Water Treatment Plant Operator Job in Fresno, CA

Summary

This job is open to

• The public

  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

The Water Treatment Plant Operator is the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the prevention and control of Legionella, aerobic bacteria and other waterborne pathogens or agents commonly found in both potable and non-potable water systems and equipment.

• Monitoring equipment, instruments, meters, gauges, motors, pumps, feeders, recording and control devices according to a prescribed schedule and perform routine operator maintenance
• Making adjustments to valves, controllers, programs and pumps to control, monitor and treat domestic water systems in the Boiler Plant and the medical center
• Staying informed on the quality of water supplied by the local utility provider and by the facility well system(s) and respond appropriately to variations
• Operating, maintaining and performing minor repairs on supplemental disinfection injection systems (chlorine dioxide, monochloramine, copper/silver, etc.) and maintaining any meters and related equipment installed as part of the domestic or industrial water treatment systems
• Performing water treatment tests and measurements that require a working knowledge of various microbiological organisms
• Treating the incoming water and applying knowledge of how to perform basic microbiological tests such as inoculation and incubation of outgoing water samples to verify the elimination of the treated microorganisms
• Operating settling tanks, filter beds, surge pumps, hydro-chlorinators, phosphate feeders, soda ash and dry lime feeders, lime solution tanks, and similar types of equipment
• Providing technical and administrative assistance to comply with legislative and accrediting requirements as related to the domestic water systems and equipment
• Maintaining records and assists in implementing policies and procedures to comply with these frequently conflicting requirements while minimizing adverse impact to patient care
• Maintaining any permits and certifications necessary to operate supplemental disinfection systems and as required for operation of the wells
• Generating and maintaining all documentation as required by governing jurisdictions, VHA directives, and local policy/procedures
• Participating in various committees such as the Environment of Care Committee, Water Safety Committee, etc.
• Developing, managing, and maintaining an Infection Prevention & Control Plan that includes a written description of the activities, including surveillance, to minimize, reduce or eliminate the risk of infection
• Evaluating and conducting surveillance on the effectiveness of the Infection Prevention & Control Plan to minimize, reduce, or eliminate the risk of infection
• Managing and maintaining the VACCHCS Water Safety Management Tool (WSMT) on a periodic basis
• Serving as Contracting Officer Representative for any service contract relating to water quality, sampling, testing, or treatment
• Continuing responsibility for projects, questions, or problems that arise within the recurring maintenance and water testing program
• Identifying and studying factors or conditions and determining their interrelationships as appropriate to the recurring maintenance program
• Taking or recommending actions that are consistent with the objectives and requirements of the program
• Conduct building surveys to identify at-risk systems and arrangements with respect to their components, installation, configuration, use and condition
• Utilizing and updating, by means of field investigation(s) and site surveying, facility water piping plans and schematics to identify domestic hot and cold-water system "dead legs" where stagnant water could breed Legionella and other pathogens
• Identifying and monitoring of low flow outlets conducting risk assessments and adjusting flushing routines to achieve desired oxidant levels
• Ensuring adequate system flushing when restoring inactive systems to functionality and if necessary, other means such as high temperature thermal eradication or chemical treatment methods
• Managing terminal device cleanliness for devices such as sink laminar flow devices, showerheads, misters, and nozzles
• Performing routine measurement of water temperatures at distal points and adjust to ensure scald prevention devices are appropriate and adjusted properly
• Practicing effective water treatment for cooling towers, evaporative coolers, fountains, spas, whirlpools, and pools
• Identifying risks for acquiring and transmitting infections based on the geographic location, community, and population served.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Pre-employment physical required
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

How You Will Be Evaluated

Required Documents

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/22/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12798291.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications per Category Rating procedures to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.