The Water Treatment Operator (WTO) I position is in the Operations Group of the Portland Water Bureau. This position assists in operating and maintaining the City’s potable water treatment facilities and systems associated with the Bull Run Supply. These responsibilities must be carried out in compliance with federal, state, and local requirements. In addition, the Water Treatment Operator I position assists in operating and maintaining the infrastructure that enables raw water to be diverted as part of meeting obligations under the Bull Run Water Supply Habitat Conservation Plan and assists in completing inspections and collecting samples associated with meeting the requirements of the Bull Run Treatment Variance.
Under General supervision, Water Treatment Operator I’s perform a combination of technical and mechanical duties in the ongoing operation and maintenance of the water treatment system. The Water Treatment Operator I position is a training position within the Water treatment Operator series. This position works alongside and assists Water treatment Operator II’s.
Upon gaining the essential skills, qualifying experience, and required Water Treatment certification with the Oregon Health Authority, the WTO I move to the Water Treatment Operator II classification through a Classification Action & Position Request (CAPR) process.
Typical duties for this role include:
1. Assists with and learns to collect water samples and analyze for appropriate physical and chemical dosages and feed rates; assists with and learns to calculate chemical dosages and feed rates and adjust appropriately.
2. Assists with and learns to monitor water treatment system through electronic and computerized systems; learns to make adjustments in water flow and corresponding chemical adjustments; assists with and learns to operate treatment process facilities on assigned shift.
3. Assists with and learns to respond to emergency alarms, isolating problem area and taking immediate corrective action to resolve the problem within established federal and state regulations; assists with and learns to test emergency equipment on established schedule to ensure constant emergency preparedness.
4. Assists with and learns to maintain the operational integrity of the water treatment facilities through daily inspection and identification of needed repair and maintenance.
5. Assists with and learns to conduct preventive and general maintenance on a variety of small and large equipment and specialized instrumentation such as valves, pumps, chlorine residual analyzers, pH meters, turbidimeters, generators, fuel systems, conduit pipes, and various compressed gas systems.
6. Learns to use computer technology to record water sample data and transmit to other offices, such as water quality and regulatory compliance laboratory.
7. Responds to calls to work during emergencies. 8. Performs related duties as assigned.
Wage and Benefit Information
$34.31 hourly – entry salary
$35.93 hourly – salary after six months
$37.71 hourly – after one year
We offer a range of benefits, retirement options, and more! Information can be found in our Total Rewards Statement and Calculation linked below.
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About the Water Bureau
The Portland Water Bureau (PWB) serves almost a million people in the Portland area, about a quarter of Oregon’s population. PWB employs over 600 people providing responsive service to build and maintain a water system that enhances public health and safety and contributes to the economic vitality and livability of the Portland metropolitan region. To learn more about working at Water visit our website: https://www.portland.gov/water/about-us/work-water
To Qualify
All of the following minimum qualifications are required for this position. Applicants must specifically address in their resume and answers to supplemental questions how their education, training, work experience, and/or lived experience, meets each of the following:
- Knowledge of mechanical processes.
- Knowledge of state and federal drinking water regulations.
- Ability to learn water system functions and operations.
- Ability to perform accurate mathematical equations.
- Ability to diagnose and correct equipment problems.
Applicants must also possess:
Valid state driver’s License and acceptable driving record;
- Ability to pass the a Prehire Evaluation that may require a medical exam, screenings and physical capacities test (PCT), after an offer of employment has been made and accepted.
- Ability to pass routine respiratory protection physical examination evaluation and fit testing within 6 months of appointment and ongoing.
- Ability to obtain a Water Treatment Certificate of Competency – Level 1, (Download PDF reader)(Download PDF reader) issued by the Oregon Health Authority within 24 months of appointment.
