Summary This position is located in Utilities Branch of the Facilities Engineering Department at the USCG Training Center Petaluma (TRACEN). Responsibilities The Water Treatment Plant Operator works under the direction of the Utilities Branch Chief, who provides oral and written instructions and relies upon the incumbent to accomplish the assigned work operations within the limits of policies and basic schedules set by management officials and state regulatory boards. The Water Treatment Plant Operator serves as the wastewater treatment plant with a peak wet weather flow of 3.036 million gallons per day (MGD), and an average dry weather flow of 0.197 MGD, with secondary and tertiary treatment and discharge. Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team. Typical work assignments include: Tertiary Wastewater Treatment - ensuring that the plant produces a high-quality effluent by using the unit processes of wastewater treatment pumping stations/collection system: primary treatment of wastewater via screening and grit removal, secondary treatment via activated sludge with biological nutrient removal (BNR), tertiary treatment via chlorination and ultraviolet disinfection, and effluent storage and disposal via irrigation. Physical, chemical and biological analyses - using proper sampling techniques for domestic waste, per Standard Methods for the examination of water and waste. Interpreting results and making required changes in physical/chemical control per established procedures. Standardized reporting - preparing reports designed to meet Federal and State regulations and submits results to appropriate regulatory agencies. Utilizing the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to operate and maintain all equipment instruments in coordinated fashion. Maintaining all equipment including manual, pneumatic and electrically operated valves, dry solution and chemical feed systems, flocculators, coagulators, aerators, skimmers, sludge transfer and drying equipment, instrumentation, pumps, filters, clarifiers, nitrification reactors and other equipment used for treatment process control. Conducting maintenance, inspections, corrective actions, and related service in full compliance with applicable local, state, federal, health and Enviromental Protection agency (EPA) laws and regulations. Assisting with the maintenance of existing treatment facilities or delivers for testing, weekly samples of treated water as needed and performs corrective maintenance to return system and equipment to proper operation. This position has been designated, "Mission Essential". In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations (natural or man-made disaster) the incumbent is required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations. Applicant you must submit a valid Grade I certificate issued by the CA State Water Resource Control Board, Regional Water Quality Control Boards and other federal, state and local agencies. This position is designated "Mission Essential". Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship is required. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service. Applicant is required to meet the physical requirements of the position The position requires a valid state driver's license. Pre-Employment Physical Required This position has a requirement to lift up to 50lbs. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Highly desirable candidates possess a valid Grade I certificate issued by the CA State Water Resource Control Board, Regional Water Quality Control Boards and other federal, state and local agencies. Qualifications Applicants will be evaluated on their ability to perform the duties of the position rather than the length of experience. Eligibility will be determined by the relevance, scope, and quality of all experience and training, regardless of where or how acquired. Applicants will be rated and ranked based on their knowledge of the following job elements: Ability to do the work of a Wastewater Treatment Operator without more than normal supervision (Screen-Out Element). Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation and Repair. Technical Practices. Use of Measuring Instruments. Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. Dexterity and Safety. Operation of Plant Equipment Highly desirable candidates possess a valid Grade I certificate issued by the CA State Water Resource Control Board, Regional Water Quality Control Boards and other federal, state and local agencies. National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education This position does not have a positive education requirement. If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Required Documents section for detail. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications click here Student Loan – Selectee(s) for this position who are newly appointed to a permanent or term position may be eligible for student loan repayment up to $10,000 (pre-tax) for one calendar year. More than one loan may be repaid if the combined repayments do not exceed $10,000. Receipt of this incentive will require a three-year service agreement. Additional Information Applicants will be required to complete questions contained on the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) at the time a tentative job offer is made. Certain responses on the form could pose a problem with suitability for employment determinations. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete/make updates to the OF-306 and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, or imprisonment. DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about e-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities at click here Recruitment Incentive: Selectee(s) for this position who are newly appointed to a permanent position are authorized to receive a one-time recruitment incentive of 25% of the salary, including locality for this position. Receipt of the bonus will require a 12-month service agreement. "Newly appointed" refers to the first appointment (regardless of tenure) as an employee of the Federal Government, an appointment following a break in service of at least 90 days from a previous appointment as an employee of the Federal Government, or, in certain cases, an appointment following a break in service of less than 90 days from a previous appointment as an employee of the Federal Government. Relocation Incentive: Selectee(s) for this position who are current federal employees on permanent appointments who would be moving outside of the current commuting area of their current position to accept this position are authorized to receive a one-time relocation bonus of 25% of the salary including locality for this position. Receipt of the bonus will require a 12-month service agreement. The employee must establish a residence in the new geographic area prior to payment. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit. The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. More than 1 selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 45 days from the date the certificate was issued. If you need a reasonable accommodation for the application and hiring process, please contact 206-815-2049. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Visit Reasonable Accommodation