Chief Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

Modified: January 3, 2019 3:15pm

COUNTY OF ERIE - DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL
invites applications for the position of:

Chief Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

#67-258 - Open Competitive (open to the public)

Salary: SALARIES VARY
Opening Date: January 3, 2019
Closing Date: January 30, 2019
Application fee: $20.00

Residence Requirements:

CANDIDATES MUST HAVE BEEN LEGAL RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY FOR AT LEAST ONE MONTH IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE WRITTEN TEST AND MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY AT THE TIME OF APPOINTMENT. Preference may be given to successful candidates who have been residents of the municipality in which the appointment is to be made for one month preceding the date of the certification of the eligible list and who are residents of the municipality at the time of appointment.  Non-residents may be required to become a resident of the appointing municipality if local law so states.  Currently there are two vacancies in the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning Division of Sewerage Management (the salary range is $52,624 - $68,630 per year).

The eligible list resulting from this examination will be used to fill this vacancy and other appropriate vacancies which may occur in municipalities or districts under the jurisdiction of Erie County Civil Service while this list is active.

A promotion examination will be held at the same time as this examination. The list resulting from the promotion examination will be used first but appointments from this open competitive examination are anticipated. Use of the list may be suspended after it is one year old for any position which it is practical to fill through a new promotion examination.

 

Examples of Duties:

A Chief Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator involves supervising and reviewing operations of a Type 4A wastewater treatment plant and related facilities such as overflow retention facilities and pump stations connected to that treatment plant's operation; 

Plans, assigns and supervises the plant's operation and maintenance;

Supervises the operation of the plant to assure the most efficient and economical use of equipment, supplies, and manpower;

Makes frequent inspections of the plant to ensure safe and efficient operation and adherence to required standards;

Supervises and performs necessary chemical analysis for control of plant operation;

Supervises the treatment and disposal of sludge;

Supervises the maintenance and repair of machinery;

Maintains operational, maintenance, personnel and work records, and prepares periodic reports;

Maintains inventory of supplies, chemicals and equipment and makes requisitions for same;

Assists in the preparation of the operating budget;

Assigns personnel to appropriate shifts.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Candidates must meet one of the following requirements on or before the date of the written test:

A. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered four year college or university with a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Art degree and four years of satisfactory experience in the operation of a Type 4A wastewater treatment plant, at least one year of which was in a responsible supervisory position; or:

B. Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and eight years of satisfactory experience in the operation of a wastewater treatment plant, at least four years of which is experience in the operation of a Type 4A treatment plant, one  year which was in a responsible supervisory position; or:

C. An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A) and (B) and meeting the requirements as outlined by New York State's Department of Environmental Conservation for a Type 4A Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's Certification.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

1. Possession of a Grade 4A Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator’s Certificate issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

2. Possession of a valid New York State Motor Vehicle Operator's License.

Notes:

1.  Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting the experience requirements.

Examination date:

March 2, 2019

Applications Must Be Postmarked or Hand Delivered By:

January 30, 2019

The New York State Department of Civil Service has not prepared a test guide for this examination. However,candidates may find information in the publication "How to take a written test" helpful in preparing for this test. This publication is available on line at: https://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm

 

Subjects of Examination:

Subjects of Examination: A written test designed to evaluate knowledge, skills and /or abilities in the following areas:

1. Supervision

These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices employed in planning, organizing, and controlling the activities of a work unit toward predetermined objectives. The concepts covered, usually in a situational question format, include such topics as assigning and reviewing work; evaluating performance; maintaining work standards; motivating and developing subordinates; implementing procedural change; increasing efficiency; and dealing with problems of absenteeism, morale, and discipline.

2. Operation and maintenance of pumps, valves, and related mechanical and electrical equipment

These questions test for knowledge of the principles and procedures involved in the operation, maintenance, and repair of pumps, valves, and related mechanical and electrical equipment, including motors and electric circuitry; and for the ability to identify various types of pumps, valves, and related equipment and understand their functions.

3. Physics, chemistry, and bacteriology related to wastewater treatment and disposal, including laboratory and field tests for plant operations

These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices of wastewater treatment, disposal, and testing, including such areas as the principles of physics, chemistry, and bacteriology involved; terminology associated with wastewater treatment and testing; operating principles of the equipment and procedures used in wastewater treatment; measurements and measuring devices used; sampling and testing wastewater and interpreting the results; and identification and characteristics of chemicals and bacteria involved in wastewater plant operations and testing. Some questions may involve basic arithmetic calculations.

4. Practices and equipment used in the operation and maintenance of a Type A wastewater treatment plant

These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices associated with the operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment plants employing the activated sludge process or its modifications (Type A plants), including such areas as objectives of plant processes, techniques, and equipment; terminology associated with Type A wastewater treatment plants; conditions and situations encountered in Type A wastewater treatment plants; plant safety and monitoring; and equipment and materials used in Type A wastewater treatment plants. Some questions may involve basic arithmetic calculations.

5. Pumping operations and related arithmetic computations

These questions test for knowledge of pumping operations, including such areas as terminology and basic principles associated with pumps and pumping operations; instruments and equipment used in pumping operations, including various types of pumps and their components; troubleshooting pumping problems and developing solutions; pump and pumping station inspection and maintenance; and the ability to perform arithmetic calculations associated with pumping and hydraulic operations. 

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES: Unless otherwise noted, candidates are permitted to use quiet, hand held, solar or battery powered calculators. Devices with typewriter keyboards, "Spell Checkers", “Personal Digital Assistants", "Address Books", "Language Translators", "Dictionaries", or any similar devices are prohibited. You may not bring books or other reference materials.

**IMPORTANT APPLICATION FEE - READ CAREFULLY**

A $20.00 filing fee is required for this exam. The required fee must accompany your application. Send or bring check or money order made payable to Erie County Personnel Department and write the examination number(s) on your check or money order. Do not send or bring cash, as the County cannot be responsible for cash payment. As no refund will be made, you are urged to compare your qualifications carefully with the requirements for admission and file only for those examinations for which you are clearly qualified.