Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I

City of Hendersonville Career Site • Hendersonville, NC

81d • $40,635 - $56,800

About The Position

Responsible for performing technical and skilled manual work in the operation and maintenance of the City’s wastewater treatment plant. An employee in this class is responsible for operating and maintaining the City’s wastewater treatment plant. Emphasis of the work is on making hourly rounds of the plant to inspect operations, entering readings into operating records, documenting and/or repairing malfunctions, troubleshooting mechanical problems, performing preventive maintenance on plant equipment and performing other related plant work, as required. Work of the Wastewater Plant Operator is differentiated by the differing levels of state certification, length of experience, broader knowledge and responsibilities of plant operations, and ability to lead and train other plant personnel. Work is performed under the supervision of the Chief Wastewater Plant Operator or Wastewater Treatment Facilities Manager and is evaluated based on efficiency and cleanliness of plant operations, accuracy in work performed, documentation, quality of treated wastewater and observation of work in progress.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalency; and one (1) year of experience in a wastewater treatment facility is desired; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle.
• Possession of valid NC Wastewater Operator Grade I certification or ability to obtain within one (1) year of employment.
• Certified in First Aid, CPR and AED preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Two (2) years of experience in a wastewater treatment facility for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II.
• Possession of valid NC Wastewater Operator Grade II certification or ability to obtain within one (1) year of employment.
• Three (3) years of experience in the operation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment facility for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III.
• Possession of valid NC Wastewater Operator Grade III or Grade IV certification or ability to obtain within one (1) year of employment.

Responsibilities

• Conducts regular tours of plants and inspects for the proper operation of bar screens, grit collectors, motors, generator, pumps, aerators, settling tanks, aeration basins, filters, clarifiers, sludge dewatering equipment and other equipment; and records readings from plant process control instrumentation (SCADA).
• Regulates and adjusts motors, pumps, blowers, valves and other apparatus based on changing operating conditions and adverse weather.
• Applies polymer to sludge dewatering to process; observes effect on dewatering operations; and adjusts, as required.
• Skims floatables from settling tanks, cleans bar screens, disposes of sand, trash and other waste; washes basins, cleans clarifiers and washes down sludge dewatering equipment, as required.
• Maintains the cleanliness and appearance of the physical plant building and grounds.
• Performs minor and emergency repairs to equipment and assists other plant personnel on larger repair efforts and replacements.
• Answers phones and gives information to visitors or vendors.
• Performs preventive maintenance duties as assigned.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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