GARY FELKINS

Lead Operator/Intern project manager at the City of Willows Grade 4 Wastewater treatment plant. The plant is a 1.2 MGD tertiary wastewater treatment plant.

• Supported management decision-making by compiling operational and production data into daily logs.
• Activated pumps, valves and processing equipment to move water through treatment processes and added chemicals.
• Managed chemical inventory levels, liaising with suppliers to maintain adequate stock for uninterrupted plant operations.
• Calibrated pH, DO and chlorine meters to support proper working order for daily inspections.
• Maintained regulatory compliance with state and federal environmental guidelines through diligent monitoring and reporting of plant operations.
• Drafted reports and maintained logs on meter readings, tests, chemical and equipment usage as required by the State of California.
• Conducted routine laboratory tests to monitor water quality parameters, adjusting treatment processes accordingly for optimal results.
• Ensured proper handling of biosolids produced from treatment processes, coordinating with disposal facilities for appropriate transportation and disposal methods.
• Trained new operators on standard procedures, ensuring consistent quality across all team members.
• Prepared detailed reports documenting daily operations data, trend analysis, and recommendations for continuous improvement opportunities within the facility.
• Enhanced safety protocols, conducting regular inspections, and addressing potential hazards in a timely manner.
• Improved plant efficiency by implementing advanced wastewater treatment processes and techniques.
• Conducted regular audits of plant operations to identify areas for improvement in safety, efficiency, and environmental compliance.
• Reduced operating costs by optimizing equipment usage and identifying areas for energy conservation.
• Collaborated with engineers to design and implement effective solutions for process improvements, resulting in increased plant performance.
• Trained laboratory and operations personnel in public water system maintenance, analytical procedures and data reporting.
• Assisted in budget development for annual operating costs, ensuring allocation of funds for necessary equipment upgrades and personnel training initiatives.
• Optimized chemical usage to treat wastewater effectively, minimizing costs while maintaining quality.
• Tended equipment during operation and monitored readouts to determine areas of concern and quickly correct problems.
• Established strong working relationships with colleagues from different departments to facilitate collaboration and information sharing across functional areas.
• Performed safety checks on machines and production equipment.
• daily management of plant operations.
• completing required sampling.
• Created work orders.
• Performed general maintenance and repairs at plant.
• On-call and weekend duties with remote access to SCADA.
• Calibrated machines to maintain required productivity levels and adherence to quality standards.
• Maintained overall safe work environment with employee training programs and enforcement of safety procedures.
• Created and managed project plans, timelines and budgets.
• Prepared detailed reports on project status for the City of Willows, ensuring transparency and alignment with objectives.
• Sourced, vetted and managed vendors needed to accomplish project goals.
• Created accurate budgets based on resource requirements, allowing for optimal allocation of funds across all aspects of the projects.
• Improved client relationships, consistently meeting or exceeding project expectations and maintaining open lines of communication.
• Monitored project progress, identified risks and took corrective action as needed.
• Adhered to EPA and OSHA regulations.

Wastewater operator at Grade 3 wastewater treatment plant.

• Activated pumps, valves and processing equipment to move water through treatment processes and added chemicals.
• Managed chemical inventory levels, liaising with suppliers to maintain adequate stock for uninterrupted plant operations.
• Calibrated pH, DO and chlorine meters to support proper working order for daily inspections.
• Maintained regulatory compliance with state and federal environmental guidelines through diligent monitoring and reporting of plant operations.
• Drafted reports and maintained logs on meter readings, tests, chemical and equipment usage as required by the state of California.
• Conducted routine sampling of drinking water and public water following standard operating procedures.
• Conducted routine laboratory tests to monitor water quality parameters, adjusting treatment processes accordingly for optimal results.
• Ensured proper handling of biosolids produced from treatment processes, coordinating with disposal facilities for appropriate transportation and disposal methods.
• Dredged sludge ponds.
• Trained new operators on standard procedures, ensuring consistent quality across all team members.
• Prepared detailed reports documenting daily operations data, trend analysis, and recommendations for continuous improvement opportunities within the facility.
• Tested water samples and made adjustments to remove harmful bacteria and organism to guarantee water safety and quality of taste and smell.
• Conducted regular inspections of tanks, valves and other equipment to verify compliance with safety and cleanliness standards.
• Completed laboratory testing to measure pH levels and other water quality parameters.
• Operated equipment such as front-end loaders and forklifts regularly.

OIT Wastewater Treatment Plant

• Gained valuable experience working within a specific industry, applying learned concepts directly into relevant work situations.
• Wastewater and Water department OIT at Grade 1 wastewater plant. Duties include completing required sampling, general maintenance and repairs.

• Managed high-stress situations calmly and effectively, ensuring timely assistance to those in need.
• Communicated with drivers and personnel to coordinate timely delivery of goods and materials.
• Directed dispatching, routing, and tracking of 100 fleet vehicles.
• Collaborated with fellow dispatchers to maintain a seamless workflow during shift changes.
• Maintained accurate records of all dispatched calls, improving data tracking for future analysis.
• Promoted teamwork among colleagues by proactively assisting others when needed.
• Facilitated training for new dispatchers, improving team readiness and performance.
• Answered phone calls and responded to customer emails.
• Monitored vehicle locations to coordinate timely arrivals.
• Received new orders, prepared documentation, and assigned personnel.
• Trained new team members on load planning software and procedures, fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Supported management''s efforts towards continuous improvement through participation process improvement initiatives related load planning.