EXAMINATION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC


      WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR 
WASTEWATER/WATER TREATMENT PLANT
 OPERATOR TRAINEE
EXAM #DEC-08-33 (OC)

                                                              APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED CONTINUOUSLY

Click Here for Required Fees and General Information

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EXAM DATES:  THIS EXAM WILL BE SCHEDULED PERIODICALLY.  CANDIDATES WITH APPROVED APPLICATIONS FOR THIS EXAM WILL BE NOTIFIED BY MAIL OF THE NEXT SCHEDULED EXAM DATE.  

STARTING SALARY/RANGE:          


$33,448 - $37,165 WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR                  Mohawk Valley Water Authority  (2007)
$27,163 - $30,181 WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR TRAINEE   Mohawk Valley Water Authority  (2007) $22,847 -  WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR TRAINEE   Oneida County Government        (2008)
                                                          Other Civil Divisions May Vary

VACANCIES: The eligible list, established as a result of this examination, will be used to fill existing vacancies and any other appropriate vacancies which may occur in these titles under the jurisdiction of the Oneida County Commissioner of Personnel.

RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EXAMINATION: NONE - When preference in certification is given to residents of a municipality pursuant to subdivision 4-a of Section 23 of the Civil Service Law, an eligible must have been a resident of such municipality for at least one month prior to the date of certification in order to be included in a certification as a resident of such municipality and must be a resident of such municipality at the time of appointment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR:  Possession of an appropriate level Water Treatment Plant Operator Certification for grade level of Water Treatment Plant at time of appointment. 

NOTE: Pursuant to NYS State Sanitary Code, Subpart 5-4, an operator’s certification must be renewed every three years. Appointees must maintain a current certification for the duration of their employment in this title.

NOTE:  Operator must be available at all times to respond, within one (1) hour, to emergencies OR must establish other approved supervision coverage available to respond to emergencies, e.g., assistant operator, contractual or in-kind assistance from neighboring communities.

    SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:  If the position requires operation of a motor vehicle and/or heavy machinery, then the following special requirement applies:  Eligibility for an appropriate level NYS driver's license at time of application.  Incumbent must possess a valid, appropriate level driver's license at time of appointment.  This license must be maintained throughout appointment.  Eligibility for appropriate Commercial Drivers’ License at time of application.  Incumbent must possess a valid, appropriate Commercial Drivers’ License at time of appointment. This license must be maintained throughout appointment.

WASTEWATER/WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR TRAINEE:  Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma. 

 NOTE:  Trainee appointments are for a period of up to one (1) year; during which time, employees are required to satisfactorily complete the training and experience requirements of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (Wastewater Treatment) and of the NYS Sanitary Code (Water Treatment) for the grade certificate appropriate to the plant designation. Upon satisfactory completion of the appropriate level certificate, incumbents will be advanced to the title of Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator or Water Treatment Plant Operator, whichever is applicable.

    SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:  Eligibility for a current valid NYS Motor Vehicle Operator's license at time of application.  Possession of a valid license at time of appointment.

NOTES:     1.     Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications on or before the date of the examination.

2.     Candidates applying for Water Treatment Plant Operator must submit a copy of the appropriate grade level Water Treatment Plant Operator Certification.

3.     There will be two (2) eligible lists established as a result of this examination and will be used to fill vacancies as they occur.  Candidates who are successful in this examination, and who have the appropriate grade level certificate, will be certified first for appointment at the Water Treatment Plant Operator level.  Other eligibles will be certified at the Trainee level, and will be advanced to the journey level without further examination upon satisfactory completion of the training requirements.  The trainee eligible list will be certified when the operator list is non-mandatory.

DUTIES:  

Water Treatment Plant Operator:  Responsible for the efficient operation and maintenance of a water treatment plant, which may have facilities for the application of chemicals to the water or other means of treatment.  Employee performs related work as required.

Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee:  This is a trainee position, which involves responsibility for assisting in the operation and maintenance of a water treatment plant, by aiding a certified operator and/or maintenance personnel.  The incumbent performs related work as required.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Trainee:  This is a trainee position which involves responsibility for learning the duties and routines involved in the operation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment plant.  The incumbent performs related work as required.

SUBJECTS OF EXAMINATION:  There will be a PC-administered test which you must pass in order to be considered for appointment.  The test will be administered on a personal computer (PC).  Candidates need no prior knowledge of computers in order to take the test.  The test uses a simple point-and-click system that is thoroughly explained through an animated instruction program.  Candidates will be given a sample test on which to practice before the actual test begins.   

PC-administered test:  This test is designed to test for knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in such areas as:

1.          Basic Mathematics:  These questions test your ability to use addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to solve basic arithmetic problems that might be encountered in water and wastewater treatment plant operations.  Questions may also involve the use of fractions, decimals, averages, and percents.

2.          Elementary Chemistry and General Science:  These questions test your knowledge of basic processes and concepts in chemistry and general science.

3.          Mechanical Aptitude:  These questions test your ability to identify and understand how basic mechanical instruments such as motors and gears work.

4.          Safety Practices:  These questions test your knowledge of basic safety practices.

5.          Tools and Reading of Scales and Gauges:  These questions test your ability to recognize or identify basic tools and their common uses and to make accurate readings of various types of dials, scales and gauges.

6.          Understanding and Interpreting Written Material:  These questions test how well you comprehend written material.          

CALCULATORS ARE RECOMMENDED:  Unless specifically prohibited, candidates are permitted to use QUIET, hand-held, solar- or battery-powered calculators ONLY.  Devices with typewriter keyboards, such as cell phones, computers or devices which can be hooked up to a computer, spell-checkers, personal digital assistants, address books, language translators, dictionaries and any similar devices are PROHIBITED.

NOTE:       A “Guide to Taking the Examination for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator/Trainee Series” is available on the New York State Department of Civil Service web site http://www.cs.state.ny.us/testing/localtestguides.cfm or at             the Oneida County Department of Personnel’s Office, Oneida County Office Building , third floor.  You may also call (315) 798-5726 or write the Oneida County Department of Personnel, 800 Park Avenue , Utica , NY 13501 , to request a copy. 

RETEST POLICY:  Retest for this continuous recruitment examination is permitted after six months.

ELIGIBLE LISTS:  Candidates who meet the qualifications, and pass this examination, will have their names placed on the Eligible List, in the order of final scores, regardless of the date on which they filed or took the test.  The names of qualified candidates will remain on the Eligible List for one year.  Appeal of ratings will not be allowed, as the opportunity for re-test exists.

TERMINATION OF THE PROGRAM:  Oneida County Department of Personnel reserves the right to terminate this special recruitment program at any time, and re-establish a program of periodic testing for this title.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLYING FOR MULTIPLE CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS

SCHEDULED ON THE SAME DATE

ONEIDA COUNTY EXAM ANNOUNCEMENTS CAN BE ACCESSED 
ON OUR WEBSITE: www.ocgov.net .

** ONEIDA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER **

Issued:   09/27/07

Paulette Z. Nickerson, LMSW
Commissioner of Personnel

Oneida County Personnel Department
Oneida County Office Building
800 Park Avenue
Utica, New York  13501
(315) 798-5726
(315) 798-6490 Fax
Email: personnel@ocgov.net

© 2003 Oneida County, New York, USA