Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

Town of Surf City; Wilmington (DE); On-site; USD 47,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Surf City is seeking a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I to oversee operation and maintenance of the WWTP and spray irrigation fields, under the NC DENR permit. The role involves ensuring reliable plant performance, monitoring equipment, and coordinating with other departments as needed.

Responsibilities include monitoring reactor set points, operating pumps and UV systems, performing routine repairs, and maintaining records.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Valid driver's license required; CDL Class B preferred within 1 year of hire.
• Experience in wastewater or related field preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Assist operators in the maintenance and operation of the WWTP and spray irrigation fields.
• Operate pumps, blowers, valves, piping, DO sensors, disc filters, UV system, and surface irrigation facility.
• Perform building and grounds maintenance.
• Schedule irrigation according to effluent flow, weather, and field conditions.
• Handle procurement and storage of materials and spare parts.
• Perform lab duties as needed and troubleshoot problems; on-call and irregular hours as required.

Skills

Electrical

Plumbing

Carpentry

Mechanical

Heavy machinery operation

Lawn care

Landscaping

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Hiring Range: $47,424 - $52,166

The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Operator I performs responsible technical work in the operation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment plant and spray irrigation fields, in accordance with the permit issued by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

These duties and responsibilities are not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the Town.

• Assists other operators in the maintenance and operation of the Surf City wastewater treatment plant, including pumps, blowers, valves, piping, DO (dissolved oxygen) sensors, disc filters, a UV (ultraviolet) disinfectant system, and surface irrigation facility.
• Performs building and grounds maintenance.
• Operates tractors, mowers, bush hogs, chainsaws, and other equipment used to maintain grounds and spray fields.
• Monitor and adjust set points on the WWTP reactor in order to maximize treatment.
• Consults with supervisor and advises as to the status of operations and repair activities.
• Coordinates with other departments as needed.
• Performs maintenance on equipment, daily, weekly, monthly, or as needed.
• Schedule irrigation program according to effluent flow rate, weather, and field conditions to distribute water responsibly and in compliance with state permitted loading rates.
• Handles the procurement and storage of materials and spare parts.
• Perform lab duties as needed.
• Troubleshoot problems and make routine or emergency repairs.
• Work irregular hours, including weekends, holidays, and extended hours as needed.
• Required to be on call on a rotating schedule.
• Must be able to work well with others as well as independently.
• Performs work during emergency/disaster situations.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• High School diploma or G.E.D.
• Experience in skills related to the job includes electrical, plumbing, carpentry, mechanical, heavy machinery operation, lawn care, and landscaping, among others.
• Any experience in wastewater treatment or related field is preferred but not required.

Licenses and Professional Certification

• Valid driver's license is required.
• NC CDL Class B - preferred (required within 1 year of hire)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful applicant will be given the opportunity to obtain various wastewater treatment licenses, including Wastewater grades 1-4 and Surface Irrigation.
Knowledge of the operating characteristics and maintenance requirements of a wastewater treatment plant and spray irrigation system; hydraulic, chemical, and mechanical principles pertinent to wastewater treatment plant operations; installation and repair of irrigation piping; computer applications; occupational hazards of the work; necessary safety precautions; and the use and care of hand tools.
Skilled in detecting flaws in the operation of mechanical equipment and determining proper remedial measures; understanding and following moderately complex oral and written instructions; reading meters and charts accurately; maintaining records of operations; and communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc., sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
ICS/NIMS course minimums required for all employees include FEMA IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800. Additionally, employees assigned middle- and upper-level responsibilities within incident operations may be required to complete follow-on courses deemed necessary by Emergency Management and Human Resources staff.
Ability to represent the Town in a professional and respectful manner while interacting with a diverse set of individuals within the workplace and the community.

Working Conditions

Employee will be subject to indoor environmental conditions, including lighting, temperature, and noise of an open-floor-plan office environment. The employee is also exposed to outdoor conditions and may be frequently exposed to weather elements, including rain, wind, and varying temperatures. In addition, the employee must effectively deal with personal danger, which may include exposure to hazardous chemicals and materials, fumes and smoke, intense heat, electrical hazards, confined or high workplaces, dangerous animals, extremely loud noises, hazards of working in and near traffic, and natural and man-made disasters. Work performed in this job may expose the employee to occupational bloodborne pathogens.

Physical Requirements

A portion of the work is performed in an office environment, primarily at a desk, and frequently involves operating a computer. The employee must read and write, and interact with others in person, over the phone, and via other devices. The employee may move about within the facility to access file cabinets, documents, office machinery, and other equipment. Travel is often required to outside sites in order to perform the duties described above, as well as to attend meetings, training events, and other business activities. Work may require walking, standing, bending, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, and/or moving equipment, pushing, and pulling various objects, climbing stairs and ladders, and operating assigned equipment, including motor vehicles. Must be able to perform heavy work exerting up to 250 pounds of force occasionally; and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently; and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.