Water Plant Operator

Thank you for your interest in N-E-I and this position, which is full-time (40 hours per week).

COMPANY BACKGROUND: INFORMATION

N-E-I is a service business with a history of successfully delivering projects for federal government agencies by providing outstanding service and comprehensive turn-key solutions. We are certified as s Small Disadvantaged (SDB), Woman-Owned (WOSB/EDWOSB), and Minority entity, which has been in operation since 1987. We are proposing on a 5-year contract at Camp Pendleton, CA. and seek highly experienced, qualified employees to fill these positions.

JOB FUNCTIONS: I

Overview: This position controls treatment plant machines and equipment to purify and clarify water for human consumption and for industrial use. This person operates and controls electric motors, pumps, and valves to regulate flow of raw water into treating plant and dumps specified amounts of chemicals such as chlorine, ammonia, and lime into water, or adjusts automatic devices that admit specified amounts of chemicals into tanks to disinfect, deodorize, and clarify

water. This person starts agitators to mix chemicals and allows impurities to settle to bottom of tank, turns valves to regulate water through filter beds to remove impurities, pumps purified water into water mains, monitors panel board and adjusts controls to regulator flow rates, loss of head pressure and water elevation and distribution of water. This operator cleans tanks and filter beds, using backwashing (reverse flow of water), repairs and lubricates machines and equipment, using hand- and power tools, tests water samples to determine acidity, color, and impurities, using colorimeter, turbidimeter, and conductivity meter. Work includes dumping chemicals such as alum into tanks to coagulate impurities and reduce acidity, recording data, such as residual content of chemicals, water turbidity, and water pressure. This operator may operate portable water-purification plant to supply drinking water, and purify wastewater from plant preparatory to pumping water into rivers and streams or city mains.

This position is to provide potable water for all facilities located throughout Camp Pendleton. Must be at the Journeyman level for Water Treatment Plant Operator with at least a Water Treatment Operator Certification Grade II from the State of California Department of Health, and is expected to make sound judgments concerning the operation of the water system, work under very little supervision, make inquiries when unusual situations in the Water System arise, be able to follow oral and written instructions from the supervisor, and perform minor maintenance replacing small valves, renewing packing gland bolts, greasing pumps, replacing strainers and gaskets, adjusting pump control valves, altitude valves, high pressure relief valves, and changing out copper sense lines and fittings as needed. During each shift, and within an assigned sector or area, employee drives a pick-up truck in order to make scheduled visits to water stations and equipment; checks wells, boosters pumps, chlorinators, pressure booster or reducing stations, control switches, etc.; establishes and maintains proper levels in reservoirs whether visually or by a level indicator; takes water samples and tests for pH and chlorine residual readings and further computes chlorine to water ratios by the amount of chlorine injected into water pumped during a given time period; regulates and sets valves for pumping into different storage tanks, reservoirs and distribution lines; maintains a constant supply of chlorine gas for purification units by transporting cylinders by pick-up trucks for facilities.  When emergency conditions arise such as pipeline breaks or fires, employee is notified and takes necessary action which may involve assisting repair crews in work required to localize water line breaks, isolating breaks from the system, and, in case of fires, providing uninterrupted water supply and greater volume and pressure to the emergency as required. Individual will immediately report all emergencies arising during the shift to the Supervisor and/or their affected personnel, stating the nature of the emergency (and who will be effected), the type and extent of repairs required, and the estimated time that the water service will be interrupted. All water users are notified of the service curtailment and established time in effect. During the shift, employee reads water meters at wells and booster stations,  weighs chlorine cylinders and tanks at various stations, records the totals for each station in a logbook, and maintains other records in a logbook carried in the operator’s vehicle. Must have the knowledge and skills required to apply the mechanical aspects of potable water pumping, water treatment, main line distribution, reservoir storage and final distribution over miles of piping to using facilities; understand how the entire water treatment system works; read and interpret blueprints fluently; superchlorinate a water line, well and reservoir; take water samples with proper techniques and precautions to ensure safe samples are taken; operate diesel and gasoline engines used for emergency stand-by operation of wells and boosters; operate machinery used in deep well pumping installations, booster stations, chlorine injection, electrical starters and switches, automatic float and pressure controls, Clayton valves and controls for pressure reduction, safety controls, blow-off valves and surge controls; control and divert water through various water lines and valves in order to prevent head loss or pressure drop in lines where water is used for fires or other emergencies; accurately and legibly post or log the amount of water pumped from individual wells and boosters, the amount of chlorine used, and water levels of various reservoirs; take water samples using the proper techniques and safety precautions.  Under the direction of the Water Treatment Plant Operator Supervisor I, employee assumes duties in the operational control of the potable water treatment and supply system for every shift assigned. Spot checks are made by supervision to ensure proper operation, operational and preventive maintenance to the water system and equipment. Must be able to understand oral and written instructions from supervisors or work leaders; use sound judgment and initiative in the interpretation and execution of instructions, and in determining and reporting unusual circumstances pertaining to the equipment; maintain alertness at all times, as the slightest deficiency in the mechanism of electric motor pumps, and chlorinators, or improper distribution or valve adjustments, if not detected and corrected, could cause major damage to equipment, personnel and/or possible contamination of the water supply, affecting a large portion of the Base population.  Must know where the water meters are located on base, and must have good communication skills for relaying information to supervisor, fellow workers, other shops and customer relations. May be assigned to shift work to provide twenty four (24) hour / seven (7) day a week, operation of the treatment plants and lift stations.  This position requires a minimum of 4 years of experience, a State of California driver’s license, and State of California Water Treatment Operator Certification (D2 or T2).