<p>Under general supervision, the Water Process Specialist performs various activities to optimize water treatment processes related to water quality, operations costs, and overall workflow. Toward this goal of optimization and efficiency, this position will coordinate with others and perform functions in several areas of water system operation: operations, maintenance, laboratory, instrumentation, and control. Incumbents are responsible for investigating new approaches, studying and analyzing process and performance data, and implementing ideas where the benefit/cost ratio is favorable. This position will train and mentor others in the water utility and assist other City personnel when help is necessary. Incumbent will facilitate the implementation of changes within the water utility or those recommended by City Administration, including new software, regulatory programs, policy changes, and technical advances in water system operation.</p> <p>Scope of Responsibility:</p> <p>The Water Process Specialist is responsible for the quality and accuracy of his/her own work. Incumbent serves to optimize and assist to establish benchmarks for water operational performance: water quality, cost, and workflow. The position is accountable for bringing innovative ideas, problem solving, and independent decision making at a high skill level in work tasks and demonstrate understanding of complex interdependent systems. The position is responsible for assisting, mentoring, and training other water utility staff with the intention of benefiting the overall water utility operation. Cost avoidance and efficiency strategies in the Water Utility result in over $1 million dollars savings annually. The annual operations budget for Water Treatment Plant is over $15 million dollars.</p> <p>Essential Duties and Responsibilities:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Conduct efforts related to optimization of water system processes to improve equipment operation, treatment costs, workflow, and other optimization opportunities. Costs for chemicals, electricity, and residuals management are approximately 50 percent of the budget for the water treatment plant. Perform actions to ensure efficient expenditures in water treatment.</p> </li><li> <p>Analyze and organize operations data to help recognize patterns for typical operation and improve understand of outlier events;</p> </li><li> <p>Using sound judgement, test and monitor new ideas or alternative operational strategies for water utility: full scale, pilot scale, bench scale, and other appropriate methodology;</p> </li><li> <p>Monitor and review currents trends, research, and developments in the water field or other technical areas viewed as relevant and beneficial to the Fargo water utility;</p> </li><li> <p>Assist in the implementation and tuning of computer analysis tools for water production to help guide decisions regarding water source, process selection, and plant adjustments;</p> </li><li> <p>Coordinate with consultants and other water plant staff to develop graphics and visuals for speedy and intuitive assessment of water system conditions;</p> </li><li> <p>Collects water samples and completes analysis in coordination with the Environmental Health laboratory;</p> </li><li> <p>Program spreadsheets and reporting software for data analysis and compliance reporting.</p> </li><li> <p>Assist Water Utility Director and others in administering, reviewing, or implementing programs in which the water utility is required to maintain compliance or that are beneficial to the City of Fargo.</p> </li><li> <p>Assist with programs and compliance requirements related to USEPA water regulations including the development of automated reports;</p> </li><li> <p>Assist with programs and compliance requirements related to safety regulations, security, and other requirements the water utility is subject to;</p> </li><li> <p>Assist in the implementation, maintenance, and use of computer maintenance software, asset management software, or other City of Fargo programs that involve multiple departments;</p> </li><li> <p>Assist with budgeting, financial tracking, or other duties in the operation of the water utility.</p> </li><li> <p>Have detailed knowledge of regulatory and safety requirements for plant operation. Drinking water is highly regulated by the EPA for tap water. The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) enforces the EPA regulations for drinking water, called a 'Primacy Agency'. From an EPA and DEQ perspective, of the most critical importance are 'acute' water quality risks to the public associated with disease from pathogenic microorganisms getting into customer tap water. Therefore, water quality regulations related to particles in tap water - which may contain microorganisms - and disinfection of water are of the utmost concern. Non-compliance with the most critical water pathogen-related rules can result in a 'boil order' for the water system. Among others, the following are critical regulatory rules all operators need to understand and ensure compliance with during plant operation:</p> </li><li> <p>EPA turbidity (water clarity) rules for individual conventional filters, conventional plant combined filter effluent, membrane Ultrafiltration trains, membrane plant effluent, and any other regulated process water streams from both water treatment plants.</p> </li><li> <p>Pathogen disinfection/inactivation requirements in both water treatment plants, distribution entry point(s), and water distribution system.</p> </li><li> <p>Knowledge of miscellaneous regulations for the operation of treatment plant operation and water distribution system such as EPA Recycling Rules, Total Organic Carbon (TOC) removal requirements, disinfection by-product regulations, Lead & Copper regulations, and other regulations.</p> </li><li> <p>From an operational perspective, a general understanding is required of operational theory of treatment processes/systems and how operator adjustments or raw water quality changes will affect the treatment process performance and water quality data (regulatory and non-regulatory).</p> </li><li> <p>Knowledge of personnel safety, OSHA requirements, safe housekeeping practice, Chemical Risk Management (Clean Air Act) requirements, and other safety-related requirements.</p> </li><li> <p>Performs duties related to the operation, maintenance, calibration, and analysis of various water utility equipment and processes.</p> </li><li> <p>Operation, maintenance, testing, and calibration of chemical feed equipment;</p> </li><li> <p>Operation, maintenance, testing, and calibration of online analytical instrumentation;</p> </li><li> <p>Program spreadsheets and reporting software for data analysis;</p> </li><li> <p>Operates pumps, monitors and determines level and flow;</p> </li><li> <p>Supervise and coordinate maintenance for the Ultrafiltration (UF) system such as fiber repairs, maintenance cleans, recovery cleans, UF module replacement, and other UF-related operation and maintenance;</p> </li><li> <p>Supervise and coordinate maintenance for the Reverse Osmosis (RO) system such as Clean-in-Place procedures, RO elements replacement, and other RO-related operation and maintenance.</p> </li><li> <p>Works as a team with other water utility groups: operations, maintenance, laboratory, and controls.</p> </li><li> <p>Helps with workload in other groups as needed or with larger water utility annual maintenance projects and repair projects;</p> </li><li> <p>Coordinates with other water utility groups to assist in areas that technical assistance is needed or when a special project needs completions;</p> </li><li> <p>Communicates respectfully and fosters teamwork within the water utility and in coordination with outside groups;</p> </li><li> <p>Provides training and support to utility staff with new optimization and workflow strategies.</p> </li><li> <p>Apply effort to implement Water Utility initiatives from the Water Utility Director, Water Treatment Plant Superintendent, or other City leadership.</p> </li><li> <p>Communicates courteously and professionally and maintains working relationships with others in carrying out job functions.</p> </li><li> <p>Receives calls from the public, vendors, contractors, and consulting engineers;</p> </li><li> <p>Communicates and discusses technical information with vendors, contractors, consulting engineers, and others;</p> </li><li> <p>Frequently interacts with others in the work unit to exchange detailed and/or technical information.</p> </li><li> <p>Supervises the unloading and storage of chemicals delivered.</p> </li><li> <p>Performs all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices.</p> </li><li> <p>Knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss;</p> </li><li> <p>Wears proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work;</p> </li><li> <p>When potentially unsafe conditions are observed makes efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and draws them to the attention of the responsible supervisor or safety representative in a timely manner.</p> </li><li> <p>Train, mentor, and assist water utility operators in the following positions: Operator-Apprentice, Operator I, Operator II, Operator III, and Operator IV.</p> </li><li> <p>Facilitate learning about the specific details of design, operation, and history of Fargo's water infrastructure: raw water, water treatment, and water distribution.</p> </li><li> <p>Explain and discuss the theory of operation (mechanical, chemical, biological, monitoring capabilities) of all water treatment processes.</p> </li><li> <p>After becoming proficient, relay information regarding ongoing studies and optimization work. Facilitate the implementation by operators of new optimization strategies that show promise of a favorable cost/benefits ratio.</p> </li><li> <p>Educate operator about the data available on the control system from online instrumentation (source water, treatment, distribution). Discuss actions to be taken in response to SCADA information.</p> </li><li> <p>Solicit ideas from operators that will help improve water system operation and can be implemented.</p> </li><li> <p>Periodically or with a vacant plant operator position, the Water Process Specialist may be required to work shifts. Therefore, performs operating duties using automated and manual processes; operates pumps, engines, and other process equipment to control flow of sewage and/or water through various processes to ensure plant targets are met as well as compliance with state and federal mandates.</p> </li><li> <p>Performs lab analyses and tests on an ongoing basis, according to operating procedures for different processes in the plant;</p> </li><li> <p>Collects samples and analyzes results;</p> </li><li> <p>Determines appropriate adjustments for chemicals and/or equipment;</p> </li><li> <p>Adjusts chemical feed rates, regulates equipment;</p> </li><li> <p>Operates pumps, monitors and determines level and flow.</p> </li><li> <p>While performing the same or similar work as employees under the line of authority, serves as a team leader, using informed and independent judgment.</p> </li><li> <p>Collaborates with the responsible supervisor and recommends performance review content for assigned employees.</p> </li><li> <p>Performs other duties and activities as assigned.</p> </li></ul> <p>Special Assignment: Lime Softening Systems</p> <p>The Water Process Specialist - Lime Softening Systems has general assignment, but not limited to, the Lime Softening Water Treatment Plant with the direction to optimize operations and promote efficient, safe, and consistent operation. Incumbent will cross-train in Membrane Water Treatment processes. The lime softening processes of particular interest for optimization are:</p> <ul> <li>Pre-treatment. </li><li>Lime softening trains. </li><li>High pH ozone process and related advanced oxidation. </li><li>Filtration with anthracite. </li><li>Stabilization and secondary disinfection. </li></ul> <p>Physical Demands & Working Conditions:</p> <p>There is some exposure to chemicals and fumes.</p> <p>The job requires at least one year of accredited technical training in the operation of water treatment processes and five or more years of previous experience in the operation and maintenance of pumps, motors and related machinery; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. A valid driver's license and a North Dakota Grade 4 Operator's Certificate (or equivalent) are also required.</p> <p>Knowledge, skills, and abilities include:</p> <ul> <li>Knowledge of local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations concerning treatment plant operations; </li><li>Knowledge of the proper operation and maintenance of equipment used in the treatment process including pumps and motors; </li><li>Knowledge of confined space entry and hazardous materials handling as related to treatment process; </li><li>Knowledge of procedures of sampling and sample testing; </li><li>Knowledge of principles of water, wastewater and sludge treatment processes and process control; </li><li>Skill in organizing and prioritizing work; </li><li>Skill in providing instruction and training to other workers; </li><li>Skill in performing mechanical maintenance and repair to equipment; </li><li>Skill in performing basic mathematical computation such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; </li><li>Skill in reading and writing English sufficient to read and write logs and records; </li><li>Skill in observation and interpretation of changes in process control to sufficiently determine necessary adjustments; </li><li>Skill in operation of all plant equipment and in the performance of all operating activities; </li><li>Skill in mathematical computations and data analysis; </li><li>Intermediate skill with Microsoft Office applications; </li><li>Ability to interpret technical manuals and reports: </li><li>Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written forms; </li><li>Ability to learn water control computer system; </li><li>Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. </li></ul> <p>Physical Demands & Working Conditions:</p> <p>Most work is performed in a plant environment. Work is generally heavy and involves moving equipment and bags of chemicals, climbing into basins to clean, climbing ladders up to 25 feet, and moving between buildings and rooms. There is exposure to hazardous chemicals, wet, cold and slippery conditions. Occasional local driving is required.</p> <p>Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, digital dexterity, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing, repetitive motions.</p> <p>Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.</p> <p>Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.</p> <p>Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.</p> <p>This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.</p>