Job Summary
Collier County strives to be an employer of choice, and many of our employees build long-term careers with us. The salary listed in the job description reflects the full pay range for this position, from entry level through advanced career stages.
NEW EMPLOYEES ARE HIRED AT, OR NEAR THE ENTRY POINT SHOWN, DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE.
Performs advanced licensed work involving the operation, monitoring, process control, optimization, complex troubleshooting, laboratory evaluation, maintenance coordination, emergency response, and regulatory compliance of water or wastewater treatment facilities and related equipment.
The Plant Operator Ill is the highest-level non-supervisory classification in the Plant Operator career series and serves as a senior technical operator. Work requires a high degree of independent judgment in evaluating plant performance, identifying process trends, making advanced treatment adjustments, troubleshooting complex operational problems, responding to significant plant upsets, and supporting regulatory compliance.
The Plant Operator Ill serves as a lead to Plant Operator Trainees, Plant Operator I, and Plant Operator II personnel and serves as a senior technical resource for lower-grade operators without formal supervisory responsibility.
Essential Functions
- Performs advanced licensed operation, monitoring, process control, optimization, and troubleshooting of assigned water or wastewater treatment plant systems. Evaluates plant operating conditions through SCADA systems, computerized controls, instrumentation, gauges, meters, alarms, laboratory and process-control results, equipment performance, chemical feed rates, flow conditions, and operational trends and makes advanced operational adjustments within established procedures, assigned authority, and the scope of the applicable FDEP Class A license.
- Controls and performs advanced skilled operation of assigned water or wastewater treatment plant systems in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) requirements, permit conditions, established operating procedures, and safety requirements.
- Exercises sound professional judgment consistent with FDEP requirements, applicable federal, state, and local standards, permit conditions, County policies, established operating procedures, and safety requirements. Protects public health and the environment, maintains accurate and truthful operational and regulatory records, and promptly communicates actual or potential regulatory violations, treatment failures, permit exceedances, unsafe conditions, or environmental concerns to appropriate personnel.
- Provides advanced technical direction, training, guidance, mentoring, and operational assistance to Plant Operator Trainees, Plant Operator I, and Plant Operator II employees. Serves as a senior technical resource by demonstrating proper operating practices, sharing advanced process-control knowledge, assisting with troubleshooting, reinforcing safety and regulatory requirements, and supporting the professional development of Lower-grade operators. Resource and mentoring functions include technical coaching, knowledge transfer, demonstration of proper operating practices, assistance with troubleshooting, and support for professional development. These Lead and mentoring responsibilities are technical and operational in nature and do not constitute formal supervisory authority.
- Operates, evaluates, and optimizes treatment processes and equipment applicable to the assigned facility, including pumps, motors, valves, blowers, wells, chemical feed and disinfection systems, filtration systems, membrane and reverse osmosis systems, biological treatment systems, aeration basins, clarifiers, sludge and solids-handling systems, storage and pumping systems, effluent and reclaimed-water systems, Lift stations, odor-control systems, and other related treatment equipment. This combines the Water and Wastewater equipment and process responsibilities contained in the source description.
- Performs advanced treatment-process control activities applicable to water or wastewater operations. Evaluates flows, pressures, storage and tank Levels, chemical concentrations and feed rates, filtration and membrane performance, biological treatment conditions, sludge characteristics, disinfection processes, pumping systems, equipment performance, and other operating parameters. Starts, stops, regulates, and adjusts treatment equipment and processes as necessary to maintain treatment efficiency, water or effluent quality, regulatory compliance, and reliable plant operations.
- Analyzes current and historical SCADA information, Laboratory and process-control results, instrumentation, alarms, chemical usage, equipment performance, treatment Loading, and operating trends to identify developing process, equipment, or compliance concerns. Troubleshoots complex treatment-process, mechanical, chemical-feed, instrumentation, telemetry, well, pumping, Lift-station, and equipment problems and determines appropriate corrective action within established authority.
- Conducts visual plant, field, and remote-station inspections to evaluate treatment processes and equipment conditions; identifies equipment failures, Leaks, abnormal operating conditions, safety concerns, and maintenance needs; performs preventive maintenance checks and procedures; and communicates significant equipment deficiencies or operational problems to appropriate personnel. The source specifically includes plant inspections, remote-station inspections, troubleshooting, process adjustments, and preventive maintenance responsibilities.
- Collects or receives water or wastewater samples for chemical and process analysis and performs routine and advanced Laboratory and process-control testing to evaluate treatment performance, water or effluent quality, and regulatory compliance. Performs applicable testing for alkalinity, calcium hardness, chlorine, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, phosphate, pH, silt density index, settleable solids, suspended solids, total dissolved solids, total hardness, volatile solids, and other required parameters; conducts quality-control testing; evaluates results in relation to operating conditions; and records results on required charts, Log sheets, worksheets, or computerized systems.
- Monitors gauges, meters, alarms, instrumentation, SCADA trends, Laboratory results, charts, and other operating information to verify proper plant operation. Maintains accurate records of plant operations, meter and gauge readings, Laboratory results, chemical applications, equipment status, maintenance activities, process adjustments, and other required information. Reviews operational information for trends or conditions that may affect treatment performance or regulatory compliance.
- Compiles, reviews, and verifies operational information used in regulatory reports and computerized systems. Reviews operating records, Laboratory results, meter readings, chemical usage, process-control information, maintenance records, and other required documentation for accuracy and completeness and
prepares or assists with preparation of operational and regulatory reports for submission to applicable agencies.
- Provides advanced technical assistance during treatment-process upsets, equipment failures, plant and station projects, scheduled shutdowns and start-ups, equipment maintenance, contractor activities, power interruptions, severe weather events, and other routine or non-routine operating conditions. Coordinates technical activities with operators, maintenance personnel, laboratory staff, contractors, and other appropriate personnel to support continuity and reliability of plant operations.
- Performs plant, building, grounds, and general maintenance activities in support of plant operations. Calibrates equipment and instruments; cleans or replaces filters, membranes, and treatment components; prepares chemical solutions; inspects safety equipment; performs authorized equipment and electrical resets; loads and unloads materials; moves equipment and supplies; maintains plant security; and performs other maintenance activities appropriate to the position.
- Performs general cleaning and maintenance necessary to keep plant facilities, equipment, tools, instrumentation, and work areas in safe and operable condition. Inspects equipment, performs minor repairs within established qualifications and authority, replaces parts, cleans equipment and work areas, monitors equipment performance for efficiency and safety, identifies recurring equipment problems, and reports significant deficiencies to appropriate personnel.
- Operates machinery, equipment, vehicles, instruments, and tools associated with water or wastewater treatment operations, which may include motor vehicles, material-handling and construction equipment, pumps, wells, motors, valves, generators, chemical-feed equipment, filtration and membrane systems, chlorination and disinfection equipment, sludge and solids-handling equipment, telemetry and SCADA systems, variable-frequency drives, programmable logic controllers, laboratory and testing instruments, safety equipment, and hand and power tools, as appropriately trained and authorized.
- Monitors inventory levels of plant equipment, chemicals, parts, tools, laboratory supplies, and operational materials. Identifies anticipated material and supply needs, communicates replenishment requirements, receives and verifies incoming chemical and supply deliveries as assigned, participates in periodic inventory counts, and assists with maintaining accurate equipment and asset inventory records.
- Follows established safety procedures and emergency-response requirements and properly uses required personal protective equipment. Responds to alarms, treatment-process upsets, equipment failures, spills, weather events, power interruptions, and other abnormal or emergency conditions. Evaluates complex operating conditions and takes appropriate corrective action within established procedures, assigned authority, and the scope of the applicable FDEP Class A license.
- Recognizes when an operating condition, process adjustment, equipment problem, regulatory concern, or emergency exceeds the Operator's assigned authority or requires managerial, engineering, maintenance, regulatory, or other specialized expertise and promptly communicates or escalates the condition to senior operators, the Plant Manager, supervisory personnel, engineering, maintenance, or other appropriate personnel.
Additional Functions
- Performs other related duties as required.
Essential Employees may be required to work during an undeclared emergency and/or declared emergency. On an incident-by-incident basis, the County's Administrative Office will make the determination as to who will be required to work.
This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, Management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary that are a logical assignment to the position.
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED* required.
- Five (5) years of related experience in water treatment, wastewater treatment, plant operations, equipment maintenance, utilities, industrial operations, mechanical operations, or a closely related field is required.
- Fingerprinting/background screening are required.
- General Educational Development (GEDs) must be issued by the American Council on Education through an approved GED Administrator. For Florida the approved GED Administrator would be the Florida Department of Education (public schools or adult education centers).
LICENSES/CERTIFICATES
- May be required to possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver's License with any applicable endorsement(s) to drive a county vehicle as provided in CMA 5805.
- Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Class A Drinking Water Treatment Operator License or Class A Wastewater Treatment Operator License, as applicable to the assigned facility.
- As an FDEP Class A licensed operator, maintains the applicable license in good standing and fulfills the advanced ethical and professional responsibilities associated with the license.
Supplemental information
Salary offers above the minimum pay grade may be considered based on qualifications.
Essential Employees may be required to work during an undeclared or declared emergency. The County’s Administrative Office will determine who will be required to work on an incident-by-incident basis.
This job posting is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position.
Collier County BCC offers a variety of benefits to both regular full and part-time
employees. For information, click here to view the comprehensive benefits package we have to offer when you join our team.
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APPLICANT NOTICE: Your answers below will be used to review this application. The experience listed here MUST match the work history provided in your application. Please note, it is not acceptable to use "See Resume" or "See Above" in your answers below and we do not accept resumes as a substitute for a completed application.
- I understand and agree with the statements above.
- I do not agree with the statements above.
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Do you possess a High School Diploma or GED?
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Do you possess five (5) years of related experience that includes wastewater treatment plan operations and equipment maintenance?
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Do you possess and maintain a Florida Department of Environmental Protection Class A Wastewater Treatment License?
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Do you possess the ability to determine, calculate, tabulate, and/or summarize data, including performing subsequent actions in relation to these computational operations?
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Do you possess the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages?
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Do you possess the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria?
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Are you willing to work various shifts including weekends and holidays?
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Are you willing to work overtime?
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Do you possess a valid driver’s license?
