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Home My WebLink AboutSenior Treatment Plant Operator - WaterUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review) CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION Position Title: Senior Treatment Plant Operator – Water Department: Public Works Division: Water Supervisor: Assistant Superintendent – Water / Water Superintendent FLSA: Non-Exempt Civil Service: Yes Pay Grade: 14 Job Number: 1412 Job Summary Under general direction, coordinates and participates in the daily operation and maintenance of the City water treatment plant. Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. • Coordinates and participates in treatment plant operations and maintenance, evaluates process changes and problems, ensures consistent control is maintained by all shifts in compliance with applicable local, federal, and state laws and regulations. • Participates in training new treatment plant personnel. • Maintains records relating to chemical inventory, water ﬂows, pressures, level, and quality. • Places chemical orders and coordinates deliveries. • Maintains plant safety programs, participates in training, and ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations. • Coordinates maintenance work on water treatment plant and grounds. • Oversees general, relief and emergency operation shift scheduling. • Coordinates activities related to laboratory quality control/quality assurance studies, sampling programs and reporting requirements, ensures Department of Natural Resources compliance, sampling quality control, prepares monthly operating report. • Inspects and troubleshoots water treatment plant equipment, analyzes SCADA reporting, and facilities to locate needed repairs, maintains a spare parts inventory. • Coordinates special projects and gathers information as requested. • Contacts technical representatives, equipment vendors and suppliers, solicits bids and purchases supplies and equipment as needed. • Monitors work of outside contractors and evaluates compliance with contractual agreements. • Participates in budget development for operations and maintenance. • Assists in public tours inquiries and informational programs. • Operates the water plant. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) • Completes monthly DNR operating reports, completes renewal of facility licenses and permits. • Performs routine or emergent electrical switching operation to facilitate maintenance, plant shutdown and restart by generator, in the event of power outage or due to local energy compliance. • Performs emergency duties related to water main breaks, responds to after-hour emergency calls. • Provides customer service internally and for external customers such as the public and vendors, performs water quality complaint investigations. • Conducts self in a professional manner which demonstrates courtesy and respect for all community members and coworkers. • Performs other duties as assigned. Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution; or four years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in water treatment plant operations and/or maintenance. • State of Iowa DNR Grade III Treatment Plant Operator Certiﬁcate. State of Iowa DNR Grade IV Treatment Plant Operator Certiﬁcate required within three years of hire. Satisfactory driving record. Valid State of Iowa commercial driver’s license instruction permit upon ﬁrst day in position. Valid State of Iowa Class B commercial driver’s license with air brake and tank endorsements within 6 months of hire. National Incident Management System Training ICS 100, IS 700 within two years of hire. Meet federal drug testing requirements. Requires a pre-employment drug screen. Must be 18 years of age. Must pass criminal background check. Must live within 25 miles of the corporate limits of Iowa City, Iowa within one year of appointment to the position. Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution and one year of related experience; or five years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities • Ability to attend work regularly. • Ability to eﬀectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. • Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. • Ability to perform basic calculations and calculating formulas, plant ﬂows, chemical feed rates, total pumpage, and averages. • Ability to prepare and present written reports and ﬁndings. • Ability to read and understand technical reports, manuals and government regulations. • Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. • Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions. • Knowledge of water laboratory quality control methods. • Knowledge of water process control theory and methods and applicable regulations. • Skill in collecting water samples and conducting laboratory tests. • Skill in evaluating water plant equipment and process performance. • Skill in operating equipment and instrumentation at water treatment plant. • Skill in using computers and applicable software applications (Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, Outlook). Supervision Involves leadership role such as regularly guiding, training, and providing direction to permanent staff in completing basic, entry-level daily tasks and assignments. Does not carry out disciplinary action, does not hire or fire, is not responsible for writing or delivering performance review. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee regularly lifts and/or moves 10 pounds, occasionally will lift and/or move 25 pounds, and will occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, high or precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, vibration, confined space, and traffic hazards. The employee is frequently exposed to outside weather condition, dampness, direct sunlight, dust, pollen, insect stings, and animals. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Involves Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) more than moderate exposure to dangerous situations. Involves more than moderate exposure to stress due to the work environment and/or crisis situations. Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Reviewed/Approved by: Ron Knoche, Public Works Director (4/2024) I have read and understand the duties of this job description, and I agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. Employee Date ________________________________ __________________