Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I

Date Opened: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 12:00 AM Close Date: Wednesday, December 03, 2025 12:00 AM Department: Charlotte Water Department Salary: $27.61 - $34.51 Commensurate with Experience Welcome to the City of Charlotte Charlotte is Americas Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses and visitors alike. Here you will find a safe, family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive. The mission of the City of Charlotte is to deliver quality public services and promote the safety, health, and quality of life for all residents. Our guiding principles include: Attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce Valuing teamwork, openness, accountability, productivity, and employee development Providing all customers with courteous, responsive, accessible, and seamless quality services Taking initiative to identify, analyze, and solve problems Collaborating with stakeholders to make informed decisions SUMMARY Charlottes local government, with more than 9,000 employees and a total budget of $3.65 billion budget, works hard to ensure that the community will be a winning city for everyone a truly remarkable place to live, work, learn and play. Charlotte Water is an enterprise department of the City of Charlotte and one of the largest public water and sewer service providers in the southeast with over 330,000 customer accounts and over 1100 employees. Our service area includes the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and the towns of Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Mint Hill, Matthews and Pineville. Charlotte Waters FY 26 budget is $651 million and a five-year capital program of $2.2.28 billion. We enjoy the highest credit ratings from Moodys and S&P Global as a result of sound financial planning and management and strong support from our City Council. We value competent, skilled candidates with a customer service focus to work in a team environment. SALARY: The salary for this position is: $24.00 hourly WORK SCHEDULE: 3rd Shift- Monday through Friday 11:00 pm-7:00 am Current available shift (subject to change) JOB SUMMARY This position assists in the operation of the wastewater treatment plant. Work involves working an assigned shift at the plant; making operational rounds at the treatment plant, checking and inspecting plant equipment for proper operation, monitoring the treatment plants processes to ensure optimal performance and operation. This position follows safety rules and protocols; maintains records; and makes rounds of the specific process or processes assigned. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Performs process control activities by collecting, testing, and analyzing process control samples; Conducts settleability tests, measures sludge blanket levels. Collects compliance composite and grab samples. Uses automatic samples for permit required sampling. Monitors SCADA computer workstations for plant equipment and process conditions; maintains treatment plant baseline flows and loadings by continuously monitoring dissolved oxygen levels MLSS, return activated sludge rates, ammonia levels, suspended solids levels, alkalinity levels, chlorine residuals and dosage, wasting rates, flows, digester temperatures and levels, chemical feed rates, methane gas pressure and flows, and other process indicators. Operates the plant by inspecting a wide range of various wastewater equipment for noise, vibration, and any abnormal operating characteristics. Performs minor maintenance and preventive maintenance tasks of plant equipment as needed. Submits equipment work order requests for review as needed for faulty or out of service equipment. Adjusts treatment plant base flows and storm EQ flows as directed or required. Adjust internal recycle rates and other plant process flows as directed including chemical feed rates. Completes treatment plant rounds and records operational data; monitoring SCADA data for daily trends; operating various type pumping systems, aeration systems, bar screens, grit systems, sand filters, centrifuges, and other plant equipment.. Performs administrative and housekeeping duties. Reads and uses treatment plant O&M manuals and SOPs. Maintains and enters daily operation log data. Completes monthly safety equipment checks. Conducts interactions involving exchange and receipt of information. Performs other related job duties as assigned. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK: High school diploma or GED from an accredited school. Licenses, Certifications or Registrations: Requires Class a valid Drivers License. Must obtain and maintain a City Driving Permit. Requires NC Grade I Wastewater Operator Certification be obtained within One year of hire. Requires NC Grade II Wastewater Operator Certification be obtained within Two years of hire. Requires NC Grade III Wastewater Operator Certification be obtained within Four years of hire. Requires NC Grade IV Wastewater Operator Certification be obtained within Six years of hire. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Basic knowledge of the science of wastewater treatment. Must be able to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing. Must be skilled in basic math. Must have basic computer skills including the ability to use job related software. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is medium work and requires applying 30 pounds of force frequently and exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: balancing, climbing, crouching, feeling, manual dexterity, grasping, handling, perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, distinguishing among sounds, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, expressing ideas by spoken word, shouting above noises, visual activity in data/color/observations/equipment/inspections, and walking. WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed in an environment with heavy equipment and machinery that could result in bodily harm to co-workers or others. Requires working indoors/outdoors; during inclement weather; around chemicals, solvents, and dust in an industrial environment; and working weekends and holidays as assigned. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties at any time. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were written out in this job description. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT The Citys Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check. Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidates written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports. Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments. The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior. Our culture is to serve the community honorably. HOW TO APPLY Apply online. Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job. You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays. For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email Careers@ci.charlotte.nc.us. The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120. BENEEFITS The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Click here to learn more about the City of Charlottes benefits. The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace. Our City, Our Mission When you join the City of Charlotte, you become part of Team Charlotte a dedicated group of professionals working together to make a meaningful impact on our community and its future. The City of Charlotte has more than 8,000 employees working across 19 departments to serve close to 1 million residents. From public safety and clean water to transportation, housing and an international airport, our teams deliver essential services to keep Charlotte connected, safe and empowered with opportunity for all. As public servants, we are guided by a clear mission: to be committed to exceptional service every day. No matter the department or role, every team member plays a part in helping our city grow, thrive and meet the needs of those who rely on us. We are a values-driven organization, working collaboratively, acting with integrity and delivering reliable results. We embrace a forward-thinking mindset, encouraging curiosity, innovation and continuous improvement. The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120. Looking for an internship? Explore opportunities on our Internship Career Site and take the first step toward your career with the City of Charlotte.