Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I

Date Opened: Thursday, March 27, 2025 12:00 AM

Close Date: Thursday, April 10, 2025 12:00 AMDepartment: Charlotte Water DepartmentSalary: $23.00 - $29.91 Commensurate with Experience

SUMMARY

Charlotte’s local government, with more than 7,000 employees and a $2.39 billion budget, works hard to ensure that the community will be a winning city for everyone – a truly remarkable place to live, work, learn, and play.

Charlotte Water is an enterprise department of the City of Charlotte and one of the largest public water and sewer service providers in the southeast with 300,000 customer accounts and over 1000 employees. Our service area includes the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and the towns of Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Mint Hill, Matthews, and Pineville. Charlotte Water’s FY 23 budget is $535M and a five-year capital program of $2.5 billion. We enjoy the highest credit ratings from all three major credit rating agencies as a result of sound financial planning and management and strong support from our City Council. We value competent, skilled candidates with a customer service focus to work in a team environment.

WORK SCHEDULE:

Monday - Friday from 3:00pm-11:00pm

Monday - Friday from 11:00pm-7:00am

Saturday & Sunday from 7:00am-7:00pm (plus two 1st shift weekdays)

Saturday & Sunday from 7:00pm-7:00am (plus two 1st shift weekdays)

JOB SUMMARY

This position assists in the operation of the wastewater treatment plant.  Work involves working an assigned shift at the plant; learning from other operators about plant equipment and/or processes; and assisting with monitoring equipment and processes for proper operations.  This position follows safety rules and protocols; maintains records; and makes rounds of the specific process or processes assigned. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:        

• Performs process control activities by collecting, testing, and analyzing process control samples; analyzing biological bacteria; conducting settle-ability tests; collecting composite samples; monitoring sludge blanket levels; using automatic samplers for permit compliance; and running additional tests as needed to ensure proper process control.
• Monitors SCADA computer workstations for plant equipment and process conditions; maintains flows and loading by continuously monitoring dissolved oxygen, MLSS, return activated sludge rates, ammonia levels, suspended solids levels, alkalinity levels, chlorine residuals and dosage, wasting rates, flows, digester temperatures and levels, chemical feed rates, methane gas pressure and flows, and other process indicators.
• Operates the plant by: inspecting a wide range of various wastewater equipment for noise, vibration, and any abnormal operating characteristics; performing minor maintenance and preventive maintenance tasks; adjusting flows and chemical feed rates; completing rounds and recording operational data; monitoring SCADA data for daily trends; operating various type pumping systems, aeration systems,, bar screens, grit systems, sand filters, centrifuges, and other plant equipment; briefing other operators at shift change; and assisting maintenance staff with shut down and startup of equipment.
• Performs administrative and housekeeping duties by: reading and studying the plant O&M manuals and SOP’s; participating in hands-on training; maintaining daily log entries; completing required housekeeping tasks; completing monthly safety checks; and obtaining a Grade I Wastewater Operator license.
• Conducts interactions involving the exchange and receipt of information.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• High school diploma or GED from an accredited school.
• One (1) year of related work experience.

Licenses, Certifications, or Registrations:

• Requires Level II Wastewater Operator Certification (or obtain within 18 months of hire).
• Desires Grade I Wastewater Operator license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of a few basic information technology (IT) terms and methods.
• Knowledge of wastewater treatment.
• Skill in communicating, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to read papers, periodicals, journals, manuals, dictionaries, thesauruses, and encyclopedias
• Ability to deal with system of real numbers; practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement.
• Ability to write reports, prepare business letters, expositions, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work is medium work and requires applying 30 pounds of force frequently and exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: manual dexterity, grasping, handling, perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, distinguishing among sounds, lifting, mental acuity, reaching, speaking, standing, talking, and visual acuity in data/color/observations/equipment/inspections.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:     

Work is performed regularly where decisions are made that could lead to major community or organizational consequences if there is a failure to make the appropriate decision at the time. Requires working an assigned shift and working weekends and/or holidays.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties at any time.  This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were written out in this job description.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby where we have workstations available. Our office is located at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email Careers@ci.charlotte.nc.us.

The City of Charlotte is committed to making the job application process accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modification will be provided. To make a request, please email HRADAAdministration@charlottenc.gov, call 704-962-6168, or visit us in person at700 4th St., Charlotte, NC 28202.

BENEEFITS

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to all employees.

Clickhereto learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.