Wastewater Treatment Operator I

Eagle Mountain City; Kentucky; On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Eagle Mountain City is seeking an entry-level wastewater operations helper to support the treatment facility and related collection system maintenance. You will perform daily operations, preventative maintenance, sampling, and equipment operation to ensure safe and compliant wastewater handling.

The role involves working with heavy machinery, confined spaces, and on-call shifts. Minimum education is a high school diploma or equivalent; no prior experience is required.

Qualifications

• Education: high school diploma or equivalent required; no prior experience necessary.
• OSHA safety awareness and ability to use basic hand/power tools.
• Must pass CDL qualifications and be able to obtain required certifications.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily operations and routine maintenance of the wastewater treatment facility.
• Inspect and maintain clarifiers, buildings, and backup generators, ensuring proper operation.
• Collect samples and assist in laboratory analyses for process optimization.
• Monitor pumps and motors, adjust RAS/WAS rates as needed, and respond to emergencies.
• Operate heavy machinery and specialized equipment for facility support.

Skills

Manual labor

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Jet/vac trucks

Heavy machinery operation

Confined space safety equipment

Job description

GENERAL PURPOSE

Performs a variety of entry level duties related to the construction and maintenance of the City's wastewater treatment facility, equipment and will assist in the maintenance of the collection system.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the broad policy guidance and direction of the Wastewater System Supervisor/Operator Lead.

Supervision Exercised

None.

Essential Functions

Treatment Facility Operations

• Conduct daily operations and routine maintenance of the city's wastewater treatment facility.
• Maintain and inspect clarifiers, buildings, yard areas, backup generators, blowers, and chlorine disinfection systems.
• Ensure proper application of effluent water and effective operation of the rapid infiltration basin.
• Monitor and maintain various pumps and motors to ensure optimal performance.

Preventative Maintenance & Equipment Operation

• Perform ongoing preventative maintenance tasks such as greasing, belt and pulley adjustments, pump and motor replacements, and unclogging systems.
• Operate heavy machinery and equipment including skid steers, backhoes, trackhoes, loaders, tractors, crane trucks, jet/vac trucks, forklifts, trash pumps, weed whips, and hand tools to support facility operations.

Sampling & Laboratory Analysis

• Collect daily and monthly samples from various stages of the treatment process in compliance with Division of Water Quality (DWQ) standards.
• Gather grab and composite samples, complete chain-of-custody documentation, and deliver samples to analytical labs.
• Analyze lab results to assist in adjusting Return Activated Sludge (RAS) and Waste Activated Sludge (WAS) rates for process optimization.

Process Monitoring & Adjustments

• Conduct routine tests to monitor system performance and biological activity.
• Evaluate solids and bacterial concentrations for proper flocking and settling.
• Adjust RAS a

nd WAS rates to maintain biological stability and prevent process disruptions.

Confined Space Entry & Safety

• Conduct confined space entries for system maintenance and cleaning, utilizing appropriate safety equipment such as davit arm hoists, tripods, SRLs, and gas detectors.
• Prepare confined space entry permits and assess environmental hazards to ensure safe operations.

Emergency Response

• Respond to sewer emergencies including breaks, backups, and system/equipment failures.
• Coordinate emergency repairs using appropriate equipment and personnel.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform related duties as assigned to support overall wastewater operations.
• Cross-train with wastewater collection system personnel and assist with collection system operations as needed.
• Perform inspections of the collection system to identify and correct structural deficiencies, infiltration issues, and blockages.
• Operate specialized equipment including jet trucks, power rodders, root cutters, jackhammers, and metal detectors.
• Repair and rebuild manholes, wastewater mains, and replace covers as needed.
• Document and map the collection system, noting pipe sizes, flow directions, and maintenance needs; prepare inspection and cleaning reports.
• Operate high-velocity jet trucks to clean wastewater lines and vac trucks to address system leaks.
• Use CCTV inspection trucks to assess sewer lines and lift station performance.

Other Duties

Performs other related duties as assigned to support the division's goals and maintain permit compliance and to help the growth of Eagle Mountain City or other departments as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education and Experience:
• Graduation from high school or equivalent;

AND

• No experience necessary

OR

• An equ

ivalent combination of education and experience.

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Some knowledge of general trench work and pipefitting; pumping systems; hazards and precautions asso iated with trench work line construction; interpersonal communication skills; basic hand and power tools required to install and maintain pipe line; pipe classifications and type; the occupational hazards and safety precautions of trench work construction and pipeline maintenance work; hazards common to heavy equipment operation; drain system construction methods etc.; construction requirements for wastewater collections and pumping stations; hazards associated with wastewater collections and treatment chemicals; wastewater line chemical cleaning procedures and associated hazards; state or federal regulations governing installation and maintenance of wastewater systems; water quality laws; interpersonal communication skills; traffic control and diversion; use of respirators; OSHA safety standards.

Skill in the operation of heavy mechanized equipment as required by the position, i.e., computer, backhoe, skidsteer, air compressor, saws, jack hammer, chipping hammer, paint sprayer, dump truck, pumps, chain saw, torches, etc.

Ability to adapt to emergency or unusual situations; tolerate weather extremes in the work place; analyze wastewater system(s), identify problems and determine optimum solutions; make accurate decisions in emergency situations where consequences of error could be costly; develop and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors co-workers, elected officials, local agencies and the general public; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; perform strenuous manual labor. Ability to lift 100 lbs.

Special Qualifications

• Must possess a class "A" commercial driver's license (CDL).
• Must work on a twenty-four (24) hour stand-by or on call. (Rotating with all other operators for seven (7) days at a time.)
• Must work weekends and holidays, rotating with all wastewater treatment operators.
• Must become a certified Wastewater Treatment Systems Operator I within 12 months of hire.
• Must become a certified flagger.
• Must become confined space certified.
• Must become forklift certified.
• Must know basic functions of Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and other wastewater specific software.

Work Environment

Employees in this position normally work in an outdoor environment, subject to changing and seasonal weather extremes. Frequently, tasks require a variety of physical activities, generally involving muscular strain, related to walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching, and lifting; daily potential for hazardous exposure to electrical shock, industrial wastes and raw sewage (containing pathogens such as typhoid, paratyphoid, dysentery, polio, tetanus, etc.); daily exposure to moving parts and equipment such as pumps, motors, heavy equipment, etc.; daily or regular exposure to traffic hazards working in the public right-of-way; daily or regular exposure to hazards associated with confined space operations. Talking, hearing and seeing essential to performing required job functions. Common eye, hand, finger dexterity exist. Mental application utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability, discriminating thinking and creative problem solving.