Operator I (Recycling Operations)

  • Irvine Ranch Water District, CA
  • 15600 Sand Canyon Ave, Irvine, California
  • Sep 06, 2024
Full Time Other Water and Wastewater Treatment
  • Salary: $69,472.00 - $97,822.40 Annually USD

Job Description

General Description

The District
Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) is a progressive, values-driven agency, with an international reputation for its leading-edge financial management practices, water recycling program, water use efficiency practices, water banking, urban runoff treatment, and energy generation and storage. Established in 1961 as a California Water District under the provisions of the California Water Code, IRWD is an independent special district serving central Orange County. IRWD provides high-quality drinking water, reliable sewage collection and treatment, ground-breaking recycled water programs, and environmentally sound urban runoff treatment to its customers. As an independent, not-for-profit public agency, IRWD is governed by a publicly elected five-member Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the District's policies and decision-making. Day-to-day operations are supervised by the General Manager. Additional information can be found at the District's website: www.IRWD.com.

IRWD Corporate Values
Irvine Ranch Water District believes that its values drive the character, culture, and capacity of our organization. IRWD was built on values, and we weave them into the fabric of everything we do. Values are the ingredients in our recipe for both institutional and individual success. They are a code of conduct to promote positive outcomes for others and ourselves. They are more than words on a wall or a website. We live by them every day. We pledge to keep them relevant in an ever-changing world.

IRWD's employees enjoy working in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where they form strong bonds with fellow employees. To ensure effective communication and promote a collaborative team environment, employees report to work each day in the office or in the field, depending on their positions.

The Position

Under direct supervision, perform work activities related to the operation of sewage treatment and recycling processes and equipment. Monitor treatment process operation and performance. Make minor adjustments to treatment processes and equipment. Perform established treatment and quality control activities in order to consistently and cost effectively meet state and federal effluent discharge and air quality requirements.

Incumbent may be required to work stand-by on a rotational basis and report to work on a callback basis as need. Standby assignments is at the discretion of the Operations Manager.

Summary of Duties

Operate and monitor the operation of sewage and recycling processes in order to produce a quality tertiary effluent, consistently meet recycled water distribution requirements that consistently achieve 100% compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal environmental permit requirements.

Perform all assigned operational duties required to operate the plant efficiently and for responding to emergencies and changing conditions within the plant, including: daily plant process and equipment inspections; Solids handling and disposal; Maintaining a daily log of operations; Ordering and receiving bulk chemical deliveries; Dissolved Oxygen profile testing; 30-minute settling Sludge Volume Index (SVI) testing, Chlorine residual testing; Turbidity testing; H2S testing; Micro-organism examination; and a variety of other test including calibration and maintenance of monitoring equipment.

Under direct supervision, perform minor adjustments and/or recommend operational to maintain and improve treatment efficiency. Record flow and hour meter readings from gauges, graphs, and related instrumentation and make appropriate calculations as required.

Effectively communicate all plant operating conditions and all facts essential to the efficient operation of the recycling plant as directed. Report all operating problems or emergencies immediately to a higher grade Operator, a supervisor or a manager as available.

Effectively communicate and interact frequently with other departments.

Identify sources of existing or potential operational and equipment problems with treatment processes and mechanical equipment and report process and equipment malfunctions as directed.

Assist with projects such as tank dewatering, cleaning operations and preparation of equipment to facilitate repairs and replacement as needed.

Perform routine housekeeping and maintenance of assigned treatment plant facilities and equipment.

Inspect the operation of sewage treatment plant components, including recycling pumps, motors, structures, tanks and equipment and submit work orders for repair and/or replacement of treatment process equipment. Utilize Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) for the creation of work orders.

Submit purchase requests for equipment, materials and chemicals. Check shipments to ensure they are complete and correct.

Attend appropriate safety training regarding job duties.

Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Qualifications

Education:
  • High School graduation or equivalent required.
  • Two water or sewage treatment education courses at the community college level are required.
  • Ability to read and interpret standard operation procedures (SOPs) operational/maintenance manuals and required facility permits is required.
  • Water/Sewage Associates Degree is desirable.
Experience:
  • One year of experience (paid or volunteer) in the operation of a wastewater treatment plant, incorporating biological pond treatment, preliminary and primary treatment, Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) activated sludge treatment, tertiary treatment and solids handling facilities is preferred.
  • Hazardous materials response experience is desirable.
License/Certification:
  • Depending upon assignment, valid Class 'C' California Driver's License may be required.
  • Ability to obtain valid Waste Water (WW) Operator-in-Training (OIT) Certification within 30 days of employment is required.
  • Ability to obtain Grade I WW Treatment Plant Operator Certificate within 18 months of employment is required.
  • California State Water Resources Control Board Grade I WW Treatment Plant Operator Certificate highly desirable.
  • 40-hour Emergency Response, Hazardous Materials Technician Certificate or ability obtain within 12 mos. of employment is required.


Additional Information

The physical and mental demands described below are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication
Ability to effectively communicate both orally and written. Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of office/field employees, management, contractors and vendors. Represent District in a professional manner when dealing with outside contractors and regulatory agency officials. Ability to advise and provide interpretation to others on how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.

Mathematical Ability
Ability to perform basic mathematical functions, including college level algebra and geometry. Must be able to perform algebraic and geometry calculations and water/sewage calculations and formulas.

Technology Ability
Must be familiar with and be able to utilize Microsoft Office Suite.

Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability
Ability to use professional personal judgment and discretion in performing all job functions.

Physical Requirements
Ability to lift 50 lbs. on a routine basis. Must be respirator fit-tested annually. Must be clean shaven at all times such that facial hair does not interfere with the fit of self-contained breathing apparatus. Ability to exert moderately heavy physical effort in moderate to heavy work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, twisting and pulling. Ability to operate equipment and machinery with some requiring complex and rapid adjustments, such as power hand and shop tools, shovel, motor vehicles, compressors, hoists, ladders, drafting tools, etc.

Environmental Adaptability
Ability to work under sometimes uncomfortable conditions with exposure to environmental factors such as raw sewage, toxic agents, wildlife, disease, equipment, traffic, or machinery. Ability to work in a confined space environment and in high locations.

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTION
All applicants are required to complete and submit a District application form online and answer the supplemental questionnaire. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application. Resumes or faxed copies will not be accepted in lieu of the District online application. To apply, click on the "Apply" link located at the top of this page.

New users must create an account first. Click on this link for instructions on how to set up your account and apply for the first time: Online Employment Application Guide

Applications will be reviewed by the Human Resources Department and the subject matter expert. Those applicants possessing the most pertinent qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process, which will include:

Oral Interview Examination : will evaluate the candidates' experience, training, education, and abilities in relation to those factors which are essential for successful performance on the job.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as you will not receive communications by any other method.

Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, Irvine Ranch Water District employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

Equal Opportunity Employer Irvine Ranch Water District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you consider yourself a person with a disability, you may contact the Human Resources Department for a reasonable accommodation.

IRWD offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. These benefits include the following: retirement benefits; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; anda variety of other benefits. Benefits may vary based on employment status. This benefits overview is intended to be a summary, is not intended to be all-inclusive,and may not be applicable to all employees.

Retirement
Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013:
The District, in compliance with the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2012 (PEPRA), implemented a third tier for new employees hired on or after January 1, 2013. New employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who have not been in PERS membership or in membership with a reciprocal retirement system within 6 months of hire date will receive benefits under the California Public Employees Retirement System at a 2 percent at age 62 formula. This formula gradually increases to a maximum benefits of 2.5 percent at age 67. Final compensation calculations will be based on the highest three-year average of regular recurring pay. The District pays the employer's share of these costs. The employee share of the pension cost of 7.50% is paid in full by the employees hired under this formula.

Employees hired on or after September 29, 2012 or "Classic" PERS members hired on or after January 1, 2013:
On September 24, 2012, the IRWD Board of Directors approved the addition of a second tier to the CalPERS retirement benefits. New employees hired on or after September 29th through December 31, 2012, and employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who have been in PERS membership or in membership with a reciprocal retirement system, will receive benefits under the California Public Employees Retirement System at 2 percent at age 60 formula. This formula gradually increases to a maximum benefit of 2.418% at age 63. The District pays the employer share of these costs and the employee share of the pension cost of 7% is paid in full by the employees hired under this formula. Final retirement compensation calculations are based on the highest three-year average of regular, recurring pay.

IRWDdoes not participate or pay into Social Security except for the Medicare portion.

Medical Insurance
IRWD contracts with CalPERS for medical insurance coverage. Employees may elect coverage from a variety of PPO and HMO plans. The employee and District contribution for health insurance varies by plan.Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Dental Insurance
IRWD contracts with Delta Dental for dental coverage.IRWD pays 100% of the premium for dental coverage for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Vision Insurance
IRWD contracts with the EyeMed for vision coverage. IRWD pays 100% of the premium for vision coverage for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Life Insurance
Elgible employees are provided with life insurance coverage equal to three or four times their annual salary, depending on their level of compensation. Eligible dependents are also covered for a flat benefit amount. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Deferred Compensation
Participation in adeferred compensation plan is available through Empower Retirement. Enrollment is voluntary and contributions are employee-paid and subject to IRS limits. The District matches employee contributions up to 3% of base pay after 1 year of employment.

Paid Vacation
Eligible employees begin accruing vacation benefits at the rate of 80 hours per year for the first 5 years of employment. Employees accrue 120 hours per year after 5 years of employment and 160 hours per year after 10 years of employment.

Paid Holidays
The District offers 11 scheduled paid holidaysplus one personal holiday per year.

Sick Leave
Eligible employees accrue 96 hours of sick leave annually.

Flexible Spending Accounts
Eligible employees may elect to participate in the District's Flex Advantage program. This program allows employees to deposit pre-tax dollars into special accounts to be used for a variety of purposes, including paying for qualified miscellaneous health care expenses and dependent care expenses. IRWD contracts with a third party administer to process payments from employee accounts using claim forms or a Flex Spending debit card.

Educational Assistance
The District will share in the pre-approved educational costs of tuition and books for employees who wish to attend college or take certification classes.

Closing Date/Time: 9/22/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Base Pay

69,472

Job Address

15600 Sand Canyon Ave, Irvine, California 92618 United States View Map