City of Tampa

This is highly technical work involving the operation and production of potable drinking water at a State licensed drinking water production facility.  Bargaining unit position.

An employee in this class performs the technical duties of advanced water treatment activities to include: preparing daily operation reports required by regulatory agencies and production management; operation of auxiliary treatment plant and well field; performing sludge processing, either remotely or with remote personnel; training lower level employees to assure safety, proper operation of equipment and chemical handling; coordinating with utility maintenance on shift; and, maintaining all files, logs, and records required for proper treatment and operation. Tasks are of more than average difficulty and include inspecting safety and emergency equipment for proper operation and condition; maintaining operational parameters for water production chemistry, treatment filtration, and sludge removal systems to ensure all specifications for water quality are maintained in compliance with city water department standards, and federal and state regulations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The exercise of reasonable initiative and independent judgement are required in completing assigned tasks, meeting time constraints and ensuring the following are performed within standard operating procedures: analytical testing; adjustments to treatment as needed; maintenance of quality control parameters; performance of analysis of filter samples; inspection of filter and pipe gallery; recording of filter operational data; initiation of filter backwash sequence; operation of reclaim basin equipment; initiation of sludge removal from treatment basins; maintenance of proper sludge thickener; initiation of reactor prill discharge and removal in treatment units at Morris Bridge Water Treatment Plant (MBWTP); performance of routine and emergency maintenance of equipment. Work is performed under general supervision and reviewed while in progress and upon completion of tasks.

Inspects all chemical feed systems of liquid, dry, and gaseous chemicals used in water treatment and/or sludge processing to determine status and ensure proper and safe operation of these systems; ensures proper chemical feed dosages are maintained according to treatment specifications; ensures procedures for chemical handling, safe storage, and procurement are followed; comprehends procedures for handling chemical spills and accidental chemical releases; when working at Residuals Processing performs daily inspection of all pumps, filter belt presses, conveyors, compressors, polymer feed equipment and electrical equipment to ensure safe and proper operation; make periodic rounds of all production facilities to inspect buildings, grounds, and equipment for proper function and security purposes; operates and records all data associated with operation of the Morris Bridge (MB) Wellfield.

Operates low and high service pumping to ensure efficient operation of systems; reviews system pressures to determine proper pump sequence and operation; inspects pumping equipment, pump valving, motors and associated equipment for proper operation; maintains distribution storage and operation of remote pumping facilities; records necessary pumping data, prepares pumping operational reports, coordinates pumping operations of remote facilities, MB Wellfield, and coordinates wellfield pumping with Tampa Bay Water (TBW) to fill alternate storage.

Initiates treatment, filter operations, reclaim and sludge thickener operation, and pump station control changes through the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system as necessary to maintain water production quality specifications; performs basic level instrumentation and control tasks to ensure proper control of all I/O communications; utilizes basic electrical skills for performing maintenance and repairs of pumps and control systems of 240 volts or less.

Maintains treatment chemical inventory control, ordering systems, and storage levels for all treatment chemicals used; writes maintenance work orders, coordinates maintenance repairs, and preventive maintenance with maintenance personnel; ensures all operational daily reports are properly completed, takes midnight reading as necessary; utilizes computer programs to input data to Hydro system, runs wellfield modeling; maintains all operational records and prepares technical evaluations as directed by the Production Supervisor; records all readings of river flows and elevations, spray irrigation to golf course and South West Florida Water Management District and United States Geological Survey (USGS) data as directed.

When operating at the Residuals Processing Facility duties include: operation and maintenance of sludge draw off pumps from the sludge thickeners; operation and maintenance of sludge belt filter presses, associated motors and pumps; maintenance of sludge drying beds and associated pumping equipment and valving; maintenance of sludge lagoons, valves and pumps; maintaining and operating pumping of effluent to the Rogers Park Golf Course spray irrigation system; operation of dump truck and front-end loader as necessary for coordination of sludge drying and disposal in accordance with contractual agreements.

Fills in as team leader in absence of the Production Technician IV.

Performs related work as required.

Considerable knowledge of: water treatment operation principles, practices, procedures, equipment, and treatment; chemistry of ground and surface waters; chemical handling and safety pertaining to potable water production including knowledge of Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards and policies, and all federal and state regulatory requirements for water treatment parameters under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Working knowledge of: chemical feed systems; pumps, pumping mechanics and associated equipment; practices, methods, materials and tools of the mechanical trades; lead worker techniques; chemical inventory control.

Ability to: assume a lead capacity and direct the activities of lower level employees in the absence of the team leader; conduct basic laboratory tests; create and maintain appropriate records and prepare and submit clear and concise operational reports; maintain an effective working relationship with employees and the general public.

Skill in: working with equipment utilized in water treatment operations.

Graduation from an accredited high school supplemented by some college level coursework in biology, chemistry, or natural sciences, and course work in the theories and principles of water treatment operations, with three (3) years in related work experience including experience in a lead capacity; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Possession of: a valid Florida Driver’s license; a valid Florida Class “B” Drinking Water Operator’s License with ability to obtain a Class “A” License within eighteen (18) months of employment; certification for Basic Mechanical Skills or the ability to obtain within eighteen (18) months.

Employees may be required to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays and overtime as needed. During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.