Surface Treatment Plant Operator

NW Natural; Oregon; On-site; USD 47,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vacation days

Paid holidays

Parental leave

401K match

Stock purchase discount

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

NW Natural Water Services is seeking a Surface Treatment Plant Operator to monitor and manage five surface water treatment plants and associated distribution systems. This on-site role requires compliance with permit requirements, safety protocols, and coordination of field tasks, including emergency response.

The position offers regular full-time hours, on-call responsibilities, and potential advancement based on qualifications and certifications.

Qualifications

• Must have valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record.
• Must be able to safely lift a minimum of 50 pounds.
• Must consent to annual MVR check and pass Criminal History check.
• Must be able to work in environments with hazardous chemicals and confined spaces.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and maintain water treatment plant equipment and related systems.
• Collect samples per regulatory standards and input data.
• Assist in distribution leak repair and capital improvement projects.
• Operates service vehicles and performs routine maintenance on them.
• Follow NW Natural Water Services safety, grooming, and policies.

Skills

Valid driver's license

Lift 50 lbs

On-call readiness

Hazardous material handling

Education

High school education or equivalent

Job description

Surface Treatment Plant Operator

Non-Union Position
WTR-Operations Water Services-Hiland 3; Clackamas,Oregon (US-OR)
Regular FT, Non-Exempt
Posting # 5754

About Us:

NW Natural Water owns and operates water and wastewater utilities in communities throughout Oregon, Washington, Texas, Arizona, California, and Idaho. Since 2018, we have acquired more than 30 utilities and today serve more than 190,000 people via 76,000 connections.

Our parent company, NW Natural Holding Company (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings), is headquartered in Portland, Oregon and has been doing business for over 165 years. The company operates through NW Natural Gas Company (NW Natural), SiEnergy Operating (SiEnergy), NW Natural Water Company (NW Natural Water), NW Natural Renewables Holdings (NW Natural Renewables), and other business interests, serving a combined population of over 2.6 million people.

NOTE:

This position requires a 2-hour on-call response time to the surface water treatment plant facilities in the primary territory.

Position Summary:

The Operator monitors and manages water treatment plants and distribution systems. The Operator will be responsible for oversight of water treatment plant equipment and processes to meet permit requirements and plant performance goals across five unique surface water treatment plants. This also includes performing field tasks related to operation and repair of the water distribution system, including emergency response. The level at which a candidate is hired will depend on their qualifications, relevant experience, and applicable certifications.

This position does not directly oversee other employees on a permanent basis but does frequently have responsibility and oversight of personnel directly related to specific advanced projects as assigned. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. They will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other work-related duties requested by their supervisor.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Monitor and maintain water treatment plant equipment (such as filters, pumps, UV, chemical dosing and related equipment)
• Collect samples in accordance with OHA compliance standards.
• Participate in system wide flushing and valve exercising operation.
• Read and record meter and gauge readings related to plant operations and input into electronic database
• Locate, identify and mark distribution system facilities, including valves, fire hydrants and blow-offs
• Locate and identify leaks
• Report malfunctioning equipment and perform minor maintenance
• Assist in distribution leak repair and capital improvement projects.
• Perform other related work as required
• Operate service trucks; routinely inspect and perform minor maintenance on assigned vehicles; remove and replace defective parts. Assist with transporting vehicles to repair shops.
• Comply with all NW Natural Water Services policies, procedures and safety regulations.
• Comply with NW Natural Water Services grooming and uniform policy.
• Provide effective communication, in written and verbal form, with management and/or other operators on the technical level required of this position.
• Participate in specialized training for the safe handling of hazardous materials and confined space entry.
• Participate in weekly team meetings
• Ability to work on a team, and independently with or without supervision.

Qualifications:

• High school education or equivalent
• Valid driver's license, required certifications/endorsements, and satisfactory driving record required. If licensed in another state at time of hire, an in-state driver's license must be obtained within 90 days.
• Must consent to annual Motor Vehicle Records check and pass Criminal History check
• Must be able to safely lift a minimum of 50 pounds, more with additional help.
• Must be able to physically accommodate and use respirators and self-contained breathing apparatuses.
• Must be physically able to access and egress trenches, manholes and lift stations as well as water reservoirs and towers.
• Ability to safely work with hazardous chemicals
• Must be able to accommodate a weekend or variable shift, participate in a 24-hour emergency call rotation when assigned, and work beyond regularly scheduled hours as needed to meet operational and project deadlines.

Working Conditions:

• The environmental conditions and characteristics described here are representative of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• The working environment will vary from extreme outdoor conditions to indoor job duties. This position regularly works outside, year-round, in all weather conditions.
• Safety procedures must always be followed, as workers will continually be exposed to hazardous materials, confined space, electrical components and heavy equipment.
• The noise level in the field environment is usually moderate, except when operating hand-held power equipment.

Tools and Equipment Used

• Variety of hand tools, hand-held power equipment, light and medium duty vehicles and equipment including vacuum excavation.
• Computer and general office equipment.

Level and Certification Differentiation:

Operator 3

Focus: Senior operator providing advanced technical expertise, troubleshooting, and leadership on critical system operations and projects.

• Performs highly skilled operational, maintenance, and repair activities
• Leads complex troubleshooting efforts and provides guidance on system performance and reliability
• Serves as a subject matter expert and mentor to less experienced operators
• Supports planning, coordination, and execution of major maintenance, construction, or improvement projects

Experience / Qualifications:

• 5 or more years of progressively responsible water utility experience
• Advanced knowledge of water distribution and/or treatment system operations, maintenance, regulatory compliance, and safety requirements
• Demonstrated ability to diagnose complex operational issues and implement corrective actions
• Experience providing technical guidance, training, or lead direction to other operators

Operator 3 - Additional Certification Requirements

• Higher-level Oregon certification consistent with role assignment, such as Water Distribution Level III (D3) and/or Water Treatment Level III (T3)

Operator 4

Focus: Recognized technical leader responsible for the most complex operational, maintenance, regulatory, and system reliability activities.

• Provides technical leadership on critical system operations and strategic projects
• Leads response and resolution efforts for major operational challenges, emergencies, and system incidents
• Advises management on operational best practices, regulatory compliance, and system improvements
• Serves as a mentor and resource for operators across all levels

Experience / Qualifications

• 7 or more years of progressively responsible water utility experience
• Expert-level knowledge of water distribution and/or treatment systems, regulatory requirements, and operational best practices
• Demonstrated leadership in managing complex projects, emergency response activities, and system optimization efforts
• Proven ability to provide technical direction, training, and mentorship to operators and work teams

Operator 4 - Additional Certification Requirements

• Higher level Oregon certification consistent with role assignment, such as Water Distribution Level IV (D4) and/or Water Treatment Level IV (T4)

What we offer:

Health & Wellness -

• Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution
• Free access to an online wellness resources platform

Work Life Balance -

• Accrue up to 15 Vacation Days annually
• 13 paid holidays
• 3 weeks paid parental leave

Financial -

• Competitive 401K company contribution and match
• 15% discount on NW Natural stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Up to $5250 a year in tuition reimbursement

Base hourly range:$34.00 - $46.65 (Level 3) or $37.00 - $52.24 (Level 4) per hour, depending on qualifications

Deadline:

10/27/26

Disclosure: We are a drug free workplace and we comply with Federal Drug Free Workplace Act and Department of Transportation regulations. NW Natural Water participates in E-Verify. Individuals hired will have their Form I-9 information submitted to E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

E-Verify Information NW Natural participates in E-Verify. Individuals hired will have their Form I-9 information submitted to E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.