Operations & Maintenance Specialist II

Durham County Government; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus $6,000

Job summary

Durham County Government seeks an Operations & Maintenance Specialist II to lead routine skilled work at the Triangle Wastewater Treatment Plant, ensuring regulatory compliance, system efficiency, and environmental safety.

Work involves monitoring SCADA, adjusting valves and pumps, collecting samples, maintaining records, and performing preventive maintenance. The role includes rotating shifts and serving as Backup Operator in Responsible Charge when needed.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Two years of experience in municipal or industrial wastewater treatment, laboratory operations, wastewater system inspection, or related experience with two years in a lead or supervisory role.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and adjust process control parameters using field instrumentation and SCADA.
• Adjust valves, gates, and pumps to regulate flow or chemical feed rates.
• Interpret meter readings and test results to determine load requirements and optimize treatment.
• Perform operations to maximize treatment efficiency and handle sludge processing.
• Maintain accurate records and reports for compliance and tracking.
• Carry out preventive and corrective maintenance on plant equipment.
• Collect and analyze samples and report results to management.
• Serve as Backup Operator in Responsible Charge as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Lead supervisory experience

Planning and prioritizing

Communication skills

Written and numerical literacy

Interpersonal relations

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

SCADA systems

CMMS platforms

Microsoft Office

Job description

*THIS POSITION QUALIFIES FOR A $6,000.00 SIGN-ON BONUS TO FULLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES, UPON COMPLETION OF PROBATIONARY PERIOD*

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Operations & Maintenance Specialist II position is responsible for performing, as lead, routine skilled and technical work in the operation of the County-owned Triangle Wastewater Treatment Plant (TWWTP). This position plays a critical part in ensuring regulatory compliance, system efficiency, and environmental safety.

The TWWTP is rated for an average daily flow of 12 million gallons per day and is specifically designed to meet future nutrient load requirements for the Jordan Lake nutrient management strategy. The TWWTP serves the southeast portion of Durham County inside and outside the Durham City limits and serves the Research Triangle Park within Durham County. The collection and treatment of domestic sewage and wastewater is vital to public health and clean water. It is among the most important factors responsible for the general level of good health enjoyed in the United States.

Work is performed under supervision of the Utility Supervisor of Operations according to set procedures and is subject to working rotating shifts to provide continual coverage of the wastewater treatment plant.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary.

• Monitors and adjust process control parameters of wastewater treatment plant operations through direct observation of field instrumentation and using the SCADA system.
• Adjust valves, gates, and pumps to regulate flow or chemical feed rates.
• Observes variations in operating conditions and interprets meter and gauge readings and test results to determine load requirements.
• Perform operations to maximize treatment efficiency through influent pumping, primary/secondary treatment, disinfection, and sludge handling.
• Maintains accurate records, logs, and reports for regulatory compliance and internal tracking.
• Completes minor preventative and corrective maintenance work on all plant equipment.
• Collects and analyzes process control samples to ensure proper treatment. Reports those results to management and make needed process changes and/or chemical adjustments.
• Serves as Backup Operator in Responsible Charge (BORC) as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• General knowledge of the principles, procedures, and techniques used in the operation of wastewater treatment facilities.
• General knowledge of chemical, physical, and bacteriological analyses of wastewater.
• General knowledge of the operation and maintenance of the equipment used in wastewater treatment.
• General knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and regulations related to wastewater treatment and laboratory analyses.
• Skilled in planning, organizing and prioritizing work.
• Proficiency in SCADA systems, CMMS platforms, and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form.
• Ability to read, write and perform basic mathematical calculations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school.
• Two (2) years of experience in municipal or industrial wastewater treatment, laboratory operations, wastewater system inspection, or related experience with two years in a lead or supervisory role.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:

• Must possess a valid NC Driver’s license and an acceptable three-year driving history for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
• Must possess a Grade III NC Biological Water Pollution Control Operator certification.