Columbia Power & Water Systems (CPWS) is a public utility proudly serving the citizens of Columbia and Maury County Tennessee since 1939. CPWS is recruiting a Water Treatment Plant Operator to control Water Treatment Plant machines and equipment to purify and clarify water for human consumption and for industrial use for over 25,000 customers in Maury County and the surrounding areas. This is a safety-sensitive position subject to standby, afterhours, and/or emergency call out, with potential to work on any of the three available shifts.
Duties/Responsibilities:
• Operates and controls electric motors, pumps, and valves to regulate flow of raw water into treating plant
• Adds specified amounts of chemicals, such as chlorine, alum, and lime into water or adjusts automatic devices that admit specified amounts of chemicals into tanks to disinfect, deodorize, and clarify water
• Pumps purified water into water mains
• Monitors plant equipment and adjusts controls to regulate flow rates, loss of head pressure, water elevation, and distribution of water
• Cleans tanks and filter beds using backwashing (reverse flow of water)
• Repairs and lubricates machines and equipment using hand tools and power tools
• Tests water samples to determine acidity, color, and impurities using colorimeter, turbidimeter, and conductivity meter
• Records data, such as residual content of chemicals, water turbidity, etc.
• Collect water samples from distribution system
• Answers telephone for both water and power system after office is closed
• Maintains cleanliness of water treatment plant
• Works day, evening, and midnight shifts as assigned
• Other duties as assigned
Required Skills/Abilities:
• Acknowledge and adhere to all CPWS policies
• Regular attendance at work
• Perform duties safely without endangering self, others, and the public
• Ability to learn the function of the overall system
• Ability to use judgement and make decisions regarding operation of the system
• Ability to remain calm during emergencies
• Ability to write
• Ability to deal with people in a courteous manner
• Ability to work on different projects and adjust to changing situations
• Accept responsibility for the accuracy of work
• Ability to read, understand, and follow instructions and job-related materials (blueprints, drawings, orders, safety data sheets, distribution maps, manuals, etc.)
• Ability to use mathematical skills to be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide all units of measur
Physical Requirements:
• Ability to lift 0 – 100 pounds for 2 hours a day
• Ability to lift and carry 25 – 100 pounds for 2 hours a day
• Ability to walk and stand for 4 hours a day
• Ability to stoop, bend, climb, and twist
• Ability to use eyes, hands, and fingers to operate or adjust equipment
• Ability to talk, see, and hear
• Reaching, handling, fingering, and feeling
• Ability to work inside and outside and be exposed to noisy places, fumes, chemicals, toxic substances, and machinery
• Environmental Conditions: Ability to work both inside and outside, but mainly inside with some outside work. Wet and Humid: Wet: Contact with water or other liquids. Humid: Atmospheric conditions with moisture content sufficiently high to cause marked bodily discomfort
Education, Experience, and Qualifications:
Water Treatment Plant Operator – Level I:
• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• Maintain a valid State of Tennessee Driver’s License
Water Treatment Plant Operator – Levels II, III, & V:
• 2+ years’ experience in water production and be fully proficient in the operation and maintenance of treatment plant machines and equipment (Operator II)
• State of Tennessee Grade III Filtration License (Operator III)
• 5+ years of experience and State of Tennessee Grade IV Filtration License (Operator IV)
Residency Requirement:
• Must reside within a CPWS service territory or Maury County due to the position being subject to stand-by, after-hours, and/or emergency call-out
Compensation Package:
CPWS offers competitive compensation and benefits. Highlights of the benefits included in this package are healthcare, dental, and life insurance plans with all premiums funded entirely by the employer. CPWS also offers a 401(k)-retirement plan to all eligible employees after one year of service. The plan allows elective deferrals from 4% to 75% of compensation and CPWS contributes 8% of compensation to the plan. Employer contributions are subject to a five-year vesting schedule with the entire fund vesting at five years of service
To apply, please visit our website: cpws.com/employment. This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that additional and/or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (i.e., emergencies, changes in personnel,workload, rush jobs, or technological developments). This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.
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