State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Water Pollution Control Operator 3 (40 Hour) (9253FM)

$39.44-$51.50 Hourly / $3,155.14-$4,119.74 BiWeekly /
$82,349.00-$107,525.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

At the University of Connecticut, Storrs this class functions as a working lead  and is accountable for performing highly skilled water analysis, making process control decisions, and a full range of complex mechanical, operational, and monitoring duties for the Water Resource Recovery (WRRF).

GUIDELINES FOR JOB CLASS USE

Within the Water Pollution Control and Water Reclamation Facilities, the Operator III will serve as a shift Operator in the absence of the Water Resource Recovery Facility Assistant Superintendent and the Water Resource Recovery Facility Superintendent.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under and receives general direction from the Water Resource Recovery Facility Superintendent, Water Resource Recovery Facility Assistant Superintendent or other employee of higher grade.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Leads, and may provide, supervision in the absence of the Water Resource and Recovery Facility Assistant Superintendent or Water Resource Recovery Facility Superintendent, Water Pollution Control Technicians, Operators, Mechanic(s), Trainees and other employees of a lower grade as required and/or assigned, to include University student workers, interns and other staff such as outside contractors, vendors, and consultants, etc.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

LEAD SPECIFIC: 
  • In the absence of the Water Resource Recovery Facility Superintendent or  Water Resource and Recovery Facility Assistant Superintendent, the Operator III will assist with schedules, assignments, oversight , and reviews work of staff; 
  • Provides staff training and assistance;  
  • Determines priorities and plans facility work;  
  • Leads daily on-site process control direction and overall performance of the Class IV Water Pollution Control Facility;
  • Performs related duties as required.
LABORATORY SPECIFIC: 
  • Ability and knowledge to calibrate laboratory and testing equipment; 
  • Evaluates, reports and may make decisions regarding primary and secondary treatment as well as process control changes based on laboratory test results and protocols; 
  • Observes, documents and aides in maintaining the health of the biomass conditions based on laboratory and field analysis; 
  • Reports the biomass conditions based on laboratory and field analysis; 
  • Maintains and records data capturing facility operations, laboratory tests and analyses using the facilities water data management program; 
  • Prepares operations and performance reports as required using a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
  • May perform procedures and standards set forth by Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater” compiled and updated by the American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Federation; 
  • May perform collection of samples from various sections of treatment plant, possess the ability to perform biological and chemical tests, prepare reagents and analyze wastewater and reclaimed water for the following, to include, but not limited to: settleable solids, chlorine residuals, temperatures, hydrogen low concentrations (pH), suspended solids, volatile suspended solids, dissolved oxygen (DO), bio-chemical oxygen demand (BOD), total alkalinity, turbidity, mixed liquor evaluation, sample titration, biosolids volume index, total e-coli and coliform tests, etc.; 
  • May make decisions to bring additional equipment on-line or take equipment off-line; 
  • May make adjustments to biology retention time based on condition of incoming flow and biomass conditions using complex mathematical calculations including, but not limited to, mass balance equation, food to micro-organism ratios (F/M), biosolids production rate, biosolids retention time, BOD formulas, pump flow rates, tank volumes and several additional calculations as required for process control; 
  • Performs related duties as required.
OPERATIONS SPECIFIC:
  • Performs a full range of complex duties in the repair, operation, monitoring and maintenance of the water pollution control, water reclamation and lift station facilities and associated equipment; 
  • Responsible for the processing and ultimate disposal of biosolids and reclaimed water processing; 
  • Operates and maintains such equipment as grit chambers, steps screens, bar racks, grinders, pumps, chemical dosing systems, dewatering systems  clarifier tanks, chlorination chambers and others, related to the water pollution, water reclamation and/or lift station facilities; 
  • Performs complex repairs to and/or replaces all equipment including valves, motors, pipes, pumps and other machinery; 
  • Performs highly skilled biological and chemical analyses of the water pollution control and water reclamation process in accordance with regulations, schedules; 
  • Coordinates and assists with the fats, oils and grease (FOG) inspection and removal program;
  • Ability to record meters and gauge values and interpret information according to operating characteristics; 
  • Identifies issues and implements resolutions for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system (SCADA) alarms based on available information; 
  • Supervises the work and performance of contractors; 
  • Prepares operational records, reports and correspondence; 
  • Adheres to federal and state Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements as well as University Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) policies; 
  • Maintains cleanliness and organizational standards consistent within water pollution control facilities; 
  • Authorizes and/or supervises emergency or  preventative maintenance shut-down and or start-ups; 
  • Makes budget conscious recommendations for equipment purchases or contractual repairs; 
  • Answers inquiries with regard to university user services to ensure customer satisfaction and proper system functions; 
  • May act as a liaison with other departments, agencies, and officials, internally and externally, regarding policies, procedures, maintenance and repairs to water pollution control collection systems, lift stations and equipment; 
  • May make recommendations on policies, procedures and/or standards; 
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • the operations of a large multi-treatment water pollution control facility including water reclamation; 
    • and understanding of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, permit requirements and guidelines as they relate to the Clean Water Act and compliance with the University’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES);
    • principles, methods and procedures of wastewater and water reclamation chemistry and understanding of sampling procedures used in laboratory analyses of wastewater and reclaimed water set forth by “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater” laboratory practices, procedures and methods;
    • federal and state Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements
    • and ability to utilize computer software programs such as, but not limited to, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, water data management program, Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS);
    • nitrification/denitrification processes; 
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to
    • repair and maintain pumps, tanks and other equipment used in wastewater and water reclamation treatment;
    • perform all lower level Operator duties including laboratory, operations, and maintenance;
    • maintain thorough and accurate operational and maintenance records;
  • Must possess the ability to appropriately and effectively supervise staff of a lower grade.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Experience in the operation and maintenance of a Class II, or higher, biological wastewater treatment facility, as required by the DEEP Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, as found below.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class are required to possess at the time of hire a Class III Wastewater Treatment Facility Operator Certificate in accordance with the regulations of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
  • Incumbents in this class are required by DEEP to possess and retain appropriate current certifications, licenses or permits, as required by the DEEP Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.
  • Incumbents in this class are required to possess and retain specific education and/or experience to meet various certification requirements.
NOTE: DEEP Regulations: An Applicant for Class III Wastewater Treatment Facility Operator Certification shall: (A) submit satisfactory evidence of (i) at least four years of experience in the operation of a wastewater treatment facility of Class II or higher; (ii) a high school diploma or G.E.D.; and (iii) successful completion of higher education equivalent to at least 90 CEUs in a field determined by the commissioner to be related to the operation of a wastewater treatment facility; and (B) pass the Class III examination. Substitution of additional documented higher education training and coursework for minimum operating experience allowed as approved by DEEP per DEEP Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class must have adequate physical strength, stamina, physical agility and visual and auditory acuity, and must maintain such physical fitness to be able to perform the duties.
  • A physical examination may be required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to extreme weather conditions in all seasons, highly disagreeable effects of waste, loud and potentially dangerous machinery and working with chemicals; may be required to lift moderately heavy weights and work in uncomfortable positions.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Non-Examined

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(16)-Labor-Trades, Laundry

BARGAINING UNIT

(06)-SERVICE/MAINT (NP-2)

EEO

(8)-Service Maintenance

SALARY INFORMATION

FM 24

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Water Pollution Control Operator 3 (40 Hour) in Salary Group FM 22 approved effective July 15, 2023. (Revised to modify content, adjust salary group as a result of the NP-2 OJE Study Stipulated Agreement, modernize format, and add Acknowledgement section) Item No. 23-190R Item No. 23-207

EFFECTIVE DATE

05/19/2023
CLASS: 9253FM; EST: 11/13/2015; REV: 8/30/2023;