Principal Plant Operator (Night Shift)

Chesterfield County; Chesterfield Court House (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

Chesterfield County is hiring a Principal Plant Operator for its wastewater treatment plants. The role requires a high school diploma, relevant licenses, and experience in operations and maintenance. Successful candidates will manage plant operations, ensuring compliance with regulations while also receiving career progression opportunities and competitive salaries.

Benefits

Career progression opportunities

Salary incentives based on performance

Paid training for higher licensing

Qualifications

• Three years of experience in wastewater treatment plant operations or maintenance.
• Valid VA driver's license with a good driving record.
• Must pass pre-employment drug testing and background checks.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with regulations through operational management and oversight.
• Monitor and maintain SCADA systems and chemical inventory.
• Perform preventive maintenance tasks.

Skills

Ability to perform manual labor

Monitoring skills

Operational management

Education

High school diploma or GED

Class I Wastewater Operator's License

Bachelor's degree in biological, chemical, or engineering science

Job description

High school diploma or GED and three years of experience in wastewater treatment plant operations or maintenance are required for Principal Plant Operators, along with a Commonwealth of Virginia Class I Wastewater Operator's License or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Applicants without a Class I License but possessing a Class II, Class III, or non-licensed status will be considered for lower-level plant operator classifications, salaries, and grades/ranges.

The hiring range, depending on qualifications, is as follows:

• $58,180 - $78,582 for applicants with a Class I License and three years of related experience.
• $52,521 - $70,902 for applicants with a Class II License and two years of related experience.
• $47,412 - $64,005 for applicants with a Class III License and one year of related experience, or a bachelor's degree in biological, chemical, or engineering science or a related field.
• $42,800 - $57,779 for non-licensed applicants starting as Unlicensed Operators.

Operators without or with lower licenses will receive salary increases after passing higher license exams and meeting minimum tenure requirements, as part of the career development plan.

Additional requirements include:

• Must be at least 18 years old at hire.
• Ability to perform manual labor, including use of ladders, lifting up to 50 pounds, and standing or walking for 30 minutes.
• Valid VA driver’s license with a good driving record, with specific points criteria based on Virginia DMV standards.
• This position is safety sensitive and subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
• Pre-employment drug testing, FBI criminal background check, and education verification are required.

This role focuses on plant operations at Chesterfield County’s wastewater treatment plants, ensuring compliance with all regulations through operational management, monitoring, and maintenance tasks, including SCADA system oversight, chemical inventory, sampling, and preventive maintenance.

The position offers career progression opportunities and salary incentives based on performance, qualifications, and experience, as part of an approved Career Development Plan (CDP).

Work hours are 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., three days on, three days off, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.