Salary: $23.96 - $35.24/hour

Overtime: Nonexempt

Opening Date: 06/04/2025

Closing Date: Until Filled

Description:

Under general administrative direction, supervises daily operation and maintenance of the wastewater plant while assisting with required duties; monitors special projects related to plant; serves as operator of record; performs related work as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Oversees operation and maintenance of wastewater plant, ensuring that plant operation follows established procedures, standards, and federal, state and local laws and administrative regulations.
• Supervises personnel assigned to plant while performing duties of wastewater plant operator.
• Ensures daily inspection and maintenance of lift stations, pumps, unit processes, process instruments, charts, gauges and meters.
• Instructs plant operators to or adds chemicals in accordance with prescribed standards; may assist lab personnel in collecting wastewater samples and running tests or forwarding samples as required; adjusts chemicals as necessary.
• Supervises and assists in disposal of sludge; ensures compliance with required regulations.
• Ensures that lift stations are checked as required, and that lift stations are maintained in accordance with established standards.
• Requisitions equipment, spare parts, chemicals and supplies as needed.
• Inspects plant for needed repairs and maintenance; reports need for major repairs; assists with minor maintenance duties.
• Completes and forwards and/or ensures the completion and forwarding of required reports on a timely basis; ensures that reports and records are prepared and maintained as required.
• Ensures that servicing and preventive maintenance programs on plant and equipment are followed; makes minor repairs and/or adjustments on plant and equipment; forwards requests for major repairs and/or equipment and tools to superiors.
• May represent director of public works at meetings involving wastewater treatment.
• Keeps time records for all plant employees; adjusts work schedules to cover time off for employees to take leave, attend seminars, etc.
• Ensures cleanliness of plant and grounds.
• Ensures that all reports are forwarded as required.
• Responds to emergency situations at plant.
• Schedules employees to attend continuing education programs; attends continuing education programs.
• Supervises and assists in cleaning and maintaining vehicles and equipment assigned to division, including preventive maintenance.
• Accepts complaints and attends to their disposition.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from high school or equivalent supplemented by an associate’s degree or equivalent* in the areas of science, math, engineering, environmental sciences, or related area; bachelor degree preferred.
• Must have Class IV Wastewater Plant Operator Certification recognized by the Kentucky Division of Water.
• Must have two years supervisory experience (can include Operator in Charge).
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

*Equivalent includes Sacramento State Office of Water Programs Utility Management or Manage for Success: Effective Utility Leadership Practices; Kentucky Rural Water Association Utility Management Institute; or Kentucky Rural Water Association Utility Management Certification. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Extensive knowledge of wastewater plant operations.
• Extensive knowledge of federal, state and local laws and administrative regulations reference wastewater treatment.
• Extensive knowledge of functions and servicing/maintenance requirements of mechanical equipment and machinery.
• Extensive knowledge of and ability to ensure compliance with safety requirements.
• Working knowledge of procurement policy.
• Working knowledge of fiscal budget and annual budget process.
• Working knowledge of process instrumentation.
• Working knowledge of math and chemistry.
• Working knowledge of computer hardware and applicable software programs.

:

• Ability to supervise subordinates while assisting with required duties.
• Ability to assist director of public works with administrative or supervisory duties while performing the duties of plant operator.
• Ability to detect mechanical flaws and assist with minor repairs on plant and equipment.
• Ability to ensure compliance with preventive maintenance and servicing programs.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city officials, other employees and the general public.
• Physical ability to perform heavy labor for extended periods of time, often under adverse weather conditions.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

 - Instructions are somewhat general; many aspects of work are covered specifically, but must use own judgment some of the time. 

 - Must frequently refine existing work methods and develop new techniques, concepts or programs within established limits or policies. 

 - Work is reviewed through oral and written reports. 

 - Assignments frequently involve decisions based on a wide knowledge of many factors where application of advanced or technical concepts are required.

 - Work requires sitting at desk with intermittent standing, walking, stooping; must lift objects over 50 pounds; some work is performed outdoors regardless of weather conditions; must operate vehicle and equipment; required to be in high places, confined spaces, and using stairs and ladders; exposed to fumes, chemicals and toxic substances. 

 - Construction and/or mechanical tools and equipment (hand tools, power tools, etc.), laboratory equipment, normal office equipment (phone, computer, calculator, etc.), chemical feeders, process instrumentation, safety equipment, vehicles.

 - Public and internal contacts are a requirement of the job.

 - Regular use of confidential information.

 - Moderate/heavy.

 - Frequent.

 - Must be able to respond to emergency situations at all hours.

 - Must possess and maintain a Class IV Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator License issued by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

 - Non-exempt.

The City of Murray is an Equal Opportunity Employer