Water Plant Operator

The City of Lake Forest is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Water Plant Operator to join our team at the Lake Forest Water Treatment Plant. Our operators play a critical role in ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality drinking water to the community by operating, monitoring, and maintaining advanced membrane filtration and distribution systems. This position also supports the operation and maintenance of sanitary and storm lift stations.

This is a hands-on opportunity for someone who enjoys technical work, problem solving, and public service. We’re looking for people with a knack for fixing things, those who like to tinker, ask questions, figure out how things work, and solve problems. No experience working at a water plant? No problem. If you have technical or mechanical skills, enjoy troubleshooting, and are willing to learn, this could be a great fit.

If you are mechanically inclined and have experience in any of the following areas, we’d love to talk to you:

• Plumbing, electrical, or HVAC work
• Troubleshooting and reading manuals, plan sets, diagrams, or technical documents
• General building maintenance and repair
• Computer systems, controls, logic systems, or system monitoring
• Mechanical, utility, plant, or equipment maintenance

Schedule

The Water Plant operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, using a rotating shift schedule that includes day, night, weekend, and holiday coverage. Operators work a predictable rotation with a mix of 8-hour and 12-hour shifts, which provides extended time off throughout the schedule cycle.

Holiday shifts include additional compensation due to the continuous nature of water treatment operations. Flexibility, teamwork, and reliability are essential to maintaining uninterrupted service to the community.

• Monitor, operate, and adjust water treatment equipment to ensure proper flow, pressure, chemical balance, and safe drinking water production.
• Monitor system performance using SCADA, PLCs, instrumentation, laboratory data, and other control systems.
• Perform routine water sampling and testing for chlorine, pH, fluoride, and other parameters to maintain compliance with regulatory standards.
• Record and maintain accurate daily operating data, including meter readings, chemical usage, laboratory results, logs, reports, and compliance documentation.
• Inspect pumps, motors, valves, filters, chemical feed systems, HVAC units, compressors, and other plant equipment for proper operation.
• Perform basic maintenance, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and minor repairs as needed.
• Start up, shut down, maintain, and troubleshoot treatment systems, including pumps, filters, membrane filtration systems, booster systems, and lift stations.
• Respond to system alarms, emergency conditions, and abnormal operating conditions, taking prompt corrective action to support uninterrupted water service.
• Safely receive, handle, and monitor treatment chemicals in accordance with safety procedures and guidelines.
• Coordinate with contractors, vendors, and internal staff to support maintenance, testing, repairs, shutdowns, flushing, and system restoration.
• Maintain accurate shift documentation and communicate operational updates and concerns through shift briefings, email, Teams, and phone systems.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment throughout the plant, grounds, and associated facilities.
• Support emergency response and continuity of essential water operations.

• High school diploma or equivalent required; additional technical coursework preferred.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license required.
• Basic mechanical, electrical, computer, and troubleshooting skills required.
• Ability to obtain a Class A IEPA Public Water Supply Operator License within five years of hire, with support from the City of Lake Forest throughout the process.
• Relevant experience in water treatment, utilities, mechanical/electrical maintenance, or related technical work preferred.
• Basic knowledge of laboratory testing, regulatory requirements, and safety practices preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to regulatory compliance.
• Ability to read and interpret technical documents.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing conditions.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively while interacting professionally with staff, contractors, and the public.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development in an evolving technical and regulatory environment.

Why Join the City of Lake Forest?

• Join a team that strives for excellence in water treatment and public service whileoperatingin a modern facility that values professionalism, safety, and innovation.
• Be part of a team focused on growth, continuous learning, and professional development in an evolving technical and regulatory environment.
• Take pride in delivering safe drinking water every day and supporting a vital public resource for the community.
• Contribute to an essential public service operation that directly supports the health, safety, and daily life of Lake Forest residents.
• Build technical skills in water treatment, plant operations, regulatory compliance, and infrastructure systems.

Full Benefits Package

• Full salary range: $76,375- $104,883, depending on qualifications
• Insurance: Medical (PPO/HMO), dental, vision
• Leave: 13 paid holidays, front-loaded vacation and sick time, parental leave
• Retirement: IMRF pension 457(b)/Roth options
• Additional Benefits: Tuition reimbursement, EAP, legal/life protection, PSLF eligibility

The City of Lake Forest is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and experiences.

Salary : $76,375 - $104,883