WPC Plant Operator

Centrally located in the heart of Iowa, Ames is a vibrant, progressive community with more than 66,000 residents providing an excellent quality of life. Home to Iowa State University, Ames offers year-round recreation opportunities, diverse cultural offerings, a stable economy, safe neighborhoods, and a high-achieving school district.

The City of Ames is conducting a recruitment to establish a Civil Service eligibility list for this classification. The list will be valid for up to one year from the date of certification by the Ames Civil Service Commission and may be used to fill one or more vacancies in this classification. In addition, City of Ames Civil Service employees who have previously held Civil Service status in this classification and are interested in voluntarily demoting or laterally transferring into the current vacancy must submit their application by the deadline.

The WPC Plant Operator performs work involving primary responsibility for the operation of pumping stations and water pollution control plant to treat and discharge wastewater for the Ames community and wastewater service contracts; repairs and maintains operating equipment and other machinery at the water pollution control plant and related facilities; performs related work as required.

This position requires availability to work rotating shifts. The shifts are made of a 10 week rotation of 5 different schedules at 2 weeks each:
1)  6am to 2pm in Operating
2)  2pm to 10pm in Operating 
3)  10pm to 6am in Operating 
4)  7am to 3:30pm in Maintenance 
5)  7am to 3:30pm M/T/W in Maintenance, then 6am to 2pm Sat/Sun in Operating

Examples of Essential Job Functions

Operates, inspects, repairs and maintains a wide variety of engines, pumps, motors, chemical feed equipment, and other related equipment used in wastewater treatment and sludge disposal; reads and records plant flow, pumping rates, sludge treatment results, and gas production; collects samples and analyzes for parameters as assigned; adjusts plant flow rate and digester operation to minimize variations; maintains plant operating records by making calculations and completing operating logs; observes mechanical equipment for proper operating condition and performance; replaces bearings, packing, capacitors, seals, shafts, and sleeves; performs pipe work for water and chemicals; performs welding; installs new equipment; checks to assure proper maintenance of equipment; performs maintenance on engines, motors, and related items; keeps records and makes reports; oversees the work of skilled and unskilled helpers; attends or provides training as required; provides customer service as needed.

Other Job Functions: Performs custodial duties of assigned shift; guides or assists in guiding individuals or groups of visitors around the plant; performs extra operating, sampling, and laboratory duties in connection with special plant or research projects.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Successful completion of high school, HiSet, or GED. Two years of experience with mechanical equipment maintenance and repair; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience in, or related to, the field of wastewater treatment.

Preferred Qualifications: 
1) education exceeding a high school diploma or equivalency
2) relevant experience greater than two years.

Licenses and Certificates: Valid Driver's License. Operators must possess a Grade II Wastewater Treatment Operator Certificate from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources within 38 months of hire.

To read more on this position and to apply, please visit our careers page:  City of Ames Careers Page

The City of Ames is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against.