10.2. SR 11-01-2021
Request for Action
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 10.2
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Work Session November 1, 2021 Matt Stevens, Chief Operator
Item Description Reviewed by
Wastewater Maintenance Operator vs. Wastewater Systems Justin Femrite, P.E., Public Works Director
Operator
Reviewed by
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Action Requested
Discuss reverting back to posting and hiring a Wastewater Systems Operator to fill the current vacancy of the
Wastewater Maintenance Operator position.
Background/Discussion
Following the resignation of the maintenance operator in 2020, Public Works Director Femrite and Chief Stevens
considered refilling the position as a systems operator citing additional operational expertise and staff continuity.
When the candidate pool reflected more maintenance talent than minimally qualified operators, Chief Operator
Stevens, and Director Femrite agreed to refill the position as a maintenance operator.
The maintenance operator has since tendered his resignation. The division would like to refill it as a systems
operator as originally discussed the last time we filled this position.
The maintenance operator’s core duties are maintenance at the wastewater treatment plant. The systems operator
does plant maintenance and is qualified for required lab duties, screw press operations, utility locates,
inspects/pulls pumps at our 23 lift stations and serves in our on-call rotation.
To have better distribution and cross training of duties, we are proposing to refill the current wastewater
maintenance operator position with a wastewater treatment systems operator.
Financial Impact
The maintenance operator position is budgeted in the Wastewater Fund. The financial impact to change to a
systems operator ranges from cost neutral to an increase of $3,000, dependent on candidate licenses and
qualifications.
Mission/Policy/Goal
Meet changing needs - Agile
Attachments
Position Descriptions
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity.
Updated: August 2020
City of Elk River
Wastewater Maintenance Operator
Position Description
Department: Immediate Supervisor:
Public Works/Wastewater Wastewater Treatment Systems Chief Operator
Pay Grade: FLSA Status: Last Updated: (date)
5N Non-Exempt 8/2020
Positions Supervised:
N/A
Position Summary
The Wastewater Maintenance Operator performs maintenance on the sanitary sewer system, lift
stations and treatment facility. Performs welding fabrication and repairs. Operates light and heavy
equipment. Maintains an assigned street division snow removal route.
Essential Functions
1. Performs wastewater maintenance and repair activities.
A. Assists in the maintenance and repair of the city’s collection system, lift stations, and
treatment facility.
B. Assists in cleaning the city’s sanitary sewer lines with a jet truck.
C. Maintains traffic control signage on work projects within the road right of way.
D. Cuts or trims trees and brush on city property and road right of way.
2. Performs general maintenance activities.
A. Performs building (exterior and interior) and grounds maintenance as assigned.
B. Cuts, trims, and removes brush from easements.
C. Performs routine cleaning activities at treatment facility.
D. Assists in snow removal at treatment facility and lift stations.
3. Performs basic-level equipment maintenance activities.
A. Performs daily lubrication level checks on vehicles and equipment that the employee
is assigned to operate.
B. Completes CDL checklist daily on CDL vehicles that the employee is assigned to
operate.
C. Reviews general condition of vehicle exterior and operating systems.
4. Performs other essential job duties.
A. Performs snow plowing, sanding, and salting of city streets as assigned.
B. Assists with daily lab duties.
C. Regular and timely work attendance.
D. Follows all safety procedures.
E. Participates in safety training.
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Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to operate light and heavy motorized equipment.
Ability to perform basic-level equipment maintenance.
Ability to perform welding for repair and fabrication of equipment.
Ability to lift heavy objects, walk and stand for long periods, and to perform strenuous
physical labor under adverse environmental conditions.
Ability to lift 50 pounds.
Ability to work independently.
Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent.
Demonstrated experience operating light equipment.
Demonstrated welding experience.
Valid Class B Commercial Driver’s License and good driving record.
Tanker endorsement or the ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
Preferred Qualifications
Related work experience.
Snow plowing experience.
Jetting experience.
This Position Description is not intended to be all-inclusive. It is within the City of Elk River’s discretion
to assign additional duties and responsibilities or remove duties and responsibilities at any time.
This Position Description does not constitute a Contract of Employment.
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x10.2 at1 Wastewater Maintenance Operator
City of Elk River
Wastewater Treatment Systems
Operator
Position Description
Department: Immediate Supervisor:
Public Works/Wastewater Wastewater Treatment Systems Chief Operator
Pay Grade: FLSA Status: Last Updated: (date)
4N Non-Exempt 5/2019
Positions Supervised:
N/A
Position Summary
The Wastewater Treatment System Operator conducts wastewater, treatment plant and collection
system operations. Performs maintenance operations as directed.
Essential Functions
1. Performs wastewater processing.
A. Operates wastewater treatment plant.
B. Conducts routine wastewater tests; bacterial analysis; advanced wastewater chemical
tests.
C. Interprets test results and initiates necessary process changes with approval of Chief
Operator or Lead Operator.
D. Participates in rotation for Operator on call duties as scheduled. Duties include
plowing of cul-de-sac routes in the winter.
E. Operates bio-solids handling systems.
2. Performs maintenance activities.
A. Troubleshoots, maintains, and repairs treatment plant and equipment.
B. Performs some mechanical/building maintenance and repair.
C. Performs general city buildings and grounds maintenance as assigned.
D. Performs equipment maintenance as assigned.
E. Troubleshoots, maintains, and repairs lift stations and collection system.
3. Performs other essential job duties.
A. Regular and timely work attendance.
B. Follows all safety procedures.
C. Participates in safety training.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of municipal wastewater and sludge treatment plant operations.
Ability to understand and follow applicable OSHA standards and plant safety practices and
procedures.
Ability to conduct routine laboratory tests.
Ability to perform light mechanical repair.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to work in all weather conditions.
Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent.
Class D Wastewater Operator’s Certificate or ability to obtain within six months.
Class B commercial driver’s license with tanker endorsement or ability to ability to obtain
within six months.
Live within 30 minutes of Elk River’s Wastewater Treatment Facility or will relocate within
six months.
Preferred Qualifications
Class C Wastewater Operator’s Certificate.
Previous Wastewater Treatment Systems experience.
Jetting experience.
This Position Description is not intended to be all-inclusive. It is within the City of Elk River’s discretion
to assign additional duties and responsibilities or remove duties and responsibilities at any time.
This Position Description does not constitute a Contract of Employment.
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Wastewater Treatment Systems Operator