Environmental Operator Trainee

Job Details

Salary : $37,647.33 Annually

Location : La Plata, MD

Job Type: Full-time

Job Number: 2023-00824

Department: Department of Public Works - Utilities

Division: DPW, Utilities - Operations & Maintenance

Opening Date: 01/24/2024

Closing Date: Continuous

Summary

THIS IS A CONTINOUS POSTING WITH A

BEST CONSIDERATION DATE OF FEBRUARY 6, 2024.

THIS IS A READVERTISEMENT. PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT REAPPLY.

All applicants moving forward in the recruiting process for this position will be required to take and pass a math test. Sample questions can be found in the supplemental questions.

Performs utility plant operation work. Involves maintaining, operating, and repairing equipment, machines and devices used in the water pumping and delivery system and the wastewater processing plant.
Essential Job Functions

• Assists with the maintenance and minor repair of a variety of mechanical and electrical equipment (pumps, chemical feed systems, metering devices, motor control systems, valves, etc.) under the direction of the Supervisor.
• Assists in preventative maintenance of chlorination equipment and the rebuilding of chemical feed equipment.
• Monitors process controls, SCADA, and makes visual assessments for proper water/wastewater system operation. Operates and maintains County environmental facilities by observing the operation of all equipment and controls. Operates electrical controls for start and stop operation.
• Conducts sampling duties at water and wastewater treatment plants and performs tests in compliance with state and federal regulations and maintains operations to meet regulatory agency permit levels.
• Maintains records, logs, and reports. Collects and tests samples for laboratory analysis.
• Inspects and monitors water wells, equipment, and sewer pump stations.
• Regulates and maintains hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical equipment, valves, and pumps, as well as monitoring and maintaining the disinfection/DeChlor system, polymer, alum feed and pH control.
• Reads integrators, charts, meters, and timers, and enters data into computer.
• Assists in the regulation of flows and chemical levels.
• Transports equipment, materials, and chemicals to and from work sites.
• Maintains facility process operations including startup and shutdown.
• Adjusts pumps and motor speeds, and changes valves to direct flows maintaining predetermined operating levels.
• Monitors/operates the County wide Supervisor Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) alarm system, County radios and phone systems during the evening hours and weekends for the County Department of Public Works/Utilities. Makes necessary contacts in response to alarm.
• Monitors and records blanket levels in clarifiers and sludge thickeners.
• Notifies supervisors of any equipment failures, operational problems, or unusual occurrences observed during the performance of assigned duties.
• Follows safety regulations and procedures in the performance of all duties.
• Operates and maintains sand filter and sludge dewatering facilities as assigned.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education and Experience:
Six (6) months of experience in mechanical maintenance; or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

Licenses or Certifications:
Must possess a valid driver's license.
Within first year of employment must gain the following licenses:
Northern region: Temporary Class 2 Water Certification, Wastewater Collection System Certification, Water Sampler License, Wastewater 3.
Southern region: Temporary Class 1 Water Certification, Temporary Class 5-A Wastewater Operator certification, Temporary Water Treatment Class 5 Site Specific (Radiation) License
Central Region: Temporary Class 5-A Wastewater Operator certification, Temporary Class 1 Water Certification
Special Requirements/Qualifications:
Subject to work beyond the normal scheduled hours of work.
Satisfactory completion of confined space training within first year.
Must obtain temporary certification at appropriate level for assigned system and be able to pass a pulmonary fit test.
Subject to call back in emergencies.
Serve in on-call duty on a rotational basis.
Required to handle a variety of chemicals on a daily basis.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION, AND EMPLOYEES IN THIS POSITION ARE SUBJECT TO RANDOM DRUG AND ALCOHOL SCREENING.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the use and care of hand, power and other tools used in the work.
• Knowledge of basic principles of mechanics as applied to the equipment, machines and devices used in water systems and wastewater treatment plants.
• Ability to follow specific instructions and procedures and refer nonstandard situations or problems to others.
• Ability to learn water and wastewater operator duties.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work.
• Ability to use the tools and equipment of the work efficiently.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to comply with all aspects of OSHA respiratory requirements, including medical evaluations and fit testing.
• Ability to pass annual Pulmonary Breathing Function Test (will be required to be clean-shaven).
• Ability to enter confined spaces, with proper training.
• Ability to sometimes work on weekends and holidays.

Additional Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is regularly active with periods of heavy exertion. Typical positions require workers to walk or stand for long periods; lift and carry up to 100 pounds; climb stairs, ladders, and scaffolding; bend, kneel, crouch and crawl; reach, hold, grasp, and turn objects; feel the size, shape, and temperature of items; use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards; speak normally, to use normal or aided vision and hearing, and to detect odors. This is considered an essential job; you will be required to be present during snow or weather emergencies.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Principal duties of this job are performed in a general office; in shop or field settings and outside environment and exposed to inclement weather. Exposed to wastewater environment.

Department/Division: Public Works Utilities/Operations and Maintenance
Pay Grade: 105
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Telework Eligible: No
Reports To: Wastewater Operations Supervisor
Supervises: None

BENEFITS AT A GLANCE
Benefits eligibility is for employees who work 30+ hours/week unless noted below

For more information about benefits visit:

13 PAID HOLIDAYS

EMS EMPLOYEES RECEIVE 6 CORE HOLIDAYS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT

ANNUAL LEAVE

• Begin employment by accruing 8 hours a month (sliding scale based on hours worked)

SICK LEAVE

• Accrue 7.5 hours a month (sliding scale based on hours worked)

TRANSFER OF SICK LEAVE

• May receive credit for up to 400 hours of accrued, but unpaid, sick leave from previous employer when they begin employment

PAID TIME OFF (PTO)

• Employees working 1950 hours per year recieve 30 hours of PTO
• Employees working 2080 hours per year recieve 36 hours of PTO
• Employees working 2184 hours per year recieve 36 hours of PTO

PAID PARENTAL LEAVE

• Up to 6 weeks of paid leave after birth/adoption of child

HEALTH INSURANCE - County PAYS 70% of cost (sliding scale based on hours worked)

• Blue Choice Advantage, Prescription & Vision
• Blue Choice HMO Open Access, Prescription & Vision
• CareFirst Dental
• Delta Dental

RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE - Health Reimbursement Arrangement. New hires who elect health insurance coverage with Charles County Government (CCG) will be enrolled in a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Account (VEBA). Upon retirement or separation from employment, you will be able to use the funds in the VEBA account to pay for your health insurance premiums and other qualified medical expenses. You are required to contribute $30.80 per pay period (via payroll deduction). CCG will also make a contribution of $90.40 per pay period .The contribution may be adjusted each year based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

PENSION PLAN (Defined Benefit Retirement Plan)
*In order to be eligible for the pension plan, you must work at least 37.5 hours a week.

• County Pension Plan - Non-Public Safety, Mandatory Participation 4% employee contribution
• County Pension Plan - Public Safety, Mandatory Participation 8% employee contribution
• Sheriff's Office Retirement Plan - Communications, Mandatory Participation 7% employee contribution
• Sheriff's Office Retirement Plan - Sworn, Mandatory Participation 8% employee contribution
• Sheriff's Office Retirement Plan - Corrections, Mandatory Participation 7% employee contribution

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN (457(b) Governmental Plan)
*Available to all employees, regardless of hours worked.

• Mass Mutual
• MetLife
• Nationwide Retirement Solutions

LIFE INSURANCE

• No charge to employee (Valued at 1.5x the employee's annual salary, not to exceed $250,000)

• Supplemental insurance available for additional cost
• Dependent life insurance available for additional cost

LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE - No charge to employee

• Benefit pays 60% of salary at date of disability up to $5,000/month

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT

• Medical and Dependent Care

THE STANDARD SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME PRODUCTS

• Accident Policy and Critical Illness Policy

LEGAL RESOURCES

• A prepaid Legal Resource benefit

ONSITE CHILDCARE AT A DISCOUNTED RATE

• Located at the Community Services building (8190 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco, MD 20677)

HOUSE KEYS 4 EMPLOYEE PROGRAM - Up to a $7,500, 0% interest loan, to be used for a down payment or closing cost toward a new home in Charles County. For eligible full-time employees who are first time home buyers.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM

01

How many years of experience do you have relevant to this position?

• No experience
• 1 year to just under 2 years experience
• 2 years to 5 years experience
• 6+ years experience

02

THIS IS A SAMPLE MATH QUESTION. IT WILL NOT BE SCORED. 5.79 x 13.5 =

• 7,816.5
• 78,165
• 78.165
• 19.29

03

THIS IS A SAMPLE MATH QUESTION. IT WILL NOT BE SCORED. If you spend 40% of your income on food and you make $900 each month, how much do you spend each year on food?

• $3,600
• $360
• $4,320
• $30

04

THIS IS A SAMPLE MATH QUESTION. IT WILL NOT BE SCORED. Restate each of the following fractions so that they share the lowest common denominators 2/3, 3/4, 5/12

• 8/12, 9/12, 5/12
• 16/24, 18/24, 10/24
• 16/24, 18/24, 15/24
• 30/48, 32/48, 20/48

Required Question

 Charles County (MD)

 05/21/2024

 La Plata,MD