UTILITIES DIVISION - LEAD WATER PRODUCTION OPERATOR - 1 POSITION AVAILABLE
NON EXEMPT
$36.45HR. - $54.67HR.
Employee Benefits
Must have the physical, developmental and mental ability to perform job tasks, work efforts,
responsibilities and duties of the job illustrated below:
The Utilities Division is responsible for public health and safety, as well as safeguarding the
environment, by providing crucial safe water and wastewater services. This position is part of the
team that provides services necessary for human health, economic stability, and overall societal
well-being. At the core of the mission of providing these services includes commitment to providing
excellent customer service to our citizens, business partners, regulatory agencies, and other county
divisions.
MAJOR FUNCTION
The Utility Lead Water Production Operator – assist water production supervisors in overseeing the
operation, maintenance, and repair of regional water treatment facilities and water pumping systems
within the utility department. This position ensures the safe, efficient, and compliant functioning
of water systems, water quality, water wells and associated water pumping systems, supervises
skilled personnel, coordinates preventive and corrective maintenance programs, and supports capital
improvement projects. This position plays a key role in ensuring the reliability of essential
utility services, regulatory compliance, environmental stewardship, and public health and safety.
ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES
• Direct the work of other staff by scheduling, assigning, and reviewing work, providing training
and counseling to include assisting with training of personnel in emergency response plans and
safety programs in conformance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Delegates daily operation and compliance activities within the assigned regions
• Conducts routine inspections and visits to water production facilities to assess plant status
and ensure compliance.
• Verifies standard operating procedures are being followed at the plant level.
• Monitors and reports the activities of contractors.
• Orders, schedules, and directs subordinates to collect compliance samples; verifies proper sample
collection and delivery.
• Monitor the levels of critical chemicals and the ordering process.
• Obtains vendor quotes and prepares all necessary documentation required to purchase parts,
equipment, service and supplies needed to complete all work assigned.
• Assists system reliability department with repairs and installation of equipment.
• Prepares daily records and paperwork to track all activities and work completed; enters
information into County asset management program, tracks daily hours, notes locations, and reports
on results; monitors employee work and ensures quality.
• Collects, organizes, trends, and evaluates water operational data and makes operational
adjustments to ensure water quality is within conformance of regulatory requirements/standards.
• Oversees and/or performs inspections of facility equipment and machinery to determine that all
systems are operating properly; oversees and/or performs routine and non-routine adjustments to
controls in conformance with operating instructions, Florida Administrative Code, and prescribed
standards.
• Operates, calibrates, and maintains all department equipment, vehicles, and test equipment to
ensure safe and efficient operations.
• Maintains current knowledge of Florida Administrative Code and regulatory requirements.
• Research and responds to information requests in conformance with department
procedures.
• Performs laboratory analysis on collected samples, interprets test results, and makes routine
process changes following established guidelines.
• Supervises the delivery of water treatment chemicals.
• Uses appropriate personal protective equipment and follows safety data sheets recommendations
for handling toxic, corrosive, and flammable materials.
• May establish and implement operating protocols for one or more water treatment facilities which
includes water distribution systems according to local, state, and federal regulations to ensure
permit compliance.
• Assists and advises operators at all levels in the resolution of difficult process
problems.
• Works closely with environmental laboratory personnel to develop and implement sampling and
testing procedures in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Coordinates with the system’s reliability and/or system operators to ensure uninterrupted
service to all water customers.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS
• The principles and practices necessary in the operation of advanced water treatment
facilities
• Computerize monitoring systems such as SCADA and overall computer knowledge
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations to ensure operational compliance
• Applicable environmental regulations related to the operation of water treatment plants.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety precautions including storage of chemicals, confined
space entry, equipment lockout/tagging, Hazard Communication programs, and personal protective
equipment
• Chemistry and biology related to the operation of water treatment facilities
• Water operating methods, procedures, and techniques and their practical application
• The ability to respond to emergency situations such as floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and other
natural and/or unnatural crises to provide for public health and safety
• The ability to work overtime, rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays
• Understanding operating and maintenance manuals, and other technical specifications
• Communicating effectively with others
• Correcting operational deficiencies; tracing abnormal conditions; reporting major deviations or
conditions that don’t respond to normal corrective actions; and determining from several choices
the method to restore normal operating conditions
• Successfully completing and reviewing regulatory compliance documents
• Performing assigned duties with considerable independence
• Preparing and maintaining accurate, detailed operations, and maintenance records and
reports
• Understanding, interpreting, utilizing, and adjusting automation/instrumentation devices and
systems to meet facility operational requirements
• Assist in preparing accident or incident reports
• Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make
improvements or take corrective action
• Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work
• The ability to understand, follow, and provide oral and written instructions
• The ability to Participate in a rotating water production On-Call Supervisor Rotation
Schedule.
• The ability to adhere to County and department rules, regulations, and policies
• Ability to lead and mentor technical staff, assign tasks, and monitor quality and
compliance.
• Independently ambulate, drive, climb, bend, stoop, sit, and stand as required by job
tasks
• Ability to fill in for the Water Production Department Supervisor
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Graduate of an accredited high school or possess an acceptable equivalency diploma.
• Five (5) years of experience (10,400 hrs.) in the water production and treatment field.
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Water Treatment Level “A” License or
ability to obtain license within 12 months of employment.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to secure a valid Florida driver’s license within
30 days of employment within this classification.
• A comparable amount of related training or experience may be substituted for the minimum
qualifications except for the licensing and certifications.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
• Standby and on call rotation are required for emergency work in this classification.
All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency,
employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of
their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.
Overview
As outlined in the Polk County Charter, the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) is the governing body of Polk County. Each commissioner is elected by a countywide vote.
Duties and Powers
The County Commission adopts an annual budget which includes appropriations for services provided by county government including the Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector and Supervisor of Elections. This budget also includes appropriations in support of the Circuit and County Courts, State Attorney, Public Defender and Clerk of the Court. Some other responsibilities:
* levying taxes and fees,
* provide and maintain county buildings,
* provide fire protection and ambulance services,
* provide health and welfare programs,
* provide parks, preserves, playgrounds, libraries, museums, historical sites, recreation and cultural facilities and programs,
* prepare and enforce comprehensive plans for the development in the county,
* establish, coordinate, and enforce zoning and such business regulations as are necessary for the protection of the public,
* adopt and enforce building, housing and related technical codes and regulations,
* establish and administer programs of housing, slum clearance, community redevelopment, conservation, flood control, air pollution control,
* provide and regulate waste and sewage collection and disposal, water supply and conservation programs,
* provide and operate public transportation systems, roads, bridges and related facilities.
