The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutTreatment Plant Operator - WaterUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review) CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION Position Title: Treatment Plant Operator – Water Department: Public Works Division: Water Supervisor: Assistant Superintendent – Water / Water Superintendent FLSA: Non-Exempt Civil Service: Yes Pay Grade: 10 Job Number: 1007 Job Summary Under general direction, operates and monitors City water treatment plant, machines and equipment to purify and lime soften water for human consumption and industrial use. 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. • Operates, monitors, inspects, and maintains water treatment plant machines and equipment including remote reservoirs, pumps, motors, chlorinators, ﬁlters, chemical feeders, clariﬁers, and laboratory equipment. • Calibrates chemical feeders for accuracy, checks levels and makes adjustments, calibrates and maintains laboratory equipment. • Monitors computer control system SCADA for treatment plant operations, alarms and enters changes. • Monitors, reads, and interprets gauges, dials, and other plant instrumentation to regulate ﬂow rates, system pressure, water elevation and distribution of water, calculates plant ﬂow rates based on water stored and immediate ﬂow demands, adjusts pressures such as plant, GSR and system. • Reports any defects and dispatches maintenance to correct defects if necessary. • Records information on paper log sheets and in electronic logs, prepares reports and papers. • Collects water samples and conducts numerous lab tests to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, determines levels of alkalinity, hardness, turbidity, pH, Cl2 and ﬂuoride. • Assists in performing water quality studies and reports for watershed, wellhead protection and regulatory projects and programs. • Performs scheduled and emergency relief operations for water puriﬁcation plant operators. • Receives and responds to public inquiries regarding plant operations, assists in training new plant personnel. • Performs building and grounds maintenance. • Assists in providing public tours and informational programs. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) • Performs preventive maintenance to mechanical and on-line and laboratory analytical equipment. • Requests chemical orders for the laboratory. • Provides safe quality water the public. • Takes calls from the public regarding water repairs or main breaks. • Responds to Iowa ONE calls, dispatches personnel for water line locations and other general requests from City departments or contractors as applicable. • Monitors plant security systems and cameras. • Maintains a clean facility, washes ﬁlters, cleans laboratory and ﬁlls lab chemicals. • Monitors weather warnings and informs staﬀ of conditions. • Ensures security of operational staﬀ and departmental operations, follows protocol in emergency situations. • 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 • Associate’s degree from an accredited educational institution; or two years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in water treatment plant operations. • State of Iowa DNR Grade I Treatment Plant Operator Certiﬁcate required within 6 months of hire. State of Iowa DNR Grade II Treatment Plant Operator Certiﬁcate required within three years of hire. Valid State of Iowa driver’s license with satisfactory driving record required. 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 • Associate’s degree from an accredited educational institution and one year of related experience; or three years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities • Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. • Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. • Ability to evaluate treatment processes and make necessary adjustments. • Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations and calculate ﬂow rate, chemical dose and feed rate, and laboratory formulas. • Ability to prepare written log sheets and reports. • Ability to read and understand technical manuals, regulations, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) • Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties. • Ability to speak eﬀectively before groups of customers or employees of organization. • Knowledge of micro-computer control systems. • Knowledge of occupational safety health regulations concerning water treatment. • Knowledge of water treatment processes. • Skill in collecting water samples and conducting laboratory tests. • Skill in operating equipment and instrumentation at water treatment plant. Supervision No supervision of direct reports. 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 25 pounds and will occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with or without 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 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. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) 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 ________________________________ __________________