Treatment Plant Operator Apprentice - Wastewater

Sarasota Police Department; Sarasota (FL); On-site; USD 46,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Sarasota is hiring for a Water/Wastewater Plant Operator trainee within the WasteWater Utilities department. This probationary, full-time role trains in water or wastewater treatment plant operations under supervision and supports routine plant activities across maintenance and testing tasks.

Essential functions include sampling, lab analyses, equipment inspection, and keeping detailed operation logs.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED.
• Must participate in math and reasoning skills testing.
• Must complete the training program for Plant Operator Apprenticeship by obtaining a Florida Class "C" Plant Operator Certification within eighteen months of appointment.
• Possession of and ability to maintain a valid State of Florida Driver's License is required.

Responsibilities

• Train in water or wastewater treatment plant operations under supervision.
• Inspect operating equipment and perform minor preventative maintenance.
• Collect samples and perform routine laboratory analyses.
• Maintain logs of activities.
• Incumbent may be required to perform job-related tasks other than those presented in this job description.

Skills

Math and reasoning

SCADA systems

Computers

Radio telemetry

Communication with public

Education

High School diploma or GED

Florida Class C Plant Operator Certification within 18 months

Job description

Come work at a place where employees of the City serve with Excellence and Pride! NOTE: The City of Sarasota is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Veteran, E-Verify and Drug Free Workplace employer.

Department: WasteWater Utilities Employee Type: Probationary Time Type: Full time Salary Range: $22.3371 - $27.6088 Hourly / $46,461.17 - $57,426.30 Annually Job Posting Period: August 27, 2026 - September 02, 2026 12:00 A.M.

Job Description: Overview

To train in water or wastewater treatment plant operations. Essential Functions Performs a variety of duties in operation and maintenance of water or wastewater treatment plants under the supervision of a certified operator. Accepts feedback and training from certified operator. Inspects operating equipment. Performs minor preventative maintenance. Collects samples. Performs routine laboratory analyses. Maintains log of activities. The intent of this class description is to provide a representative summary of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of classifications given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Incumbent may be required to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this job description.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED.
• Must participate in math and reasoning skills testing.
• Must complete the training program for Plant Operator Apprenticeship by obtaining a Florida Class \"C\" Plant Operator Certification within eighteen months of appointment.
• Possession of and ability to maintain a valid State of Florida Driver's License is required.

Job Based Competencies

• Basic working knowledge of computers, radio telemetry and SCADA systems.
• Ability to work overtime, various shifts, weekends, holidays and be on call.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with fellow employees and the general public.
• Ability to effectively communicate with the public.

Responsibility

Under the direction of and responsible to the Department Head or designated representative. No supervision exercised.

Physical Requirements

This is medium work requiring the exertion of 50 pounds of force occasionally and up to 20 pounds of force frequently. Work requires considerable physical activity including walking, lifting, reaching, stooping, pulling, grasping, balancing, climbing, kneeling, standing, and crouching. Worker is subject to inside and outside activities with a variety of weather changes, noise, vibrations, job hazards, and atmospheric conditions. Visual acuity is required to operate plant equipment and perform maintenance tasks. Worker is required to hear sufficiently to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Manual dexterity is required to operate equipment in performance of duties.

Public Contact

Extensive contact with the public.

Retirement Benefit

• The City of Sarasota made the transition to become a Florida Retirement System (FRS) employer effective December 1, 2021.
• To learn more about what this benefit may mean for you, please visit MyFrs.com.
• Please note that if you are hired to work for the City of Sarasota as an FRS employer, you will be asked to complete a form to certify your FRS status, as there may be an impact to any FRS benefit you are already receiving.
• If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Jake Brown our ADA Coordinator.
• Jake can be reached via email at [e-mail] or via phone at 941-263-6299.
• For questions pertaining to general employment or job application status, please call 941-263-6476, or email [e-mail]

The City of Sarasota believes in customers service, and delivering city service to its approximately 55,000 residents is a commitment we take seriously. The City provides many services with the most recognizable ones being water, sewer, street maintenance and police protection. The quality and way these services are delivered have a direct impact on everyday life in our community and that is why the employees of the City serve with Excellence and Pride.