Water Plant Operator

OAC EXTERNAL POSITION POSTING

DATES POSTED: 06/05 - 06/15/2026

Job Title

Water Plant Operator

Entry Wage

$36.60

Division

Water Production & Pumping

Standard Wage

$45.75

Schedule

Full-Time

Shift

Rotating

Reports To

Foreman - Florence Water Plant

Job Code

10292

Position Summary

Under limited supervision, the Water Plant Operator is responsible to operate plant equipment to produce the specified quantity and quality of finished water, monitors plant equipment to assure proper plant performance, maintains plant operational records, applies process chemicals, and use laboratory test equipment for routine tests.

Education

• Required - High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED)
  
  

Minimum Requirements

• Required - Minimum of 2 years of experience in the operation or maintenance of a Potable Water Treatment Plant or Potable Water Distribution system and hold the State of Nebraska Grade IV (4) Water Operator License as indicated below. or
• Required - Minimum of 3 years of operational or maintenance experience at a potable water treatment plant and obtain the State of Nebraska Grade IV (4) Water Operator License within 180 days as indicated below. or
• Required - Minimum of 6 years of experience in building operations/maintenance, or production line operations/maintenance and obtain the State of Nebraska Grade IV (4) Water Operator License within 180 days as indicated below.
• Preferred - Experience with using SCADA or other control systems.
• Preferred - Experience working rotating shifts.
  
  

Licenses, Certifications and/or Testing

• Required - Have and maintain a valid driver’s license Upon Hire and
• Required - State of Nebraska Grade IV (4) Water Operator License and have two (2) years of experience in the operation or maintenance of a Potable Water Treatment Plant or Potable Water Distribution system. Upon Hire or
• Required - State of Nebraska Grade IV (4) Water Operator License and have a minimum three (3) years of operational or maintenance experience at a Potable Water Treatment Plant. within 180 Days or
• Required - State of Nebraska Grade IV (4) Water Operator License and have a minimum six (6) years of building operations/maintenance, or production line operations/maintenance. within 180 Days
• Required - Certified to wear an Air Purifying Respirator and a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) in order to comply with confined entry procedures and/or chemical exposure. Certification requires completing a Medical Questionnaire, passing a Pulmonary Function Test, Fit Test and compliance with the guidelines of the District’s Respiratory Protection Program. within 60 Days
• Required - Hearing (audiogram), Vision, and Color identification testing. Upon Hire
• Required - Pre-employment and/or post-offer physical demands screening Upon Hire
• Required - Pre-employment Background Check & Drug Screen Upon Hire
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Efficient written and verbal communication skills, in English, to assist internal and external customers, co-workers and management professionally, regardless of provocation.
• Must be willing to work 8 hour and 12 hours rotating shifts to include evenings, nights and weekends and Holidays.
• Ability to perform simple chemical titrations and determine endpoints, turbidity tests and color tests.
• Ability to work independently in accordance with verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to work with hazardous chemicals such as chlorine, ammonia, aluminum sulfate, soda ash, fluoride, lime, sodium permanganate, polymers, powdered carbon and various cleaning materials.
• Ability to perform routine math operation to properly calculate chemical applications for treatment.
• Must be detail orientated and ability to write legibly in order to maintain detailed logs and records.
• Ability to remain calm and productive in stressful situations.
• Proficiency with personal computers, tablets, and/or other electronic devices to include familiarity with, but not limited to, Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, Word) and enterprise wide software (e.g., SAP).
• Ability to learn new or upgraded computer software as required.
• Laboratory skills are preferred. (Entry proficiency)
• Knowledge of basic fluid flow principles is preferred.
• Documented mechanical aptitude is preferred.
  
  

Essential Functions

• Control treatment processes to meet directed requirements to include, but not limited to, basin blow-downs, chemical feed adjustments and basin flow rates.
• Check status of and operate pumps, basins, chemical feeders and related equipment.
• Control water plant by means of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and related equipment, and manually operate plant if SCADA fails.
• Pick-up and test samples of water at specific locations in the treatment process at established times. Perform various tests, record test results, and interpret the results to make operational adjustments as necessary to meet directed requirements.
• Assist with washing basins and other routine plant maintenance duties.
• Break ice on open basins to maintain flow and to permit proper operation.
• Perform the physical requirements of position.
• Perform safety checks of buildings and equipment for problems, including but not limited to, lighting, heat, leaks, electrical trouble, fire, and mechanical failure.
• Operate valves throughout the plant to ensure proper plant flow.
• Perform preliminary diagnosis of problems related to plant systems and inform supervisors to initiate corrective action.
• Restore plant to normal operations after power failure including pre-sedimentation and primary basins.
• Perform various plant maintenance tasks such as basin washing, housekeeping and grounds keeping maintenance duties.
• Perform weekly maintenance schedules.
• Change grit tubs as needed with overhead crane.
• Drive District vehicles.
  
  

Required For All Jobs

• Perform a variety of other duties as assigned
• Understand and comply with all District policies and procedures
  
  

Physical Demands

• Stationary Position - Frequently
• Move/Traverse - Frequently
• Stationary Position/Seated - Frequently
• Transport/Lifting - Frequently
• Transport/Carrying - Frequently
• Exerting Force/Pushing - Frequently
• Exerting Force/Pulling - Frequently
• Ascend/Descend - Occasionally
• Balancing - Occasionally
• Position Self/Stooping - Frequently
• Position Self/Kneeling - Rarely
• Position Self/Crouching - N/A
• Position Self/Crawling - N/A
• Reaching - Frequently
• Handling - Frequently
• Grasping - Frequently
• Feeling - Occasionally
• Communicate/Talking - Frequently
• Communicate/Hearing - Frequently
• Repetitive Motions - Frequently
• Coordination - Frequently
  
  

Additional Physical Demands

Physical demands testing: Use Water Plant Operator Trainee POET (10340)

Safety Equipment: Protective footwear, full face respirator, eyewear, reflective gear, gloves and hardhat.

• Ability to lift and transport 50 lbs. bags and buckets a distance of at least 20 feet and empty contents.
  
  

Ability to move and empty a wheelbarrow with a load of 20 lbs.

Grasping - Firm: Frequently

Grasping - Simple: Frequently

Bending: Frequently

Squatting: Frequently

Twisting - Neck: Frequently

Twisting - Lumbar: Frequently

Twisting - Neck: Frequently

Fingering: Frequently

Hammering: Occasionally

Reclining: N/A

Jumping: N/A

Throwing: N/A

Running: N/A

Reaching above shoulder level: Occasionally

Reaching at/below shoulder level: Frequently

Reaching to floor: Frequently

The physical tasks are listed by Essential Function number and were collected by direct measurement and hands on trials when available. A calibrated force gauge and weight scale was utilized. Workers in this job do have consistent ability to ask for assistance.

All Essential Job Functions below include these physical demands in addition to those listed in each section:

• Frequent upper extremity horizontal reaching
• Frequent standing
• Frequent bending/stooping/squatting
• Frequent walking throughout workday
• Frequent use of stairs throughout the workday
  
  

Performs the proper tasks associated with controlling the water plant.

• Constant sitting, observing via computer
  
  

Tests water samples during various stages of the water purification process.

• Constant standing
• Frequent gripping and lifting/moving of samples utilized for analysis
• Frequent use of laboratory equipment to perform tests
• Proper documentation of findings from performed tests
• Frequent use of measuring tools, calculators, and computers to perform analysis and testing.
• Frequent neck rotation for visual field
  
  

Performs proper maintenance on machinery/basins and various equipment utilized.

• Frequent use of hand/power tools for various tasks
• Frequent use of sledgehammer to help remove/break up grit from machinery
• Frequent use of lawn maintenance equipment such as mowers & string trimmers
• Occasional chain saw use
• Occasional ladder use
• Occasional use of crane to move grit tubs
• Occasional lifting/carrying materials up to 70 lbs.
• Occasional stair climbing
• Occasional use of full face respirator or SCBA
  
  

Cleans area as needed

• Cleans/sterilizes lab equipment and area.
• Cleans work area and maintenance shop as needed
  
  

Additional Physical and Environmental Requirements: Work in conditions varying from clean, dry and cold to dirty, wet and hot with a variety of odors.

Physical And Environmental Requirements

• Field: Work inside and outside in all weather conditions and terrain for extended periods of time.
• Please ensure the application is filled out thoroughly to be considered for this position
  
  

An Equal Opportunity Employer “Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation"