JOB INFORMATION

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how much we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid scheduled holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan option to include generous County HSA contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance benefit
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 10 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc
• Other employee paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, etc.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operate process equipment used in water treatment
• Operate distribution systems and water storage facilities
• Monitor and control chlorination, fluoridation, pH control, flocculation, sedimentation and filtration systems
• Operate associated treatment plant equipment (e.g. pumps, valves, blowers and filtration systems, engines, generators, etc.)
• Observe variations in operating conditions, meter and gauge readings, test results, etc.; maintain log of operations
• Perform routine laboratory tests to determine process control needs
• Compile and prepare reports for submission as mandated
• Assist with the maintenance and repair of equipment, buildings, and grounds
• Investigate customer complaints and concerns; aid in timely response and resolution
• Perform other related duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed below, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

The qualifications / requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical demands or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR II (WTPO II)

• Minimum 3 years of related work experience in a Maryland class 4 water treatment plant or an equivalent plant
• Must have already passed the Maryland Class 4 Water Treatment Plant Operator certification issued by the Maryland Board of Water Works and Waste System Operators or an equivalent certification from another state
• Must satisfy all PLPR Level II requirements within 6 month probationary period or be demoted to Level I or be terminated from employment
• With the DUSWM Director's approval, qualified new employees may be placed in the Water Treatment Plant Operator II position immediately upon hire, if the employee has the required experience and has passed any required certification tests. However, the employee must satisfy all of the PLPR Level II requirements during the 6 month probationary period. The employee may be demoted to a Level I pay grade or be terminated from employment.
• Considerable knowledge of materials, methods, techniques and equipment used in the operation of water treatment plants, with the ability to effectively detect problems in plant operations

WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR I (WTPO I)

• Applicants must have applied, taken and passed the MD State WTP Class 4 Operator Certification exam
• Must satisfy all PLPR Level I requirements within 6 month probationary period or be terminated from employment
• Employees must satisfy 100% of the Level 1 & 2 Tasks (PLPR) for the Water Treatment Plant Operator I classification within 2 years of hire (which includes the 6 month probationary period) to become a Water Treatment Plant Operator II. Employees have 2 years to attain level 2, e.g. PLPR Level 2 is the basic functional level an employee must attain.

WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR TRAINEE

• Within 6 months of employment, employee must obtain a temporary class 4 water treatment certificate. Also within 6 months of hire, new employees must satisfy 50% of level 1 PLPR requirements.
• Employee has 2 years to attain PLPR level 2 requirements
• 2 years is the minimum time an employee must spend as a Trainee and Operator I.
• This is an entry level position - no work experience or certification required.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL LEVELS OF PLACEMENT

• High school graduation or the equivalent
• Possession of a valid automobile operator's license with the ability to obtain and maintain a Frederick County Employee Driving Permit
• General knowledge of mathematics, plumbing and electrical controls, with ability to accurately read gauges and meters
• Ability to accurately complete routine process control and/or laboratory tests
• Considerable knowledge of potential hazards associated with this work and appropriate safety precautions
• Effective written and spoken (English) communication skills, including the ability to prepare and maintain clear concise and accurate forms and reports, and the ability to give clear direction to other workers
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the general public

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Related water treatment experience or similar experience in a related field (Level I applicants only)
• Certified Water Treatment Plant Operator II applicants

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position the employee is frequently walking and climbing; frequently driving; and occasionally lifting up to 50 pounds, pushing up to 40 pounds, pulling up to 40 pounds and reaching
• While working in this position the employee is constantly working indoors, outdoors, walking on uneven ground, working in hot temperatures (above 100 degrees) and cold temperatures (below 32 degrees); frequently working near machinery, chemicals or fumes and is required to wear protective equipment; occasionally works in confined and noisy spaces; and rarely works at heights

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS

• Available for varied shifts and varied workdays as assigned, and available for on-call response to emergency situations
• In concert with the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, verification of employment eligibility and a criminal background check will be conducted
• Annual Respirator fit testing will be conducted throughout employment as a requirement of this position
• Promotion to higher classification is obtained by participating in and meeting specific criteria in the Division's Skill Based Classification program (on-the-job training)
• This position is subject to random drug testing
• This position is considered essential in the event of an emergency or other events as determined by DUSWM administration

KIND OF EXAMINATION (may include)

Retirement Plan:
A defined benefit retirement plan is provided for all regular County employees. Employees are automatically enrolled in either the Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting) or the Non-Uniformed Plan (10 year vesting) depending upon position classification. The majority of support for the plan is provided by the County; however, employees are required to make a mandatory pre-tax contribution towards their benefit. Retirement benefits are payable at normal, early or delayed retirement. Retirement benefits are also payable upon termination and in the event of death or disability.

Health Insurance:
County employees have a choice of two medical insurance plans, an In-Network (HMO) Plan or a High Deductible medical plan with a Health Care Savings Account, to provide coverage for medical and surgical expenses, hospital and emergency care expenses, mental health expenses and prescription drugs. The County and participants share in the cost of the health insurance with the employee having the benefit of pre tax contribution deductions. Medical insurance goes into effect on the first day of the month that follows the eligible employee's completion of 30 days of active employment.

Dental Insurance:
Employees may select coverage from one of three dental plan options, ranging from a PPO plan to a dental HMO plan. Coverage includes preventive care, fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures, and the cost of dental insurance is shared by both the County and the employee. Dental insurance goes into effect on the first day of the month that follows the eligible employee's completion of 30 days of active employment

NOTE: Employees working 75% or greater of a 35 or 40 hour position are eligible for health & dental insurance.

Flexible Spending Accounts:
The Flex Spending plan allows employees to pay health and day care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Employees may set aside part of their salary in a special account that can be used throughout the year to reimburse themselves for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The maximum contribution is $2,700 per year for Health Care Spending and $5,000 for Dependent Care Spending (work-related day care expenses). Examples of expenses that can be reimbursed for Health Care Spending include, but are not limited to: deductibles, co-payments, dental fees, chiropractors' services, and eyeglasses / contact lenses.

Life Insurance:
Employees are insured for 2 times their annual salary in case of death plus 2 times their annual salary for accidental death. Employees do not contribute to the premiums for this coverage. A Voluntary Life Insurance Program is offered to regular County employees. The plan allows employees to purchase individually owned term life insurance for themselves, spouses and dependents.

Savings Plan - Deferred Compensation:
The County offers a Section 457 Plan. Deferred compensation plans allow participants to save for retirement in either a pre tax or post tax (Roth) investment account. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction into one or more of the variety of investment options offered by the plan. Changes may be made to the contribution levels, investment options, etc. at any time.

Educational Reimbursement Program:
County employees who have successfully passed their probationary period may take up to two job-related courses per semester at any accredited educational institution. The benefit also covers the costs of job-related non-credit courses. If the employee receives a grade of at least a C, or successfully passes a non-credit course, the County reimburses the employee 75% of the costs of tuition, fees and books. If an employee doesn't remain employed with Frederick County Government for two years after a class is taken, the benefit needs to be reimbursed to FCG.

Employee Assistance Program:
This confidential assessment, referral and counseling service is available at no cost to all employees who may need help with a personal or job-related problem.

Leave
Annual Leave – Employees are eligible to use Annual Leave after their 6 month probationary period. Annual Leave accrues as follows: Years of service days per year
0 – 2 years 11 days
2 – 10 years 17 days
10 + years 24 days

Sick Leave - Employees will earn sick leave at a rate of 15 days per calendar year.

Sick Leave may also be used for illness of an employee's child, dependent, spouse, parent or parent-in-law. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave accumulated. Unused Sick Leave may be used for additional credit in the pension plan at the time of retirement.

NOTE: Regular benefited part-time employees earn annual and sick leave on a pro-rated basis based on their actual number of hours worked biweekly up to their assigned number of regularly scheduled work hours.

Other available types of leave include, but are not limited to, Family Medical Leave, Bereavement, Jury, Military.

Holidays:
The County observes 10 holidays every year and 11 are observed on years of General Elections.