Water Treatment Plant Operator

Water Treatment Plant Operator Performs operational, laboratory, monitoring, and maintenance duties at a water treatment plant to ensure the safe, reliable, and regulatory-compliant production of potable water. Operates and monitors treatment processes and equipment, performs water-quality testing, makes routine process adjustments, maintains accurate records, and responds to operational issues and emergencies. Work may include rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency call-back. Operates and monitors pumps, motors, filters, clarifiers, chemical feed systems, valves, tanks, generators, and other water treatment equipment. Operates and monitors SCADA and electronic control systems and records operational data, laboratory results, chemical usage, and other required information accurately. Collects water samples and performs routine chemical and physical laboratory tests to monitor water quality and support regulatory compliance. Monitors treatment processes and water-quality conditions and makes routine adjustments to chemical feed rates, pumps, valves, filters, and other process equipment to maintain safe and efficient operation. Performs filter backwashing and monitors turbidity, free residual chlorine, and other required water-quality parameters. Identifies and troubleshoots equipment and process problems; performs routine preventive maintenance and assists with repairs to minimize downtime and maintain equipment in good working condition. Inspects treatment facilities and responds appropriately to alarms, equipment failures, emergencies, and changing operating conditions. Maintains adequate inventories of treatment chemicals, supplies, and materials and safely handles, transfers, and stores chemicals in accordance with established procedures. Performs facility, grounds, housekeeping, and general maintenance activities as assigned. Maintains accurate operational, laboratory, maintenance, and regulatory records and prepares required reports. Follows applicable federal, state, and local regulations, operating procedures, safety standards, and personal protective equipment requirements. Communicates effectively with operators, supervisors, contractors, and other personnel to exchange information, coordinate work, and resolve operational issues. Maintains or obtains required North Carolina water treatment operator certification and pursues higher levels of certification as appropriate; may serve as an on-call operator when certified. Performs other duties as assigned. Knowledge of water treatment processes, equipment, chemicals, and laboratory testing. Basic knowledge of chemistry, mathematics, hydraulics, mechanics, and electricity as applied to water treatment operations. Skill in operating and monitoring treatment equipment and SCADA systems. Skill in performing accurate laboratory tests, calculations, observations, and recordkeeping. Ability to identify equipment malfunctions and process problems and take appropriate corrective action. Ability to follow technical instructions, operating procedures, safety requirements, and regulatory standards. Ability to recognize changing conditions and respond appropriately to alarms, emergencies, and operational problems. Ability to prepare clear and accurate written and electronic reports. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and establish cooperative working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, and the public. Work requires frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, twisting, reaching, grasping, and repetitive hand movements. Employees must be able to climb and descend stairs and ladders and navigate the facility throughout a 12-hour period. Requires sufficient strength to perform medium physical work, including exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 20 pounds frequently, and 10 pounds constantly to move objects. Requires sufficient manual dexterity to operate tools, equipment, computers, keyboards, and other controls, and sufficient vision and hearing to perform required duties, with or without correction. Work occurs both indoors and outdoors and may involve exposure to weather conditions, loud noise, moving machinery, high-pressure fluid systems, electrical equipment, confined spaces, heights and depths, fumes, airborne particles, noxious gases, and treatment chemicals. Employees must safely use required personal protective equipment and appropriate environmental attire. High school diploma or equivalent. Experience in water treatment plant operations is desirable but not required. Equivalent education, training, apprenticeship, internship, or related experience demonstrating the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the work may be considered. Specialized training in water treatment operations, laboratory testing, mechanics, electrical systems, or a related field is desirable. On-the-job training is available to a successful candidate who does not have water treatment plant operations experience. Valid North Carolina driver's license. North Carolina Grade C-Surface Water Treatment Facility Operator certification is preferred. Candidates who do not possess Grade C-Surface certification may be considered based on education, experience, aptitude, and ability to obtain certification within the six-month probationary period. Employees are encouraged to obtain progressively higher levels of North Carolina water treatment operator certification. Advancement within the operator classification and applicable salary range may be based on certification level, experience, demonstrated competency, and City policies. The City supports continuing education and professional development.