Job Description

Overview

Spartanburg Water is an industry leading utility that offers team members a culture of innovation, a history of excellence and an investment in their continued success.   

Nestled in the Piedmont region of South Carolina and a short drive away from the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and ever-popular beaches of the South Carolina Low country, Spartanburg is a thriving and growing community that is home to seven diverse and well-known institutions of higher learning. Residents enjoy incredible outdoor recreation opportunities, an eclectic and delicious local restaurant and brewery scene, a vibrant cultural environment and the benefits of strong economic growth with an affordable cost of living.

INNOVATION: Through innovative technologies and industry leading practices, Spartanburg Water has had the honor of twice receiving recognition as a Utility of the Future Today – and as one of only two South Carolina utilities to ever receive the award and only one of 18 utilities globally to receive the honor a second time.

HISTORY: Through sustainability and resiliency, Spartanburg Water has consistently provided the highest quality drinking water and wastewater services to our region for more than 100 years, and continues to be a vital part of the area’s successful economic growth and development.

INVESTMENT: Spartanburg Water offers a generous compensation package, including full medical, dental and vision benefits and participation in the SC Retirement System. The organization also offers tuition reimbursement and opportunities for paid certifications and training. Spartanburg Water firmly believes in the importance of investing in the health, security, and potential of all team members.

Job Skills / Requirements

WWT Operator I-II
Under general supervision, operates the assigned waste water treatment plants in accordance with established guidelines, regulations, standards and rules ensuring the quality of effluent meets NPDES permit requirements.  Reports to the Lead Operator.

1. Operate waste water treatment plants with assistance, and in adherence with established department, company, state and federal regulatory agency rules, regulations, standards and guidelines.
2. Corrects abnormal plant conditions with assistance utilizing chemical and/or mechanical adjustments involving chlorine and sulfur dioxide feed rates, aeration cycles or run times, coagulant and/or metal removing additives, diversion of plant flow to holding basin, etc.
3. Gathers influent, in-house and effluent samples - as well as industrial or other up-line samples, under special circumstances.  Programs and activates portable ISCO sampler when needed.  Conducts pH tests on influent, effluent, and aeration basin samples.  Conducts dissolved oxygen and settle-ability tests on aeration basins.  Measures sludge blankets on final clarifiers.  Conducts chlorine residual tests on effluent water.
4. Calibrates pH, dissolved oxygen (lab and field) and TRC meters.  Performs fecal coliform testing and verification.  Measures BOD values.  Performs percent-solids tests on biosolid samples.  Accurately records data from laboratory analyses on standard bench sheets, and reports any deviations to Lead Operator.
5. Accurately records and maintains data into various log books/charts including daily log sheets, operator duty log, daily AM/PM checklists, weekly checklists, monthly checklists, process safety management checklists, storm water pollution inspection checklists, basin pH log, vehicle inspection checklist, pH/DO/CL₂ meter calibration sheets, effluent pH and CL₂ log, influent flow measurement calibration chart, solids wasting log and daily lab sampling sheet.
6. Assists in maintaining acceptable air and water quality standards as mandated by State and Federal regulatory agencies.
7. Routinely monitors plant grounds ensuring plant security.  Makes visual inspections of equipment and reports uncharacteristic noise or vibration to maintenance and/or Lead Operator.  Assists maintenance personnel with reconstruction/repairs or consults with maintenance staff when in-house repairs are required.
8. Performs preventative and basin corrective maintenance with assistance which involves checking fuses, replacing light bulbs, painting, changing oil, and greasing fittings on motors and gear boxes, replacing drive belts, packing pumps, cleaning and changing UV bulbs, etc.
9. Observes and records weather from US Weather Bureau Substation.
10. Assists with Loading and unloading; connecting and disconnecting one-ton CL₂ and SO₂ cylinders. Handles other chemicals used for process augmentation such as: sodium hydroxide, soda ash, Lime slurry and hydrated lime following MSDS safety guidelines and established application methods.
11. Attends process, procedure and safety training meetings and/or classes for mandatory continuing education credits.
12. Operates and cares for various types of equipment and machinery, including a front-end loader, fork lift, riding mower, push mower, weed eater, power tools, portable diesel generators, and utilizes various hand tools, meters, etc.
13. Performs general cleaning and grounds keeping duties within facility perimeter, as well as hosing basins, structures and equipment. Participates in W.A.I.T. program initiatives to aid in the preservation of the wildlife habitat in and around Fairforest Plant.
14. Assists with annual inventory audits.
15. Assists with ordering and receiving chemicals, parts, and supplies from vendors to maintain an adequate inventory to properly operate wastewater facility.
16. Receives waste/grease from independent septic tank operators and processes disposal forms for billing.
17. Receives, reviews, prepares and processes various forms and documents including monthly lab reports, billing statements, utility use statements, MSDS sheets, waste disposal forms, interoffice memos, stream flow charts, biosolid logs, storm water inspections, process safety inspections, calibration sheets, lab sampling sheets, weather reports, flow charts, maintenance logs, etc.
18. Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals including Department Managers, Lab Managers, Maintenance Managers, consultants, lab technicians, maintenance personnel, customers, vendors, salespersons, etc.
19. Performs related duties as required.

WWT Operator III-IV

Under general supervision, assists the Lead Operator in the day-to-day operation of the assigned treatment facilities/programs.  Assists with maintenance, process control, safety and training requirements for the assigned section of the WWT Department.  Secondary responsibilities include special projects, and assistance with regulatory concerns. Reports to the Lead Operator.

 MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

WWT Operator I

• High school diploma or equivalent and five to eleven months of experience in wastewater treatment principles and theory.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and obtain First Aid/CPR certification.
• Must obtain Wastewater Operator Class "D" certification within two years of employment.

WWT Operator II

• High school diploma or equivalent and a minimum of two years of experience in wastewater treatment principles and theory.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and obtain First Aid/CPR certification.
• Must possess a Wastewater Operator Class "C" certification.

 WWT Operator III

• High school diploma or equivalent and a minimum of three years of experience in wastewater treatment principles and theory.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license: Class B CDL (with tanker endorsement) is preferred.
• Must obtain First Aid/CPR certification.
• Must possess a Wastewater Operator Class "B" certification.
• Must obtain Biosolids/Residuals Operator’s Certification.
• Must be efficient in the use of computers and related software, e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

WWT Operator IV

• High school diploma or equivalent and a minimum of four years of experience in wastewater treatment principles and theory.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license: Class B CDL (with tanker endorsement) is preferred.
• Must obtain First Aid/CPR certification.
• Must possess a Wastewater Operator Class "A" certification for more than one year.
• Must obtain Biosolids/Residuals Operator’s Certification.
• Must be efficient in the use of computers and related software, e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

Additional Requirements: The WWT Operator Trainee must be willing to work towards advancement through Biological Wastewater progressions (e.g. Trainee D to C to B to A) in a scheduled time frame.

Education Requirements (Any)

High School diploma or equivalent

Certification Requirements (Any)

WWTPO A, B, C, OR D CERTIFICATION

Additional Information / Benefits

Benefits: Medical Insurance, Life Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Paid Vacation, Paid Sick Days, Paid Holidays, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Pension/Retirement, Educational Assistance