Salary : $45,339.42 - $80,509.17 Annually
Location : Gastonia, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 01475
Department: Public Utilities Wastewater Treatment
Opening Date: 02/28/2024
Closing Date: 4/30/2024 5:00 PM Eastern
FLSA: Non-Exempt
General Definition of Work
Performs routine technical and skilled work in the operation of a wastewater treatment plant; does related work as required. Work is performed under the regular supervision of Lead Operator. Plant operations occur 7 days per week on three shifts, employees are assigned as needed.
Essential Functions/Duties

• Monitors proper functioning of pumps, motors, chlorinators, filters, and chemical feeders making adjustments as necessary to maintain proper flow.
• Develops and implements system control methods to maintain required parameters.
• Conducts operation of computerized Supervisory Control and Data Acquisitions system (SCADA).
• Records readings of meters and indicators.
• Changes charts on recording meters and gauges; collects wastewater samples from designated points.
• Makes regular tour of plant and checks engines, generators, pumps, aerators, mixing basins, settling basins, digesters, filters, clarifiers, and other equipment for proper functioning; makes routine physical and chemical tests, recording results.
• Regulates and adjusts motors, pumps, blowers, valves, and other apparatus to meet changing operating conditions.
• Makes process adjustments and notifies superiors of need for equipment repair.
• Maintains a safe work area.
• Performs other tasks as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of the principles, practices, equipment, and methods used in wastewater treatment; knowledge of the occupational hazards of the work and of necessary safety precautions; knowledge of biology and chemistry as related to the specific treatment process; ability to adjust pumps, chemical feed machines and other plant equipment; ability to check the operation of equipment and to detect defects in operation; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to take accurate readings, ability to keep routine records and to make mathematical computations; ability to maintain effective working relationships with others. On-the-job training is available to a successful candidate that does not have wastewater treatment plant operations experience.
Education/Experience/Physical Demands/Special Requirements/Additional Information
Treatment Plant Operator I
Any combination of education and experience equivalent to completion of high school and possession of a NC grade I Biological Wastewater Operator certification required within 18 months of employment. Salary $21.7978hour and up, depending on experience.
Treatment Plant Operator II
Any combination of education and experience equivalent to completion of high school and possession of a NC grade II Biological Wastewater Operator certification. Salary $24.0321/hour and up, depending on experience.
Treatment Plant Operator III
Any combination of education and experience equivalent to completion of high school and possession of a NC grade III Biological Wastewater Operator certification.
Salary $26.4954/hour and up, depending on experience.
Treatment Plant Operator IV
Any combination of education and experience equivalent to completion of high school and possession of a NC grade IV Biological Wastewater Operator certification.
Salary $27.8202/hour and up, depending on experience.
The physical activity of this position includes:
Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized. This factor is important if the amount and kind of climbing required exceeds that required for ordinary locomotion.

Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or couching on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.

Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.

Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.

Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.

Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.

Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.

Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.

Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.

Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.

Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips.

Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal spoken word levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts.

Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
The physical requirements of this position:
Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
The visual acuity requirements including color, depth perception and field of vision:
The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform one or more of the following. Preparing and analyzing data and figures; accounting; transcription; computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; assembly or fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes.

The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position:
The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.

The worker is subject to extreme cold: Temperatures below 32 degrees for periods of more than one hour.

The worker is subject to extreme heat: Temperatures above 100 degrees for periods of more than one hour.

The workers is subject to noise: There is sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level.

The worker is subject to hazards: Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals.

T he worker is subject to atmospheric conditions: One or more of the following conditions that affect the respiratory system of the skin: Fumes, odors dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.

The worker is required to wear respirator.
Must possess a valid appropriate driver's license with acceptable driving history. Drug screening, criminal background, and a POET (post offer employment testing) are required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The City of Gastonia is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, equitable, and welcoming. We value diversity and promise to honor your experiences, perspective, and unique identity.

The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/H
High Deductible Health Plan with HSA
Dental
Vision
Life
Supplemental Insurance Plans
Pension (Local Government Employees' Retirement System)
401(k)
457
Short-term/Long-term Disability
Dependent Care Plan
Employee Assistance Program
On-Site Health Clinic
Employee Educational Assistance Program
Sick Leave (12 days per year)
Initial Employment Vacation: Starting at 12 days per year
Holidays (11 days per year)
Personal Day (1 day per year)
A comprehensive list of benefits can be found online at