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Pump and Process Operator Trainee

Description of Duties

This is a trainee position in the Department of Environmental Services’ Wastewater treatment plants and pumping
facilities, in which incumbents, (1) learn and master various tasks and safety procedures associated with their operation
and, (2) are provided training to obtain a Grade 3A Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification issued under the
provisions of part 650 of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Regulations; both to be
completed within the two-year training period. Upon successful completion of the training period, and attainment of the 3A
certification, permanent employees are promoted to the title of Pump and Process Operator without further testing.
Employees who do not successfully attain the certificate or complete the training within the two-year period will be
removed from the position. Employees will be given various assignments and training related to preliminary, primary and
secondary treatment; solids handling, odor control, sampling, disinfection, wet weather flow handling, aeration process
control, energy management, process troubleshooting, pumping systems, safe operating practices, State Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit compliance and Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR), supervision, work
order entry, and process monitoring. Duties further include manual labor, working in confined spaces, and require shift
and weekend work, and remaining on call for emergencies. The employee reports directly to and works under the direct
supervision of a higher level staff member.

Minimum Qualifications

EITHER:
(A) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Bachelor of Science degree; OR

(B) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a minimum of 30 credit hours in math or science**; OR,

(C) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university specifically approved by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation* with an Associate of Applied Science degree; OR,

(D) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with an Associate of Applied Science; plus eighteen (18) months paid full time or its part time equivalent*** operating experience at a wastewater treatment plant; OR,

(E) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with an Associate’s degree with a minimum of 30 credit hours in math or science**, plus eighteen (18) months paid full time or its part time equivalent*** operating experience at a wastewater treatment plant; OR,

(F) Possession of a Grade 3A or 4A Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; OR,

(G) Possession of a Grade 2A Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, plus three (3) years paid full time or its part time equivalent*** operating experience at a wastewater treatment plant.

*An approved Associate of Applied Science degree must have included one of the following curriculums:
(1) Ecology and Environmental Technology from Paul Smith’s College;
(2) Water Quality Monitoring from Ulster County Community College
(3) Environmental Technology from SUNY-Morrisville;
(4) Water/Wastewater Technology from Crowder College

**Applicants qualifying under B or E must submit an unofficial or student copy of their college transcript.

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