WWTP Operator Trainee / Relief Operator (Full-Time)

City of Statesville (NC); Statesville (NC); On-site; USD 41,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Statesville (NC) Public Utilities Department is seeking a Wastewater Control Operator Trainee/Relief Operator at the 4th Creek WWTP. This full-time, non-exempt position offers hands-on learning toward becoming a certified shift operator, with a Monday–Friday schedule from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

The trainee assists in operating and maintaining facilities, taking readings, collecting samples, recording data, and performing basic analyses under supervision while pursuing required

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Ability to obtain Wastewater Operator I within 1 year.
• Ability to obtain Wastewater Operator II within 2 years.
• City requires NC Operator II certification to remain employed.

Responsibilities

• Learn to operate and maintain wastewater treatment facilities under supervision.
• Assist certified operators with daily tasks and maintenance.
• Take readings and samples, record measurements, and maintain logs.
• Perform basic physical and chemical analyses to monitor treatment efficiency.
• Follow safety procedures and assist with grounds and building maintenance.

Skills

Wastewater operations

Reading meters / instrumentation

Recordkeeping

Safety awareness

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Wastewater Control Operator Trainee/Relief Operator (4th Creek WWTP)

Public Utilities Department

Salary Range: $19.77 - $32.62 Hourly / $41,121.60 - $67,849.60 Annually

FLSA Position Class: Full-time, Non-Exempt

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7AM - 3:30PM

Posting Closing Date: October 8, 2026

Summary

This position is responsible for learning all aspects of the operation and maintenance of the City’s wastewater treatment facilities; responsible for assisting certified wastewater control operators with duties and maintenance of the plant after successfully completing orientation and trainee instruction. This position is designed for the progressive movement into a Certified Shift Operator position; therefore, the candidate hired for this position will be the next staff member to fill an open shift when it becomes available.

NOTE: Employee may be required to respond to a disaster, either natural or man-made, to serve the citizens of Statesville and meet the needs of the organization, which may result in the assignment of other duties and take precedence over duties described in this job description. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive.

• Learns to properly operate and maintain all aspects of the wastewater treatment facility under the instruction and oversight of a certified operator.
• Learns the fundamentals of proper wastewater treatment by participating in a wide variety of on-the-job tasks and through classes, correspondence courses, and general reading.
• Learns to make necessary adjustments to the treatment process to ensure compliance with all rules, regulations, and the facility's standard operating procedures.
• Learns to perform minor repairs and preventative maintenance on plant equipment and structures; assists the maintenance staff as necessary with major or unusual maintenance tasks.
• Takes readings and measurements concerning unit processes, collects samples, records measurements, and helps maintain accurate records of plant operational and maintenance functions.
• Learns to perform basic physical and chemical analysis to monitor treatment efficiency.
• Informs the Wastewater Treatment Plant Lead Operator of any observed or suspected problems, then proceeds with corrective or preventative action, as instructed.
• Learns and demonstrates appropriate safety precautions and procedures for all tasks.
• Assists in grounds and building maintenance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and/or Experience

• High School Diploma or GED.

Requirements

• Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license, or any valid driver’s license with ability to obtain a North Carolina driver’s license within 60 days of establishing a permanent residence in North Carolina.

• Ability to obtain a Wastewater Operator I Certification within one (1) year.
• Ability to obtain a Wastewater Operator II Certification within two (2) years.
• The City of Statesville requires no less than a State of North Carolina Wastewater Operator II Certification to remain employed as a WWTP Operator.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the operating characteristics, maintenance requirements, tools, and equipment required of wastewater treatment plant operations.
• Knowledge of the state and federal water and wastewater treatment quality regulations.
• Knowledge of hydraulic, chemical, and mechanical principles pertinent to wastewater treatment plant operations.
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and the necessary safety precautions for this work.
• Ability to detect defects in the operation of mechanical equipment and determine proper remedial measures.

• Ability to conduct routine water quality tests, read meters and charts accurately, and then correctly record results.

• Ability to operate, maintain, and repair a variety of wastewater collection and treatment equipment.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and create detailed reports.
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly, concisely, and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, other departments, supervisors, and the public.
• After instruction and orientation period is complete, quality and speed of work on routine duties should steadily become comparable to that of a certified operator.

Job Related Physical Requirements

This position involves heavy work requiring the exertion of 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical activity related to this position may require the use of fingers and hands, climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, pushing/pulling, lifting, grasping, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required to express or exchange ideas and to convey detailed instructions to others; hearing is required to receive, understand, and respond to information; visual acuity is required for visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring or testing devices, operation of machines or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities.

Working Conditions

The employee is subject to both indoor and outdoor environmental conditions including extreme heat and cold, rain, snow, fumes, odors, dust, gases, oils, vibration, poor ventilation, wastewater, and hazards including exposure to chemicals, moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, work in narrow or confined spaces, and may be exposed to blood and other potentially infectious materials. Employees are required to be “on-call,” and may work nights, weekends, or during emergency situations. The employee typically works shifts in combination with certified Wastewater Plant Operators yet may, after an appropriate training period and demonstration of competency, be assigned to work certain shifts alone.