Water Reclamation Facility Operator – Western Wake

Town of Cary; New Hill (AL); On-site; USD 57,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Town of Cary is seeking a Water Reclamation Facility Operator to operate and maintain state-of-the-art water treatment systems at the Western Wake Regional WRF. You will work a 12-hour shift from midnight to noon (5 days on, 2 off, 2 on, 5 off) and contribute to environmental stewardship and public health.

The role includes attention to process monitoring, testing, and reporting, with a career ladder path and potential for higher starting pay with relevant certifications and experience.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• NC Biological Wastewater Operator Grade I certification or ability to obtain within 1 year.
• Live within 50 miles and respond within 1 hour for call-back duties.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor wastewater treatment processes and equipment.
• Perform routine laboratory tests and analyses as required.
• Maintain records and reports of plant operations and chemical usage.
• Assist maintenance personnel and perform routine janitorial duties as needed.
• Regulate motors, pumps, blowers and valves to meet changing conditions.
• Monitor SCADA and other computer-based control systems.

Skills

SCADA systems

MS Teams

Office Suite

Laboratory testing

Electrical & electronic systems

Education

High School Diploma/GED

NC Biological Wastewater Operator Grade I

Tools

SCADA

Job description

SALARY: $56,867.20 – $88,171.20 Annually

LOCATION: 3500 Reclamation Road, New Hill, NC 27562

JOB TYPE: Regular, Full-Time

JOB NUMBER: 27-02724

DEPARTMENT: Utilities

DIVISION: WWWRF

OPENING DATE: 11/05/2026

CLOSING DATE: 11/25/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Join Our Team as a Water Reclamation Facility Operator!

Are you ready to make a splash in your career? At the Town of Cary, we believe our greatest asset is our amazing employees, and we’re recruiting for enthusiastic individuals who want to make a real difference in environmental stewardship and public health. As a Water Reclamation Facility Operator, you’ll be a key player in ensuring clean, sustainable water for our community and the environment.

In this exciting role, you’ll operate and maintain state-of-the-art water reclamation systems while collaborating with a team that values your creativity and insights. Located at the Western Wake Regional WRF, you’ll work a12-hour shift from midnight to noon (5 days on, 2 off, 2 on, 5 off), which means you’ll enjoy plenty of days off to recharge and enjoy life outside of work.

Water Reclamation Facility positions are part of our established career ladder programthat provides for the advancement of non-supervisory staff members in eligible positions who demonstrate increasing levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Depending upon the level of attainment in the career ladder, an employee may have lead worker duties over other plant personnel. The minimum certification level is determined by the career ladder criteria.

This position is a “critical position” meaning you are required to report to work during adverse weather or other emergency situations, to maintain equipment, operate the facility and/or assist the Department in any capacity necessary to continue Town operations.

Anticipated Hiring Range: $56,867.20 – $66,185.60 *Applicants who possess relevant certifications and experience may be eligible for higher starting pay.*

Plant Location:
3500 Reclamation Road
New Hill, North Carolina 27562

Come join us at our state-of-the-art facility, where your contributions will help shape a sustainable future!

TYPICAL TASKS

• Makes regular tours of the facility monitoring mechanical and analytical equipment such as Pumps, Generators, Motors, Nutrient Analyzers, Blowers, Digesters, UV Disinfection, Chemical Feed Equipment, and Clarifiers;
• Operates sludge thickeningfacility;
• Operates a reclaimed water pump station;
• Operates a regional influent pump station;
• Generate process trend charts, replenish chemical reagents;
• Performs analytical analyses to include pH, TSS, Alkalinity, Settleability, Dissolved Oxygen, Ortho Phosphorus, Fecal Coliforms, Ammonia, Nitrates Total Residual Chlorine, Microscopy and Percent Solids;
• Performs biosolids wasting as prescribed by the Facility Operations Supervisor;
• Maintains records andreports;
• Assists maintenance personnel when needed; performs routine janitorial duties;
• Regulates and adjusts motors, pumps, blowers, and valves to meet changing operational conditions;
• Maintains Composite Samplers;
• Collects samples for laboratory tests;
• Operates and maintains scum thickeners;
• Facilitates and monitors biosolids storage and hauling operations;
• Monitors security system cameras;
• Monitors operation of the plant through the use of specialized computer equipment such as SCADA systems, controls and printers;
• Reports maintenance problems to maintenance personnel;
• Utilizes Office Suite software, attends meetings virtually, and communicates frequently through MS Teams and email;
• Maintains process analyzers, perform calibration and service as prescribed;
• Monitors Chemical Feed Systems and adjusts as necessary;
• Performs preventive and corrective maintenance tasks on assigned wastewater treatment equipment;
• Performs other job-related tasks as required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work in this class is medium to heavy work and may require exposure to various environmental conditions such as heat, cold, rain, and unpleasant surroundings. An employee must have the physical agility to move about freely including climbing stairs and ladders and crawling into tight spaces. Moderate to heavy lifting is required in performing the work. Visual acuity is necessary to perform paperwork, read gauges, and make repairs. An employee must also be able to hear, talk, and smell.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Thorough knowledge of the operating characteristics and maintenance requirements of a grade IV water reclamation facility;
• Thorough knowledge of electrical and electronic systems;
• Thorough knowledge of hydraulic, chemical and mechanical principles pertinent to wastewater treatment;
• Thorough knowledge of the occupational hazards of the work and of necessary safety precautions;
• Ability to operate a computer relative to the operation of the plant and troubleshooting malfunctions, and ability to type and work with computers;
• Ability to detect flaws in the operation of mechanical equipment and to determine proper remedial measures;
• Ability to conduct routine laboratory tests;
• Ability to understand and follow moderately complex oral and written instructions;
• Ability to read meters and charts accurately and to maintain records of shift operations;
• Ability to work in adverse conditions such as heat, cold, rain and unpleasant surroundings;
• Skill in the use and care of equipment and hand tools;
• Ability to move about freely including climbing stairs/ladders and crawling into tight spaces;
• Ability to lift moderate to heavy weights in the performance of work;
• Ability to hear, talk and smell;
• Must possess visual acuity necessary to read/write paperwork, read gauges, and make repairs;

MINIMUM AND PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Requires a high school diploma or GED.
• Requires a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• Requires NC Biological Wastewater Operator Grade I certification, or the ability to obtain the certification within 1 year of hire date.
• Must live within fifty (50) miles of the facility and respond within one (1) hour when fulfilling call-back/stand-by duties. Facility location is 3500 Reclamation Rd New Hill, NC 27562.

PREFERRED:

• Shift work experience is a plus.
• Possession of a NC Biological Wastewater Operator Grade I certification (or higher).

Cary ensures equal employment opportunities (EEO) are provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political affiliation, marital status, veteran status, or genetic information.