Residence Requirements:

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. The eligible list resulting from this examination will be used to fill vacancies in the titles Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Trainee in Erie County Departments, and Towns and Villages. When certification is made to towns and villages it may be limited to residents of that municipality. 

 A single eligible list will be established as a result of this examination and will be used to fill vacancies as they occur. Qualifying candidates with the propergrade certificate issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will be certified for appointment at the Operator level. Other eligibles will be certified at the Trainee level and will be advanced to the journey level without further examination upon satisfactory completion of the certificate requirement. Information on Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certificate procedures is available from: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Bureau of Water Compliance Programs 625 Broadway, 4th Floor Albany, New York 12233-3506 (518) 402-8177. 

Examples of Duties:

A  Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator/Trainee undergoes on-the-job training to become qualified as an operator of a water or sewage treatment plant; 

Performs study and reading assignments, observes demonstrations and otherwise learns the techniques of operation  and adjustment of pumps, valves, screens, and related mechanical equipment;

Learns and assists in the inspection, maintenance and repair of pumps, valves, screens, and related mechanical equipment;

Learns and assists in making tests to determine chlorine residual;

Cleans channels, screens, tanks, and other equipment;

Learns and assists in the preparation and maintenance of activity records arid reports;

Performs increasingly responsible duties as assigned in the operation and maintenance of a sewage treatment plant.

A Sewage Treatment Plant Operator performs all of the above duties. 

Qualifications:

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

 Graduation from high school, or vocational school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:  

 1.) Possession of a valid Class D Driver's License issued by the State of New York at time of appointment; and

 2.) Possession of proper grade Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certificate at time of appointment by Town or Village.  (*see Note for trainee requirement.)  

Notes:

NOTE 1: If you have a current certificate as a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator, attach a copy to your application. If you attain a certificate after the exam and while the eligible list is active, send a copy with a cover letter.

The New York State Department of Civil Service is making a copy of A Guide to the Written Test for the Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator/Trainee Series available on its web site at www.cs.state.ny.us/testing/localtestguides.cfm.  In addition, a copy of this test guide can also be obtained at our local civil service office.  You may obtain a copy by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope (size required to accommodate the guide – manila 10" x 13") to the Erie CountyPersonnel Department,95 Franklin Street,Buffalo,NY 14202 or by picking one up in person at Room 604.

Subjects of Examination:

SUBJECTS OF EXAMINATION:  The written test is designed to test for knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in such areas as:

1. MECHANICAL APTITUDE: These questions test for the ability to identify and understand how basic mechanical instruments, such as motors and gears, work.
2. SAFETY PRACTICES: These questions test for knowledge of basic safety practices.
3. TOOLS AND READING OF SCALES & GAUGES: These questions test for the ability to recognize or identify basic tools and their common uses, and for the ability to accurately read various types of dials, scales, and gauges.
4. ELEMENTARY CHEMISTRY & GENERAL SCIENCE: These questions test for knowledge of basic processes and concepts in chemistry and general science.
5. UNDERSTANDING & INTERPRETING WRITTEN MATERIAL: These questions test for the ability to read, understand, and interpret written material.
6. BASIC MATHEMATICS: These questions test for the ability to use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to solve basic arithmetic problems that might be encountered in water and wastewater treatment plant operations. Questions may also involve the use of fractions, decimals, averages, and percents.

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES:  It is recommended that candidates use a quiet, hand held, solar or battery powered calculator.  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 $15.00 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.