Senior Water Plant Operator

Stafford County • Stafford County, VA

2d

About The Position

Performs highly skilled technical and supervisory work in the operation, maintenance, and regulatory compliance of a County water treatment facility and associated systems. The position ensures reliable production of safe drinking water in accordance with applicable Virginia Department of Health (VDH), Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA/VOSH) requirements. Work includes oversight of advanced treatment processes, SCADA operations, cybersecurity safeguards, and chemical feed management. The employee serves as a lead operator or shift supervisor and performs related administrative and technical duties under the general supervision of the Water Plant Manager or Assistant Plant Manager.

The hiring range is $33.13 to $45.56 per hour, based on experience. The full salary range is $33.13 to $57.98 per hour, providing opportunity for growth and development.

Requirements

• High school graduation or equivalent combination of education and experience, supplemented by advanced technical coursework in water treatment, chemistry, environmental science, or a related field.
• Five to seven years of experience operating, maintaining, and monitoring compliance at a water treatment plant.
• Supervisory or lead operator experience.
• Thorough knowledge of water treatment facility operation and maintenance, including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection, corrosion control, and fluoridation.
• Working knowledge of Virginia Administrative Code 12VAC5-590 (Waterworks Regulations), 9VAC25-31 (VPDES Regulations), and related environmental standards.
• Strong understanding of SCADA, PLCs, telemetry, instrumentation, and cybersecurity measures protecting water treatment operations.
• Ability to identify, diagnose, and resolve mechanical, electrical, chemical, and process-related problems.
• Skill in interpreting technical drawings, schematics, and equipment manuals.
• Proficiency in recordkeeping, data entry, and regulatory reporting using computerized maintenance and data management systems.
• Ability to supervise, train, and evaluate staff performance.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal staff, management, and regulatory agencies.
• Commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and public health protection.
• Ability to maintain required VDH professional training hours for certification.

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, and maintain the County water treatment facility and associated systems in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Oversee pumps, motors, filters, valves, instrumentation, chemical feed systems, and SCADA-controlled operations.
• Implement cybersecurity best practices for SCADA, PLCs, and networked control systems, including secure logins, password protection, user access management, and data integrity protocols.
• Collect and analyze raw, process, and finished water samples, and perform laboratory analyses for water quality parameters and emerging contaminants such as PFAS.
• Interpret laboratory and operational data and adjust treatment processes and chemical dosages for performance and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain accurate records, logs, and electronic data management systems consistent with state and federal reporting requirements.
• Perform and coordinate preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on mechanical, electrical, and process equipment, while ensuring adherence to lockout/tagout and confined-space procedures.
• Participate in and potentially lead responses to operational emergencies, including power outages, process failures, and raw water quality incidents.
• Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and training to operators and trainees; promote safety and continuous learning.
• Assist in developing and enforcing operational, safety, and cybersecurity procedures and ensure compliance with County and regulatory standards.
• Coordinate with distribution, maintenance, and administrative personnel to maintain system storage, pressure, and service reliability.
• Participate in County safety programs, including PPE compliance, hazard communication, and chemical handling requirements.
• Maintain required professional training hours for VDH certification: at least 20 hours every two years, including at least 5 hours in management-related coursework.
• Perform related tasks as required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED