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Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee - City Page 1 I 2 Jurisdiction: City of Cortland Various Jurisdictions Jurisdictional Class: Competitive Adopted: 11/22/71 Amended: 7/11/91; 1/13/92; 1/26/93; 3/01/98; 4/26/01; 2/1/03; 5/8/03 WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR/TRAINEE DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The work involves the responsibility of learning the duties and routines in the operation and maintenance of a water treatment plant. The work is performed under immediate supervision of a qualified operator. Does related work as required. This is a trainee position in the competitive class for which candidates are selected on the basics of general intelligence, basic knowledge of elementary chemistry and general science and mechanical aptitude. A Water Treatment Plant Operator/Trainee undergoes a year of on-the-job training to become a qualified operator. Upon successful completion of the appropriate certificate, trainees will be appointed operators without further examination. A Water Treatment Plant Operator performs routine but important work under the direct supervision involving responsibility for the efficient operation and maintenance of a Water Treatment Plant. TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only) Performs study and reading assignments, observes demonstrations and otherwise learns the techniques of operation and maintenance of water treatment plant; Learns and assists in the operation and adjustment of pumps, valves, and related mechanical equipment; Learns and assists in the inspection, maintenance, and repair of pumps, valves and related mechanical equipment; Learns and assists in the making of physical tests of water for color, odor and taste; Learns and assists in the making of chemical tests of water for alkalinity and residual chlorine; Learns and assists in regulating and adjusting chlorinators and other chemical feeders, washing filters and settling basins; Learns and assists in the preparation and maintenance of activity records and reports; Performs increasingly responsible duties as assigned in the operation and maintenance of a water treatment plant; May be assigned to learn and assist in the reading and recording of domestic and commercial water meters; May operate backhoes, dump truck, lawn mowers and other related machinery and equipment; May be assigned to install, repair and inspect water meters; May be assigned to learn and assist in the installation, testing and repair of back flow devices; May perform the work of a Water Distribution Maintenance Worker on a short-term, temporary, assignment, i.e., emergency or vacation. FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABIILTIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Familiarity with elementary principles of chemistry and general science; Good general intelligence; Good observation; Mechanical aptitude; ---PAGE BREAK--- Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee - City Page 2 I 2 Ability to learn principles and procedures relating to operation and maintenance of a water treatment plant; Ability to develop skills in the operation and maintenance of pumps, valves and related mechanical equipment, ability to get along well with others; Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; Industry and dependability; Tact and courtesy, physical condition to commensurate with the demands of the position. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR/TRAINEE: 1. Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma. SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of an operator’s license issued by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles. The incumbent must obtain a CDL Class C license issued by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles within six months of the date of hire and retain it.