Operator 2 (Relief Operator) Water Reclamation PlantThe City of Rochester is committed to a community where all members feel a sense of belonging. We commit to recognizing the diversity of our community members, listening to ALL voices and providing equitable services to create an inclusive place to live, play and work. It takes us all working together The Water Reclamation Plant treats wastewater for the City's residents, industries, and numerous visitors, treating an average of 13 million gallons of wastewater per day, using a combination of physical, chemical, and biological processes to remove pollutants. The Water Reclamation Plant is staffed 24 hours per day and has 30 full-time employees. The site is situated on 32 acres with buildings covering 8 acres. Nature of WorkThe Operator 2 is a skilled position assisting in the operation and maintenance of the Water Reclamation Plant, a municipal wastewater treatment facility. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, monitoring and controlling plant processes; inspecting, maintaining, and repairing plant mechanical and control equipment and remote lift stations; cleaning plant equipment and process areas as necessary; and assisting in the maintenance of plant buildings and grounds. This position relieves the Operator 1 position as assigned. When in the relief role, the operator oversees operations of the facility including identifying issues, making adjustments, and ensuring treatment of all processes. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, performing water quality testing; sample collection; instrumentation cleaning and calibration; adjusting pumping and chemical rates; cleaning plant equipment and process areas as necessary; assisting the Chief and Master Mechanics in equipment inspection and repair.
Pay: The 2026 hiring range for this position is $30.57 to $39.06 per hour.
Benefits:
This position is eligible for benefits offered by the City of Rochester. Please check out the benefits tab at the top of the page for more details. To have your application considered in the first round of reviews, please apply before September 10, 2026 at 11:59pm CST. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Duties and Responsibilities:- *Monitor and control plant processes
- Monitor process control computer data to stay current with the status of all plant processes. Make adjustments to control set points as necessary to keep control parameters within normal operating ranges.
- Conduct routine inspections of plant operations and the buildings and grounds. Read gauges and other monitoring equipment and make adjustments to the process control parameters as required.
- Start and stop plant equipment in the event of power outages or severe equipment failures. Make adjustments as necessary to the plant processes to minimize the upset to the process due to equipment failures.
- Provide operational assistance as needed or assigned.*Relieve Operator 1'sPerform all duties listed above.
- Make operational decisions without direct supervision on over 20 unique process systems that require mechanical, chemical, physical, and biological understanding
- Review technical documents and be able to apply to plant operations as needed
- Respond to process and equipment failures.
- Effectively communicate decisions and status of all process to other Operators and Plant Staff to ensure proper understand of each system for coworkers coming on shift
- Collect wastewater and sludge samples and perform laboratory tests.
- Perform calculations necessary to make adjustments to chemical feed rates.
- Record and document issues so that mechanical, electrical, and engineering staff can use notes do diagnose and resolve the matter
- Determine equipment repair needs and arrange for equipment repair as appropriate.*Maintain equipment
- Perform sample collection; perform water quality testing and interpret results as directed.
- Perform preventative maintenance on equipment in accordance with a predefined maintenance schedule.
- Inspect equipment by reading temperature, pressure, flow, and other meters and make adjustments as necessary.
- Report equipment malfunctions. Assist in troubleshooting and in repair of equipment as necessary.
- Record work activities and parts used with Computer Maintenance Management Software (CMMS).Assist in maintenance and calibration of plant equipment.
- Complete operational projects as assigned.*Maintain a clean and orderly workplace
- Clean process areas and equipment as necessary in order to maintain a safe and clean working environment.
- Assist in the maintenance of the plant buildings and grounds.
- Report areas needing maintenance or cleaning.
Miscellaneous:
Assist in the training of new operators and other plant staff as assigned.
Assist in the application of biosolids as necessary.
Assist with plant tours.
Advise supervisor on topics within area of expertise.
Perform other duties as assigned or necessary*Essential Functions
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Completion of a diploma program in water environment technologies or related field from an accredited technical college training program and one year of operational experience at a Class A wastewater treatment facility OR High School diploma or equivalent and three years of operational experience at a Class A wastewater treatment facility An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job may also be considered.
Licenses and Certifications:- Applicants must possess noted licensures/certifications at the time of hire and if hired, must continuously maintain licensures/certifications as a condition of continued employment.
- Valid driver's license
- Certification as a Class D Wastewater Treatment Facility Operator; must obtain a Class C Wastewater Treatment Facility Operator within one year of hire
- Special Boiler Operator's license upon hire; must obtain a 2nd Class C low-pressure Boiler Operator's license within one year of hire
- Desirable Qualifications Working knowledge of Windows based computer software
- Class B Wastewater Treatment Facility Operator certification
- Valid Class A driver's license
Special Requirements:
This position will be assigned rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Additional Information:
THIS POSITION MAY BE COVERED BY THE CITY'S RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM (based on job assignment) Employees in this position are required to use respiratory equipment, and the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements in administering this program.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of: equipment, facilities, materials, methods and procedures used in maintenance activities; the functions and servicing requirements of mechanical equipment and machinery; computer operations; basic wastewater processes including physical, chemical, and biological components; the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the operation of wastewater treatment plant equipment and processes; and the type and significance of laboratory tests performed in wastewater treatment operations.
Skill in: effective communication techniques and exercising sound judgment under stressful conditions.
Ability to: work quickly and efficiently under emergency conditions; use standard mechanical tools; read meters and gauges correctly; operate a variety of plant equipment; conduct standard wastewater laboratory tests; work with others in a cooperative manner; follow oral and written instructions; work as a team or alone; and prepare and maintain operating records.
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.
In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as Medium/Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds infrequently, and/or up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Physical demands that may be required continuously (2/3 or more of the time), frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time), and occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time) are noted below:
Continuous demands: standing and walking.
Frequent demands: lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, handling, fine dexterity, crouching, bending, twisting, balancing, simultaneous use of wrists and hands, and foot controls.
Occasional demands: carrying, sitting, climbing and crawling.
Sensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this job include: sight, hearing, touch, and smell.
Environmental conditions that may exist in the performance of the essential
