Plant Operator Trainee

Plant Operator - Trainee

Please look at what you can expect to earn as a Plant Operator Trainee during your first year as a full time
Employee with Washington County Government:

• Six (60) Hours Personal Time
• Eighty (80) Paid Vacation Hours
• Fourteen (14) Paid Holidays
• One Hundred & Twenty (120) Paid Sick Hours
• County and Employee funded Healthcare including Health, Prescription, Dental and Vision Coverage.
• County Paid Employee Assistance Plan
• County Paid Life Insurance
• County Paid Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• County Paid Short Term Disability Insurance
• County Paid Long Term Disability Insurance
• Up to $2,500.00 Annual Tuition Reimbursement Assistance
• County and Employee funded Defined Pension Plan
• Vested in just five (5) years.
• Credit for Prior Active Military Service and Unused Paid Sick Days.
• An Annual Salary of $45,261 starting..

PLEASE NOTE:
Position can be offered as an Operator (Grade 9 @Annual salary of ($50,586.00) and Senior Plant
Operator (Grade 11 @Annual salary $57,158.00) with required certification and experience requirements of the Maryland Class 5A Wastewater or Maryland Class 4 Water Licenses.

If our comprehensive compensation package interests you, please continue reading through our job posting to learn more about the position’s duties, responsibilities, prerequisites, etc. and apply online today.

JOB TITLE: Plant Operator / Trainee – Wastewater / GRADE 7
Water Treatment

DEPARTMENT: Water Quality FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO: Treatment Plant Superintendent

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Responsible for assisting in the performance of general operational and maintenance duties as related to water and wastewater treatment plants. Daily and weekly job duties depend upon assignment area and require strict adherence to prescribed safety standards. Work is on a shift basis including weekends so as to control plant operations and maintain grounds and equipment. Employee receives supervision from the
Treatment Plant Superintendent

ESSENTIAL TASKS:
(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)

1. Performs general operational tasks and routine process control testing.
2. Assist in making process control change decisions to maintain compliance with discharge monitoring permit limitations within preset limitations for learning purposes.
3. Assist in performing process control testing as instructed by the Treatment Plant Superintendents or

Senior Plant Operator in the Treatment Plant Superintendents absence. Testing includes but is not limited: COD, suspended solids, ammonia, CO2, D.O., pH, turbidities, chlorine, hardness, alkalinity, iron and Acid/Alkalinity.

4. Assist in evaluating and troubleshooting process controls and/or equipment failure problems as a learning process.

5. Advise the Treatment Plant Superintendent or Senior Plant Operator in the Treatment Plant
Superintendent absence when materials, chemicals and supplies for plant operations need to be ordered.

6. Enter Monthly Operating Reports data into the Computer.
7. Advise the Treatment Plant Superintendent or Senior Plant Operator in the Treatment Plant

Superintendent absence of abnormal plant conditions.
8. Respond to emergency call-outs after normal working hours.
9. Assist in the inspection of bearings, valves, seals, filters, pumps and motors and other mechanical and electrical equipment; lubricates, makes repairs, arranges for repair and replaces as necessary.
10. Obtain and record equipment readings and materials processed readings.
11. Complete required daily testing for plant. Record all test results on the appropriate forms.
12. Assists in obtaining various samples at various stages and performs routine tests in the field and in the laboratory as required by State and Federal agencies and for proper operations of treatment plant(s).
13. Perform routine daily preventive maintenance - check oil levels and grease equipment.
14. Assist in performing weekly and monthly maintenance as required by plant operation and maintenance manuals for each piece of equipment.
15. Assist in maintaining equipment maintenance records. Inspect safety equipment monthly.
16. Assist in performing minor equipment repairs.
17. Change flow charts. Read Meters. Flush hydrants and exercise valves.
18. Enforce Safety rules and regulations as adopted by the Department of Water Quality. Attend Safety training courses and seminars.
19. Maintains appearance of all buildings, equipment and grounds in a neat and orderly fashion. This includes performing custodial duties, cutting grass and painting both buildings and equipment.

20. Attend certification classes and take college classes to enhance job knowledge and keep updated on regulation changes.

21. Assists collections, maintenance and distributions as required or assigned.
22. Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Ability to learn technology and operate equipment associated with the treatment facility.
2. Ability to learn skilled work in the operational and maintenance activities of wastewater and water treatment facilities.
3. Knowledge of fundamental math.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

1. High School graduate.
2. Maintenance, laboratory, plumbing and/or electrical experience preferred.

A comparable amount of training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must have the use of sensory skills as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, hear, handle or feel objects and controls. Must possess the ability to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through the use of the telephone and personal contact. Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of related equipment, such as, but not limited to basic hand tools, personal computer, calculator, copier, and fax machine. Must be able to withstand significant standing, walking, moving, climbing, carrying, bending, kneeling, crawling, reaching, and handling, pushing, and pulling. Must be able to lift 100 lbs and the ability and willingness to assist others with moving objects heavier than 100lbs. Worker is subject to atmospheric conditions, such as odors, noise, inside and outside environmental conditions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant must possess a valid driver's license and be able to obtain the required Maryland Operator
Certification within four years of employment.

1. Progression to Plant Operator (Grade 9) upon passing Maryland Class 5a Wastewater or Class 4
Water exam.

2. Must obtain any other applicable certifications.
3. Willingness to take part in progressive training that requires the applicant to work at multiple facilities.
4. Position is considered an essential employee.
Revised: 12/17, 12/2018, 12/20/19, 4/2021; 1/2024

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.

Applicant must be legally authorized to work in the United States and willing to provide unexpired USCIS
Form I-9 employment eligibility verification documentation upon request.

Easy Ways to Apply:

Visit our website at https://www.washco-md.net/jobs/ or

Complete and email an Application to hrservice@washco-md.net or

Complete and mail Application to:

Washington County Human Resources Department,

100 W. Washington Street, Room 2300,

Hagerstown, Maryland 21740.

Internal Candidates are required to use an Internal Application (including resume) when applying. https://www.washco-md.net/internal-jobs/

Washington County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Individuals requiring special accommodations or assistance are requested to contact the Human Resources Department at
240-313-2350, Voice or TDD (D/HH use 711) M/F/H/V.

DEADLINE FOR FILING APPLICATIONS WITH HUMAN RESOURCES:

Wednesday, November 12th, 2025@ 4:00PM

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $45,261.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Dependent health insurance coverage
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Ability to Commute:

• Hagerstown, MD 21748 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Hagerstown, MD 21748: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $2,500 - $57,158