Water Treatment Plant Operator

City of Charlotte; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Charlotte seeks a Water Treatment Plant Operator to manage operations for a surface water treatment facility, ensuring the production of safe drinking water. The ideal candidate will possess a high school diploma and relevant certifications, along with experience in similar roles. This entry-level full-time position offers competitive pay commensurate with experience and certified skills in water treatment operations.

Qualifications

• Two years of related work experience required.
• Valid driver's license needed.
• Certification requirements vary based on grade level: C, B, or A Surface Water.

Responsibilities

• Operates and maintains treatment plant equipment.
• Monitors treatment processes and ensures quality.
• Performs chemical calculations and laboratory analyses.

Skills

Knowledge of surface water treatment plant operations

Skill in working with computers

Skill in making math and chemical calculations

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

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This range is provided by City of Charlotte. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$23.00/hr - $25.12/hr

Date Opened: Wednesday, June 04, 2025 12:00 AM

Close Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 12:00 AM

Department: Charlotte Water Department

Salary: $23.00 - $25.12 Commensurate with Experience

Summary

This position operates and maintains treatment plant equipment such as filters, pumps, chlorinators, air compressors, and electric motors. Work involves performing standard chemical and physical process control tests; washing filters; keeping records of operations; performing math/chemical calculations; and inspecting for safe/efficient operations of plant equipment. This position produces safe and sufficient drinking water by managing daily operations of a surface water treatment facility.

Essential Job Functions

• Produces safe and sufficient drinking water for the population and visitors of Mecklenburg County by managing day-to-day operations of a surface water treatment facility.
• Monitors treatment processes by utilizing SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems and visual observation of process equipment (pumps, chemical feeders, filters, flocculators, rapid mixers, instruments, and air compressors).
• Ensures quality and process control by laboratory analysis and chemical dosage rate adjustments as well as taking bacteria/taste and odor samples along various stages of treatment.
• Assists in unloading and storage of treatment process chemicals.
• Monitors high service pumping of treated water to the distribution system to ensure appropriate system pressure and elevated storage tank level to meet consumer demand.
• Adjusts treatment plant rate and coordinates with two other surface water treatment plants to match demand requirements of the overall system.
• Performs laboratory analysis; gathers samples; and maintains lab instruments.
• Washes filters.
• Maintains equipment (greasing, inspecting, and rebuilding equipment)
• Performs janitorial services (sweeping, mopping, cleaning assigned areas; and taking out the trash).
• Enters data (such as lab results).
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.
  
  

Minimum Requirements To Perform Work

• High school diploma or GED from an accredited school.
• Two (2) years of related work experience.
  
  

Licenses, Certifications Or Registrations

• Requires valid driver's license.
• Requires (or obtains within 18 months of hire date) NC Grade C Surface Water Certification.
• Requires (or obtains within 3 years of hire date) NC Grade B Surface Water Certification.
• Requires (or obtains within 5 years of hire date) NC Grade A Surface Water Certification.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of surface water treatment plant operations.
• Skill in working with computers and software related to the position.
• Skill in making math and chemical calculations.
• Ability to obtain City driving authorization.
• Ability to work with chemicals.
  
  

Salary

Compensation is a function of certification level

• Candidate holding a C Surface or Uncertified candidate - $ 47,480
• Candidate holding a B Surface certification - $ 51,849
• Candidate holding an A Surface certification - $ 60,023
  
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is medium work and requires applying 30 pounds of force frequently and exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: climbing, feeling, grasping, handling, perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, distinguishing among sounds, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, expressing ideas by spoken word, shouting above noises, visual acuity in data/color/observations/equipment/inspections, and walking.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs. Requires working shifts and working around machinery with chemicals.

Additional Information

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties at any time. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were written out in this job description.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City's Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate's written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

How To Apply

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby where we have workstations available. Our office is located at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email [e-mail].

The City of Charlotte is committed to making the job application process accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modification will be provided. To make a request, please email [e-mail], call 704-962-6168, or visit us in person at 700 4th St., Charlotte, NC 28202.

BENEEFITS

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to all employees.

Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte's benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Industries

  Architecture and Planning

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