Principal Plant Operator - Wastewater
Principal Plant Operator (Night Shift)
Utilities - Falling Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant
Hiring Range: $45,379 - $53,407
Deadline: 11:59 pm December 22, 2019
Who We Are
The Chesterfield County Department of Utilities is public water and wastewater utility that uses state-of-the-art technology to deliver the highest quality service to its more than 93,000 wastewater customers. Chesterfield County owns and operates two award-winning wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs): the Proctors Creek WWTP and the Falling Creek WWTP. We have a culture that is invested in making a difference in the community by meeting or exceeding water quality standards to ensure the public health and protect the environment of the James River and the Chesapeake Bay. We pride ourselves in being fiscally fit, being one of only a handful of water and wastewater utilities nationwide to have achieved AAA ratings on its revenue bonds from each of the three top rating services.
What You Do and How You Do It
This position is for a Principal Plant Operator for the operation of the Falling Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. This is a night-shift position from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, three days on then three days off on a continuous schedule. The Principal Plant Operator will perform all operational aspects required to maintain compliance with federal, state and local regulations that govern wastewater treatment. This requires operational observations and/or adjustments of physical, chemical, and biological treatment processes at a wastewater treatment plant. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• operate process equipment and systems associated with wastewater treatment
• monitor the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to ensure proper operation
• observe & record process trends related to equipment operation and plant performance on the daily log sheet
• monitor & adjust process control instrumentation
• inventory chemicals and inspect chemical dosing pumps and storage tanks
• ensure proper operation of samplers, collect process monitoring samples as needed, and perform field analytical tests as needed
• transfer sludge by manually turning correct valves in the correct sequence and operating correct pumping equipment or using automated processes as needed
• perform preventative maintenance
• working outdoors
• perform other work as required
Here's What You Need
High School diploma or GED; three years of experience in wastewater treatment plant operations or maintenance; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in a Science or Engineering related field and five years of experience preferred. A Commonwealth of Virginia Class I Wastewater Operator's License is required. Applicants with a Class II, Class III or non-licensed status will receive consideration at lower-level plant operator classifications and salary grades/ranges. College graduates with a degree in biological, chemical or engineering science may start as a Class III. Other non-licensed applicants will start as an Unlicensed Operator. Unlicensed Operators and licensee with lower than a Class I license will receive salary increase after passing high license exams and fulfilling requirements of the Career Development Plan.
Other Requirements
- A good driving record required. Must not reflect a total of six or more demerit points within the twenty-four months preceding the anticipated hire date, or one major violation of six demerit points within the preceding thirty-six months.
- Candidate must be at least eighteen (18) years of age at the date of hire.
- Candidate must be able to perform manual labor in the elements.
- Required duties include the use of ladders, lifting up to fifty (50) pounds, and standing or walking for 30 minutes at a time.
The successful candidate will have a good knowledge of the operation, including chemical and physical processes, equipment and materials used in wastewater plants and stations; knowledge of biological nutrient reduction; and familiarity with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) reporting requirements; ability to safely perform inspections of pumps, valves, gauges and other mechanical and electrical equipment, as well as general building maintenance.
Pre-employment drug testing, FBI criminal background check and education/degree verification required.
The hiring range for this position, depending upon qualifications, is as follows:
$45,379 - $53,407 for applicants with a Commonwealth of Virginia Class I Wastewater Operator's License
$39,723 - $46,750 for applicants with a Commonwealth of Virginia Class II Wastewater Operator's License
$34,766 - $40,916 for applicants with a Commonwealth of Virginia Class III Wastewater Operator's License or hold a Bachelor's degree in biological, chemical or engineering Science
$30,430 - $35,813 for non-licensed applicants will start as an Unlicensed Operator.
What's in it for You:
If you are passionate about making a difference in the community, join our team. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, including the Virginia Retirement System
defined benefit plan. We work hard to achieve our mission, but we also value work-life balance through paid-time-off. We support professional development through career development plans, tuition reimbursement programs, our award-winning learning and development programs, and opportunities for advancement within the organization. For more information, please visit the Chesterfield County Utilities Department at https://www.chesterfield.gov/236/Utilities. We would love to talk to you!
A Chesterfield County application is required and must be submitted online by the deadline.
An Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity.