Description

At WSSC Water, we are passionate about our one water mission and devoted to delivering safe, seamless, and satisfying service to our 1.9 million customers. It takes teamwork to deliver the essential, which is why we proudly call ourselves Team H2O – working together, sharing our talents and creativity to safeguard public health and protect the environment.

WSSC Water seeks a Wastewater Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Technician to perform routine and critical work in the operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment plant equipment and facilities. Employees in this role will work at the Anaerobic Digestion/Combined Heat & Power (AD/CHP) facility, which shares in the effective operation and maintenance of the facility.

Key Functions (By Level):

Entry Level:

• Assists with collecting and analyzing samples of plant processes and receiving waters
• Assists with operating and monitoring equipment and processes with potential exposure to chemical, biological, electrical, thermal, noise and radioactive hazards
• Operates and maintains equipment in facilities for cleaning, lubrication, for items such as centrifuges, incinerators, belt presses, gravity belt thickeners, augers, mixers, etc.
• Assists with evaluating the performance of mechanical equipment and conveyance systems
• Interprets conformance of test procedures to “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater”
• Assists with monitoring biological and chemical treatment processes and makes adjustments as directed
• Handles material shipments and inventory and locates spare parts from inventory system
• Assists with overhauling specialty valves or swaps out valves in the plant
• Utilizes drawings, blueprints, plans, and references materials to locate pumping stations, valves, process equipment, electrical substations, chemical storage, feed facilities and underground piping
• Climbs into tanks to include 30-foot depths using rigging equipment to lift equipment
• Assists with conducting general plumbing repairs such as compression fitting replacement, pipe joining, and cutting for various pipe materials
• Makes basic repairs for pneumatic and hydraulic control systems on valves and process equipment
• Uses TEAMS/CMMS to create record data from parameters gathered, work orders and other administrative tasks such as accessing backlog, adding material to work orders, and finding parts in WSSC Water warehouses
• Operates WSSC Water motor vehicles and other specialized equipment such as forklift and tractor, as required
• Maintains records, performs calculations, and composes reports
• Assists with inspecting motors for heat, noise and vibration and performs motor lubrication and cleaning
• Calibrates UV sensors, isolates UV reactors, and changes UV lamps and quartz sleeves
• Uses the computer for data entry and process control
• Conducts proper operation of wastewater solids handling processes

Level I:

• Collects and analyzes samples of plant processes and receiving waters
• Operates and monitors equipment and processes with potential exposure to chemical, biological, electrical, thermal, noise and radioactive hazards
• Operates and maintains equipment in facilities for cleaning, lubrication, for items such as
  centrifuges, incinerators, belt presses, gravity belt thickeners, augers, mixers, etc.
• Evaluates the performance of mechanical equipment and conveyance systems; Interprets conformance of test procedures to “Standard Methods for the
• Examination of Water and Wastewater”
• Monitors biological and chemical treatment processes and makes adjustments as directed
• Handles material shipments and inventory and locates spare parts from inventory system
• Overhauls specialty valves or swaps out valves in the plant
• Utilizes drawings, blueprints, plans, and references materials to locate pumping stations, valves, process equipment, electrical substations, chemical storage, feed facilities and underground piping
• Climbs into tanks to include 30-foot depths using rigging equipment to lift equipment
• Conducts general plumbing repairs such as compression fitting replacement, pipe joining, and
  cutting for various pipe materials
• Makes basic repairs for pneumatic and hydraulic control systems on valves and process
  equipment
• Uses TEAMS/CMMS to create record data from parameters gathered, work orders and other administrative tasks such as accessing backlog, adding material to work orders, and finding parts in WSSC Water warehouses
• Operates WSSC Water motor vehicles and other specialized equipment such as forklift and tractor, as required
• Maintains records, performs calculations, and composes reports
• Inspects motors for heat, noise and vibration and performs motor lubrication and cleaning
• Calibrates UV sensors, isolates UV reactors, and changes UV lamps and quartz sleeves
• Uses the computer for data entry and process control
• Conducts proper operation of wastewater solids handling processes

Level II:

• Operates and monitors equipment and processes, with potential exposure to chemical, biological, electrical, thermal, noise and radioactive hazards
• Operates biological and chemical processes such as Biological BOD removal, Nitrification, Denitrification and Biological Phosphorus removal
• Operates chemical process for disinfection, Phosphorus removal, coagulation etc.
• Verifies and reviews plant process data for accuracy and validity
• Performs lab analysis and interprets data to ensure compliance with facility discharge permit
• Performs extensive laboratory analysis, interprets data and makes necessary adjustments to processes
• Troubleshoots mechanical systems such as air compressors, pumping systems, and
  flocculation or clarifier systems; evaluates pump performance
• Operates high and low-pressure steam boilers gas collection and treatment equipment as well as gas flaring systems as needed
• Replaces and repairs process equipment such as check valves, rotors, chemical feed pumps, air compressors, and sump pumps
• Maintains records, performs calculations, and composes reports for treatment processes
• Performs specialty valve operations and repairs and swaps out valves for maintenance and works with contractors or other WSSC Water crews for installation of new valves
• Operates and troubleshoots wastewater solids handling processes and resolves issues with equipment and overall process system
• Operates and maintains water softener systems, cranes, boiler feed pumps, centrifuges, air dryers, re-aeration tanks and pneumatic controls
• Performs senior level shift work and oversees a shift of Wastewater O&M Technicians
• May be designated to oversee facility operations
• Climbs into tanks to include 30-foot depths, using rigging equipment to lift equipment
• Conducts extensive repairs on existing plumbing installations, troubleshoots pump flushing stands, installs control piping on specialty valves, and identifies failures associated with piping
• Performs straight edge alignment for coupled motor shafts to pump shafts, and replacement of worn shafts with follow-up monitoring for improper alignment
• Inspects, repairs and maintains pneumatic and hydraulic control systems on valves and process equipment systems
• Interprets data and makes process adjustments within established guidelines
• Interprets conformance of test procedures to “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater”
• Evaluates fault codes on VFDs and troubleshoots motor issues for motor maintenance and proper operation
• Coordinates removal of preliminary treatment equipment from wastewater treatment processes
• Calibrates UV sensors, isolates UV reactors, and changes UV lamps and quartz sleeves
• Operates WSSC Water motor vehicles and other specialized equipment such as forklift and tractor, as required
• Works with computer for data entry and process control
• Leads preventive maintenance work for equipment concerning solids handling process
• Responsible for keeping supervisors informed relative to facility status
• Uses TEAMS/CMMS to handle administrative tasks and instructing new employees in the computer and data entry program; finishing work orders and reviewing work order backlogs
• Reviews invoices and daily operation log entries for accuracy and locates O&M manuals in facility
• Operates, troubleshoots, and maintains multi-hearth incinerators
• Maintains equipment and facilities including packing pumps and draining and cleaning tanks, using O&M manuals
• Changes v-belts, pulleys, chain, shaft couplings
• Orders inventory materials for spare parts such as pump parts and valve parts, and orders stock for treatment chemicals
• Uses facility drawings and mechanical blueprints to locate underground valves, process piping, and other equipment related to facility to ensure proper operation of all processes
• Evaluates the performance of mechanical equipment and conveyance systems
• Operates and maintains remote facilities

Level III (Internal Applicants Only):

• Trains Level I and II Technicians in performing job related skills;
• Interprets conformance of test procedures to “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater”
• Unloads and changes chlorine tanks; inspects chlorine building; loads and unloads chlorine cylinders; hooks cylinders to main manifold line and checks for leaks;
• Optimizes plant operations for efficient energy management
• Performs weekly and monthly preventative maintenance in accordance with established schedule
• Instructs Level I and II Wastewater O&M Technicians in operating practices and techniques, safety rules and accident prevention measures
• Develops facility operational procedures that avoid process upsets based on a variety of conditions and threats
• Delegates work assignments, sets work priorities, follows up and assists supervised personnel
• Prepares Standard Operating Procedures and may assist in establishing policies and procedures
• Writes procedures for and participates in the assessment of Level I and Level II skills in the Career Ladder as directed
• Performs administrative duties to include schedules, reports etc.
• May be required to act as the Section Manager in his/her absence
• Collects and analyzes samples of plant processes and receiving waters
• Enters and performs O&M tasks in confined spaces
• Monitors filter turbidity and backwash
• Regulates valves and observes flow gauges; performs calculations
• Maintains records, fills in reports; keeps a daily log of plant operation
• Starts and stops pumps; lubricates and adjusts pumps and machinery
• Performs adjustments, repairs, and replacement of conveyance system
• Makes minor repairs to pumps and purification equipment
• Overhaul specialty valves or swap out valves in the plant
• Troubleshoots motors
• Uses skill and knowledge of safe rigging practices in moving and installing equipment
• Operates remote facilities
• Calibrates chemical feed pumps monthly
• Oversees the effective operations of UV systems and ensures proper maintenance is performed
• Enters data into computer to update records and uses the computer to aid in monitoring and controlling plant processes
• Analyzes and prioritizes scheduled tasks for plant operations
• Responsible for keeping supervisors informed relative to facility status
• Reviews plans and specifications
• Plans and leads plant tours for educational events

Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• Entry-Level & Level I:   High School diploma or equivalent
• Level II:   High School diploma or equivalent  AND 3+ years experience operating and maintaining wastewater treatment plants and pumping stations
• Level III (Internal Applicants Only): High School diploma or equivalent AND 4+ years experience in water/wastewater/water distribution/wastewater collection as an Operator

Preferences:

• General knowledge of wastewater treatment processes theory and practical application, which include preliminary treatment, primary treatment, secondary treatment, biological treatment, tertiary treatment, disinfection process, and chemical addition
• Knowledge of the function and servicing of mechanical equipment
• Knowledge and understanding of drawings, schematics, specifications, and reference materials
• Possession of a Maryland Class 5A Wastewater License

To learn more about WSSC Water, please visit www.wsscwater.com. To review the complete job description and apply for Wastewater O&M Technician - Bioenergy (vacancy #26-0028), please visit WSSC Water Careers at https://wsscwater.peopleadmin.com/.