Wastewater Operator

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority; North Carolina; On-site; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority is seeking incumbents to participate in the operation, maintenance, and repair of wastewater treatment facilities. Positions are assigned a level based on certification and placed in the pay grade G15 Step Program.

Responsibilities include monitoring and operating plant equipment, performing preventive maintenance, and conducting lab tests to ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards.

Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Minimum six months of general work experience required.
• Biological WWT certification levels 1–4 must be achieved per level requirements.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, operate, and maintain wastewater treatment plant equipment.
• Perform preventative maintenance and repairs.
• Assist maintenance personnel in major repairs.
• Check equipment and monitor processes.
• Operate valves, start/stop pumps to adjust flow and collect wastewater samples.
• Monitor SCADA system and respond to alarms.
• Enter data and generate reports using Operator 10.
• Conduct lab tests and analyze data, taking corrective actions as needed.
• Perform inventory and housekeeping duties and ensure OSHA compliance.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Numerical operations

Technical communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Biological WWT 1 certification

Biological WWT 2 certification

Biological WWT 3 certification

Biological WWT 4 certification

HAZWOPER training (preferred)

Job description

Incumbents in this position are responsible for participating in the operation, maintenance, and repair of wastewater treatment facilities. Incumbents will be assigned a level based upon their certification. This position is assigned to a Step Program in pay grade G15.

• Monitors, operates, and maintains wastewater treatment plant equipment.
• Performs preventative maintenance and repairs.
• Assists maintenance personnel in major repairs.
• Checks equipment and monitors processes.
• Monitors and operates valves, starts, and stops pumps to adjust flow and collects wastewater samples.
• Operates and maintainsheaters.
• Performs or assists with the transfer of sludge from digesters.
• Performs or assists with the pumping of raw sludge to digester.
• Monitors SCADA system for plant equipment alarms.
• Contacts emergency personnel in the event of system failures.
• Collects wastewater samples.
• Conducts lab tests and analysis of lab data and results. Takes corrective action based upon results.
• Changes pH, flow, and temperature charts.
• Conducts plant tours.
• Maintains plant buildings and grounds.
• Performs monthly safety inspections, creates Safety logs and paperwork as required for OSHA compliance.
• Enters data and uses the computer program Operator 10 to generate reports and graphical output.
• Performs inventory/property management.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

In the event of an emergency, all employees are considered essential personnel and may be required to perform alternate duties.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Six (6) months of general work experience required.
• Requires the following certification:
  • Trainee – None
  • Level 1 – Biological WWT 1
  • Level 2 – Biological WWT 2
  • Level 3 – Biological WWT 3
  • Level 4 – Biological WWT 4
• Biological WWT 1 must be obtained within one year of hire.
• HAZWOPER training is preferred.

Other Essential Job Specifications

• Use interpersonal skills such as seeing, hearing, and speaking to develop positive interactions with customers.
• Comprehends and uses technical or professional language, either written or spoken, to communicate complex ideas.
• Performs numerical operations using basic counting, adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
• Performs complex quantitative calculations or reasoning using algebra, geometry, statistics, or abstract symbols.
• Requires travel between CFPUA sites.
• Use or repair small/light equipment (power tools).
• Use or repair medium equipment and machinery (vehicles, commercial mowers).
• Use or repair heavy or complex machinery (HVAC systems, construction equipment, water plants).

Physical Requirements

• Minimal physical exertion. Very light physical work at desk or counter level with intermittent periods of sitting, standing, and walking. May involve data entry, telephone work, or use of various office equipment.
• Same as above with the addition of standing/sitting/walking for lengthy periods of time. May involve light physical exertion due to pushing, pulling, carrying, and lifting weights up to 20 pounds.
• Physical exertion involving pushing, pulling, and lifting up to 20 pounds. May require prolonged standing and/or walking during which time objects are transported. May require occasional bending, squatting, and reaching.
• Sustained physical activity throughout the work period. Performs work tasks involving pushing, pulling, carrying, and lifting up to 50 pounds. May require bending, squatting, stooping, reaching, climbing, or walking in addition to other physical demands.
• Physical exertion throughout the work period. Performs work tasks involving pushing, pulling, carrying, and lifting varying weights up to 50 pounds, and more than 50 pounds with assistance. May require bending, squatting, stooping, reaching, climbing, or walking in addition to other physical demands.