Utility Operator - Water Treatment Plant

Ashland; Ashland (OH); On-site; USD 24,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

OPERS pension

Day-one insurance eligibility

Voluntary life insurance

Vision insurance

FSA

12 paid holidays

Sick leave accrual

2 weeks vacation

Job summary

The City of Ashland is hiring a full-time Utility Operator at the Water Treatment Plant in the City Utilities Division. Applicants must complete a civil service test and are expected to work shifts in a 24-hour facility in Ashland, Ohio.

Responsibilities include inspection, sampling, and maintenance of treatment equipment. Position offers a wage starting at $17.16/hour with post-probation increases and various stipends; benefits include comprehensive insurance, OPERS pension, and a 457 plan.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Must be able to operate and monitor water treatment equipment.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds, 80 with assistance.

Responsibilities

• Inspect Water Treatment Plant on a scheduled basis and adjust treatment processes.
• Manage sludge production and transfers between tanks; prepare lime slurry.
• Collect samples for lab testing and record results.
• Perform preventive maintenance on equipment and facilities; lubricate and service moving parts.
• Complete housekeeping tasks and assist with major repairs.
• Work independently and document accurately; be available for shift work in a 24-hour facility.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Reading gauges

Documentation

Lifting requirements

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Hand tools

SCADA

Pumps

Job description

The City of Ashland has an opening for a full-time Utility Operator at the Water Treatment Plant in the City Utilities Division

Applications will be accepted online until midnight on October 28, 2026

Applications are not considered complete until the civil service test is completed and submitted

Job Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Inspects Water Pollution/Water Treatment plant on scheduled basis to ensure proper operation of equipment and making necessary adjustments to treatment process (e.g., reads gauges and records readings, changes charts, adjusts flow of chemical feeders, examines pumps, regulates valves, etc.)
• Manages sludge production process (draws off settleable solids, dewaters collected primary sludge from holding tanks, transfers from tank to tank, prepares lime slurry, etc.) in the Water Pollution plant
• Collects samples for laboratory testing and analysis and conducts routine testing; recording results of testing
• Performs preventative and service maintenance on equipment and facilities (e.g., lubricates motors, pumps, and other moving parts, changes oil, adjusts belts, washes filters, etc.)
• Completes basic housekeeping assignments and assists maintenance personnel with major repairs
• Must be able to work alone; access plant equipment/machinery; prepare accurate documentation; and lift and move up to 50 pounds.
• Must be knowledgeable of mechanical equipment and processes and be skilled in the use of hand tools.
• Must be available for shift work; Treatment Plants are 24 hour facilities

We're looking for someone who:

• Is "Dedicated to Service"
• Has earned a high school diploma or a GED
• Is eligible to drive City vehicles under our vehicle insurance policy
• Can regularly lift and move up to fifty (50) pounds; move up to eighty (80) pounds with assistance
• Will work in the various weather conditions found year round in Ohio
• Is available year round, no seasonal furloughs
• Is willing and able to learn and follow City policies and procedures

Licensure or certification requirements:

• Must be able to attain a Class I operator's license within three years of appointment, a Class II within six years, and a Class III within ten years

Wages:

• $17.16 plus $0.50 increase after 6 month probationary period **
• **Additional stipends are not included in this amount. Stipends per contract include: Maintenance/Lab/SCADA +$0.28; Class I +$0.50; Class II +$1.50; Class III +$2.50; Class IV +$4.00
• Pension through OPERS with the City contributing an additional 14% and employees contributing 10% of wages
• Available 457 plan

Insurance:

• Eligible day one, no waiting period
• Major medical insurance (monthly premium is heavily subsidized by the City)
• Secondary deductible insurance (paid entirely by City)
• $40k term life insurance (paid entirely by the City)
• Voluntary term life insurance
• Vision insurance
• FSA, medical

Paid Time Off:

• 12 paid holidays
• Sick leave begins accruing immediately, plus the City accepts sick leave transfers from qualifying public employers
• 4 Personal days
• 2 weeks of vacation, prorated at 1 year anniversary, and then the full 2 weeks every January 1 thereafter with incremental increases