ranch Water District is currently accepting applications for an Operator III in our Recycling Operations Department.

The District
Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) is a progressive, values-driven agency, with an international reputation for its leading-edge financial management practices, water recycling program, water use efficiency practices, water banking, urban runoff treatment, and energy generation and storage. Established in 1961 as a California Water District under the provisions of the California Water Code, IRWD is an independent special district serving central Orange County. IRWD provides high-quality drinking water, reliable sewage collection and treatment, ground-breaking recycled water programs, and environmentally sound urban runoff treatment to its customers. As an independent, not-for-profit public agency, IRWD is governed by a publicly elected five-member Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the District's policies and decision-making. Day-to-day operations are supervised by the General Manager. Additional information can be found at the District's website: www.IRWD.com.

The Position
Operator III's perform the more complex and difficult work activities related to the operation of sewage treatment and recycling processes and equipment.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Operators with a valid Grade III Wastewater Operator Certificate from the California State Water Resources Control Board or higher, are the advanced journey levels in this class. Incumbents perform the full range of skilled plant operations and maintenance tasks and at any time may oversee the work of lower grade operators. Assignments are varied and require sound judgment and initiative. Incumbents are required to accept standby duty, make process adjustments from a laptop computer or provided electronic device, and/or respond to the appropriate facility to address process problems and equipment malfunctions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Under minimal supervision, oversee and participate in the work activities of staff responsible for performing operational duties related to the operation of sewage and recycling processes and equipment.

Operate and monitor the operation of sewage and recycling processes in order to produce a quality tertiary effluent, consistently meet recycled water distribution requirements and consistently achieve 100% compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal environmental permit requirements, including biosolids regulations.

Perform all assigned operational duties required to operate the plant efficiently and for responding to emergencies and changing conditions within the plant, including: daily plant process and equipment inspections; review of process performance; process efficiency testing; process control calculations and spreadsheets; solids handling and disposal; maintaining a daily log of operations; ordering and receiving bulk chemical deliveries; dissolved oxygen profile testing; 30-minute settling Sludge Volume Index (SVI) testing, chlorine residual testing; turbidity testing; H2S testing; ambient air monitoring, micro-organism examination; and a variety of other test including calibration and maintenance of monitoring equipment; including regulatory compliance data review.

Possess and apply knowledge of principles, methods, and techniques for operating pumps, valves, electric motors, diesel engines and electronic, computerized and manual control systems; functions and servicing requirements of the equipment used in a recycling facility; principles, methods, practices and techniques utilized in chemical, bacteriological and biological analyses; relevant federal and state laws and regulations; computer applications related to the work, including modern, state-of-the-art process control and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems.

Operate a variety of pumping, treatment and control equipment and machinery, including digital control equipment; accurately read meters, gauges, valve books, blueprints and schematic drawings; make mathematic calculations, including metrics; prepare basic records and reports of work performed; operate and maintain hand and power tools pertaining to the work.

Make adjustments and/or recommend operational changes to maintain and improve treatment efficiency. Record flow and hour meter readings from gauges, graphs, and related instrumentation and make appropriate calculations as required.
Perform routine and non-routine assigned operational duties.

Assist with the planning, implementation and monitoring of routine and non-routine assigned operational duties by reviewing operations work schedule, planned operational duties, special projects, and scheduled coordination with contractors.

Effectively communicate all facts essential to the efficient operation of the reclamation plant and report all operating problems or emergencies immediately to the Operations Supervisor or the Operations Manager.

Trouble-shoot and report variations in operating conditions, report findings to the Operations Supervisor and make recommendations to address changes, in order to prevent a process imbalance, plant upset and/or compliance issue.

Effectively communicate and interface frequently with other departments, contractors, and occasionally with regulatory agencies.

Assist with review and updating of Standard Operational Procedures, (SOP's), Energy Control Procedures (ECP's), Job Safety Analysis (JSA's), confined space inventory, and specialized operational safety procedures.

Assist in the preparation of reports summarizing treatment plant operational activities, including: process performance and efficiency; equipment operation; work performed; and materials used. Assist in the preparation of a weekly and monthly report detailing unit process efficiencies, flows and cost of operation.

Identify source(s) of existing or potential operational and mechanical problems with treatment processes, operational procedures and mechanical equipment and work efficiently to correct, troubleshoot and diagnose process and equipment malfunctions.

Assist with or leads in projects such as: tank dewatering, cleaning operations and preparation of mechanical equipment to facilitate repairs and replacement by the Mechanical Maintenance Department. Clean and consistently maintain assigned treatment plant facilities and equipment.

Lead and participate in performing housekeeping and maintaining the entire treatment facility.

Monitor collection system lift stations; inspect collection system lift stations on a regularly scheduled basis; service equipment and machinery in lift stations and report the need for repairs.

Inspect the operation of sewage treatment plant including recycling pumps, motors, structures, tanks, and equipment and assist with scheduling and coordination of mechanical work activities with the Maintenance Department for timely and appropriate repair and/or replacement of treatment process mechanical and related equipment. Utilize Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) for the creation of work orders.

Submit purchase requests for equipment, materials and chemicals within the Agency's system programs and network for the continuous operation of the treatment plant. Monitor spare parts and daily expendables inventory. Assist in ensuring inventory is maintained at an acceptable level via purchase orders. Verify shipments to ensure they are complete and correct then administrate correct storage.

Possess process treatment knowledge and experience to efficiently, safely, and cost effectively maintains all recycling plant process systems.

Assist with coordination, scheduling and inspection of contract maintenance work and participate in special operational and maintenance projects including Capital Projects.

Participate in the development, counseling and training of treatment plant operators.

May be required to work varying shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, on-call duty (Standby Program) and respond to call backs. May be required to work alone on weekends and holidays.

Incumbent may be required to work any of the District's work schedules including weekends and holidays. Assigned work shift and/or assigned work location may be changed from time to time at discretion of the District.

Respond to emergency situations during off-hours as required. Participate in Emergency Standby Program at the sole discretion of the District.

Assist in presenting safety topics at the bi weekly department safety meetings.

Conduct or assist with preparation of plant tours.

In the absence of the Operations Supervisor, will perform his/her duties.

Comply with safety work-related practices and attend relevant safety training.

May be required to serve on the District Hazardous Materials Response Team and respond to emergency situations and/or chemical spills.

Participate on process teams and committees as required.

Minimum Education, Training and Experience

Education

• High school graduation or equivalent is required. For degrees obtained outside of the U.S., an official equivalency evaluation is required.
• Completion of 30 college level units relating to water/sewage treatment or environmental studies is preferred.
• Associates degree in Water/Sewage is preferred.

Experience

• Three (3) years of experience in a Grade V wastewater recycling facility, incorporating biological pond treatment, preliminary and primary treatment, Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) activated sludge treatment, tertiary treatment, membrane treatment, and solids handling facilities, is required.
• Ability to read and interpret standard operating procedures (SOPs), blueprints, schematics, operational/maintenance manuals, required facility permits, and the ability to follow written and verbal instruction is required.
• Hazardous materials response experience is desirable.

Certifications

• Valid Class C California Driver's license is required.
• Valid Grade III Wastewater Treatment Plan Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board is required.
• 40 hour Emergency Response, Hazardous Materials Technician Certificate or ability to receive within 12 months from date of hire may be required.
• Related Collections System Maintenance, Water Treatment, and/or Water Distribution certifications are highly desirable.

Additional Information

IRWD Corporate Values
Irvine Ranch Water District believes that its values drive the character, culture, and capacity of our organization. IRWD was built on values, and we weave them into the fabric of everything we do. Values are the ingredients in our recipe for both institutional and individual success. They are a code of conduct to promote positive outcomes for others and ourselves. They are more than words on a wall or a website. We live by them every day. We pledge to keep them relevant in an ever-changing world.

IRWD's employees enjoy working in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where they form strong bonds with fellow employees. To ensure effective communication and promote a collaborative team environment, employees report to work each day in the office or in the field, depending on their positions.

The physical and mental demands described below are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication
Ability to effectively communicate both orally and written. Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of office/field employees, management, contractors and vendors. Represent District in a professional manner when dealing with outside contractors and regulatory agency officials. Ability to advise and provide interpretation to others on how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.

Mathematical Ability
Ability to perform basic mathematical functions, including college level algebra and geometry. Must be able to perform algebraic and geometry calculations and water/sewage calculations and formulas.

Technology Ability
Must be familiar with and be able to utilize Microsoft Office Suite.

Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability
Ability to use professional, personal judgment, and discretion in performing all job functions.

Physical Requirements
Will lift 50 lbs. on a routine basis. Must be respirator fit-tested annually. Must be clean shaven at all times such that facial hair does not interfere with the fit of self-contained breathing apparatus. Ability to exert moderately heavy physical effort in moderate to heavy work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, twisting and pulling. Ability to operate equipment and machinery with some requiring complex and rapid adjustments, such as power hand and shop tools, shovel, motor vehicles, compressors, hoists, ladders, drafting tools, etc.

Environmental Adaptability
Ability to work under sometimes uncomfortable conditions with exposure to environmental factors such as raw sewage, toxic agents, wildlife, disease, equipment, traffic, or machinery. Ability to work in a confined space environment and in high locations.

Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, Irvine Ranch Water District employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

IRWD offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. These benefits include the following: retirement benefits; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; anda variety of other benefits. Benefits may vary based on employment status. This benefits overview is intended to be a summary, is not intended to be all-inclusive,and may not be applicable to all employees.

Retirement
Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013:
The District, in compliance with the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2012 (PEPRA), implemented a third tier for new employees hired on or after January 1, 2013. New employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who have not been in PERS membership or in membership with a reciprocal retirement system within 6 months of hire date will receive benefits under the California Public Employees Retirement System at a 2 percent at age 62 formula. This formula gradually increases to a maximum benefits of 2.5 percent at age 67. Final compensation calculations will be based on the highest three-year average of regular recurring pay. The District pays the employer's share of these costs. The employee share of the pension cost of 7.50% is paid in full by the employees hired under this formula.

Employees hired on or after September 29, 2012 or "Classic" PERS members hired on or after January 1, 2013:
On September 24, 2012, the IRWD Board of Directors approved the addition of a second tier to the CalPERS retirement benefits. New employees hired on or after September 29th through December 31, 2012, and employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who have been in PERS membership or in membership with a reciprocal retirement system, will receive benefits under the California Public Employees Retirement System at 2 percent at age 60 formula. This formula gradually increases to a maximum benefit of 2.418% at age 63. The District pays the employer share of these costs and the employee share of the pension cost of 7% is paid in full by the employees hired under this formula. Final retirement compensation calculations are based on the highest three-year average of regular, recurring pay.

IRWDdoes not participate or pay into Social Security except for the Medicare portion.

Medical Insurance
IRWD contracts with CalPERS for medical insurance coverage. Employees may elect coverage from a variety of PPO and HMO plans. The employee and District contribution for health insurance varies by plan.Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Dental Insurance
IRWD contracts with Delta Dental for dental coverage.IRWD pays 100% of the premium for dental coverage for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Vision Insurance
IRWD contracts with the EyeMed for vision coverage. IRWD pays 100% of the premium for vision coverage for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Life Insurance
Elgible employees are provided with life insurance coverage equal to three or four times their annual salary, depending on their level of compensation. Eligible dependents are also covered for a flat benefit amount. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Deferred Compensation
Participation in adeferred compensation plan is available through Empower Retirement. Enrollment is voluntary and contributions are employee-paid and subject to IRS limits. The District matches employee contributions up to 3% of base pay after 1 year of employment.

Paid Vacation
Eligible employees begin accruing vacation benefits at the rate of 80 hours per year for the first 5 years of employment. Employees accrue 120 hours per year after 5 years of employment and 160 hours per year after 10 years of employment.

Paid Holidays
The District offers 11 scheduled paid holidaysplus one personal holiday per year.

Sick Leave
Eligible employees accrue 96 hours of sick leave annually.

Flexible Spending Accounts
Eligible employees may elect to participate in the District's Flex Advantage program. This program allows employees to deposit pre-tax dollars into special accounts to be used for a variety of purposes, including paying for qualified miscellaneous health care expenses and dependent care expenses. IRWD contracts with a third party administer to process payments from employee accounts using claim forms or a Flex Spending debit card.

Educational Assistance
The District will share in the pre-approved educational costs of tuition and books for employees who wish to attend college or take certification classes.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

$87,152.00 - $123,884.80 Annually