Field/Lab Technician II

Field/Lab Technician II

This position involves the daily operation and maintenance required by the State of Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) as outlined in the National Pollution Discharge Elimination (NPDES) permit of wastewater treatment facilities, combined sewage overflow (CSO) facilities, retention treatment basin (RTB) facilities, including collection system, equipment, and grounds in a professional, competent, and efficient manner representative of the expected standard for a Class D Licensed Operator.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operates pumps, motors, sludge equipment, and other equipment. Cleans precipitates such as grit, solids, trash, and debris from sumps, catch basin, and wet well and screening rooms. Opens and closes gates and valves according to process demands or need
• Collects and calculates wastewater operations and control data
• Collects samples and conducts wastewater laboratory tests
• Performs general equipment inspection
• Performs preventative and corrective maintenance and maintains database of maintenance activities in a computerized maintenance management system.
• Serves as a CSO RTB facility operator. Monitors and adjusts facility processes.
• Operates, evaluates, and adjusts SCADA system.
• Submit reports of discharge to EGLE and notifications to health departments and affected communities. Also reports major repairs, changes, treatment conditions, and work orders to the Operator-in-Charge/Manager/Supervisor.
• Changes chemical containers, delivers needed materials, and performs general facility maintenance and housekeeping including building and grounds.
• Investigates odor complaints and operates and uses odor control equipment and treatment technology to reduce or eliminate odors.
• Must be willing to work overtime, holidays, and weekends.
• Must be on-call for facility or system.
• Must respond to and for emergencies.
• Must perform work in a safe manner utilizing the proper safety equipment and methods.
• Performs routine cleaning, maintenance, and inspections of the wastewater collections systems.
• Perform strict quality control (QA/QC) procedures including calibration of instruments, analyzing standards, keeping logs, and performing statistical analysis of data.
• Operate and perform routine maintenance on laboratory instruments.
• Perform interpretation and evaluation of analytical data.
• Train, oversee, and provide technical assistance to less experienced employees.
• Maintain laboratory supplies, evaluate needs, and alternatives.
• Perform routine laboratory duties such as preparing chemical reagents, media, and standard solutions.
• Work with a variety of hazardous materials including chemicals, solvents, and biohazards using appropriate safety precautions.
• Ability to understand and interpret regulations applicable to wastewater treatment facilities.
• Follow laboratory instructions and procedures. Evaluate and resolve problems with procedures or equipment with minimal supervision.
• Maintain records; produce documents; and interpret results.
• Recommend, document, and interpret laboratory analysis accurately, pertaining to wastewater samples.
• Completes existing and new construction service line inspections in accordance with the standard procedures and standard specifications.
• May be required to conduct confined space entries after completing appropriate training and education.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or six months to one-year related experience in wastewater treatment operations and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Must possess a Michigan Wastewater Operator Class D or higher certification or ability to obtain within one year of employment.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Must hold a current Michigan Wastewater Operator License with a Class D certification or higher. Must obtain CPR/First Aid certificate and confined space training/certificate within six months of employment. Must possess a valid Michigan driver's license. Computer experience is necessary to include Microsoft Office Suite.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance, navigate stairs. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and access or enter Permit and Non-Permit required confined spaces. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee must be able to sustain 8 hours of physical work with breaks. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, odorous fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; outside weather conditions; extreme cold; extreme heat, unsanitary conditions and equipment. May be exposed to odorous atmospheres for extended lengths of time. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud and can be dusty, wet, slippery, and dangerous.

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