Water Treatment Plant Opertator

Job Title: Water Treatment Plant Operator

Department: Base Operations

Job Summary:

Controls treatment plant machines and equipment to purify and clarify water for human consumption and for industrial use. Operates and controls electric motors, pumps, and valves to regulate flow of raw water into treating plant. Dumps specified amounts of chemicals, such as chlorine, ammonia, and lime into water or adjusts automatic devices that admit specified amounts of chemicals into tanks to disinfect, deodorize and clarify water. Starts agitators to mix chemicals and allows impurities to settle to bottom of tank. Turns valves to regulate water through filter beds to remove impurities. Pumps purified water into water mains. Monitors panelboard and adjusts controls to regulator flow rates, loss of head pressure and water elevation and distribution of water. Cleans tanks and filter beds, using backwashing (reverse flow of water). Repairs and lubricates machines and equipment using hand and power tools. Tests water samples to determine acidity, color, and impurities, using colorimeter, turbidimeter, and conductivity meter. Dumps chemicals such as alum into tanks to coagulate impurities and reduce acidity. Records data, such as residual content of chemicals, water turbidity, and water pressure. May operate portable water-purification plant to supply drinking water. May purify wastewater from plant preparatory to pumping water into rivers and streams or city mains.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plant Operations: Operate, monitor, and adjust valves, pumps, motors, and other equipment to control the flow and treatment of water.
• Water Quality Monitoring: Collect water samples and perform routine laboratory tests. Record and interpret data to ensure water quality standards are met.
• Maintenance & Troubleshooting: Conduct routine inspections of plant equipment to identify issues. Perform basic maintenance and report any malfunctions or required repairs to a supervisor.
• Safety & Compliance: Adhere to all safety protocols and regulatory standards, including those from the EPA and other governing bodies.

Desired Qualifications:

• Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Experience: A minimum of 1-3 years of experience in a water treatment plant or a related industrial setting is preferred.
• Leadership: The ability to work independently and effectively as part of a team.
• Certification: Minimum Grade 4 Water Plant License 
• A valid driver's license is also necessary.

Physical Requirements:

• High volume work requires a day-in and day-out, consistently high quality, high output volume of productivity.
• In an 8-hour day, must be able to continually bend, squat, kneel, lift, twist, climb, reach, stand and walk; use hands for repetitive pushing, pulling, and single grasp motion. 
• Frequently lift and carry objects weighing up to 60 pounds; and move objects in excess of 100 pounds.
• Must have the abilities to load and unload trucks safely, climb and carry ladders.
• Travel by company automobile to work location.

Disclaimer:

The responsibilities and qualifications outlined above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by those in this position. They are not an exhaustive list of all duties and skills required. The company reserves the right to modify job duties or assign additional duties as needed.

Special Qualifications/Requirements:

Must be able to successfully pass, as required, a federal, state, or local government's background investigation.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities:

We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.

The contractor will not discharge or, in any other manner, discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Job Description Last Updated: 10/03/2025