Water Treatment Plant Operator

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee (NC)

On-site

USD 45,000 - 55,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition waivers for employees

Free vaccines and boosters

Job summary

Western Carolina University is seeking a Water Plant Operator to maintain and operate the on-site drinking water treatment facility in Cullowhee, NC. This permanent, full-time role requires meticulous plant operation, data reading and coordination with campus teams to ensure uninterrupted service.

Shifts cover 7:00–3:00 and 2:00–10:00, with weekend/holiday rotation; some overtime may be required. Eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship is required.

Qualifications

Must obtain Class C within 8 months; Class B within 2 years.
Valid North Carolina driver’s license.
High school diploma or GED as a baseline qualification.

Responsibilities

Maintain and repair pumps, valves and piping in the water treatment facility.
Operate and monitor plant equipment; collect samples and perform tests.
Read and interpret data to adjust processes and ensure water quality.
Regulate chemical-feeding devices and conduct lab analyses on water samples.
Perform routine maintenance and housekeeping of the facility.
Work shift coverage including weekends and holidays as needed.

Skills

Attention to detail

Data interpretation

Teamwork

Safety awareness

Physical stamina

Education

High school diploma or GED

Class C Surface Water Operator Certification

Class B Surface Water Operator Certification

Tools

Basic computer skills

Job description

About WCU

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes ‘Best Employers’ lists each year. Including: 2025 – Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list. 2024 – Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries. 2023 – Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries. 2022 – Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list. Western Carolina University is the UNC system’s westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South. Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans – eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available. Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service. WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences – many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being subject to the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (SHRA).

Employees in this position are responsible for maintaining and repairing the machines, equipment and processes used to treat and distribute drinking water at the University’s Water Treatment Facility. Employees are responsible for operating a variety of equipment, collecting samples, performing tests, keeping records, conducting hourly rounds of the plant, performing continual checks of plant processes, cleaning settling basins, backwashing filters and managing any water quality issues that arise. Operators in this position are required to read and interpret data to make sure that plant equipment and processes are working properly, regulate chemical-feeding devices, take samples of the water, perform chemical and biological laboratory analysis on water samples from different treatment processes, and make adjustments to those water treatment processes as needed.

Operators are responsible for the maintenance of the facility, including, but not limited to, the maintenance and repairs of pumps, valves and piping; minor electrical and general plumbing repairs; and all housekeeping duties.

The operation of the water plant requires shift work. This position will primarily be for the 7:00 am to 3:00 pm shift, but the employee will be required to cover the 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm shift when the operator is off. Weekend and holiday work is required on a rotating basis. Additional hours outside the normal operating schedule may be required, when necessary, at the directive of the supervisor.

WCU Water Plant Operators are considered essential employees because the water supply must be continually maintained, even during inclement weather events. Operators may be responsible for additional duties, when necessary, as required by the supervisor.

Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position

Certification and Licensure: Class C Surface Water Operator Certification issued by the North Carolina Water Treatment Facility Operators Certification Board, or ability to obtain it within 8 months of employment, and Class B Surface Water Operator Certification, or ability to obtain it within 2 years of employment. Valid North Carolina driver’s license.
Plant Operations and Technical Skills: Ability to follow all standard operating procedures, pay close attention to detail, and recognize and correct operational problems. Basic computer skills.
Safety and Physical Demands: Alertness to safety and security conditions. Ability to perform medium to heavy physically demanding work at times, including lifting 50 pounds on a regular, recurring basis.
Dependability and Availability: Ability to work well independently and consistently through the entire shift, and to report to work in a variety of weather conditions, including snow and ice.
Communication and Teamwork: Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, other water plant operators, shop personnel, contractors and the campus community, and to work cohesively as a team member supporting co-workers and supervisors.

Minimum Qualifications

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an ‘equivalent combination of education and experience.’ If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both.

High school diploma or equivalency; or demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work. Experience in water/waste water treatment operations preferred. Requires certification(s).

Anticipated Hiring Range

$49,650

Position Type

Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours per Week

Number of Months per Year

Salary Band Range

$33,540 – $58,321

Salary Grade

This advanced-level position does not have a salary grade assigned to it

Open Date

11/02/2026

Close Date

11/23/2026

Open Until Filled

Background/E-Verify

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

Credential Verification

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

EOE

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

University Safety

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents