Position Description
Water Treatment Plant Operator
Position Title:
Water Treatment Plant
Operator
Position
Number:
VARIOUS
Division:
Engineering
Job Grade:
JG4
Unit:
Water & Wastewater
Award base:
38 hours
Unit Leader:
Manager Water &
Wastewater
Reports to:
Supervisor- Water
Treatment and
Catchment
Supervises:
Nil
Date Created
/Revised:








March 2012 – structure update
July 2011 – updated to new position description template and minor edits
October 2010 – reporting structure
October 2009 - new format and organisational updates
Mar 2009 - APNs
October 2007
February 2014 - updated Division name
July 2014 updates - organisational restructure
Primary Objective
To assist the Water Treatment & Catchment Supervisor to maintain and operate all water
treatment and catchment assets required to provide a high quality drinking water to the
residents of the Shire.
Values Statement
What we value
Living and loving the Tweed.
We look after people and places, explore all opportunities and are proud of our passionate
approach.
We care about each other, choose to be here, and are in this together.
We have conversations where everyone can contribute and we are willing to have a go.
We put back in to make a difference, so that our Tweed community is even better tomorrow
than it is today.
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Position Description
Water Treatment Plant Operator
External Environment
Tweed Shire is one of the fastest growing areas in New South Wales. The Shire also has
the second highest biological diversity of any area on the Australian Eastern seaboard.
Organisational Environment
ENGINEERING DIVISION
The Engineering Division provides roads, footpath and cycleway, stormwater, flood
mitigation, water supply and wastewater services to the Tweed community and is
responsible for the planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance of the
associated infrastructure.
Water and Wastewater Unit:
The Water and Wastewater Unit is one of four within the Division and provides high quality
and reliable water supply and wastewater services to the Tweed Community. The Unit is
responsible for business and asset planning and management and the capital delivery and
operations and maintenance of Water Supply and Wastewater systems. It includes the
Tweed Laboratory Centre.
As the Tweed Shire is a rapidly growing area, the demand for infrastructure is high. Efficient
provision of this infrastructure must be balanced against the environmental concerns that
accompany an area that is geographically and ecologically unique.
The Position
The position is one of a number of operators which under the supervision of the Water
Treatment & Catchment Supervisor assist in the maintenance and operation of all water
treatment & catchment assets including Clarrie Hall Dam, Bray Park and Tyalgum Weirs and
Bray Park, Uki and Tyalgum Water Treatment Plants.
The incumbent is required to work without close supervision.
The position may involve rostered overtime on a rotational basis.
The position reports to the Senior Operator at each location.
The incumbent is required to complete a Certificate III in Water Operations, if not already held.
The incumbent is required to participate in the Water Unit’s on-call roster system to provide
weekend and after hours operational services to ensure the continued efficient operation of
the water supply.
The incumbent will achieve competence in the operation and maintenance of pumping
stations, reservoirs and dams and gain accreditation in the following:
 NSW Department of Health Flouridation Certificate,
VARIOUS_WaterTreatmentPlantOperator_G4
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Position Description
Water Treatment Plant Operator



Dams Safety Surveillance,
Confined Spave Entry, and
Workcover OHS Construction Induction, if not already held.
The work of the position includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Key responsibility areas
Associated key duties
1. Communication and
Administration
 Ensure daily log sheets are accurately
completed.
 Communicate any critical alarms or defects or
non-compliance with OHS to Supervisor/Senior
Operator.
 Monitor stock levels and advise of required
purchases including chemical supplies.
 Understand licence conditions, limits and
reporting
 Operation of the plant under the supervision of
the Senior Operator
 Conduct daily operational and visual/ audible
checks on plant infrastructure.
 Undertake daily preventative maintenance and
checks.
 Undertake scheduled maintenance and
inspections and organise and assist in repairs to
equipment as required.
 Basic maintenance of mechanical equipment.
 Maintenance and mowing of the plant grounds
 Labouring duties around all water supply assets.
 Operate and maintain chemical dosing
systems.
 Conduct testing of raw water, treatment
processes and reticulation network and analyse
results and notify exceptions to Supervisor/Senior
Operator.
 Participate in the on-call roster to provide
weekend and after hours operational services.
 Monitor, respond and determine appropriate
action to SCADA alarms and reports.
 Maintain workplace in neat and tidy state
 Provide
assistances
to
Electrical
and
Mechanical personnel in the maintenance and
repair of water supply assets.
 Provide inductions for visiting groups
 Conduct supervised tours of water supply
facilities
2. Operation and Maintenance
3. Community Education
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Position Description
Water Treatment Plant Operator
As a member of the Water and Wastewater Unit, the position requires attention to detail,
flexibility, the ability to contribute to the provision of client services across the work of the
Unit, the capacity to respond to a busy work environment and provide other team members
with assistance in times of high demand.
The position will apply Council’s Enterprise Risk Management Policy and Protocol objectives
as they relate to the position.
Health Safety and Environmental System (HSES) Responsibilities:
In accordance with Council's Work Health and Safety Responsibility, Authority and
Accountability Protocol this position has been deemed to fall within the following
categories:
Category 8 – All Employees
All employees are required to perform their duties in accordance with their relevant position
description, WHS Risk Assessments, Safe Work Methods Statements, Standard Operating
Procedures and site specific requirements and instructions.
The WHS training requirements for this position as per the WHS TNA are:
Generic WHS
Training
Risk Specific
WHS Training
WHS Training Needs Analysis
Online TSC Safety Induction Program
Local Area Induction (Level 2 Work Activity)
Confined Space
Position( X )
X
X
X
Operate Breathing Apparatus
X
For a complete list of the WHS Responsibilities, Authority and Accountabilities of this
position staff are to refer to the Protocol located on Council's intranet site:
http://tscdotnet/OMS/ .
Infection Control and Immunisation Requirements:
This position has been identified as potentially being at risk of exposure to vaccine
preventable disease(s). The potential for occupational exposure is as follows:
Tasks/ Working with
All outdoor workers
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Tetanus
X
It is a requirement of this position that all incumbents undertake the recommended course of
immunisation for all diseases outlined.
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Position Description
Water Treatment Plant Operator
Organisational and External Relationships:
Organisational relationships
 Required to liaise with Tweed laboratory Staff, Electrical and Mechanical Maintenance
Staff
External Relationships
 Required to liaise with consumers, visiting members of the public, suppliers and
Contractors
Within the context of the position, the incumbent is also responsible for:

maintaining work standard quality

continuous improvement of procedures and systems

provision of quality customer service.
Location of Position:
The position will be required to work out of any of Council's administrative offices, Depots or
any other location within the Shire as directed by the supervisor.
Probationary Period:
The position incumbent will undergo a 3 months probationary period. Where deemed
appropriate, the probationary period can be extended by the relevant Director for no more
than a further 3 month period. Successful completion of the probationary period will result in
confirmation of the appointment.
Verification of Qualifications:
Guidelines

All original certificates or certified (by the institution) academic transcripts must be
sighted by Council. Cost of providing documentation is to be borne by applicant.

To facilitate the verification of qualifications written permission must be given to the
Tweed Shire Council for the relevant educational institution to be contacted.

Falsely claiming qualifications will lead to dismissal and/or prosecution for any relevant
offence.

Applicants to sign a certificate declaring that qualifications are genuine and that if falsely
claimed can lead to dismissal.
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Position Description
Water Treatment Plant Operator
Required Personal Attributes, Knowledge and Competence
Selection Criteria
Personal Attributes:
Personal Attributes and Cultural Fit will be addressed at interview.
Council is seeking personal attributes and work values consistent with Council’s Corporate
Values.
Knowledge and Competence: (to be addressed in full when making application)
1. Hold a NSW Drivers Licence Class C or equivalent.
2. Demonstrated knowledge in the operation of Water Treatment Plants and Reticulation
Systems.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of Water Treatment Plant processes.
4. Demonstrated ability to work in an isolated small team environment.
5. Demonstrated ability to work independently.
6. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate technical information to supervisors and
members of the public.
7. Demonstrated knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety and Environmental
legislative requirements relating to water treatment plants and dams, including
Environmental Protection Licences, NSW Department of Health and Australian Drinking
Water Guidelines.
8. The position requires the incumbent to be available for 24 hour “on call” emergency
service, on a rotational basis and the incumbents home needs to be geographically
located within 30 minutes of the Bray Park Water Treatment Plant so that response times
to “call outs” is minimised.
Desirable:
9. Certificate III in Water Operations or relevant equivalent qualification and water industry
experience.
10. Demonstrated competence in the operation and maintenance of pumping stations,
reservoirs, and dams.
11. Hold a NSW Department of Health Fluoridation Certificate.
12. Dams Safety Surveillance Training or equivalent experience.
13. Hold a Confined Space Entry Certificate.
14. WorkCover OHS Induction Training for Construction Work.
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