Waste Water Treatment Plant- Operator 4

City of Lebanon; Lebanon (TN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Lebanon operates a wastewater treatment facility and is seeking a skilled operator to manage treatment processes, monitor lab tests, and maintain equipment. The role requires strict adherence to safety, regulatory requirements, and accurate record-keeping.

Ideal candidates bring extensive experience or a science degree, a Grade 4 certification (or ability to obtain within 18 months), and a valid TN driver’s license. On-site work with rotating shifts and on-call duties are expected.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 60+ months of experience at a Grade 4 WWTP or a bachelor’s degree in science.
• Must have Grade 4 WWTP Operator Certification or obtain within 18 months.
• Valid Tennessee driver’s license and clean driving record.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor wastewater treatment processes and related systems.
• Perform routine and complex laboratory tests and adjust processes.
• Inspect, maintain, repair equipment, pumps, valves, and facilities.
• Record shift logs, compliance data, and reports accurately.
• Respond to alarms and emergencies; participate in training staff.

Skills

Wastewater treatment processes

Chemical handling

Laboratory testing

Safety compliance

Equipment maintenance

Process control

Regulatory compliance

Hydraulics/mechanics

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK

Actively able and periodically responsible for all aspects of operating and maintaining wastewater treatment plant and related systems, including treatment processes, in plant pumping stations, and sludge handling and disposal facilities. Monitors and controls treatment processes, performs laboratory tests, and makes adjustments, as needed, to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Performs maintenance and repair tasks on equipment and facilities and maintains records and reports. Will be required at times to supervise lower-level staff and assist in training and development.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Independently operates and monitors wastewater treatment processes, including chemical addition, flow control, and sludge handling.
• Performs complex laboratory tests and analyzes results to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Independently maintains and repairs equipment, pumps, and valves.
• Conducts routine inspections and maintenance of facilities and grounds.
• Monitors and responds to alarms and high-priority emergencies.
• Maintains accurate records and reports, including shift logs and compliance documentation.
• May assist in supervising and training subordinate staff.
• Optimizes treatment process to ensure efficient and effective operations through progressively expert-level adjustments.
• Follows safety protocols and ensures a safe work environment.
• Troubleshoots & resolves expert problems with corrective action.
• Operates skid steer and telehandlers.
• Performs manual labor, housekeeping, and groundskeeping tasks.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality are essential functions of this role.
• May perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge

• Complex wastewater treatment processes and principles.
• Chemical addition and treatment chemicals.
• Complex Laboratory tests and analysis.
• Safety protocols and regulations.
• Independent equipment operation and maintenance.
• Regulatory requirements and compliance.
• Complex process control and optimization techniques.
• Strong understanding of hydraulics, mechanics, electrical, I&C, process control, laboratory, and microbiology.

Skills

• Independent operation and control of the treatment process.
• Independent equipment maintenance and repair.
• Complex Troubleshooting and problem-solving.
• Clear and concise communication and record keeping.
• Teamwork.

Abilities

• Analyze data and make decisions on more complex issues.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve problems through corrective action.
• Communicate effectively with others.
• Work safely and follow safety protocols.
• Adapt quickly to changing situations and priorities.
• Understand regulations and standards.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Effective communication skills

• High-level verbal and written communication.
• Clear and concise reporting and giving direction to lower-level staff.
• Provide information to solve problems along with corrective action options.

Reading comprehension

• Understand complex technical documents and regulations.
• Interpret complex instructions and manuals.

Basic writing skills

• Produce accurate reports and logs.
• Assists in preparing reports and correspondence.

Comprehension skills

• Follow complex written and verbal instructions.
• Communicate with coworkers, supervisors, and other departments.
• Understand and use complex technical terminology related to wastewater treatment.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Basic math operations

• Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Decimals, fractions, and percentages.

Algebraic skills

• Formula calculation and manipulation.
• Solution concentration and dilution calculations.

Geometric skills

• Volume and area calculations.
• Flow rate and velocity calculations.

Analytical skills

• Expert-level data interpretation and analysis.
• Expert-level trend recognition and forecasting

Practical applications

• Calculating chemical dosage and flow rates.
• Determining treatment process efficiency.
• Understanding and calculating sludge volumes and pumping rates.
• Use a calculator and computer software for mathematical calculations.
• Apply complex mathematical concepts to real-world problems in wastewater treatment.
• Understand and work with units of measurement, conversion factors, and mathematical formulas related to wastewater treatment.

EDUCATION

A high school diploma or equivalent (GED) is required.

EXPERIENCE

60 plus months at a Grade 4 Wastewater Facility or a bachelor’s degree in science degree.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATION AND LICENSES

• Grade 4 WWTP Operator Certification through TDEC. (Must obtain Grade 4 certification within 18 months of hire with prior experience or reciprocity from another state)
• Must attend all training courses necessary for Grade 4 certification.
• Must attend all continuing education courses to keep certification current.

DRIVER’S LICENSE

A valid TN Driver’s License with a clear driving record is required.

AVAILABILITY REQUIREMENTS

Given the critical infrastructure role of the facility and the need to maintain essential staffing during events such as severe weather, power outages, or other emergency conditions, employees in this position must be available to work rotating shifts, including 24/7 assignments. This position is subject to on-call and call-back requirements, which may include work outside of normal business hours, including days, nights, evenings, weekends, and holidays. The employee must be available to participate in a rotating on-call schedule and may be required to report to duty or remain onsite during emergency operations.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

Due to the on-call and emergency response nature of this position, the ideal candidate should reside in Wilson County or in one of the surrounding counties that border Wilson County, including Cannon, Davidson, DeKalb, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, or Trousdale Counties.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS, WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is required to walk; sit; use tools; operate controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and listen, observe, or smell. The employee must frequently lift, move, push, pull, or carry up to 50 pounds. May occasionally push, pull or move 75 to 100 pounds, with assistance. Must be able to use tools such as breaker bar, pipe wrench, and hand truck. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and in outside weather conditions, and is occasionally exposed to hot, cold, wet, and/or humid conditions and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. Must be available for rotating shift work with 24/7 assignments. This position is subject to call out (working after normal hours and days that include days, nights, evenings, weekends, and holidays). Must be available to work rotating on call assignment.

Must undergo required physical examination and complete vaccinations. It shall be the responsibility of the City of Lebanon Utilities Director to assess the type(s) of reasonable accommodations which may be necessary to allow the individual to perform the essential functions of this position and to provide such necessary reasonable accommodations to a qualified individual with a disability, provided that nothing herein shall be construed to require the provision of reasonable accommodations if doing so will impose an undue hardship on the employing agency or a direct threat to the safety of himself/herself or others.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The City of Lebanon will provide training for this opportunity. We are accepting applications for both experienced and entry-level candidates.

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/water-and-wastewatertreatment-plant-and-system-operators.htm#tab-1