Wastewater Treatment Plant Laborer

Job Summary/Objective:

This position performs a variety of entry-level, general labor, semi-skilled and skilled duties related to the operation, maintenance, and repair of wastewater/water facilities to ensure efficient operation of facility components and processing of influent raw sewage. This position is authorized to drive a city vehicle and is considered a safety-sensitive position.

Essential Job Functions:

• Performs generally routine facilities and grounds upkeep and maintenance, cleans buildings, equipment, primary and secondary clarifiers.
• Performs facility upkeep, mowing lawns, weed eating, picking up trash and general grounds maintenance
• Performs interior and exterior painting.
• Operates tractors, dump trucks, lawnmowers, and other light to medium equipment as needed.
• Assists in facility processes and operations, such as minor electrical and mechanical support to ensure optimum performance.
• Checks all equipment: electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and biological to ensure proper operation; operates and maintains facility support systems to include headworks fine screens, grit removal equipment, sludge pumps, heat exchangers, gravity belt thickeners, clarifiers, aeration equipment, digesters, gas mixing equipment, chlorination, and metering equipment, emergency power generation equipment, and all associated valves, pumps, motors, and control units.
  
  
• Assists in operation and maintenance of all chlorination and dechlorination equipment with the use of self-contained breathing apparatus during chlorine tank changing.
• Assists with calibrating gauges, meters and measuring devices
• Performs some laboratory tests, such as dissolved oxygen, chlorine residual analysis.
• Performs and assists with maintenance and repair of facility equipment; when required, implements emergency repairs and procedures.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to effectively communicate in oral and written communications
• Ability to operate commercial telephones and a two-way radio
• Ability to operate a variety of light to moderate power-driven equipment
• Ability to read and interpret maps, sketches, drawings, specifications and technical manuals

• Ability to perform duties for extended periods of time in extreme weather
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Ability to maintain a physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include walking, standing, bending or sitting for extended periods of time
• Ability to maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, communicating with others and operating assigned equipment and vehicles
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull moderately heavy objects and materials up to 100 pounds
  

Work Environment:
Daily exposure to hazardous conditions such as working on high ladders and in manholes; potential for hazardous exposure to methane, hydrogen sulfide, chlorine gases, sodium bisulfate, acids, and other chemicals; exposure to seasonal changes and weather extremes; potential for hazardous exposure to electrical shock, exposure to industrial wastes and raw sewage associated with potential health hazards; exposure to moving parts and equipment such as pumps, motors, heavy equipment, etc.; daily exposure to stressful environmental conditions such as dust, fumes, dampness, cold, heat and noise.

Physical Demands:

This job position requires extended periods of time that the employee may have to stand, kneel, sit and walk while being exposed to hazardous environments, extreme weather conditions and daily duties such as moving moderately heavy equipment, materials and supplies. Being able to lift, push and pull up to 100 lbs., climb ladders both ascending and descending, use of safety harness equipment, maintain personal balance on catwalks and any and all other physical requirements necessary to perform daily job duties not to exceed the personal limitations of the employee.