Water Treatment Operator

Tavares, City of (FL); Florida; On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Tavares in Florida is seeking a Water Treatment Operator to monitor and operate treatment facilities, wells, and storage systems, ensuring safe, compliant potable water production.

The role requires operating SCADA, collecting samples, maintaining logs, and responding to alarms and emergencies during assigned shifts, including on-call duties.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of municipal water treatment operations, SCADA, water quality monitoring, chemical handling, safety procedures, and applicable regulations.
• Ability to safely operate facilities, interpret gauges, alarms, and data, perform routine calculations, maintain records, follow procedures, and respond during emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, and maintain water treatment facilities, wells, booster stations, and storage facilities.
• Monitor treatment processes and adjust operations to maintain water quality and regulatory compliance.
• Operate pumps, chemical feed systems, filtration, disinfection, aeration, and related equipment.
• Collect water samples and perform routine operational testing; document results.
• Maintain logs, regulatory records, and treatment reports; ensure compliance with standards.
• Respond to alarms, troubleshoot routine issues, and coordinate repairs as needed.
• Participate in on-call rotations and complete shift reports and maintenance requests.

Skills

Knowledge of water treatment ops

Emergency response abilities

Regulatory compliance awareness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Technical coursework in water treatment

Two years of related experience preferred

Experience with pumps and SCADA

Tools

SCADA systems

Water quality testing equipment

Chemical handling procedures

Job description

Performs skilled technical work in the operation, monitoring, maintenance, and regulatory compliance of the City's water treatment facilities, wells, booster stations, storage facilities, and related production systems. Monitors treatment processes, operates SCADA systems, performs water quality testing, maintains operational records, and responds to equipment and system issues to ensure the safe, reliable production of potable water. Works independently during assigned shifts and participates in rotating schedules, on-call assignments, and emergency response activities. This position reports to the Lead Water Plant Operator.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Water Treatment Operations

• Operate, monitor, and maintain water treatment plants, wells, booster stations, storage facilities, and related production equipment.
• Monitor treatment processes and adjust operations to maintain water quality and regulatory compliance.
• Operate pumps, motors, chemical feed systems, filtration, disinfection, aeration, and related treatment equipment.
• Perform routine inspections of treatment facilities, equipment, wells, tanks, and associated infrastructure.
• Identify abnormal operating conditions, respond to alarms, troubleshoot routine operational issues, and report significant concerns to supervisory personnel.

SCADA & Process Control

• Monitor plant operations using SCADA systems, including production levels, pressures, flows, equipment status, and alarm conditions.
• Review operational data and document process adjustments and system changes.
• Assist with troubleshooting instrumentation, control systems, and automated equipment.

Water Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• Collect water samples and perform routine operational testing.
• Monitor chlorine residuals, turbidity, pH, flow rates, pressure, and other treatment parameters.
• Maintain operational logs, regulatory records, compliance documentation, and treatment reports.
• Ensure compliance with FDEP, EPA, and City operating standards.
• Report water quality concerns, equipment failures, and regulatory issues promptly.

Equipment Maintenance & Facility Support

• Perform routine preventive maintenance, inspections, lubrication, cleaning, adjustments, and minor repairs.
• Identify maintenance needs and coordinate repairs with maintenance personnel and contractors.
• Maintain plant facilities, equipment, and work areas in a clean and safe condition.
• Handle treatment chemicals in accordance with established safety procedures and maintain chemical storage areas.

Safety & EmergencyResponse

• Follow OSHA regulations, City safety policies, lockout/tagout procedures, confined space requirements,chemical handling protocols, and PPE requirements.
• Respond to equipment failures, power outages, severe weather, water quality incidents, and other operational emergencies.
• Perform emergency operational adjustments necessary to maintain continuous water production and protect public health.

On-Call & Documentation

• Participate in scheduled on-call rotations and respond to after-hours alarms, equipment failures, operational issues, and emergency conditions.
• Perform inspections, troubleshooting, operational adjustments, and emergency repairs as required.
• Complete daily operational logs, shift reports, maintenance requests, production records, chemical usage reports, and regulatory documentation.
• Communicate effectively with plant operators, distribution personnel, maintenance staff, contractors, supervisors, and regulatory agencies.

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all dutiesperformed. Employees will be required to perform other job related marginal duties as required.)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of municipal water treatment operations, treatment processes, SCADA systems, water quality monitoring, chemical handling, mechanical equipment, instrumentation, safety procedures, and applicable FDEP, EPA, and OSHA regulations.
2. Ability to safely operate treatment facilities, recognize abnormal operating conditions, interpret gauges, alarms, and operational data, perform routine calculations, maintain accurate records, follow technical procedures, work independently, and respond effectively during emergencies.

EDUCATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

1. High school graduation or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma.
2. Technical coursework in water treatment, environmental science, chemistry, mechanical or electrical systems, or a related field preferred.
3. Two (2) years of experience in water treatment, utilities, industrial operations, wastewater treatment, manufacturing, or a related field preferred.
4. Experience operating pumps, chemical feed systems, SCADA systems, or similar process equipment desirable.

(A comparable amount of training, education, or experience can be substituted for the minimum qualifications.)

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS AND REGISTRATIONS:

1. Possession of a valid Florida Driver’s License.
2. Florida FDEP Class “C” Water Treatment Operator License

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS:

• Operate treatment equipment, valves, controls, and tools while wearing required PPE.
• Acceptable eyesight and hearing (with or without correction)
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
• Moderate (45 pounds) lifting and carrying.
• Climbing and Walking
• Depth perception
• Distinguish colors
• Smelling
• Driving

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Work is performed primarily at water treatment plants, wells, booster stations, storage facilities, and related utility sites with exposure to treatment chemicals, mechanical and electrical equipment, wet surfaces, outdoor weather, elevated work areas, and confined spaces. Position requires rotating shifts, overtime, on-call assignments, and emergency response to ensure continuous water production. Must be available to work in the event of a disaster to assist with recovery response efforts.

(Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform theessential functions of this position.)