Chief Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator PROMOTIONAL

Modified: December 24, 2018 10:31am

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

Chief Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator PROMOTIONAL

#77-644 - Promotional (for current employees only)

Salary: $52,624 - $68,630 Annually (2019)
Opening Date: December 24, 2018
Closing Date: January 23, 2019
Application fee: None

**********************Application Fee Waiver**********************

Employees of Erie County CSEA collective bargaining unit shall have all fees associated with County provided promotional civil service examinations waived.

Residence Requirements:

THIS EXAMINATION IS OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES OF THE Department of Environment & Planning, DIVISION OF SEWERAGE MANAGEMENT.  At present there are two vacancies.

The eligible list resulting from this examination will not supersede currently existing promotional eligible lists for this title, if any.  The duration of all promotional eligible lists is four years from date of establishment unless otherwise indicated.

Examples of Duties:

A Chief Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator  supervises and reviews 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:

QUALIFYING EXPERIENCE FOR TAKING THE TEST:  Candidates must be permanently employed in the competitive class and must be serving and have served continuously on a permanent or contingent permanent basis in the competitive class for 24 months immediately preceding the date of the written test as a Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator or 12 months as a Process Control Operator.

Persons who are currently employed under Section 55a, New York State Civil Service Law, and who meet all the above eligibility requirements in the non-competitive rather than competitive class may compete in this examination.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

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

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

Notes:

None.

Examination date:

March 2, 2019

Applications Must Be Postmarked or Hand Delivered By:

January 23, 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.

INFORMATION FOR PROMOTION CANDIDATES

Unless otherwise indicated, the eligible list resulting from this examination will have a duration of four years and will not supersede existing promotional lists, if any.

RATINGS REQUIRED:  Test is rated on a scale of 100 with a passing mark at 70.  Test instructions may further divide the tests into parts and set minimum standards for each part.

Points will be added to scores of candidates who achieve a passing mark as follows: Seniority:  For each year of service in the classified service:

Less than 1 year……………………..................…0 points

1 year up to 6 years…………….…........................1 point

Over 6 years up to 11 years.....………......….........2 points

Over 11 years up to 16 years….…........….........…3 points

Over 16 years up to 21 years………..................…4 points

Over 21 years………………………..................…5 points

VETERANS:  Disabled and non-disabled veterans as defined in Section 85, New York State Civil Service Law, will have 5 and 2.5 points, respectively added to their earned scores if successful in the examination.  You must claim these credits when you file application but you have an option to waive them any time prior to appointment.  If you have already used these credits for a permanent position in NYS, you may not claim them again.

**IMPORTANT APPLICATION FEE - READ CAREFULLY**

A None 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.