Jurisdiction:  City of Cortland

Various Jurisdictions

Jurisdictional Class: Competitive

Adopted:  11/22/71

Revised:  7/11/91, 1/13/92, 1/26/93, 3/01/98; 4/26/01; 2/1/03; 5/8/03

 

WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR/TRAINEE

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  The work involves the responsibility of learning the duties and routines in the operation and maintenance of a water treatment plant.  The work is performed under immediate supervision of a qualified operator.  Does related work as required.  This is a trainee position in the competitive class for which candidates are selected on the basics of general intelligence, basic knowledge of elementary chemistry and general science and mechanical aptitude.  A Water Treatment Plant Operator/Trainee undergoes a year of on-the-job training to become a qualified operator.  Upon successful completion of the appropriate certificate, trainees will be appointed operators without further examination.  A Water Treatment Plant Operator performs routine but important work under the direct supervision involving responsibility for the efficient operation and maintenance of a Water Treatment Plant.

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:  (Illustrative only)

Performs study and reading assignments, observes demonstrations and otherwise learns the techniques of operation and maintenance of water treatment plant;                                                                                                    

Learns and assists in the operation and adjustment of pumps, valves, and related mechanical equipment;

Learns and assists in the inspection, maintenance, and repair of pumps, valves and related mechanical equipment;

Learns and assists in the making of physical tests of water for color, odor and taste;

Learns and assists in the making of chemical tests of water for alkalinity and residual chlorine;

Learns and assists in regulating and adjusting chlorinators and other chemical feeders, washing filters and settling basins;

Learns and assists in the preparation and maintenance of activity records and reports;

Performs increasingly responsible duties as assigned in the operation and maintenance of a water treatment plant;

May be assigned to learn and assist in the reading and recording of domestic and commercial water meters;

May operate backhoes, dump truck, lawn mowers and other related machinery and equipment;

May be assigned to install, repair and inspect water meters;

May be assigned to learn and assist in the installation, testing and repair of back flow devices;

May perform the work of a Water Distribution Maintenance Worker on a short-term, temporary, assignment, i.e., emergency or vacation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR/TRAINEE

 

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FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABIILTIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Familiarity with elementary principles of chemistry and general science; good general intelligence; good observation; mechanical aptitude; ability to learn principles and procedures relating to operation and maintenance of a water treatment plant; ability to

develop skills in the operation and maintenance of pumps, valves and related mechanical equipment, ability to get along well with others; ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; industry and dependability; tact and courtesy, physical condition to commensurate with the demands of the position.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR/TRAINEE:

1.         Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma.

 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of an operator’s license issued by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles.  The incumbent must obtain a CDL Class C license issued by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles within six (6) months of the date of hire and retain it.