The Water & Wastewater Division of the Chatham-Kent PUC has an opening for a permanent full-time Operator for the South Water Treatment Plant. Preference will be given to candidates who are current IBEW Local 636 members.
Job description
Operators are responsible for the day-to-day operations of providing safe and reliable drinking water and wastewater services.
Essential responsibilities
- Demonstrate Chatham-Kent’s core values and competencies
- Carrying out regular inspections of the plant and systems, operating and maintaining process control equipment in order to ensure that the plants are operating in accordance with standards established by the Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks (MECP)
- Carrying out regular inspections of Collection and Distribution systems, pump stations and booster stations
- Assist in the industrial sampling programs for compliance with Municipal Sewer Use Bylaw. Maintain records and data including analytical results
- Assisting in water main operations and maintenance.
- Carry out a program of routine lubrication, including greasing and oiling as specified in the lubrication schedule.
- Carrying out sampling and routine laboratory tests as required
- Conduct optimization studies of the water/wastewater treatment processes to improve plant proficiency and plant performance
- Maintain regulated and operational process sampling, monitoring programs and laboratory testing schedules, with the assistance of the Chief Operator and compliance staff, as well as record all test results for statistical purposes and plant records
- Ensure all testing and monitoring equipment is monitored and calibrated according to the specifications of manufacturers, regulations and DWQMS (Drinking Water Quality Management System)
- Follow preventative maintenance procedures by checking machinery and electrical equipment when required, overhauling or assisting with the overhauling of equipment if necessary by replacing bearings, shafts, gaskets, etc., and completing work orders in conjunction with the Preventative Maintenance Program
- Ensure conformance with DWQMS (Drinking Water Quality Management System) and WWQMS (Wastewater Quality Management System) and compliance with Certificates of Approval, regulations and guidelines
- Ensure personnel safety regulations, procedures and standards are strictly observed.
- Ensure the security of the water/wastewater facilities
- Inspect process control equipment to ensure proper operation.
- Maintain adequate inventories of chemicals, lab supplies, etc., and order when required
- Maintain all necessary operational and including, but not limited to, daily operational logs and monthly log sheets
- Maintaining grounds and buildings
- On-call duties, must be available within 45 kilometers of their home plant/facility and working a rotating weekend shift schedule
- Perform ‘Acting Chief Operator’ duties as required
- Perform basic routine and non-routine maintenance including repair and replacement of equipment as required, including the treatment, distribution and collection systems
- Perform duties as required by the electronic preventative maintenance program on a monthly basis
- Position may require operational assistance to any of the water or wastewater facilities
- Providing assistance to Maintenance personnel in day to day equipment up-keep
- Report, record and track information according to policies and procedures
- Review facilities SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) trending on a regular basis
Essential qualifications
- Completion of college diploma or university degree in an environmental studies related program is required.
- Water/Wastewater Operator experience in water and wastewater treatment environment
- Mechanical and/or electrical experience in relation to water and wastewater treatment facilities and systems
- Knowledge of preventive maintenance programs and utilizing operational and maintenance manuals
- Knowledge of standards established by Ministry of the Environment Conservation and Parks (MECP), PUC policies, procedures and contingencies and applicable regulations.
- Knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and applicable regulations
- Experience working in a unionized environment
- Knowledge of municipal purchasing policies
- Experience working with budgets
- Possess training courses in damage prevention for utilities
- Strong working knowledge of SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) software
- Strong computer skills, specifically Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) (or similar software programs)
Certifications, memberships, licenses
- Ministry of the Environment Conservation and Parks (MECP) certifications:
- Class 1 (or higher) for Wastewater Treatment (WWT) required (minimum OIT with ability to obtain class 1)
- Class 1 (or higher) in Water Treatment (WT) required (minimum OIT with ability to obtain class 1)
- The following training is an asset (will be provided upon hire otherwise):
- Confined space entry training
- Personal protective equipment training
- Standard First Aid/CPR
Work environment/hours of work
- This position works both indoors and outdoors
- This position works weekday hours, with occasional weekend hours as well as on-call after hours and on weekends. Employees designated for on-call duties must be available within 45 kilometres of their home plant/facility.
Driver’s licence/vehicle requirements
Because of the responsibilities, this position requires the successful candidate to have a valid class G (or higher) Ontario driver’s licence; a driver’s abstract will be conducted by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. An acceptable driver’s abstract will: be an original document and current (within the previous thirty (30) days); have no more than four (4) demerit points; have no more than two (2) convictions for the same offence; have no criminal code convictions; have no ‘non-medical or administrative’ licence suspension in the preceding three (3) years.
Background check requirements
Successful candidates will be required to complete a background check prior to commencement of employment. A background check may include the following: education/certification verification and employment reference check.
Essential physical and/or safety requirements
- Requires physical coordination and dexterity to use hand tools, such as drills, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.
- Requires physical coordination and dexterity to use precision test equipment used to troubleshoot equipment and systems
- Manual dexterity to operate computers and laboratory equipment, such as pH meters, turbidity meter, chlorine analyzers, etc.
- Requires physical strength to manipulate, move and reposition equipment and machinery
- Frequent exposure to loud noises from equipment
- Work outdoors in excessive cold, hot or adverse weather conditions
- Work with hazardous chemicals
- Wear self contained breathing apparatus for confined space entries or chemical spills
- Work in areas with unpleasant odours associated with sewage treatment processes
- Attention to detail for short periods of time when taking readings or working on process control equipment, hydraulic, electric or other systems
- Ability to shift focus quickly in response to emergencies or other priorities in the workplace
- Maintain focus on multiple tasks with varying priorities, deadlines and/or demands
- Personal protective equipment as required by Health & Safety policies and procedures, include (but not limited to):
- Green patch safety shoes
- SCBA: persons using positive pressure or negative pressure respirators shall be clean shaven where the face-piece seals to the skin
- Cartridge masks, dust masks and/or half masks
- Hearing protection
- Safety glasses
- Faceshield
- Hard hat
- Gloves, gauntlets
- PPE as required by Arc Flash Program
- Flotation device
- Regular lifting of materials and equipment weighting 4 to 9 kg (10 to 20 lbs)
- Frequent standing for prolonged periods of time
- Regular walking and climbing of stairs and ladders
- Work in confined spaces, such as sewer pumping stations
- Reach above shoulder level to perform operational and maintenance duties
Benefits
This permanent full-time position has an hourly wage beginning at $29.04 and will receive benefits including: participation in the OMERS pension plan (mandatory), vacation entitlement and a comprehensive group benefits package, following the successful completion of a 3 month waiting period.
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The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain talented employees in a workplace that is inclusive, supportive, and reflective of the diverse community we serve.
Should you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources & Organizational Development (HROD) at 519-360-1998. Applicant information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy legislation and will be used strictly for the purpose of candidate selection.
