General Description
The Irvine Ranch Water District is currently accepting applications for an
Operator II in our Recycling Operations Department.
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.
The PositionUnder direct supervision, Operator II's perform work activities related to the operation of sewage treatment and recycling processes and equipment. Monitor treatment process operation and performance. Make adjustments to treatment processes and equipment. Perform established treatment and quality control activities in order to consistently meet effluent discharge requirements, standards and regulations.
Incumbent may be required to work stand-by on a rotational basis and report to work on a callback basis as needed. Standby assignment is at the discretion of the Operations Manager.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS The Recycling Operations Operator II classification is distinguished from the Recycling Operations Operator I classification in that this classification is the beginning of the journey level for the series and is required to possess a California Water Resources Control Board issued Grade II Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate at the time of employment.
Summary of Duties
Meet reclaimed water distribution requirements and 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; review of process performance; process efficiency testing; solids handling and disposal; maintenance of daily log of operations; order and receive 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; calibration and maintenance of monitoring equipment.
Make adjustments and/or recommend operational changes 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 facts essential to the efficient operation of the reclamation plant and report all operating problems or emergencies immediately to a higher grade operator, supervisor, or manager as available.
Trouble-shoot variations in operating conditions and report findings as directed to prevent a process imbalance or upset.
Effectively communicate and interact frequently with other departments.
Identify sources of existing or potential operational and mechanical problems with treatment processes and mechanical equipment. Work efficiently to correct, troubleshoot, diagnose and process equipment malfunctions.
Assist with projects such as tank dewatering, cleaning operations and preparation of mechanical 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 including recycling pumps, motors, structures, tanks, and equipment and submit work orders for timely and appropriate repair and/or replacement of treatment process mechanical and related equipment. Utilize Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) for the creation of work orders.
Submit purchase requests for equipment, materials and chemicals. Verify shipments to ensure they are complete and correct.
Maintain all recycling plant process systems in an efficient, safe and cost effective manner
Attend appropriate safety training regarding job duties. Assist in presenting safety topics at the bi-weekly department safety meetings. Report safety violations or safety hazards to management and the Safety Office as soon as possible after awareness.
May be required to respond to a hazardous materials emergency situation and/or chemical spill.
Comply with safety work-related practices and attend relevant safety training.
Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
Qualifications
Education- High Sch ool graduation or equivalent. For degrees obtained outside of the U.S., an official equivalency evaluation is required.
- Completion of 15 college level units related to water/sewage treatment or environmental studies, and/or Water/Sewage Associates Degree is preferred.
Experience- Two (2) years of experience in the operation of a sewage treatment plant, incorporating biological pond treatment, preliminary and primary treatment, Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) activated sludge treatment, tertiary treatment, and solids handling facilities is required.
- Ability to read and interpret standard operating procedures (SOPs), operational manuals and required facility permits is required.
- Hazardous materials response experience is desirable.
Certifications- Valid Class C California Driver's license is required.
- Valid Grade II Wastewater Treatment Plan Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board is required.
- 40 hour Emergency Response, Hazardous Materials Technician Certificate or ability to receive within 12 months from date of hire may be required.
- Related Collections System Maintenance, Water Treatment, and/or Water Distribution certifications are highly desirable.
Additional Information
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 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
Will lift 50 lbs. on a routine basis. Must be respirator fit-tested annually. Must be clean shaven at alltimes 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.
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 InsuranceIRWD 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 InsuranceIRWD 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 InsuranceIRWD 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 InsuranceElgible 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 CompensationParticipation 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 VacationEligible employees begin accruing vacation benefits at the rate of 80 hours per year for the first 5 years of employment and are eligible to use paid vacation time after 6 months of employment. Employees accrue 120 hours per year after 5 years of employment and 160 hours per year after 10 years of employment.
Paid HolidaysThe District offers 11 scheduled paid holidaysplus one personal holiday per year.
Sick LeaveEligible employees accrue 96 hours of sick leave annually.
Flexible Spending AccountsEligible 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 AssistanceThe 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: Continuous
