Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator - North East

Salary : $40,567.81 Annually

Location : Hickory, NC

Job Type : Full Time

Job Number : 200-01139

Department : PS North East Plant

Opening Date : 02 / 05 / 2025

Closing Date : 2 / 21 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Eastern

Salary Depends on Qualifications : Yes

Description

For doers and makers seeking a well-rounded community, Hickory is a bridge between Asheville and Charlotte at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains along Interstate 40, where a collective spirit of craftsmanship strengthens any endeavor with detail, artistry and quality.

Hickory, North Carolina, is a three-time All-America City on the Catawba River approximately one hour east of Asheville and one hour north of Charlotte. More than 40,000 residents call Hickory their home and Hickory is the hub of a 350,000 metropolitan area. Hickory has outstanding school systems, seven recreation facilities, two libraries, several golf courses, theaters, art museums, and eighteen gorgeous parks. Beautiful Lake Hickory is over 4,000 acres and has many public access areas. Please check out Hickory at or for a web portal all about Hickory and the surrounding areas and what makes Hickory a "Well Crafted" City.

Qualified applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetics, or the presence of a non-job related medical condition or disability. U.S. Law requires all applicants to furnish proof of identity and right to work in the U.S.

All offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a post-offer medical examination, which includes a drug screen procedure. This examination process is designed to determine if applicants are able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the job without physical harm to themselves, or others. All applicants are subject to a background check.

All applications must be completed online at www.hickorync.gov / employment. You may use any computer with Internet access.

Monitors wastewater treatment plant and identifies needed changes and potential problems, interprets lab data, receives shipments of chemicals and other supplies from vendors. Performs chemical analysis of water samples, operates a computer to monitor pump stations, plant operations, and alarms. Maintains daily records and shift logs of plant operations, reviews readings from meters, computers and instruments. Performs preventive maintenance on plant equipment and performs grounds maintenance duties as required Applicants must possess a high school diploma or GED and possess mechanical ability. Must have the ability to perform mathematical calculations, interpret construction drawings, read and understand Operations and Maintenance Manuals and communicate effectively both written and orally.

The preferred applicant will possess a minimum of a Grade I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification and ability to obtain additional higher grades of certification. Minimum age of 18. Applicant must possess a valid Class "C" driver's license from NC.

Major Duties

Monitors wastewater treatment plant and identifies needed changes and potential problems; interprets lab data; makes necessary adjustments.

Receives shipments of chemicals and other supplies from vendor.

Performs Laboratory analysis of water samples.

Operates a computer to monitor pump stations, plant operations, and alarms.

Maintains daily records and shift logs of plant operations.

Reviews readings from meters, computers, and instruments.

Performs preventative maintenance on plant equipment.

Performs grounds maintenance duties as required.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

After-hours work is required during emergencies, inclement weather and other times as necessary.

Knowledge and Qualifications

Ability to read, write and perform mathematical calculations at a level commonly associated with the completion of high school or equivalent.

Possession of or ability to readily obtain an appropriate state-certified Wastewater Treatment Operators License.

Knowledge of the principles, procedures, and techniques used in the operation of wastewater treatment facilities.

Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of the equipment used in wastewater treatment.

Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and regulations related to wastewater treatment and laboratory analyses.

Must be self-motivated and possess the ability to make decisions independently based on previous experience.

Skill in planning, organizing, and prioritizing work.

Skill in performing mathematical computations.

Skill in the use of a computer.

Skill in oral and written communication.

PLEASE NOTE : Applicants must meet the City criteria for an acceptable driving record.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS : The PHYSICAL DEMANDS described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee in this position to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently / repeatedly required to stand; walk; use hands and exert forces needed to handle various types and sizes of tools, equipment and objects; reach with hands and arms and perform elevated work for long periods of time; climb ladders and balance; climb into vehicles and equipment; perform repetitive horizontal push / pull of 50 pounds of force positioned at 36 inches; stoop; kneel; half-kneel; squat; crouch; or crawl; and talk; or hear. The employee must frequently lift and carry 50 pounds, push, pull and / or move more than 100 pounds. The employee is occasionally required to sit. An employee in this position will have successfully passed a "Functional Prework Screen" administered by a professional and impartial third party specialist.

SAFETY SENSITIVE : This position has been identified as safety-sensitive. The employee in this position will be part of a random drug testing pool. The methodology for choosing the random test subjects is handled by an outside, impartial, third party vendor.

WORK ENVIRONMENT : The work is typically performed in an office and at wastewater treatment plant facilities. The employee is exposed to noise, machinery with moving parts, contagious or infectious disease and irritating chemicals. The work may be performed outdoors and occasionally in cold or inclement weather and requires the use of protective devices.

The City of Hickory provides a generous benefit package, in addition to salary :

• 11 paid holidays
• 12 paid sick leave days per year
• Paid vacation
• City-paid individual health insurance (H.S.A.)
• Low-cost dental and vision insurance
• Employee Assistance Program - 5 FREE visits
• 13.6% contribution per employee to the NC Local Government Retirement System
• Up to 5% matching contribution to 401k
• Free Life insurance of 1.5 times salary up to ($125,000)
• Tuition Assistance Program
• On-site Wellness Clinic
• A selection of voluntary benefits such as additional life insurance, dependent life, Short-term disability insurance, accident, and critical illness insurance; All at very competitive rates.
• Benefits package valued at over ($12,500) annually.
• Employees working in seasonal / part-time positions are not eligible for benefits.

Do you have a valid North Carolina Driver's License?

Do you have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED?

Are you at least 18 years old?

Do you have a minimum of a Grade I Wastewater Plant Operator Certification?

Are you willing to work any shift which includes 1st, 2nd and 3rd shift along with holidays and weekends?

Describe your mechanical or maintenance experience.

Describe your computer experience.

I acknowledge an offer for employment is contingent on the successful completion of a post-offer pre-work screen and drug screen. This examination process is designed to determine if applicants are able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the job without physical harm to themselves or others. The testing will be based on the physical demands of the job. While performing the test, the blood pressure must be within the American Heart Association guidelines of no greater than 159 / 99 and the heart rate must be within the American College of Sports Medicine guide of 220-age x 90%.

Do you have any relatives currently employed by the City of Hickory?Two members of a family (relatives as defined below) shall not be employed if such employment will result in an employee directly or indirectly supervising a member of his / her family, or if one member occupies a position which has influence over the other's employment, promotion, salary administration or other management or personnel consideration. "Relative" is defined as spouse, parent, child, sibling, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, first cousin, grandchild, grandparent, (including corresponding half, step, in-law, and adopted relationships), or any member of the employee's household. The term also includes domestic partners (a person with whom the employee's life is interdependent and who shares a common residence), and, a daughter or son of an employee's domestic partner.)

Required Question

Salary : $40,568 - $125,000