Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

Salary: $49,565.00 - $96,371.00 AnnuallyLocation : Gastonia, NCJob Type: Full TimeJob Number: 01702Department: Public Utilities Wastewater TreatmentOpening Date: 10/31/2025Closing Date: 3/31/2026 5:00 PM EasternFLSA: Non-Exempt General Definition of WorkAre you looking for a meaningful career where you can learn, grow, and demonstrate environmental stewardship? Two Rivers Utilities, a subsidiary of the City of Gastonia, invites you to apply for our Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator position, in which you would be maintaining and operating wastewater equipment, conducting analytical tests, and completing other related tasks as required. The overall purpose of the role is to continue providing customers with wastewater treatment service while protecting the integrity of our local water bodies. We accomplish this by holding ourselves to high ethical standards to exceed expectations imposed by state regulations. Come be a part of our dynamic wastewater team and make a positive impact on our local communities!This position performs routine technical and skilled work in the operation of a wastewater treatment plant. Work is performed under the regular supervision of the Lead Operator. Plant operations occur 7 days per week on three shifts, employees are assigned as needed.Essential Functions/DutiesThe following functions are typical for a position of this nature. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each function satisfactorily. Other job functions and duties may be required as assigned.Monitors the proper functioning of pumps, motors, chlorinators, filters, and chemical feeders making adjustments as necessary to maintain proper flow.Develop and implement system control methods to maintain required parameters.Conducts operation of computerized Supervisory Control and Data Acquisitions system (SCADA).Records readings of meters and indicators.Changes charts on recording meters and gauges; collects wastewater samples from designated points.Makes regular tours of the plant and checks engines, generators, pumps, aerators, mixing basins, settling basins, digesters, filters, clarifiers, and other equipment for proper functioning; makes routine physical and chemical tests, recording results.Regulates and adjusts motors, pumps, blowers, valves, and other apparatus to meet changing operating conditions.Makes process adjustments and notifies superiors of the need for equipment repair.Maintains a safe work area.Perform other tasks as required. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of the principles, practices, equipment, and methods used in wastewater treatmentKnowledge of the occupational hazards of work and necessary safety precautionsKnowledge of biology and chemistry as related to the specific treatment processAbility to adjust pumps, chemical feed machines, and other plant equipmentAbility to check the operation of equipment and to detect defects in operationAbility to communicate effectively orally and in writingAbility to take accurate readings, ability to keep routine records, and to make mathematical computationsAbility to maintain effective working relationships with others.On-the-job training is available to a successful candidate who does not have wastewater treatment plant operations experience. Education/Experience/Physical Demands/Special Requirements/Additional InformationEducation/ExperienceTreatment Plant Operator I Minimally qualified starting pay: $49,565 annually High school diplomaPossession of or ability to obtain an NC Grade I Biological Wastewater Operator Certificate within 18 months of employment.Treatment Plant Operator II Minimally qualified starting pay: $52,044 annually High school diplomaPossession of NC Grade II Biological Wastewater Operator CertificateTreatment Plant Operator III Minimally qualified starting pay: $57,378 annually High school diplomaPossession of NC Grade III Biological Wastewater Operator CertificateTreatment Plant Operator IV Minimally qualified starting pay: $60,247 annually High school diplomaPossession of NC Grade IV Biological Wastewater Operator CertificateSPECIAL REQUIREMENTSMust possess a valid appropriate driver's license with an acceptable driving history.ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONFacilities operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Permanently assigned shifts cannot be guaranteed. PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND CONDITIONSThe physical activity of this position includes: Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized. This factor is important if the amount and kind of climbing required exceeds that required for ordinary locomotion.Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing, or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending the spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.Kneeling: Bending legs at the knee to come to rest on the knee or knees.Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending the leg and spine.Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.Standing: Particularly for sustained periods.Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.Pushing: Using the upper extremities to press against something with steady force to thrust forward, downward, or outward.Pulling: Using the upper extremities to exert force to draw, drag, haul, or tug objects in a sustained motion.Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips.Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas using the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal spoken word levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts.Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.The physical requirements of this position: Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.The visual acuity requirements including color, depth perception, and field of vision: The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform one or more of the following.Preparing and analyzing data and figuresAccounting; transcriptionComputer terminalExtensive readingVisual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and operation of machines (including inspection)Using measurement devices; assembly or fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes.The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position: The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.The worker is subject to extreme cold: Temperatures below 32 degrees for periods of more than one hour.The worker is subject to extreme heat: Temperatures above 100 degrees for periods of more than one hour.The workers are subject to noise: There is sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout to be heard above the ambient noise level.The worker is subject to hazards: Including a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat, or exposure to chemicals.The worker is subject to atmospheric conditions: One or more of the following conditions that affect the respiratory system of the skin: Fumes, odors dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.The worker is required to wear a respirator.Drug screening, criminal background, and reference checks are required.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.The City of Gastonia is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, equitable, and welcoming. We value diversity and promise to honor your experiences, perspective, and unique identity. The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/H)High Deductible Health Plan with HSADentalVisionLifeSupplemental Insurance PlansPension (Local Government Employees' Retirement System)401(k)457 Short-term/Long-term DisabilityDependent Care Plan Employee Assistance ProgramOn-Site Health ClinicEmployee Educational Assistance Program Sick Leave (12 days per year)Initial Employment Vacation: Starting at 12 days per yearHolidays (11 days per year)Personal Day (1 day per year)A comprehensive list of benefits can be found online at 01 What is your highest level of education? High School Associate's Bachelor's Master's 02 Please rate your comfort level working in challenging or adverse conditions, such as inclement weather or physical demands. Very Comfortable Slightly Comfortable Comfortable Slightly Uncomfortable Uncomfortable 03 The requirements for this position include being available to work any of the three shifts, as no permanently assigned shift can be guaranteed. Are you willing to work during days, afternoons, nights, weekends, holidays, etc.? Yes No Required Question

Created: 2026-04-02