Erie County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to workplace diversity.

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. There is one present vacancy at the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning.

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 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II is responsible during a shift for the efficient operation and maintenance of a Type 4A plant with facilities for plain settling, activated sludge, phosphate removal, reaeration, chlorination, filtration, and the handling of sludge by dewatering, drying, digestion and landfilling;

Starts and stops pumps, motors, air compressors, and related machinery and equipment in the performance of the operation of a wastewater treatment plant during an assigned shift;

Makes repairs to machinery and equipment;

Records readings from meters and gauges;

Treats and disposes of sludge;

Adds chlorine and other chemicals to wastewater;

Takes samples and analyses wastewater;

Performs necessary sampling and testing for permit requirements and control of plant operations and makes process adjustments as necessary;

Assists in the instruction of subordinate personnel;

Supervises the work of subordinate personnel;

Maintains a log of plant operations and related records;

Performs custodial duties in connection with maintenance of the treatment plant and buildings and grounds;

Utilizes computer software such as word processing, spreadsheet and database applications;

Performs data entry.

Qualifications:

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

A. Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and twelve (12) months of experience in the actual operation of a Type 4A or 3A wastewater treatment plant; or:

B. An equivalent combination of training and experience meeting the requirements as outlined by New York State's Department of Environmental Conservation for a Type 2A Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's Certification.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Possession of a Grade 2A certificate, issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, is required at the time within six (6) months of appointment; and

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

Notes:

NOTE: Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting full-time experience requirements.

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 'General Guide to Written Tests' helpful in preparing for this test. This publication is available on line at:https://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm.

Subjects of Examination:

Scopes / Subjects of examination: A test designed to evaluate knowledge, skills and /or abilities in the following areas.

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.

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.

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.

Tools, mechanical aptitude, and reading of scales, meters, and gauges
These questions test for knowledge of the tools used in water and wastewater treatment plants; the ability to identify various types of tools and their uses; knowledge of general mechanical principles and the operation of various types of mechanical devices such as gears, pulleys, levers, valves, and similar types of mechanical equipment; and the ability to read and interpret information displayed on various types of scales, meters, and gauges.

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.

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.