Wastewater Operator I

Compensation Range

$21.94 - $28.11

Please note: This job opening may close earlier than the stated date, due to high candidate volume. If interested, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. 

Who We Are:

At the City of High Point, we celebrate the creator in everyone. Building on our rich cultural history steeped in industrialism and innovation, our employees seek not only to transform themselves, but the world around us. We are collaborators, we are makers, we are visionaries. 
  
We invite you to explore the many opportunities to serve our community, by sharing your talents, skills, and expertise. You'll join a diverse team of over 1300 individuals dedicated not just to making a career, but a difference; because what we create in High Point, changes the world! 

Our Core Values:

• Integrity: Saying what we mean and consistently doing what we say with no desire other than the good of the citizens we serve. It means standing up for beliefs.

• Responsibility: A continual process that emphasizes a high level of personal accountability by each member of the organization.

• Partnership: Adding competitive value and quality to the services provided to our residents, businesses, and visitors through responsible fiscal stewardship, increased innovation, greater use of technology, and expanded civic, neighborhood and regional partnerships.

What We Offer:
The City of High Point offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. We also offer generous benefit package for full-time employees which include but are not limited to:

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service

• 401K and 457B Retirement Plans

• PTO earned within first year

• 12 Paid Holidays per year

• Tuition Reimbursement Plan

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans effective day one

What You'll Do:

The Wastewater Operator I or II to performs skilled and technical work in the operation and maintenance of a computer-controlled wastewater treatment plant. Duties include monitoring and adjusting plant processes, operating SCADA systems, collecting and analyzing samples, performing minor equipment repairs, and maintaining facility cleanliness and safety. This entry-level role offers on-the-job training and involves both technical and hands-on work to ensure the safe and efficient treatment of wastewater in compliance with regulatory standards. The position reports to the Plant Supervisor.

Essential Tasks & Responsibilities:

Wastewater Operator I 

• Makes regular tours of plant, which requires a considerable amount of climbing of stairs and walking, to inspect process operations including bar screens, mixers, valves, pumps, aerators, settling basins, filters, clarifiers, effluent filters, blowers, pressure gauges, etc., for proper functioning;
• Records instrument readings in laboratory and throughout the plant, makes necessary adjustments including opening or closing valves and switching process equipment on or off;
• Collect samples as required and runs required laboratory analysis which includes calibrating and operating the instrumentation used in the analysis;
• Operate complex computer controlled equipment;
• Cleans pumps, motors and other equipment;
• Reports defects to proper personnel;
• Operates skid steer and other equipment as required;
• Performs minor maintenance activities; (PM’s, repairs, replace light bulbs, vehicle clean up)
• Assists in cleaning different units of treatment, buildings, and other odd jobs as needed and maintains grounds as necessary;
• Ensures that all work is performed in accordance with OSHA and City Safety Standards and Policies.

• Entry Level Position- On-the-job training approximately 6 months.

Wastewater Operator II -Essential Tasks / Qualifications- All of the above plus:

• Assists with on-the-job training of Wastewater Operator I new hires;
• Maintains various recordkeeping and reporting forms.
• Must have a Grade III NC Wastewater Operator Certification.  
• Must have a minimum of four years actual operating experience at a Grade IV Biological Wastewater Facility.
• Must have excellent knowledge of computer and SCADA system, and the ability to adjust SCADA program per plant requirements.
• Must have experience in all phases of plant operations and the ability to communicate this knowledge and experience to new employees.

Qualifications:

Wastewater Operator I & II

• High School diploma or GED required.  Associate's degree in Wastewater or related field, knowledge and experience in mechanics preferred.
• Must be 18 years of age and have possession of an appropriate driver's license issued by the State of North Carolina.  
• Must be able to work schedules based on twelve-hour days or nights whichever the case may be, with rotations every month.   
• Must also be able to work other schedules as required (such as 5 day – 8 hr. shifts).  
• Sit for State exam within six months of completing Wastewater Operator School or forfeit exam reimbursement benefit.  

Wastewater Operator I

Wastewater Operator II

• Must have a Grade III NC Wastewater Operator Certification.  
• Must have excellent knowledge of computer and SCADA system, and the ability to adjust SCADA program per plant requirements.
• Must be able to train and over-see activities of new employees.
• Must have experience in all phases of plant operations and the ability to communicate this knowledge and experience to new employees

Operators are responsible for a great deal of equipment and learning to discern between normal and abnormal operations of plant processes and accurately recording results of all monitoring and lab analysis is essential.  Wastewater treatment is a public service which involves protecting the environment and downstream users through conscientious and professional job performance.

Mental Activity/Requirements

Wastewater Operator I and II

• Reasoning

  Ability to apply principles of logical thinking to work tasks, practical situations and requests made by supervisor.

  Comprehend and respond to a variety of situations in an expedient manner.

  Interpret data from laboratory.

  Discern between normal and abnormal operations of plant processes.  Good judgment is necessary.

• Math

  Using Mathematics: Essential in performing laboratory analysis.

• Language

  Read: Ability to read safety and other manuals, instructions, directions, equipment readings and other documents relating to job.

  Write: Necessary to complete required reports. 

  Speak: Ability to be conversant in voice and diction to participate in discussions with other employees and supervisor in person, over PA system, telephone and two-way radio.

• Training

On-the-job training approximately 6 months. Formal education, which includes Algebra, and science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) with completion of high school diploma or GED required.   A Grade II NC Wastewater Operator Certification is required within two (2) years of employment in order to keep the job.   Associate's degree in Wastewater or related field, knowledge and experience in mechanics preferred.

Physical Requirements

Hearing/Speaking - Expressing and/or receiving information by means of spoken word are both necessary to converse with internal and external customers including co-workers, citizens, and applicants.

Visual Abilities – the ability to perceive via eyesight is required for this position:

• Acuity, far – clarity of vision at 20 feet or more. Must be able to see from a distance when administering and observing employment tests, operating a motor vehicle, or addressing an audience.
• Acuity, near – clarity of vision at 20 inches or less. Must be able to see work-related business documents close at hand.
• Depth perception – Three-dimensional vision and the ability to judge distance and space relationships.
• Field of Vision – the area that can be seen up and down or to the right or left while eyes are focused on one point. Must be able to see a wide span of area.
• Accommodation – Must be able to adjust the eye lens to glance quickly.

Physical Strength – degree of physical demands typically associated with this position include:

• Light Work

  Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally; and/or

  Exerting up to 10 pounds of force frequently; and

  A negligible amount of force constantly to handle or move materials related to the position.

• Type of Physical Demands

  Reaching - Extending the hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.

  Handling - Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand(s).

  Fingering - Picking, pinching or otherwise working with fingers primarily rather than the entire hand or arm.

Environmental Conditions

Wastewater Operator I and II

• Physical Demands

  Medium to Heavy exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 20 pounds of force frequently and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.  

  Physical demand requirements usually require walking, standing, bending, stooping, lifting, climbing and stretching, although worker does sit on occasions.  

  There is significant use of arms, hands, legs and feet.

Reaching - Extending the hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction).  Handling - Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand or hands (fingering not involved).   Fingering - Picking, pinching, or otherwise working with fingers primarily (rather than the whole hand or arm as in handling). All are requirements of this job. 

• Hearing/Speaking

Talking - Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken word. necessary to converse with other employees, supervisor and visitors. Hearing - Perceiving nature of sounds by ear. Both are necessary to converse with other employees, supervisor and visitors.  Worker often uses the telephone, PA system and two-way radio.

• Visual – Recommended Guidelines

The ability to perceive the nature of objects by the eye.  Acuity, far - Clarity of vision at 20 feet or more.  Must be able to see various buildings and tanks from a distance to monitor activity and ensure only authorized personnel, or persons escorted by authorized personnel, are on the premises for safety reasons.  Both eyes 20/25 - R 20/30 - L 20/30 corrected  Acuity, near - Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less.  Must be able to see hand tools, instruments, panel board, sample containers, etc.  Both eyes 20/22 corrected Depth Perception - Three-dimensional vision.  Ability to judge distance and space relationships to see objects where and as they actually are.  Must be able to judge distances so as to use both hands in performing different tasks at the same time and in seeing entire plant area and the buildings located throughout.  Depth Perception - 4 Field of Vision - Area that can be seen up and down or to right or left while eyes are fixed on a given point.  Must be able to see wide span of area to cover grounds, and ensure safety, while looking at a given object or instrument.  Accommodation - Adjustment of lens of eye to bring an object into sharp focus.   This is especially important when doing near-point work while glancing up to check entire work area.  Must be able to adjust the eye lens to glance quickly at equipment or people who are located at varying distances.

Machines, Tools, Equipment, and Work Aids 

Wastewater Operator I and II

Operators are responsible for a great deal of equipment and learning to discern between normal and abnormal operations of facility processes and accurately recording results of all monitoring and laboratory analyses is essential. 

• Laboratory equipment such as drying oven, muffle furnace, dissolved oxygen meters, pH meters, ammonia meters, scales, conductivity meter, microscope, etc.
• Chemicals used in the laboratory and wastewater treatment processes such as sodium hypochlorite, lime, aluminum sulfate, alconox glass cleaner, sodium hydroxide, pH 4 acetate, and ammonium chloride.  
• Sample collection includes using automatic and manual samplers, reading gauges and manually adjusting valves.  
• Worker also uses computer monitoring equipment, hand tools, Personnel Resolution, and various recordkeeping and recording forms.

The work location of this job will be 5898 Riverdale Rd Jamestown, North Carolina.

Our Commitments
The City of High Point is dedicated to fostering a work environment that values individuals from all backgrounds and seeks to attract and retain the most qualified partners in service to the citizens of High Point. As an at-will employer, the City allows employees to terminate their employment, or be terminated at any time, with or without cause, as long as it is not prohibited by law.