Assistant Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator – BC-08

Duties Summary
Assists and/or participates in the operation, maintenance, and repair of various wastewater treatment plants; receives training in and performs progressively difficult tasks for developmental purposes and to prepare for eventual operator certification; and performs other related duties as required.

There are three (3) immediate vacancies with the Department of Environmental Management – Wastewater Division:

• one (1) permanent full-time vacancy in Hilo.
• two (2) permanent full-time vacancies in Kailua-Kona

Certain Assistant Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator positions are career ladder positions. The next level in the series is Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I, BC-10, $5,873/month. Persons hired into career ladder positions must meet minimum qualifications for the next level in the career ladder series, perform work at the higher level, and meet performance requirements to move to the next level in the career ladder series.

The eligible list may be used for other permanent and temporary vacancies as they arise during the life of the list. Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.

Special Working Conditions: Exposure to hazardous, filthy, and obnoxious conditions; may also be subject to shift, weekend, and holiday work as required.

Examples of Duties

• Assists and/or participates in operating and maintaining various wastewater treatment plant processes and equipment to assure safe and efficient operation.
• Assists and/or participates in controlling and regulating the flow, processing, and treatment of wastewater, air, and sludge between the unit processes of the plant.
• Opens and closes valves as directed; monitors various gauges and instruments and records and interprets readings.
• Collects individual and composite samples of wastewater and sludge from the various unit processes and assists and/or participates in performing chemical and physical analyses thereof.
• Makes process adjustments accordingly.
• Operates and maintains sludge digestion systems, dewatering equipment, drying beds, pulverizers, and chemical feed systems.
• Cleans settling tanks, clarifiers, digesters, etc.
• Assists and/or participates in making periodic visits to tributary wastewater pumping plants.
• Controls and regulates the flow of wastewater to and from pumping plants.
• Inspects equipment for irregularities and makes necessary adjustments.
• Lubricates and changes oil in equipment and machinery as required.
• Makes running repairs to equipment such as packing pumps and valves, changing bail valves and seats on plunger pumps, removing obstructions from pumps, pipes, and valves, etc.
• Assists with more difficult repairs.
• Participates in maintaining operational records and stations logs.
• Attends orientation and training sessions and receives instruction in the technical aspects of wastewater treatment and pumping plant operations.
• Learns and becomes familiar with new methods, equipment, and processes relating to wastewater treatment and disposal.
• May perform shift work individually under direction or guidance of the operator-in-charge for training and continual on-the-job development.
• Operates a motor vehicle to transport personnel, equipment, and materials.

Minimum Qualification Requirements
Training and Experience:

A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:

• graduation from high school, and
• some mechanical or electrical work experience, and
• a valid State of Hawai’i driver’s license (Class 3) or any other valid comparable driver’s license at the time of filing. (You will be required to submit your valid driver’s license at the time of hire), and
• a current traffic abstract verifying no DUI convictions for three (3) years preceding and no moving violations for one (1) year preceding. A current traffic abstract is valid for 30 days from date of issuance by the district court. You will be required to submit your valid driver’s license at the time of the job interview.

Notes: a current Department of Transportation Medical Examiner’s Certificate is required prior to appointment; and as applicable to the position, a valid State of Hawai`i driver’s license (Class 4, non-CDL) is required prior to completion of probation. (The immediate vacancy with the Department of Environmental Management in Hilo requires a State of Hawai`i Class 4 driver’s license prior to completion of probation).

Examination: All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points. An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicant’s training, education and experience as presented in the application.

Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully. Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience. It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week.

Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD-214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application.

Note: In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawai’i County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process.

Knowledge of: practices and procedures used in the operation and maintenance of common plant equipment such as pumps, valves, motors, and blowers; safety practices involved in working around high voltage equipment and moving machinery; basic arithmetic; uses of basic mechanic hand tools.

Ability to: operate and maintain electrical pumping units and auxiliary equipment common to industrial-type plants; open and close valves as directed; read meters and gauges, record readings, and maintain operating records; make necessary arithmetical computations; read and comprehend written materials; learn technical and specialized processes pertinent to wastewater treatment plant work, including required laboratory analyses; use common hand tools; work with dexterity and safety; understand and follow oral and written instructions; work harmoniously with others; handle weights and loads.

Physical Requirements: Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Physical Effort Grouping: Heavy

Benefits of County employment: The County of Hawai‘i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include telecommuting, alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave: Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.
• Retirement Plan: The Employees’ Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.
• Deferred Compensation: Save additional money for retirement – this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai‘i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
• Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave
• Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent-Teacher
• Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.

All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and change due to legislative actions and/or changes negotiated through collective bargaining. Please check out the benefits tab for additional information.

Supplemental Information
Please scan and attach these supporting documents to your on-line application, if required:

• an official college transcript,
• a valid driver’s license,
• a temporary assignment verification,
• professional licenses, and/or
• certificates,

Veterans applying for veteran’s preference points shall also scan and attach their DD-214 form and as needed, their VA claim letter to the on-line application.

ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION TO APPLICANTS:
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Please add info@governmentjobs.com to your contact list. Open your NEOGOV account using your user name and password. In the upper right hand corner of the account is your name, and under your name, click on INBOX to view all notices sent you. The notices will appear here in the INBOX even in the event you don’t receive it on your cell phone, computer, or other electronic device. This is the best way to check and view all notices sent to you.

You will receive a confirmation email upon successfully submitting your application. Failure to receive this confirmation email, indicates that your application was not submitted.