Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

Salary : $38,569.44 Annually

Location : Big Spring, TX

Job Type : Full-Time

Job Number : 2025-00094

Department : Wastewater Treatment Plant

Division : Public Works

Opening Date : 02 / 03 / 2025

This position is responsible for operating, maintaining and repairing of the City's wastewater treatment plant and lift stations.

Essential duties and functions may include the following.

• Monitors treatment process and makes necessary adjustments as indicated by current conditions.
• Monitors performance of machinery and equipment used to control the treatment process; makes process control decisions.
• Inspects valves, pumps, gauges and other plant or lift station equipment on a regular basis.
• Prepares inspection sheets, logs, and flow charts; prepares daily reports of analysis and test results for laboratory and regulatory agencies; maintains records; enters data to computer.
• Tends influent pumps, blowers, feed pumps, dry and wet chemical feeders, aerators, telescopic settings, wet well, and other equipment used to decontaminate wastewater; reads and records effluent flow meter.
• Inspects and cleans filters, tanks, clarifier weirs, and bar screens.
• Changes out chlorine and sulfur dioxide cylinders for chlorinating / dechlorinating units.
• Collects samples and completes chemical tests / analysis such as biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, suspended solids, biomonitoring, and pH of in-process treatment of water / wastewater; Calculates chemical dosages and adds chemicals to maintain proper pH in aeration basin.
• Determines and performs sludge wasting from aeration basin and aerobic digester.
• Operates belt press as directed.
• Conduct periodic checks of plant operational equipment.
• Performs preventive and corrective maintenance on equipment; assists in repair of equipment, including lift stations.
• Maintains sludge drying beds.
• Performs routine cleaning of equipment, grounds, and work areas.
• Performs housekeeping and grounds maintenance duties; maintains the sprinkler system.
• Performs routine electrical work.
• Performs routine and preventative maintenance and repairs on all wastewater treatment equipment and lift stations
• Performs routine welding, cutting and fabrication as needed.
• Ensures proper operation and routine maintenance of sewage pumping stations.
• Operates backhoe to load trucks with solid waste; operates dump truck to haul sludge to disposal areas.
• May be on call after hours to respond to emergencies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Ability to read, write and perform mathematical calculations at a level commonly associated with the completion of high school or equivalent.
• Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship / internship or having had a similar position for one to two years.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain an appropriate state-certified license for water or wastewater treatment or distribution as appropriate :
• A valid Class D Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's Certificate within one year of hire.
• A valid Class C Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's Certificate within three (3) years of hire.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a Class B CDL issued by the State of Texas for the type of vehicle or equipment operated with in ninety (90) days of hire.
• Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
• Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes.
• Knowledge of mathematics, biology, and basic chemistry.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local wastewater treatment guidelines and procedures.
• Knowledge of city, department and safety policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of plant operations.
• Knowledge of lift station operations.
• Knowledge of the handling and application of the chemicals necessary to maintain a safe work environment and personal safety.
• Knowledge of standard laboratory principles, techniques, equipment, and materials
• Skill in operating laboratory equipment
• Skill in reading various meters, including D.O. and pH.
• Skill in operating water pollution control equipment such as a centrifuge, chlorinator, samplers, and blowers.
• Skill in the use of basic tools such as packing tools, socket wrenches, power tools, and screwdrivers.
• Skill in operating light and heavy equipment such as a front end loader and dump truck.
• Skill in the use of grounds maintenance equipment.
• Skill in basic computer use.
• Skill in oral and written communication.

There are a wide variety of benefits available to City of Big Spring employees. These benefits include health, dental, life and disability insurance, optional life insurance plans, flexible spending account for health expenses, an Employee Assistance Program, and a Tuition Reimbursement Program.

The City of Big Spring provides the following benefits to all regular, full-time employees :

Deferred Compensation (Retirement)

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Life and Long Term Disability Insurance

Cafeteria Plan

Workman's Compensation

Longevity Pay for years of service

Paid Uniforms

Stand By Pay

Paid Vacation and Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Recreation Privileges

Wellness Program

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Texas Municipal Retirement System

The City of Big Spring is a member of the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS). Employee / employer supported retirement begins at the date of employment. An employee contributes seven percent of their monthly wages to TMRS. The City then matches the employee contribution two to 1 upon retirement. Employees are eligible to retire after 20 years of service. Retirement becomes vested after five years of participation in TMRS.

Deferred Compensation (Retirement)

The 457b Deferred Compensation plan is provided to City employees in lieu of Social Security. Employees pay 6.7% of their adjusted gross salary. This amount is matched by the City as follows :

5.51% Contributed to the deferred compensation retirement

2.19% Pays for the life and disability insurance package

7.70% Total matched funds

Health Insurance

The City of Big Spring pays the cost of employees insurance and supplements the cost of dependent insurance. Dependent health insurance coverage is available at the following rates :

Family Coverage $755.06 / Monthly $377.53 / Bi-Weekly

Spouse Coverage $557.72 / Monthly $278.86 / Bi-Weekly

Child Coverage $277.05 / Monthly $138.53 / Bi-Weekly

Payment for dependent health insurance coverage is deducted from employees' bi-weekly paychecks. Pharmacy cards are included in the health insurance package. If dependent insurance coverage is purchased, dependents will also receive the pharmacy card.

Dental Insurance

Dental insurance coverage is available to City employees at the following rates :

Employee Only $22.08 / Monthly $11.04 / Bi-Weekly

Employee and Spouse $44.78 / Monthly $22.39 / Bi-Weekly

Employee and Children $49.64 / Monthly $24.82 / Bi-Weekly

Employee and Family $72.40 / Monthly $36.20 / Bi-Weekly

Payments for dental insurance are deducted from employees' bi-weekly paychecks. Employees enrolled in the dental plan will also be eligible for the discount Vision Access program and receive discounts on vision care services or supplies.

Vision Insurance

Vision insurance coverage is available to City employees at the following rates :

Employee Only $7.22 / Monthly $3.61 / Bi-Weekly

Employee and Spouse $14.43 / Monthly $7.21 / Bi-Weekly

Employee and Children $13.71 / Monthly $6.85 / Bi-Weekly

Employee and Family $18.40 / Monthly $9.20 / Bi-Weekly

Payments for vision insurance are deducted from employees' bi-weekly paychecks.

Life and Long Term Disability Insurance

The City of Big Spring's life insurance policy provides for a death benefit equal to four times the employee's annual salary. In addition to the standard life insurance, employees may purchase optional life insurance. The long term disability package ensures that in the event of a permanent disability , a maximum of 20% of the employee's monthly salary is paid up to a maximum or $3,000.00 per month.

Cafeteria Plan (AFLAC)

The City provides a program to allow employees to tax shelter day care and certain medical expenses. This insurance provides a tax savings increasing the employee's take home pay.

Workman's Compensation

The City of Big Spring meets the standard state requirements for Workman's Compensation. If an employee is injured on the job, he / she report the incident to the department supervisor immediately.

Longevity Pay for Years of Service

City employees are given longevity pay based on their length of service with the City of Big Spring. After one year of service, City employees receive longevity payments on their bi-weekly paycheck. After two years of service, employees are given the option to continue to receive a bi-weekly payment or they can elect to bank their longevity payments. Employees who bank their longevity payments will receive a lump sum payment once a year, prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Years of service Annual Bi-Weekly

1 to 9 $72.00 $2.77

10 to 14 $96.00 $3.70

15 to 19 $120.00 $4.62

20 years $144.00 $5.54

Uniforms

The City provides uniforms for employees who are required to wear certain attire to work. Three to five uniforms are furnished to employees, along with other suitable foul weather and safety gear. Police and Fire Department personnel may have different benefits.

Stand By Pay

City employees in certain positions are eligible for stand-by pay. Stand-by pay is $75 for each week the employee is required to serve on stand-by time. Stand-by time means a period of time outside an employee's regularly scheduled work hours, during which the employee is required to remain available within a specified response time. Each employee on stand-by who is called in to work shall be compensated for the actual hours worked at the appropriate rate of pay.

Paid Vacation and Sick Leave

Paid vacation days are time off work that the City of Big Spring voluntarily provides its employees as a benefit. The number of paid vacation days is accrued by full-time, permanent employees based on years of service. Vacation time is accrued based on the following schedule :

Years of Service

1 to 2 5 days per year

3 to 4 10 days per year

5 to 9 15 days per year

10 to 14 17 days per year

15 to 19 18 days per year

20 to 24 19 days per year

20 20 days per year

The City of Big Spring also offers full-time permanent employees paid sick days as part of its comprehensive benefits package. Sick leave is accrued based on the following schedule :

Years of Service

1 to 2 5 days per year

3 to 4 10 days per year

5 to 9 12 days per year

10 15 days per year

Paid Holidays

The City of Big Spring recognizes the following public holidays for City employees. Please note that most City employees work on a Monday through Friday schedule. As such, when a holiday falls on a non workday Saturday or Sunday the holiday usually is observed on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday).

New Year's Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Presidents Day

Good Friday

Memorial Day

Independence Day

Labor Day

Veterans Day

Thanksgiving Day and the day following

Christmas (two days given)

Recreation Privileges

City employees and their dependents receive free admission to Moss Lake. City employees must present their City identification card.

Wellness Program

In an effort to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors, the City of Big Spring has implemented a Wellness Program for its employees. By joining the Wellness Program, employees receive access to the following benefits :

Employee Assistance - counseling for chemical and / or alcohol abuse and mental health screenings

Reduced cost gym memberships to the YMCA of Big Spring

Tuition Reimbursement Program

The City of Big Spring offers its full-time permanent employees a college Tuition Reimbursement Program. This program is designed to support employees with their personal and professional development by increasing their knowledge and skill level. The City reimburses employees for college tuition and books based on grades.

Salary : $5 - $38,569