Wastewater Collection System Operator

WASTEWATER OPERATOR 2 or 3

FYE 2025 Salary Range: $67,038 – $85,613

FYE 2026 Salary Range: $70,387 – $89,898

DEFINITION

Under general supervision provides work direction and review to maintenance workers; may set priorities and direct the work of lower level staff on a project or day-to-day basis in the absence of the Division Supervisor; performs routine to complex work in the installation, repair and maintenance of the District’s wastewater collection and treatment systems; and performs related work as assigned. Must be able to respond to the District within 60 minutes.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

General supervision is provided by the Wastewater Collections and/or Treatment Lead Operators, Operations Manager and General manager. The Wastewater Collection Operator 3 exercises technical and functional direction over assigned staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey-level in the maintenance series that performs complex duties required to ensure that District infrastructure, systems, and facilities are maintained in a safe and effective working condition and provide the highest level of safety for public use. Responsibilities include inspecting and attending to assigned areas in a timely manner, and performing a wide variety of tasks in the maintenance and repair of assigned facilities and systems. This class is distinguished from the Maintenance Supervisor in that the latter is the full supervisory-level class in the series responsible for organizing, assigning, supervising and reviewing the work of assigned staff involved in maintenance operations.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

·        May provide technical and functional direction to lower level maintenance staff and/or reviews and controls the quality of work in the absence of the Division Supervisor; participates in performing routine maintenance and repair work.

·        Plans, schedules, prioritizes and assigns maintenance and repair work in consultation with the Division Supervisor; communicates status of repairs to appropriate personnel, working cooperatively to schedule repairs in accordance with established and special operational priorities; may need to instruct staff in work procedures.

·        Trains employees in work methods, use of tools and equipment, and relevant safety precautions.

·        Assists in developing work plans, procedures, and schedules, and coordinates personnel, equipment and other resources needed to complete day-to-day work.

·        Requests supplies and equipment for work projects; maintains records of purchase orders; may assist in developing budget figures for division.

·        Ensures that safe work methods are being used and makes appropriate use of related safety equipment as required.

 When performing the wastewater collections systems assignment:

·        Maintains the District’s wastewater collection and treatment systems in a safe and sanitary manner to ensure safe conditions for the District, including repairing broken wastewater mains and parts, and hydro cleaning to ensure clean and open distribution.

·        Operate wastewater treatment facilities to control flow and processing of wastewater, sludge and effluent; monitor gauges, meters, and control panels; observe variation in operating conditions; interpret meter and gauge readings; and test results to determine processing requirements.

·        Operate valves and gates; start and stop pumps, engines, and electric motors to control and adjust flow and treatment processes; perform routine maintenance work.

·        Collect samples and perform routine laboratory tests and analyses.

·        Operates specialized vehicles and a variety of light, medium, and heavy equipment related to the construction, maintenance, and repair of the District’s wastewater infrastructure system.

·        Inspects and tests lines in the collection system visually or using video inspection equipment and other specialized testing equipment.

·        Cleans the wastewater collection system using appropriate rodding or high velocity cleaner equipment.

·        Inspects and maintains wastewater lines and manholes to ensure compliance with established codes.

·        Provides installation, maintenance, and repair of wastewater mains and laterals.

·        Operates and maintains the District’s close circuit television system and equipment used to monitor and prevent problems in the wastewater system.

·        Installs and maintains wastewater manholes, and makes minor repairs as directed.

·        Installs new wastewater laterals and mains, including hooking up laterals for new home construction.

·        Transports contaminated soils and raw sewage to designated areas for proper disposal.

·        Performs asphalt and concrete repair and patchwork; removes trees, brush, and debris from right-of-ways to access sewer main lines and laterals.

·        Installs and maintains different metering devices throughout the District’s infrastructure to monitor wastewater flows.

When performing the construction assignment:

Ø Uses pavement breaker to begin trenches or make minor excavations, places shoring where required, and makes necessary installations and repairs to both the distribution and collection system pipelines.

·        Operates and maintains light, medium, and heavy duty equipment and trucks appropriate for the construction, maintenance, and repair of the District’s infrastructure.

·        May learn how to operate a backhoe loader, compressor, trencher, and various power and hand tools.

·        Assists in backfilling excavations and applies temporary resurfacing to repair area.

·        Raises, sets and seals valves and manholes as required.

·        Reads and interprets maps and diagrams in the performance of the work.

When performing all assignments:

·        Principles and practices necessary in the operation of a wastewater treatment plant including the operation and maintenance of wastewater plant machinery.

·        The tools necessary in making general repairs and adjustments to motors, pumps, and other equipment.

·        Observes safe work methods and makes appropriate use of related safety equipment as required.

·        Maintains light, medium, and heavy-duty equipment and trucks appropriate to the functional area of assignment.

·        Operates a variety of hand and power tools and equipment related to work assignment as instructed.

·        Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition, including securing equipment at the close of the workday.

·        Installs street barricades and cones, and controls traffic around work sites to ensure safe conditions for the general public and District workers.

·        Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions.

·        Answers inquiries from citizens regarding work performed; maintains accurate records of work performed.

·        May assist other maintenance crews in emergency or relief situations.

·        Performs confined space entry and rescue operations.

·        Responds to after-hours emergencies.

·        Performs on call duties as needed and/or assigned.

·        Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

·        Basic principles of supervision and training.

·        Maintenance principles, practices, tools and materials for maintaining and repairing wastewater collection systems, including gravity and pressurized wastewater lines, manholes, wastewater cleanouts and pump systems, and other related facilities and equipment.

·        The operation and minor maintenance of a variety of hand and power tools, vehicles and power equipment.

·        Traffic control procedures and traffic sign regulations.

·        Shop arithmetic.

·        Safety equipment and practices related to the work, including the handling of hazardous chemicals.

·        Safe driving rules and practices.

·        Basic computer software related to work.

·        English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar and punctuation.

·        Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and District staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to:

·        Plan, schedule, assign, and oversee activities of wastewater collection system maintenance and repair personnel.

·        Inspect the work of others and maintain established quality control standards.

·        Train others in proper and safe work procedures.

·        Identify and implement effective course of action to complete assigned work.

·        Oversee and participate in maintenance and other related projects.

·        Perform construction, modification, maintenance and repair work on wastewater collection systems, facilities and equipment such as found in the District.

·        Operate specialized maintenance and repair equipment related to wastewater line cleaning.

·        Set up and operate traffic area construction zones, including cones, barricades and flagging.

·        Locate underground utilities by use of blue prints and electronic locating equipment in accordance with Underground Service Alert (USA) regulations.

·        Troubleshoot maintenance problems and determine materials and supplies required for repair.

·        Make accurate arithmetic calculations.

·        Read and interpret construction drawings and specifications.

·        Safely and effectively use and operate hand tools, mechanical equipment, power tools, and equipment required for the work.

·        Perform routine equipment maintenance.

·        Maintain accurate logs, records and basic written records of work performed.

·        Follow department policies and procedures related to assigned duties.

·        Understand and follow oral and written instructions.

·        Organize own work, set priorities and meet critical time deadlines.

·        Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing.

·        Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.

·        Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

 Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12^th) grade and three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in the maintenance and repair of underground utilities or general construction.

Required License(s)/Certifications:

Ø Valid California class C driver’s license with satisfactory driving record.

Ø Possession at time of hire is preferred for the Grade 3 Collection System Maintenance Certificate issued by the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) and the Grade 1 Mechanical Technologist Certificate issued by CWEA. Consideration may be given if the applicant can acquire the required certifications within 12 months of the date of hire.

Ø Ability to obtain a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate, OIT, Grade 1 or higher, issued by the State of California within 24 months.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in the field; strength, stamina and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work, to work in confined spaces, around machines and to climb and descend ladders, and operate varied hand and power tools and construction equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 75 pounds and heavier weights with the use of proper equipment.

Environmental Elements

Employees work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with other staff and/or public and private representatives, and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

 WORKING CONDITIONS

·        Must be willing to work weekends, holidays, and off-hour shifts and must live within 30 minutes of the District for emergency on-call response.

·        May be required to be on-call outside of normally scheduled work hours and available for dispatch to emergencies during those periods.

·        Working conditions may be extremely hazardous.

CAREER ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

From: Wastewater Operator 3

To: Wastewater Lead Operator

To: Operations Manager

Must be able to respond to the District within 60 minutes.

BENEFIT PACKAGE: Running Springs Water District offers a generous benefit package including: CalPERS retirement package; Medical, Dental and Vision Plans; 12 paid days of sick leave per year; 2 weeks paid vacation per year to start, progressing to 5 weeks after 20 years; 12 paid holidays per year; District paid life insurance policy; vacation and sick leave buy-back programs and a generous certification incentive program.

SELECTION PROCESS: Properly completed applications will be reviewed with the most suitable candidates being invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include a written skills examination and oral interviews. Prospective employees will undergo a comprehensive background check and medical examination including drug screening.

How to apply:

All applicants must submit a completed Running Springs Water District employment application. Applications and detailed job description may be requested by e-mail at info@runningspringswd.com, on the District’s website:

https://www.runningspringswaterdistrict.com/employment

or picked up in person at 31242 Hilltop Blvd., Running Springs, CA 92382. Position is open until filled. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed Running Springs Water Department application, but may be submitted with the application.