Wastewater Control Operator Trainee/Relief Operator (Full-Time)

City Of Statesville; Statesville (NC); On-site; USD 41,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Take Home Vehicle

Career Development

Alternative Work Arrangements

Safety Training

Job summary

The City of Statesville is seeking a Wastewater Control Operator Trainee/Relief Operator (4th Creek WWTP) to join the Public Utilities Department. This full-time, non-exempt role works Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–3:30 PM, with a closing date of October 13, 2026.

The position supports certified operators and progresses toward Operator I/II certification while learning plant operations. Successful candidates will have a high school diploma or GED and a valid NC driver’s license (or ability to obtain

Qualifications

• Knowledge of wastewater treatment operations and safety practices.
• Ability to learn and perform on-the-job tasks under supervision.
• Ability to read meters, collect samples, and record results.

Responsibilities

• Learns to operate and maintain wastewater treatment facilities under supervision.
• Participates in on-the-job tasks, classes, and reading to learn fundamentals.
• Adjusts treatment processes to comply with rules and procedures.
• Performs minor repairs and assists with maintenance tasks as needed.
• Takes readings, collects samples, and maintains records of plant operations.

Skills

Wastewater operations

Analytical thinking

Meter reading & data logging

Record keeping

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Wastewater Control Operator Trainee/Relief Operator (4th Creek WWTP)

Public Utilities Department

Salary Range: $19.77 - $32.62 Hourly / $41,121.60 - $67,849.60 Annually

Job Overview

FLSA Position Class: Full-time, Non-Exempt

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7AM - 3:30PM

Posting Closing Date: October 13, 2026

This position is responsible for learning all aspects of the operation and maintenance of the City’s wastewater treatment facilities; responsible for assisting certified wastewater control operators with duties and maintenance of the plant after successfully completing orientation and trainee instruction. This position is designed for the progressive movement into a Certified Shift Operator position; therefore, the candidate hired for this position will be the next staff member to fill an open shift when it becomes available.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

NOTE: Employee may be required to respond to a disaster, either natural or man-made, to serve the citizens of Statesville and meet the needs of the organization, which may result in the assignment of other duties and take precedence over duties described in this job description. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive.

• Learns to properly operate and maintain all aspects of the wastewater treatment facility under the instruction and oversight of a certified operator.
• Learns the fundamentals of proper wastewater treatment by participating in a wide variety of on-the-job tasks and through classes, correspondence courses, and general reading.
• Learns to make necessary adjustments to the treatment process to ensure compliance with all rules, regulations, and the facility's standard operating procedures.
• Learns to perform minor repairs and preventative maintenance on plant equipment and structures; assists the maintenance staff as necessary with major or unusual maintenance tasks.
• Takes readings and measurements concerning unit processes, collects samples, records measurements, and helps maintain accurate records of plant operational and maintenance functions.
• Learns to perform basic physical and chemical analysis to monitor treatment efficiency.
• Informs the Wastewater Treatment Plant Lead Operator of any observed or suspected problems, then proceeds with corrective or preventative action, as instructed.
• Learns and demonstrates appropriate safety precautions and procedures for all tasks.
• Assists in grounds and building maintenance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and/or Experience

• High School Diploma or GED.

Requirements

• Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license, or any valid driver’s license with ability to obtain a North Carolina driver’s license within 60 days of establishing a permanent residence in North Carolina.
• Ability to obtain a Wastewater Operator I Certification within one (1) year.
• Ability to obtain a Wastewater Operator II Certification within two (2) years.
• The City of Statesville requires no less than a State of North Carolina Wastewater Operator II Certification to remain employed as a WWTP Operator.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of the operating characteristics, maintenance requirements, tools, and equipment required of wastewater treatment plant operations.
• Knowledge of the state and federal water and wastewater treatment quality regulations.
• Knowledge of hydraulic, chemical, and mechanical principles pertinent to wastewater treatment plant operations.
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and the necessary safety precautions for this work.
• Ability to detect defects in the operation of mechanical equipment and determine proper remedial measures.
• Ability to conduct routine water quality tests, read meters and charts accurately, and then correctly record results.
• Ability to operate, maintain, and repair a variety of wastewater collection and treatment equipment.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and create detailed reports.
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly, concisely, and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, other departments, supervisors, and the public.
• After instruction and orientation period is complete, quality and speed of work on routine duties should steadily become comparable to that of a certified operator.

Job Related Physical Requirements

This position involves heavy work requiring the exertion of 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical activity related to this position may require the use of fingers and hands, climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, pushing/pulling, lifting, grasping, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required to express or exchange ideas and to convey detailed instructions to others; hearing is required to receive, understand, and respond to information; visual acuity is required for visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring or testing devices, operation of machines or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities.

Working Conditions

The employee is subject to both indoor and outdoor environmental conditions including extreme heat and cold, rain, snow, fumes, odors, dust, gases, oils, vibration, poor ventilation, wastewater, and hazards including exposure to chemicals, moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, work in narrow or confined spaces, and may be exposed to blood and other potentially infectious materials. Employees are required to be “on-call,” and may work nights, weekends, or during emergency situations. The employee typically works shifts in combination with certified Wastewater Plant Operators yet may, after an appropriate training period and demonstration of competency, be assigned to work certain shifts alone.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Benefits At A Glance

Benefits are a valuable part of your total compensation at City of Statesville. Your benefits package provides protection for you and your family with expenses shared by the city or available to you at discounted group rates. Below is a brief summary of the choices available to all eligible regular, full-time employees. Part-time employees’ benefits differ from full-time employees’ benefits and are listed below.

Our current Open Enrollment Guide for City Benefits can be found here: City of Statesville Benefits

Full-Time Employee Benefits

Health & Welfare Benefits

• Health Care Insurance PPO or HDHP/Prescription Drug Program
• Lifestyle programs (weight management, Tobacco Cessation, Stress Management)
• Telehealth Online Appointments 24/7
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Dependent Care Reimbursement (DCFSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Secondary Language Incentive Pay
• Bereavement Leave

Retirement Benefits

• Pension Plan – NC Local Government Employee Retirement System (LGERS)
• NC 401(k) Empower
• NC Roth 401(k) Empower
• NC 401(k) Match Empower
• 457(b) Nationwide
• Roth 457(b) Nationwide
• Fireman’s Pension Fund

Time-Off Benefits

• Twelve (12) Paid Holidays
• Vacation
• Sick Leave
• School Visitation - unpaid, up to 4 hours to attend school activities.
• Military Differential Pay

Wellness Benefits

• Health Fair
• Biometric Screening
• Flu Shots
• Statesville Fitness & Activity Center (SFAC)
• Wellness Activity Calendar
• See HR for Other Fitness Center Discounts

Additional Benefits

• Take Home Vehicle (based on position)
• Working Advantage - Employee Discount Program
• Christmas Bonus (Based yearly on City Council approval)
• Employee Appreciation Picnic
• Veterans Breakfast
• Service Award Program
• Career Development (eligible departments)
• Alternative Work Arrangements available based on departmental needs
• Cellphone Discounts
• City Cell Phone (eligible positions)
• Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

Voluntary Benefits

• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Hospital Indemnity
• Critical Illness
• Group Accident Insurance
• Whole Life Insurance
• Voluntary Supplemental Life insurance

Safety Benefits (Eligibility: based on job position)

• Boot Vouchers – yearly
• Safety Glasses – every (2) years
• Hearing Tests – yearly
• Uniforms (eligible departments)

Police Department Benefits

• Law Enforcement Officers’ Separation Allowance
• Degree Incentive
• Certification Incentive
• Specialized Unit Incentive
• Shift Differential Pay
• 401(k) 5% Contribution
• Uniform Stipend (based on position)

Part-Time Employee Benefits

• Health Fair
• Flu Shots
• Employee Appreciation Picnic
• Veteran’s Breakfast
• Service Awards
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee Discount Program – Working Advantage Benefits
• Biometric Screening
• 457(b) Nationwide
• Statesville Fitness & Activity Center (SFAC)
• Wellness Activity Calendar
• See HR for Fitness Center Discounts