Job Information
City of Bellingham Plants Operator In Training, Plants Operator I, II, & III in Bellingham, Washington
Plants Operator In Training, Plants Operator I, II, & III
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Plants Operator In Training, Plants Operator I, II, & III
Salary
See Position Description
Location
City of Bellingham, WA
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
24-Plants Operator IT I,II,III
Department
Public Works
Opening Date
09/20/2024
Closing Date
10/7/2024 8:30 AM Pacific
FLSA
Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit
Local 1937
Description
Benefits
Questions
Nature of Work
The City of Bellingham is looking for a hardworking, self-motivated individual to join the highly knowledgeable team of Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators! Apply today!
Plants Operator In Training, I, II, III series performs progressively responsible wastewater and water duties, computer console operations, process control, troubleshooting functions, minor maintenance to equipment, facilities and grounds to ensure proper operation of incinerators, advanced secondary wastewater treatment plant systems, water distribution, wastewater collection, and water treatment plant. Duties are performed on a rotating shift basis and include weekend, graveyard, swing shift, and after-hours public works dispatch responsibilities. Error or negligence in performance could result in equipment damage, violation of air and water quality standards, and have serious consequences for the City's water supply and/or wastewater treatment system.
Placement into the Plants Operator Series is based on the required experience and training requirements.
Hourly Rates:
Plants Operator In Training: Starting hourly rate is at Step 1 ($27.55) for full-time positions. The full salary range for this position is - $27.55 - $33.91
Plants Operator 1: Starting hourly rate is at Step 1 ($30.96) for full-time positions. The full salary range for this position is - $30.96-$38.10
Plants Operator 2: Starting hourly rate is at Step 1 ($34.85) for full-time positions. The full salary range for this position is - $34.85-$42.87
Plants Operator 3: Starting hourly rate is at Step 1 ($36.98) for full-time positions. The full salary range for this position is - $36.98-$45.53
An individual in this position will move through the series in non-competitive promotions upon completion of the requirements and certifications at each level.
Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy. For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.
City of Bellingham employees receive medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as life insurance and long-term disability. Additional benefits include flexible spending accounts, a medical insurance opt-out program, and access to our employee assistance program. All eligible City employees are enrolled in a Washington State Department of Retirement Systems pension plan. Additionally, employees may elect to participate in the City’s 457 deferred compensation retirement savings plan.
Employees will receive 12 paid holidays in addition to one paid floating holiday each year. Employees accrue 8 hours total of contract and state sick leave per month in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement and Washington State Law. At the time of hire, employees will accrue 7.33 hours of vacation per month. Vacation accruals increase based on years of service. Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employee to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.
For additional information regarding benefits and compensation Information please visit the following:
Labor Agreements, Pay Schedules and E-Team Employee Handbook - City of Bellingham (cob.org) (https://cob.org/about/employment/labor-agreements-pay-schedule)
Employment Benefits - City of Bellingham (cob.org)
Closing Date/Time: Monday, October 7, 2024 at 8:30 AM Pacific Time
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - Plants Operator in Training, Plants Operator I, II, III:
Monitors and controls operations on shift of the
water treatment plant;
water distribution system;
wastewater collection system; and
advanced secondary wastewater treatment plant using computer terminals.
Responds to system operations, emergencies, and alarms by such methods as adjusting pumping rates, increasing production rates, backwashing filters, checking remote sites, or calling out help for assistance by phone or radio.
Performs operational duties required of assigned shift such as:
operating a variety of advanced secondary treatment plant systems: including solids handling and incineration, air scrubbing, and other complex equipment;
visual inspection of water filtration plant;
performing process control tests to optimize operations;
hooking up chlorine;
adjusting chemical and pumping feed rates and controls;
scum removal;
ash removal;
dewatering equipment belts;
water distribution reservoirs.
Performs preventative maintenance such as inspection; lubrication; checking tolerances; and exercising pumps, motors, and compressors. Inspects instrumentation, telemetering, chemical metering equipment, and water and wastewater equipment. Diagnoses process and equipment problems and takes corrective action or contacts appropriate personnel.
Performs a variety of handwritten, e-mail, and computer record-keeping functions: logs and records, tabulates, computes, files, writes brief reports, etc. Responsible for shift change communications and reports.
Performs public works dispatch duties for all shifts such as receiving and responding to after-hours emergency calls for the Public Works Department. Assesses situation and contacts appropriate individuals for response and/or call out.
Regulates a variety of chemicals in the treatment process such as soda ash, alum, polymers, activated carbon, chlorine, sodium bisulfite, and sodium hydroxide.
ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED - ALL:
Performs routine building and equipment maintenance such as equipment lubrication, painting, equipment wash down, mopping floors, and other related duties.
Completes on-the-job training, education, and certification-related assignments.
Assists supervisors or other plant operators on projects and day-to-day activities.
Fills in as incinerator operator; performing startup, operation, and monitoring functions of the plant incinerator and solids handling processes as needed.
Performs relief Operator shift duties and monitors and controls the:
Water Treatment Plant;
water distribution system;
Wastewater Treatment Plant;
wastewater collection system; and
incinerator by computer system and manual checks
Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions in an industrial plant environment at the water and wastewater plants, pump stations, and other facilities of water distribution and sewage collection system. Work is performed in an atmosphere that may include loud noises for prolonged periods, fumes, wet and slippery surfaces, and the need to climb ladders or move in restricted spaces as circumstances require. Employees are required to use appropriate safety equipment, wear protective clothing and follow standard safety practices.
Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job including:
Correctable vision suitable for color comparisons, fine detail work, and viewing computer monitors for extended periods of time.
Adequate hearing for phone and radio communication in an extremely noisy environment.
Manual dexterity and eye/hand coordination suitable for computer use and operating tasks.
Ability to both walk and sit for extended periods on shift.
Ability to infrequently stoop, bend, climb ladders, work from heights and in confined spaces.
Ability to lift and carry bulky, heavy objects of approximately 50 pounds. Heavier objects are lifted with mechanical or other assistance.
Ability to use respirator and self-contained breathing apparatus.
Experience and Training
Plants Operator in Training
High school diploma or GED required upon entry.
One year of experience or related training using hand and power tools and motorized equipment to perform manual labor required upon entry.
Associates in applied science degree in process technology, instrumentation and control technology, water supply technology, wastewater technology, or related field preferred;
OR Associates of science degree or bachelor's degree in science, engineering, or mathematics is preferred.
- Department of Ecology certification as an Incinerator Operator obtained within 1 year from date of hire.
Must advance to Plant Operator I within two years of hire as a Plant Operator in Training.
Plants Operator I
Department of Ecology Solid Waste Incinerator Operator certification.
Department of Ecology Wastewater Operator Group I certification.
Department of Health Waterworks Operator Level I certification
Must advance to Plant Operator II within three years of promotion or hire as a Plant Operator I.
Plants Operator II
Department of Ecology Solid Waste Incinerator Operator certification.
Department of Ecology Wastewater Operator Group II certification.
Department of Health Waterworks Operator Level II certification.
Must advance to Plants Operator III within six years of promotion or hire as a Plants Operator II.
Plants Operator III
Department of Ecology Solid Waste Incinerator Operator certification.
Department of Ecology Wastewater Operator Group III certification.
Department of Health Waterworks Operator Level III certification.
Necessary Special Requirements
Valid Washington State driver's license and good driving record. Candidate considered for hire must submit an abstract of his/her driving records for the past three years.
Willingness to work a flexible schedule involving shift rotation, call-back for relief shifts, overtime and emergency situations which may include evenings, weekends or holidays.
Employment contingent on passing a criminal background check (See Fair Hiring Practices).
Must secure and maintain the required certifications to progress in the classification series within established time limits.
Failure to secure and maintain required certifications will result in dismissal.
NOTE: Washington certification substitutions for education and training requirements are available as outlined in Water Certification – Washington Administrative Code 246-292-060, January 29, 2001; Waterworks Operator Certification Program Guideline, October 2008; Certification of Operators of Wastewater Treatment Plants – Washington Administrative Code 173-230-061, December 1, 1999.
Selection Process
You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along
Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and required supplemental questions). The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questionnaire. Provide as much detail as you believe will fully describe your experience and training.
Application Review Process:
Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must provide specific, detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position. Applicant status will be updated on or around October 8, 2024.
Experience and Training Review: Applicants that meet minimum qualifications will go through an Experience and Training Review . Relevancy of your experience and training, together with composition, grammar, spelling and punctuation will be considered when evaluating responses. Applicant status will be updated on or around October 18, 2024.
The top twenty (20) scoring applicants from the Experience and Training Review will be invited to participate in an Oral Board Interview, tentatively scheduled for the week of October 28, 2024.
Applicants will be notified via email of Final Scores & Ranks. The final ranking of the register will be based on total scores for the following: Experience and Training Review (30%) and Oral Board Interview (70%). Candidates must have a minimum score of 60% or higher from the Oral Board Interview to be placed on the eligibility list.
If you wish to claim Veterans’ Preference Points, please complete the Veterans Scoring Criteria Declaration Form (Download PDF reader) and upload it to your application with your DD214.
Final candidates will be referred to the department for additional examination, assessment, or test.
This recruitment process will create a Civil Service eligibility register that will be used to fill current and future vacancies as they become available. There is currently 1 full-time vacancy in Public Works. This position is represented by a union.
Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.
Equal Opportunity:
Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.
Fair Hiring Practices
The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.
There are many good reasons for working at the City of Bellingham. The work is rewarding and you have an opportunity to serve your community. Another good reason is the great benefits that the City offers its employees. See our benefits section (https://www.cob.org/employment/pages/benefits.aspx) for additional information.
This position is represented by The Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 bargaining unit. Specific benefit information including Holidays, Vacation Accruals, Health, Dental and Vision Plans with cost sharing and Deferred Compensation Match can be found in the Local 1937 labor agreement (https://cob.org/wp-content/uploads/1937-2022-2023-CBA.pdf) .
This position is covered by the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems PERS plan. PERS requires mandatory employee and City contributions. Please visit the DRS website (http://www.drs.wa.gov/) for more information on PERS.
Civil Service Information
This position is subject to the Bellingham Civil Service Commission. When a vacancy occurs, the top fifteen candidates or the top 25% of the register will be forwarded to the department for further consideration. All new Civil Service employees are subject to a one-year probationary period. A candidate may challenge the scope, content, or method of an examination or test, and a protest may be filed in writing with the Examiner within five (5) days following the date of the challenged examination. A candidate may also challenge the scoring of an examination or test, failure of the candidate on any part of an examination, or clerical error in examination results of any examination or test, and a protest may be filed in writing with the Examiner within five (5) days of notification of the challenged result. The Examiner shall consider all timely filed protests and make appropriate corrections if an error is demonstrated.
Veteran's Scoring Criteria
Applicants who have been honorably discharged from active military duty may be eligible to receive veteran's scoring criteria points as provided by Washington State Law (RCW 41.04.010). If you wish to claim Veterans’ Preference Points, please complete the Veterans Scoring Criteria Declaration Form (https://cob.org/wp-content/uploads/COB-Veterans-Scoring-Criteria-Declaration-PDF.pdf) and upload it to your application with your DD214.
01
Select your highest level of education:
High school diploma or GED (required upon entry)
Associates in applied science degree in process technology, instrumentation and control technology, water supply technology, wastewater technology, or related field (This is preferred)
Associates of science degree in science, engineering, or mathematics (This is preferred)
Bachelor's degree in science, engineering, or mathematics (This is preferred)
I will not have received my high school diploma or GED upon entry and understand I do not meet minimum qualifications.
02
Do you have one year experience or related training using hand and power tools and motorized equipment to perform manual labor?
Yes
No
03
This position requires Department of Ecology certification as an Incinerator Operator. Please select your current level of certification.
I do not currently have a Department of Ecology certification as an Incinerator Operator but am able to obtain within one (1) year from date of hire.
I currently have a Department of Ecology Solid Waste Incinerator Operator certification.
I am not willing to obtain my Department of Ecology Solid Waste Incinerator Operator certification within one (1) year from hire date and understand I do not meet minimum qualifications.
04
Do you have the Department of Ecology Wastewater Operator certification?
I do not currently have the Department of Ecology Wastewater Operator certification. (Only required for advance placement in series)
I currently have the Department of Ecology Wastewater Operator Group I certification.
I currently have the Department of Ecology Wastewater Operator Group II certification.
I currently have the Department of Ecology Wastewater Operator Group III certification.
05
Do you have the Department of Health Waterworks Operator certification?
I do not currently have the Department of Health Waterworks Operator certification. (Only required for advance placement in series)
I currently have the Department of Health Waterworks Operator Level I certification.
I currently have the Department of Health Waterworks Operator Level II certification.
I currently have the Department of Health Waterworks Operator Level III certification.
06
Are you willing to complete skill standards to demonstrate knowledge of techniques and processes used in the water treatment, water distribution and wastewater treatment systems?
Upon placement in the Plant Operator series, the following advancement is required:
Must advance to Plant Operator I within two years of hire as a Plant Operator in Training.
Must advance to Plant Operator II within three years of promotion or hire as a Plant Operator I.
Must advance to Plants Operator III within six years of promotion or hire as a Plants Operator II.
Yes
No
07
This position requires working rotating shifts and includes weekends, day shifts, swing shifts, and graveyard shifts, as well as working outside in all types of weather. Are you willing and able to accept these requirements?
Yes
No
08
This position requires the use of a respirator and self-contained breathing apparatus when conditions require it. Are you willing and able to accept this requirement?
Yes
No
09
Do you have a valid Washington State driver's license or the ability to obtain one by the time of hire and a good driving record? The successful candidate(s) must submit a three-year driving record abstract prior to hire, with period submission of driving abstract per City policy.
Yes
No
10
Describe your experience or related training using hand and power tools and motorized equipment to perform manual labor. Employers and Dates are required.
11
Describe your paid experience and/or training/education monitoring multiple activities, interpreting data, prioritizing tasks, diagnosing process and equipment problems.
12
Describe your paid experience and/or training with basic computer software and systems. Include how you have used computers to monitor complex industrial processes for analysis as well as a tool for monitoring operations.
13
If you are requesting Veteran's Preference points, a completed Veterans Scoring Criteria Status Declaration is required along with a copy of your DD214. The required form is in the Selections Process section of the Job Posting. Check "YES" here if you are attaching a Veteran's Declaration form and DD214.
Yes
No
Required Question
Agency
City of Bellingham
Address
104 West Magnolia Street Bellingham, Washington, 98225
Phone
360-778-8228
Website
http://www.cob.org/employment
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