Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III - BC-12

County of Hawai; Hilo (HI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation: up to 21 days/year

Sick leave: up to 21 days/year

13 paid holidays per year

Tuition reimbursement program

Job summary

County of Hawai‘i seeks a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III to independently operate and maintain multiple treatment plants and pumping stations on Hawaii Island. The role includes sampling, lab analyses, data interpretation, and adherence to safety and regulatory standards.

Ideal candidates hold a Grade III certificate, a valid Hawaiʻi driver’s license, and a clean driving record. The position offers challenging work with opportunities for advancement and rotating shifts.

Qualifications

• Experience and/or training to competently perform journey level Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III duties.
• Knowledge of meters, gauges, and data interpretation for plant control.
• Ability to operate and maintain pumping units and related equipment.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain wastewater treatment and tributary pumping plants to meet regulations.
• Read meters, record readings, and interpret data for process control.
• Perform laboratory tests on wastewater and sludge and analyze results.
• Inspect equipment for malfunctions and perform repairs or adjustments.
• Maintain logs, records, and reports for operations.

Skills

Meter readings

Lab tests

Emergency response

Record keeping

Safety procedures

Education

Wastewater Operator Grade III Certificate

Job description

Independently operates and maintains one or more Class I, II, III, or IV wastewater treatment plants and lower classed plants, as well as tributary pumping plants; participates in the major overhaul, repair, and installation of treatment and pumping plant equipment; and performs other related duties as required.

This level is characterized by its primary responsibility for operating and being in direct responsible charge of a Class III wastewater treatment plant, as rated by the State Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Facilities.

There are five (5) immediate vacancies with the Department of Environmental Management - Wastewater Division:

• three (3) permanent full‑time vacancies in Hilo
• two (2) permanent full‑time vacancies in Kailua‑Kona

The eligible list may be used for other permanent and temporary vacancies as they arise during the life of the list. Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.

Special Working Conditions

Exposure to hazardous, filthy, and/or obnoxious conditions; may also be subject to shift, weekend, and holiday work as required. Applicants must be available for stand‑by duty and be available for immediate response in case of emergency.

• Operates and maintains wastewater treatment and tributary pumping plants to ensure the safe, effective, efficient, and economical use of processes and equipment, and to comply with pertinent County, State, and Federal regulations.
• Operates various equipment to regulate the flow of wastewater, air, and sludge between the unit processes of the plant.
• Reads and records readings from meters, gauges, and other recording devices and interprets data to maintain or improve plant operations.
• Inspects plant and mechanical equipment for malfunctions, irregularities, and needed repairs.
• Lubricates, changes oil and makes running repairs and adjustments to machinery and equipment.
• Participates in the installation, overhaul, and major repair of treatment and pumping plant equipment.
• Drains and cleans settling tanks, clarifiers, chlorinating chambers, digesters, and aeration tanks.
• Maintains sludge digestion systems, dewatering equipment, drying beds, and pulverizers.
• Collects samples of raw, partially treated, and treated wastewater and sludge and performs chemical and physical analyses thereof, including settable solids, settle ability, pH, chlorine residual, B.O.D., C.O.D., dissolved oxygen, and suspended solids.
• Interprets laboratory results and makes appropriate process adjustments.
• Maintains records of test results, data sheets, and reports.
• Paints equipment, buildings, and structures.
• Keeps station logs and prepares operational reports.
• May be assigned to work in other plants for training and development purposes and to qualify for higher level certification.
• May be assigned to work at pumping plants or to perform other related duties as necessary.
• Attends employee safety and training sessions.
• Complies with all Federal, State, and County laws, regulations, and policies relating to occupational safety and health, and environmental issues.
• Operates a motor vehicle to transport personnel, equipment, and material.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Training and Experience

• Experience and/or training of sufficient scope and quality to competently perform the journey level skills and duties of a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III.

License/Certificate Requirements

• possession of a current Hawai‘i Mandatory Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade III Certificate at time of filing (scan and attach a copy of your current certificate to your application), and
• possession of a valid State of Hawai‘i driver's license (Class 3) or any other valid comparable driver’s license at time of filing, (You will be required to submit your valid driver's license at time of hire.),
• possession of a good driving record certified by a traffic abstract confirming no DUI convictions, license revocations, or suspensions for three (3) years preceding and no moving violations for one (1) year preceding. A current traffic abstract is valid for 30 days from date of issuance by the district court. (You will be required to submit your current traffic abstract at time of job interview.)

Notes

• a valid State of Hawai‘i Driver License (Class 4, non-CDL) prior to completion of probation,
• as applicable to the position, possession of a current Department of Transportation Medical Examiner's Certificate prior to appointment. (The immediate vacancies with the Department of Environmental Management require a current Department of Transportation Medical Examiner's Certificate prior to appointment.)

Examination

All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points. An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicant's training, education and experience as presented in the application.

Knowledge of

practices and procedures used in the operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment and pumping plant equipment; the various types of wastewater and associated problems and processes; sampling methods and the physical and chemical tests used in treatment plant control; servicing requirements of moving machinery; hazards and safety practices involved in working around high voltage equipment and moving machinery; process quality control requirements and remedial measures in dealing with process malfunctions and emergencies; arithmetic; and uses of basic mechanical hand and power tools.

Ability to

operate and maintain electrical pumping units and auxiliary equipment, including manual switchover of emergency generator units; read and interpret meters and gauges; record readings and maintain operating records; perform the required laboratory tests and analyze results; operate computers; make arithmetical computations; use common hand and power tools; act quickly and effectively in emergencies; understand and follow oral and written instructions; work harmoniously with others; and handle weights and loads.

Physical Requirements

Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Physical Effort Grouping

Heavy

Benefits of County Employment

The County of Hawai‘i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave: Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.
• Retirement Plan: The Employees’ Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full‑time and part‑time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.
• Deferred Compensation: Save additional money for retirement - this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax‑deferred contributions.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Use pre‑tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai‘i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work‑related problems.
• Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent‑Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.

All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and change due to legislative actions and/or changes negotiated through collective bargaining. Please check out the benefits tab for additional information.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification

Initial Certification and Renewal

Information on prerequisites for examination qualification is prescribed in Title II, Chapter 61, "Mandatory Certification of Wastewater Treatment Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants."

http://health.hawaii.gov/wastewater/home/boc/

Certification is obtained through the State of Hawai‘i Department of Health, Wastewater Branch. The Board of Certification administers two paper examinations per calendar year in February and August. The examinations can also be taken as Computer Based Test (CBT). Operators may take the test up to 3 times in a calendar year. Any combination of paper and CBT is allowed up to three attempts. Applications for Wastewater Operator Certification Examinations are mailed to all county, private, and federal agencies approximately 90 days prior to the paper examination dates. These are the only two time periods during which applications are accepted for any exams. Please visit the above website for certification information.

Reciprocity

Out-of-state applicants who possess wastewater treatment plant operator certifications in their state and who are seeking employment with the County of Hawai'i should first inquire with the State of Hawai'i Department of Health (DOH) on how to obtain a Hawai'i Operator Grade I certification through reciprocity.

The Board of Certification administers two examinations per calendar year in February and August. Anyone needing a form, should contact the Department of Health or download it from the following link.

https://health.hawaii.gov/wastewater/files/2026/05/Reciprocity-Application_ADA.pdf

Persons seeking wastewater operator certifications through reciprocity and who apply for County of Hawai'i wastewater recruitments, should request for a verification of application from the County Department of Human Resources for submittal to the Department of Health. This will verify to the Department of Health that you have applied for wastewater jobs with the County of Hawai'i.

Once persons obtain the appropriate wastewater operator certification, they should submit the certification to the Department of Human Resources for final processing of the application if the recruitment is open.

Contact Information for State of Hawai'i Department of Health

State of Hawai'i

Board of Certification of Operating Personnel In Wastewater Treatment Plants - Wastewater Branch

919 Ala Moana Boulevard, Suite 309

Honolulu, Hawai'i 96814

Phone: [phone]