Operations Technician

Summary:

The Operations Technician is responsible for providing expertise in the operation of AlexRenew Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) in support of the team and Operations Supervisors to ensure effective and efficient operations of liquids and solids treatment processes. Assignments are of moderate difficulty involving working individually and in a team environment under minimal supervision. Work requires considerable initiative and independent judgment while adhering to strict regulatory requirements and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Request for assistance may come from all areas of the facility. This position is designated as emergency personnel and must report to work in order to maintain the continuous operation of the water resource recovery facility and pumping stations. This position is responsible for the prevention and/or mitigation of any environmental impact associated with job-related tasks, accidents and emergency situations or conditions.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Monitor and operate work stations throughout the production processes of the facility. Perform process control setting changes/adjustments to make necessary process improvements. Record operating data such as process conditions, test results, and instrument readings.
• Monitor Operator10 software system for accuracy; recommend changes in data collection and display.
• Recommend changes in process by analyzing short-term and long-term process data, including data in Operator10 and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), developing and interpreting graphs and tables.
• Create or redesign existing logs and complete incident and high-flow reports as needed.
• Provide on-the-job training in the operation of plant processes and off-plant pump stations and interceptor system, including start-ups, transitions, safety and shutdowns, and programs such as SCADA, Operator 10, Avantis, and Facility Information Management System (FIMS).
• Provide input and/or prepare standard operating procedures (SOPs). Evaluate and provide input on new production processes.
• Actively participate and support the Environmental Management System (EMS) program.
• Monitor recording instruments, flow meters, panel lights, and other indicators, and listen for warning signals, in order to verify conformity of process conditions.
• Control or operate chemical processes or systems of machines, using panel boards, control boards, or semi-automatic equipment.
• Confer with technical and supervisory personnel to report or resolve conditions affecting safety, efficiency, and product quality.
• Collect representative samples of products, and conduct quality control tests in order to monitor processing, and to ensure that standards are met. Review laboratory test reports for process adjustments.
• Regulate or shut down equipment during emergency situations.
• Patrol work areas to ensure proper operations and maintenance of all equipment and infrastructure. .
• Maintain local supply inventory, and generate and close completed work order requests.
• Monitor and troubleshoot processes and equipment for the purpose of informing higher level multi-skilled workers and specialists of problems and potential problems.
• Monitor off-loading of chemicals from trucks to storage tanks and loading of sludge trucks to dispose of bio-solids.
• Recognize, troubleshoot, and remediate abnormal operating conditions. Monitor process for the purpose of informing other staff of problems and potential problems.
• Actively promotes safe behaviors and health awareness at all times in the execution of daily tasks.
• Other duties as required.

Qualification Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the education, experience, knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) equivalent required.

• Five (5) years of experience in operation of wastewater treatment plants; or one year as an Operator-in-Training at AlexRenew.

• Valid Virginia Class 2 Waste Water Works Operator license required; ability to obtain Class 1 within one year of continuous employment.
• Ability to communicate effectively and in writing as needed to complete technical reports and provide instruction to others including external stakeholders.

• Knowledge of Virginia Pollution and Discharge and Elimination Systems (VPDES) permit and requirements.
• Knowledge of the requirements of storm water permits and regulations.
• Knowledge of wastewater treatment facility equipment tolerances as needed to recognize variations to normal operating conditions.
• Knowledge of wastewater unit processes and their interrelationships.
• Ability to troubleshoot wastewater equipment problems as needed to develop and implement solutions.
• Ability to operate work stations within the plant as well as offsite pump stations.
• Ability to read technical prints, drawings, and diagrams.
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a team.
• Ability to use computer software programs such as Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook; Operator 10, Avantis, Facility Information Management System (FIMS) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA).

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee may perform on an occasional to regular basis while performing functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform these functions. A detailed Physical Demands Analysis is available in Human Resources and a copy will be provided to all incumbents in this position.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk and stand for nine hours a day. The employee occasionally lifts up to 49 pounds and/or moves up to 80 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include depth perception, near and far acuity, color and field of vision. The employee would be required to communicate with management and coworkers, and to listen for emergency sirens and alarms.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Environmental conditions necessitate following strict safety guidelines and use of Personal Protective Equipment.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee performs work indoors in a climate controlled environment, with outdoor trips between buildings and some outdoor work required. Some areas are hot and humid at times.

Disclaimer:

The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.