Wastewater Plant Operator

City-of-Boca-Raton,-Fl; Boca Raton (FL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Generous Paid Time Off

Continuous Service Benefit

Flexible work schedule

Retirement plans

Job summary

The City of Boca Raton is seeking a dedicated Wastewater Plant Operator to operate and maintain the city’s wastewater treatment facility. This role requires routine plant tours, sample collection, and laboratory testing to ensure safe, compliant processing of wastewater.

Responsibilities include monitoring SCADA systems, adjusting dosing, troubleshooting equipment, performing preventive maintenance, and ensuring safety protocols.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• ,
• Florida DEP wastewater license requirements at various levels (C/B/A) and progressive experience.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain a wastewater treatment plant and related equipment under supervision.
• Make tours of plant, collect samples, and perform tests (pH, turbidity, DO, TSS).
• Ensure safety protocols are followed and perform routine maintenance.
• Respond to emergencies such as spills or equipment failures.
• Operate SCADA to monitor and control motors, pumps, valves, and dosing systems.
• Regulate equipment operation to meet changing conditions and troubleshoot problems.
• Perform preventive maintenance, cleaning, and housekeeping tasks.
• Record data and report operational issues to supervisors.
• Monitor chlorine residuals and adjust dosing as needed.
• Operate sludge thickening/dewatering systems and related equipment.
• Coordinate field calls and dispatch response crews as needed.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Operating control panels

Laboratory testing

Data recording

Team communication

Decision making

Physical stamina

Education

Florida DEP Class C license

Florida DEP Class B license

Florida DEP Class A license

Tools

SCADA system

Laboratory equipment

Job description

Build Your Future with the City of Boca Raton!

At the City of Boca Raton, a career in public service is more than a job — it’s your chance to make a meaningful impact in a vibrant and sustainable coastal community. Driven by our core values of Fairness, Integrity, Respect, Service, and Trust, we are committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel appreciated, inspired, and supported.

Why Boca Raton?

As the second largest city in Palm Beach County, the City of Boca Raton offers robust benefits to their employees:

• Health Insurance Benefits: No-cost employee Medical, Dental & Vision plans
• Generous Paid Time Off: 12 paid holidays + vacation, sick, and 3 floating holidays
• Continuous Service Benefit: Paid out annually after 5 years of service
• Work-Life Balance: Flexible work schedule
• Retirement Plans: Two pension/retirement options to choose from

Whether you're starting out or looking to take your public service career to the next level, the City of Boca Raton offers the tools, resources, and culture to help you succeed.

General Statement of Job:

The Wastewater Plant Operator performs skilled work in operating and maintaining a wastewater treatment plant and its related equipment. This position plays a key role in ensuring the safe and efficient processing of wastewater, directly supporting the health and environmental standards of the community. Work is performed under regular supervision.

• Makes regular tours of plant and equipment such as pumps, aerators, clarifiers, hypochlorite systems, filters, thickeners, etc.
• Collection of samples and performs tests such as pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and total suspended solids etc.
• Ensure safety protocols are followed.
• Performs routine maintenance, housekeeping, and cleaning
• Responding to emergencies such as spills and equipment failure.
• Operates computer SCADA system to monitor and control motors, pumps, blowers, valves, and other apparatus to meet changing operating conditions, adjust Cl2 dosing and polymer dosing.
• Regulates and adjusts motors, pumps, blowers, valves, and other apparatus to meet changing operating conditions.
• Troubleshoots process problems.

Related tasks:

• Collects samples and performs routine lab work.
• Skims grease from settling tanks.
• Pumps sludge, drains tanks, rotates equipment.
• Cleans weirs, Primary Clarifiers, Secondary Clarifiers and services pumps, motors, and other equipment.
• Pressure cleaning of equipment, buildings and associated areas.
• Monitors chlorine residuals; makes chlorine feed rate adjustments.
• Operates sludge thickening and dewatering systems.
• Monitors telemetry system; calls out field crews for alarm situations.
• Investigates field calls from customers regarding backups, odors, etc., dispatches response crews
• Makes minor or emergency repairs; performs preventive maintenance on plant equipment.
• Performs general maintenance and housekeeping duties.
• Operates forklift and backhoe style equipment.

Knowledge of:

• The operating characteristics and maintenance requirements of a wastewater treatment plant.
• The chemical, biological, and physical processes used to treat wastewater, including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection.
• Biological processes, including activated sludge and anaerobic digestion.
• Safety protocols, hazardous chemical handling, and equipment used at a wastewater treatment plant.
• Instruments used in wastewater treatment.
• Basic mathematical concepts such as flow calculations, chemical dosages, and determining concentrations.

Skilled in:

• Troubleshooting operational problems.
• Operating control panels, pumps, motors, and other equipment.
• Conducting laboratory tests for TSS, ammonia, and other parameters.
• Accurately recording data and flows.
• Communicating with team members and supervisors regarding operational issues.

Ability to:

• Detect flaws in the operation of mechanical equipment and determine proper remedial actions.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Perform physically demanding tasks such as lifting, moving equipment, and working in varied weather conditions.
• Prioritize tasks and manage time effectively, ensuring that routine maintenance, testing, and reporting tasks are completed in a timely manner.
• Assess situations and make informed decisions quickly when addressing operational challenges or equipment failures.

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Class C Operator – Florida DEP Class C wastewater license is required and one (1) year experience in the operation of a wastewater treatment plant.
• Class B Operator – Florida DEP Class B wastewater license is required and three (3) years experience in the operation of a wastewater treatment plant.
• Class A Operator - Florida DEP Class A wastewater license is required and five (5) years experience in the operation of a wastewater treatment plant.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of Florida DEP Class C (or higher) wastewater license is required.
• Possession of valid State of Florida Class "E" driver's license with no more than six (6) points in a three (3) year period.
• Abstained from the use of cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products for at least one year prior to their date of hire and shall abstain from the use of tobacco products at all times during the period of their employment with the City while both on and off duty.

POST-OFFER BACKGROUND REQUIREMENTS:

• Criminal Background Check
• Employment Verification
• Reference Checks
• Motor Vehicles Report (MVR) Check
• Workers' Compensation
• Certification/License Verification
• Physical
• Drug and Alcohol Screen