OPERATOR - THERMAL BIOSOLIDS DRYER

Town of Cary; Apex (NC); On-site; USD 57,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Cary seeks a dependable Thermal Biosolids Dryer Operator to join the South Cary Water Reclamation Facility in Apex, NC. You will monitor and operate dewatering and drying processes, perform routine data collection, and ensure Class A Exceptional Quality biosolids.

This role requires safety focus, strong teamwork, and the ability to respond during adverse weather. A Grade 1 WW Operator Certification and a high school diploma are required, with on-site work schedule.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Must possess Grade 1 WW Operator Certification or ability to obtain within one year.
• Valid driver's license with acceptable driving history.
• Must live within 50 miles of the Apex facility.

Responsibilities

• Pre-start data collection and start-ups for dewatering and thermal drying per SOPs.
• Monitor process data to ensure Class A Exceptional Quality biosolids.
• Operate and maintain dewatering equipment, polymer systems, and centrifuges.
• Use SCADA screens and trend charts to optimize performance.
• Maintain safety systems and report maintenance needs.

Skills

SCADA monitoring

Safety procedures

Mechanical aptitude

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

Grade 1 Biological Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification

Tools

SCADA systems

Industrial centrifuges

Job description

Description

Cary is seeking a dependable and safety-focused professional to join the South Cary Water Reclamation Facility team as a Thermal Biosolids Dryer Operator. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced industrial environment, values teamwork, accountability, and environmental stewardship, and takes pride in maintaining high operational standards. Success in this position requires strong situation awareness, attention to detail, and the ability to combine technology-based monitoring with hands‑on observation and sound judgment in the field. As part of Cary’s OneCary culture, employees are empowered to collaborate across departments, think creatively, and provide exceptional public service while supporting the Town’s commitment to innovation, safety, air quality, and operational excellence.

This Position Works a Non-rotating Schedule As Follows

• Mondays: 6am to Noon
• Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: 12am to Noon
• Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays: OFF

Anticipated Hiring Range: $56,867 - $69,867

*Hiring range varies based on the level of direct experience and possession of certifications, and it may be higher for exceptionally qualified candidates.*

Water Reclamation Facility positions are part of our established career ladder program that provides for the advancement of non-supervisory staff members in eligible positions who demonstrate increasing levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Depending upon the level of attainment in the career ladder, an employee may have lead worker duties over other plant personnel. The minimum certification level is determined by the career ladder criteria.

This position is a “critical position” meaning you are required to report to work during adverse weather or other emergency situations, to maintain equipment, operate the facility and/or assist the Department in any capacity necessary to continue Town operations.

This position will report to the South Cary Water Reclamation Facility located at 4900 W. Lake Rd. Apex, NC 27539.

Typical Tasks

In The Role Of Operator/Biosolids Dryer

• Pre-start up data collection, primary and secondary equipment checks/preparations, process start-ups, steady state operation, and controlled shutdowns of the dewatering and thermal drying processes according to established standard operating procedures;
• Collect critical process data, on well-established schedules, to demonstrate that the thermal drying process consistently yields a final biosolids product that meets or exceeds the permitted federal and state regulatory requirement of Class A Exceptional Quality;
• Operate and maintain dewatering processes and equipment including polymer storage, make‑up, batching and feed systems, as well as high speed centrifuges to yield the wet material meeting the solids content required by the drying processes;
• Use of SCADA process screens and live trend charts essential to maintaining optimum dewatering and dryer performance;
• Operate and maintain air compressors for utility air and pneumatic conveyance system; other conveyance equipment such as screw conveyors, rotary air locks, bucket elevators;
• Operate and maintain fugitive dust collection system and control devices;
• Solids handling equipment such as a wet material feed pump, recycle metering screw, mixer, pre‑separator, poly‑cyclone, rotary shaker, and roll crusher;
• Emissions control devices including the baghouses, saturator, and venturi‑scrubber;
• Monitor and ensure function of all critical process safety systems including carbon monoxide, oxygen, and temperature instrumentation as well as the inertization system including liquid nitrogen storage and evaporation, and nitrogen gas feed system to the product storage vessels that require this safety control;
• Basic application of knowledge regarding the 40 CFR 503 sludge regulations as it applies to biosolids processing provided by the thermal biosolids dryer facility;
• Operate plant in regular or fill in capacity;

Other Job-related Tasks

In The Role Of Plant Operator

• Makes regular tours of plant and checks bar screens, engines, generators, pumps, settling tanks, filters, clarifiers;
• Operates sludge drying facility;
• Monitors reclaimed water pumping station and tests chlorine residual;
• Changes flow charts; measures dissolved oxygen and temperature;
• Wastes the prescribed amount of discharge as determined by superiors;
• Maintains records and reports;
• Assists maintenance personnel when needed; performs routine janitorial duties;
• Regulates and adjusts motors, pumps, blowers, and valves to meet changing operational conditions;
• Collects samples for laboratory tests; performs a variety of laboratory tests;
• Operates gravity belt thickener/digestors and records amount of sludge removed from sludge digestors by contractor; maintains supernatant flow from sludge lagoon;
• Monitors operation of the plant through the use of specialized computer equipment such as SCADA systems, controls and printers;
• Reports maintenance problems to maintenance personnel;

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the operating characteristics and maintenance requirements of a grade IV water reclamation facility;
• Thorough knowledge of the operating characteristics and maintenance requirements of a wastewater treatment plant/thermal bio‑solids dryer;
• thorough knowledge of hydraulic, chemical and mechanical principles pertinent to wastewater treatment plant/thermal bio‑solids dryer operations;
• Thorough knowledge of electrical and electronic systems;
• Thorough knowledge of hydraulic, chemical and mechanical principles pertinent to wastewater treatment;
• Thorough knowledge of the occupational hazards of work and of necessary safety precautions;
• Ability to effectively and efficiently communicate with staff and citizens;
• Ability to operate a computer relative to the operation of the plant and troubleshooting malfunctions, and ability to type and work with computers;
• Ability to detect flaws in the operation of mechanical equipment and to determine proper remedial measures;
• Ability to conduct routine laboratory tests;
• Ability to understand and follow moderately complex oral and written instructions;
• Ability to read meters and charts accurately and to maintain records of shift operations;
• Ability to work in adverse conditions such as heat, cold, rain and unpleasant surroundings;
• Skill in the use and care of equipment and hand tools;
• Ability to move about freely including climbing stairs/ladders and crawling into tight spaces;
• Ability to lift moderate to heavy weights in the performance of work;
• Ability to effectively and efficiently communicate with staff and the public;
• Ability to hear, talk and smell;
• Must possess visual acuity necessary to read/write paperwork, read gauges, and make repairs;

Physical Requirements

Work in this class is medium to heavy work and may require exposure to various environmental conditions such as heat, cold, rain, and unpleasant surroundings. An employee must have the physical agility to move about freely including climbing stairs and ladders and crawling into tight spaces. Moderate to heavy lifting is required in performing the work. Visual acuity is necessary to perform paperwork, read gauges, and make repairs. An employee must also be able to hear, talk, and smell.

Required

• Graduation from high school or possession of a GED.
• Grade 1 Biological Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification from the State of North Carolina or the ability to obtain certification within a year of employment.
• Valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving history.
• Must live within 50 miles or a one hour drive‑time to the facility located at 4900 Westlake Road, Apex NC.

Prefers

• Wastewater experience is a plus.
• Prefers experience with industrial process systems, and/or industrial technology, such as the heat treatment of wood products or cereals, centrifuges, dryer technologies, incinerators, BMP and scrubbers or boilers.

Requires drug testing and background check (which may include criminal check, education verification, and credit history review) prior to employment.

Cary ensures equal employment opportunities (EEO) are provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political affiliation, marital status, veteran status, or genetic information.

Regular Full-Time Employees

Learn More About Our Benefits.

Cary is pleased to provide excellent, competitive, and comprehensive benefits to serve the needs of our employees and their families.

Because Cary believes that employees are one of our most important resources, significant dollars (averaging about 40% of annual salary per employee) are spent each year on employee benefits.

All regular full-time employees of Cary are eligible, and benefits coverage for new employees and family members is effective upon an employee's hire date.

01

What is your highest level of education completed?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree or Higher

02

Do you have a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have a Grade 1 or higher WW Operator Certification with the State of North Carolina? **If you possess WW Grade 1 or higher, this must be listed in the certifications section of the application

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have experience working in the field of Wastewater? If YES, this experience must be reflected in the work history of your application.

• Yes
• No

05

If you indicated that you have wastewater work experience, please briefly describe your experience below. If you have no experience type n/a.

06

Do you have experience operating and/or maintaining industrial process systems, or industrial technology, such as the heat treatment of wood products or cereals, centrifuges, dryer technologies, incinerators, BMP or scrubbers or boilers? If YES, please describe this experience. If NO, type "NA" in the box. If applicable, this experience must be reflected in the work history of your application.

07

Do you live within 50 miles and are you able to respond to the facility within 1 hour if fulfilling callback duties? Location of the facility is 4900 W Lake Rd, Apex, NC 27539. If you do NOT live within this distance, are you willing to move if offered the job?

• Yes
• No

08

What about this job interests you?

• Required Question