Operator In Training

DEPARTMENT:Public Works - Sewer

CLASSIFICATION:FLSA Non-Exempt Teamsters Union 231

REPORTS TO:Sewer Supervisor

HOURS PER WEEK:40

APPLICATION PROCESS:

To apply for the position you are required to submit the following: letter of interest resume and completed City of Burlington application for employment. City of Burlington application for employment forms can be found on the Citys website at or by request at City Hall located at 833 S. Spruce Street Burlington WA 98233. Complete application packets must be submitted in a sealed envelope via mail in-person to Burlington City Hall ATTN: Human Resources or emailed to Please specify the job title that you are applying for in the email subject line. Position open until filled; first review Monday November 9 2026.

SUMMARY:

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator-in-Training (OIT) will learn in 12 months a variety of duties essential to the operation of a city Wastewater Treatment Facility which includes: inspect operate monitor and maintain a variety of equipment and systems involved in various processes of the wastewater treatment plant facility collection system and pump stations; monitor plant operation through visual observations and computer screens; regulate flows; perform chemical analyses and tests; and perform a variety of related duties to ensure the facilitys final effluent is of the best quality in order to protect the community and all downstream receiving waters and all users.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Operator-in-training is the first level in the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator series. Positions at this level working under direct supervision will have some prior experience in the operation repair and maintenance of machinery pumps or mechanical equipment but are not expected to function with the same amount of program knowledge or skill level as an Operator at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Individuals at this level are expected to learn and become fully knowledgeable of the facility and to learn the full range of plant maintenance repair and operations functions. The OIT will observe and participate in plant operations and maintenance while understanding that a supervisor or a higher classified Operator must approve all work. Certification as an Operator I is required within 12 months per WAC. Training is provided by the City.

The following duties are typical for this classification. The successful candidate may not perform all the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Learn the full range of duties related to pump stations collection systems and plant operations; operate a variety of facilities systems equipment pumps and valves; learn to operate and maintain new systems and equipment as necessary; participate in implementing new operational strategies.
• Learn a variety of equipment maintenance duties; exercises tests inspects removes cleans lubricates repairs maintains and re-installs equipment related to a variety of wastewater treatment plant and pump station facilities systems tanks pumps motors valves piping systems and related equipment; cleans and calibrates meters probes and level sensors; troubleshoots equipment control systems; performs general housekeeping and upkeep of all areas associated with assigned facilities.
• Learn the importance of secondary settling basins sludge blanket depths; perform mathematical calculations including those related to flows areas volume weight force pressure chemical dosage calculations data graphs and reports.
• Learn the full scope of biosolids handling duties; apply basic anaerobic digestion principles; take action to prevent malfunctions; monitor and adjust equipment related to mixing polymer thickening pressing and drying.
• Learn a variety of recordkeeping duties; create new logbooks and properly store old records and logbooks; review and maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) records; complete maintain and file a variety of forms lists records schedules and informational logs.
• Performs a variety of duties in housekeeping painting and facility grounds.
• Learn to respond to power outage emergencies; operates monitors adjusts and maintains backup generators; responds to power outages by properly resetting restarting and bringing systems essential to proper plant operations back on-line; maintains proper fuel levels in generators and storage tanks.
• Learn a variety of duties in response to wet weather emergencies; operates monitors and adjusts plant collection system and pump station processes.
• Participate in a variety of training activities; studies equipment manuals for all facility equipment; receives and applies training on new equipment and processes as well as initial and periodic refresher training on processes procedures systems equipment and safety related to assignment; maintains familiarity with all standard operating procedures pertaining to equipment and plant processes; participates in all assigned safety meetings
• Performs and participates in a variety of safety related duties and activities; follows all safety plans and procedures when performing work; uses appropriate safety devices equipment and personal protective equipment; maintains awareness of and reports/corrects any trip hazards spills and unsafe equipment; familiarity with chemical handling procedures and responses; inspects cleans and maintains eye-wash stations; maintains and inspects all personal protective equipment and restocks as necessary; maintains and updates SDS catalog; performs proper lock-out/tag-out procedures; employs correct confined space procedures; secures facility perimeter and ensures buildings and vehicles are secure.
• Learn the duties in the collection system such as: clean repair and inspect sewer lines; utility locates; and pump station repairs.
• Learn to safely operate utility trucks forklifts boom trucks Vactor trucks diesel powered pumps and generators front loaders excavators sewer line video inspection equipment and dump trucks
• Other duties requested by the Lead Operator or the sewer department supervisor.
  

SKILLS KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within 12 months in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Materials tools equipment and methods used in the general construction operation and maintenance.
• Mathematical calculations including algebraic calculations.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety precautions.
• Principles and procedures used in the proper handling of chemicals.
• Basic mechanical electrical pneumatic and hydraulic principles.
• Principles and practices of customer service.
• Office procedures methods and equipment including computers and applicable software applications.
• Principles and practices of record keeping.
• Basic principles of training.

Ability to:

• Read and interpret gauges meters human machine interfaces and other indicator or instrument readings.
• Read and interpret civil plans and operation and maintenance manuals.
• Perform mechanical repairs.
• Compile and record data and information.
• Maintain accurate and detailed logs and records of work.
• Respond to emergency situations outside of normal working hours.
• Work well with others in a team environment.
• Complete work within an assigned time frame.
• Perform math calculations related to wastewater treatment.
• Operate assigned equipment and tools in a safe and effective manner.
• Demonstrate problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Display attention to detail.
• Perform manual labor.
• Follow detailed oral and written instructions.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Two (2) years of post-secondary education including technical training college or a Bachelor of Science in water/wastewater/process technology chemistry biology engineering environmental science or related field.

License or Certificate:

• Obtain an OIT Certificate issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology. Per WACwithin 12 months.
• Valid Washington State Drivers license.
• Obtain a Class B Commercial Drivers License (CDL) with Air Brake Endorsement and Tanker Endorsement or ability to obtain within six months.
• Valid First Aid and CPR cards or ability to obtain within six months
• Valid Washington State Traffic Control FLAGGER license or ability to obtain within six months.
• Confined Space Certificate or ability to obtain within six months.

PHYSICAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Exposure to noise of plant machinery and other equipment; mechanical and electrical hazards of operating equipment; fumes and odors of sewage chemicals and gases; potential contact with raw sewage; toxic substances such as chemicals cleaners solvents and gases; all types of weather and temperature conditions. Work and/or walk for long periods of time on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain. Subject to 24-hour emergency duties. Work environment is team-oriented having both routine and variable tasks with variable pace and pressure.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in a plant and field setting and operate assigned equipment.

Continuous: Walking sitting and standing.

Frequent: Bending stooping squatting kneeling climbing up and down ladders and ascending or descending stairs; hand strength and manual dexterity to grasp and manipulate tools parts and supplies; fine finger dexterity to operate computer and laboratory equipment lifting of objects weighing up to 25 lbs.

Occasional: Reaching at and above shoulder height balancing above ground pushing and pulling twisting at waist upward and downward flexion of neck side-to-side turning of neck lifting of objects up to 60 lbs. without assistance.

Focus: Sustained attention to functioning machinery and equipment.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens printed documents meter-reading equipment dials gauges lab apparatus and to operate vehicles and equipment; color vision acuity.

Hearing:Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Smell: Sufficient to detect odors and abnormal equipment conditions.

Touch: Sufficient to identify abnormal temperature or vibration in equipment.

OTHER:

This job exposes the worker to machinery and its moving parts fumes and chemicals. Work is performed outdoors regardless of the weather and may require the employee to work in high places work with dangerous machinery and with sharp tools. The normal work week is based on a schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 Monday through Friday forty (40) hours per week. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar related or is a logical assignment to the position. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.