Human Resources

Chief - Water Treatment Plant Operator A

CHIEF WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR A

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This is a supervisory and technical position involving responsibility for the safe and efficient operation and maintenance of a Type A Water Treatment Plant containing facilities for filtration with pretreatment or a chemical softening process with required certification.  The Chief Water Treatment Plant Operator may also be assigned responsibility for operation and maintenance of the distribution system associated with the treatment plant.  General direction is received from the appointing authority but wide leeway is allowed for planning work methods and dealing with emergency conditions.  Supervision is exercised over operators, trainees, laboratory personnel and mechanical and maintenance assistants.   Does related work, as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:
Supervises the operation of the plant to assure the most efficient and economical use of equipment, supplies and manpower;
Makes daily inspection of plant and plant machinery;
Makes or supervises necessary tests for control of plant operation;
Issues instructions for the regulation of chlorinators and chemical feeders;
Schedules and supervises the cleaning and washing of filters;
Supervises and instructs operators, trainees and other subordinate employees;
Conducts periodic examinations of plant equipment and directs necessary repairs and maintenance;
Conducts special studies for improvement of water quality and plant operations;
Requisitions materials and maintains inventory of supplies, chemicals and equipment;
Maintains records and prepares periodic reports on the operation of the plant;
May be assigned responsibility for operating and maintaining the distribution system associated with the treatment plant.
The above examples of duties are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND/OR PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: :  Thorough knowledge of the practices used and equipment required in the operation and maintenance of a Type A Water Treatment Plant containing facilities for filtration with pretreatment or a chemical softening process; good knowledge of the operations of a modern water treatment plant; good knowledge of the principles and applications of physics, chemistry and bacteriology as they relate to water purification; ability to supervise the operation and repair of pumps, valves and related mechanical and electrical equipment; ability to make routine laboratory and field tests for control of plant operation; ability to plan and supervise the work of subordinates; mechanical aptitude; alertness and dependability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
1.    Type A Plant with facilities for filtration which treats over 2.5 million gallons per day:

Graduation from high school or possession of a New York State high school equivalency diploma, successful completion of appropriate level water treatment operator courses approved by the State Health Department and ten years* of acceptable operating experience, at least one year of which must have been at a plant with a level of complexity equivalent to a Grade I-A Plant.

2.     Type A Plant with facilities for filtration which treats 2.5 million gallons or less per day:

Graduation from high school or possession of a New York State high school equivalency diploma, successful completion of appropriate level water treatment operator courses approved by the State Health Department, and one year of  acceptable operating experience at a water treatment plant with facilities for filtration.

NOTE:   *Educational Substitutions:

  1. New York State Professional Engineer's License or a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Natural Science, or related field from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university may be substituted for 8 years of experience.

  2. An Associate Degree in Applied Science with major emphasis in Public Health or Environmental Health, including a course in water operations, from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college may be substituted for 6 years of experience.

  3. An Associate Degree in Applied Science from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college may be substituted for 4 years of experience.

  4. Other college level study in a related field at a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university may be substituted for experience at the rate of one year of college work being equivalent to two years of experience upon approval of the New York State Health Department, Bureau of Public Water Supply.  In no case may such study substitute for more than eight years of the required experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCEPTANCE OF APPLICATIONS:

  1. Type A Plant with facilities for filtration which treats over 2.5 million gallons per  day:

    Eligibility for a Grade I-A Water Treatment Operator certificate issued under the provisions of the New York State Sanitary Code at time of application.  Possession of the certificate at time of appointment.

    2. Type A Plant with facilities for filtration which treats 2.5 million gallons or less per day:

    Eligibility for a Grade II-A Water Treatment Operator certificate issued under the provisions of the New York State Sanitary Code at time of application. Possession of the certificate at time of appointment.

NOTE: If the position involves responsibility for operation and maintenance of the water distribution system, possession of a Distribution System Operator certificate issued under provisions of the New York State Sanitary Code is required at time of appointment.

Competitive Class