Wastewater Operator I/II/III

City of Baytown, TX; Baytown (TX); On-site; USD 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Baytown, TX is seeking Wastewater Operator I/II/III to operate and maintain our wastewater treatment facilities. The role emphasizes training, safety, and environmental stewardship while developing certifications through TCEQ. Compensation includes certification pay and overtime as required.

Positions offer growth within Public Works & Engineering. Candidates must meet licensing and experience requirements and commit to continuous education to advance across operator levels.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record; TX license within 90 days.
• Six months related experience for Operator I.
• Must obtain Class C Wastewater Treatment Operator Certificate from the TCEQ within 18 months.

Responsibilities

• Participate in training of plant operations, equipment and grounds maintenance.
• Perform preventive maintenance of plant mechanical equipment.
• Collect samples and run tests on effluent and plant equipment.
• Maintain daily records and report data; monitor EPA and TCEQ compliance.

Education

High School Diploma

Class C Wastewater Certification (TCEQ)

Class B Wastewater Certification (TCEQ)

Job description

Posting number: 26-00135

Department: PUBLIC WORKS & ENGINEERING

Job classification: WASTEWATER OPERATOR I

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Public Works, Miscellaneous, Wastewater

Summary

Join our team as a Wastewater Operator I/II/III and contribute to maintaining the essential water services in our community. We are looking for dedicated individuals with a strong work ethic and a commitment to environmental stewardship, who can effectively operate and maintain wastewater treatment facilities. If you have a passion for ensuring water quality and are ready to advance your career in a supportive and growth-oriented environment.

Protects public health and welfare. Learns all aspects of the plant including maintaining equipment and cleaning clarifiers. Participates in training to learn wastewater plant operations and maintenance.

Examples of duties

Wastewater Operator I

• Participates in training of plant operations, equipment and grounds maintenance.
• Participates in training of preventive maintenance of plant mechanical equipment.
• Participates in training of laboratory testing, recording results, and reporting and monitoring all data.
• Participates in cleaning of the plant such as clarifiers, bar screen area, and digester.
• Participates in keeping the Treatment Plant compliant with the EPA’s Risk Management Plan, and the TCEQ’s Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan permits.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Wastewater Operator II

• Performs general plant cleanup and yard maintenance, checks and maintains equipment, oil or grease machinery, and wash down the plant on a daily basis.
• Makes plant inspections, takes readings: totalizer, water meter, flow meter, and hour meters on various equipment.
• Changes out empty chlorine and sulfur dioxide cylinders as needed. Changes out polymer.
• Collects samples and runs tests on effluent, mixing basins, and clarifiers – DO, pH, CL2, 30 minute settling tests. Plant operations: waste solids, runs belt press, supernatant digesters, operates valves and pumps to transfer sludge from one place to another. Sometimes supervises operations.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Wastewater Operator III

• Collect and run daily/weekly samples and storm water sampling during inclement weather as required by TCEQ.
• Ensure proper chlorination and dechlorination, clean clarifies, running of belt press. Makes plant inspections, takes readings: totalizer, water meter, flow meter, and hour meters on various equipment.
• Prepare work orders, retrieve purchase orders to complete work ordered Acquire bids for work to be completed following HUB vendors list.
• Complete monthly reports for water intake/output averages and weekly reports for daily averages.
• Provide routine maintenance and groundskeeping as needed in the plant. Changes out empty chlorine and sulfur dioxide cylinders as needed. Changes out polymer.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

We encourage continuing education, assist with testing for certifications, and reimburse for testing. We offer certification pay in addition to the hourly rate for TCEQ certs.

Qualifications

Wastewater Operator I ($17.46 - $21.83/hour DOQ, + Cert Pay)

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record (must obtain TX driver’s license within 90 days).
• Six months of related experience.
• Must be able to obtain a Class “C” Wastewater Treatment Operator Certificate from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) within 18 months from date in position.

Wastewater Operator II ($19.78 - $24.73/hour DOQ, + Cert Pay)

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED) plus specialized technical courses.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record (must obtain TX driver’s license within 90 days).
• Two years of related experience.
• Class "C" Wastewater Treatment Certification from the TCEQ.

Preferred:

• Class “B” Wastewater Treatment Certification from the TCEQ.

Wastewater Operator III ($22.11 - $27.64/hour DOQ, + Cert Pay)

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED) plus specialized technical courses.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record (must obtain TX driver’s license within 90 days).
• Two years experience in a paraprofessional related role.
• Class "B" Wastewater Treatment Certification from the TCEQ.

Supplemental information

Knowledge of basic math. Ability to keep daily records of operation. Ability to get along appropriately with co-workers and the public.

Here at the City of Baytown, in recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you bring. We strive to provide a workplace where differences are honored, with a workforce that reflects the diversity of the people we serve.

Attendance is an essential function of this position. The City reserves the right to require an employee in this position to work overtime. This position provides services or performs duties for the benefit of the general public during emergency situations. These may include services or duties different from those performed in the usual course and scope of your job. In the event of an evacuation, the incumbent in this position may be required to remain to perform needed services.

Overall Position Strength Demands

Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.