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Water Plant Operator

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Water Plant Operator

Salary

$22.46 Hourly

Location

Asheville, NC

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2025-01650

Department

Water Resources

Division

Water Production

Opening Date

07/28/2025

Closing Date

8/11/2025 5:00 PM Eastern

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Summary

About our opportunity:

The City of Asheville is currently looking to hire a full-time Water Plant Operator position at either a Trainee, Level I, level II, or level III depending on candidate qualifications. This position is to perform technical work in the operation and minor maintenance of the water treatment plant(s) for the City by participating in an on-the-job training program involving practical "hands-on" experience with plant operations under the supervision of a Certified Treatment Plant Operator or the Water Plant supervisor. In performing entry level work in the operation and maintenance of a water treatment plant, the chosen trainee will be instrumental in providing safe, potable water for the City and its water customers.

This is accomplished by learning the treatment process, observing the methods necessary to comply with state and federal regulations, and performing grounds keeping and other duties related to upkeep of the various facilities. Trainees are expected to satisfy state requirements and obtain a Class "C" Water Treatment Facility Operator for Surface Water Certification within 18 months or 3 attempts at the State examination (whichever happens first) of the candidate's date of hire.

Trainee: Holds no Certifications

Water Plant Operator I: Will hold a class C Surface Water Operator Certification issued by the North Carolina Water Treatment Facility Operators Board Of Certification

Water Plant Operator II: Will hold a class B Surface Water Operator Certification issued by the North Carolina Water Treatment Facility Operators Board Of Certification

Water Plant Operator III: Will hold a class A Surface Water Operator Certification issued by the North Carolina Water Treatment Facility Operators Board Of Certification

The City of Asheville will provide the required training to reach each level.

What you'll be doing:

+ Check, maintain, and adjust chemical doses to provide safe and esthetically pleasing water for the City's customers.

+ Adjust and maintain chemical feed pumps, chlorinators and chemical feed systems and read gages and dials to properly monitor and maintain water filters, filling and maintenance of chemical day tanks.

+ Utilize the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer system to monitor the water distribution system, including tank levels, pump status, pressure and various alarms; and will notify the Water Plant Operators of potential problems according to established policies and procedures.

+ Conduct periodic laboratory analysis of water to assess water quality and chemical dose requirements.

+ Perform bacteriological analysis on various water samples, and calibrate laboratory equipment (turbidimeters, pH meters, chlorine analyzers, etc.) through the collection of water samples.

+ Utilize computerized data entry equipment and various databases and/or file maintenance programs to enter, store and/or retrieve information as requested or otherwise necessary and summarize data in preparation of standardized reports.

+ Assist in conducting tours of the plant facility.

+ Clean and maintain facilities and restroom as directed.

+ Provide excellent customer service by receiving phone calls and routing customer questions to senior staff as needed.

+ Attends classes to obtain a Class "C" Water Treatment Facility Operator for Surface Water.

Benefits:

+ Full Time position with access to all City of Asheville benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options.

+ Automatic enrollment into the North Carolina Pension Fund and the NC 401K retirement account with company match.

About you:

+ What you Bring:

We know your time is valuable. Applicants who meet the following minimum requirements or have comparable experience and/or education will be considered .

Water Plant Operator Trainee Qualifications:

+ Must have a High school diploma or equivalent; no experience is required.

+ Must have the ability to obtain Class "C" Water Treatment Facility Operator for Surface Water Certification issued by the State of North Carolina within 18 months of the candidate's date of hire or after 3 attempts.

Water Plant Operator I Qualifications:

+ Must have a High school diploma or equivalent, with some water or sewer system experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

+ Must have a North Carolina Class "C" Water Treatment Facility Operator for Surface Water Certificate.

Water Plant Operator II Qualifications:

+ Must have a High school diploma or equivalent, with at least one (1) year of experience in water treatment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

+ Must have a North Carolina Class "B" Water Treatment Facility Operator for Surface Water Certificate.

Water Plant Operator III Qualifications:

+ Must have a High school diploma or equivalent, with at least three (3) years of experience in water treatment ; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

All Levels must have possession of a valid driver's license issued by the State of North Carolina. An Associate's or Bachelor's degree in water treatment, biology, chemistry, science or a related field is preferred or equivalent work experience (example: NC Water Treatment Operator Certificate).

Persons of all genders and races are encouraged to apply.

Other things to know:

Full Time 40 Hours Week; Typically, Sunday - Thursday, 6:00 PM - 4:30 AM Minimum Hiring Salary:

Water Plant Operator Trainee: $22.46

Water Plant Operator I: $23.59

Water Plant Operator II: $24.76

Water Plant Operator III: $26.00

Additional $2.00/hour worked during night shifts for all levels.

About us:

The City of Asheville is dedicated to providing quality service for the residents and visitors of our beautiful city, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. Asheville, NC is a thriving mountain city that has a culture enriched in diversity.

The City of Asheville values and respects a diverse community, workforce and ideas, and is committed to promoting an equitable, fair, and just employment environment. Our organization seeks to create and provide access and opportunities to employees, residents and visitors to fulfill their potential through inclusive engagement practices, relationship building and an authentic sense of belonging. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status. The City of Asheville is proud to be a second chance employer.

ADA Compliance:

Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert moderate, though not constant physical effort, typically involving

some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and prolonged standing, and

which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight

(12-20 pounds).

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors,

sounds, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental

conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, water

hazards, hazardous materials, toxic agents, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, bright/dim

lights, animal/wildlife attacks, animal/human bites, explosives, or rude/irate customers.

The City of Asheville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the

City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both

prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

About us: The City of Asheville is dedicated to providing quality service for the residents and visitors of our beautiful city, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. Asheville, NC is a thriving mountain city that has a culture enriched by its diversity. The City of Asheville values and respects a diverse community, workforce and ideas, and is committed to promoting an equitable, fair, and just employment environment. Our organization seeks to create and provide access and opportunities to employees, residents and visitors to fulfill their potential through inclusive engagement practices, relationship building and an authentic sense of belonging. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status. The City of Asheville is proud to be a second chance employer. The City of Asheville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

To view our comprehensive benefits package, click here (https://www.ashevillenc.gov/department/human-resources/compensation-and-benefits/) .

01

Select your highest level of education:

+ High School/GED

+ Associates Degree

+ Bachelors Degree

+ Masters Degree

+ Doctorate

02

How many years of relevant experience do you have in Water Production and Operations?

+ Less than 1 year

+ 1 - 3 years

+ 3 - 5 years

+ 5 - 10 years

+ 10 or more years

03

Do you have a valid driver's license?

+ I do not have a current driving license of any kind.

+ I do possess a current valid driver's license (Standard License)

+ I do possess a current valid Class B CDL driver's license with endorsements

+ I do possess a current valid Class A CDL driver's license with endorsements

+ I do not have a current CDL license, but I can attain one in the next 6 months.

04

Do you possess a current Water Treatment Facility Operator for Surface Water Certificate?

+ Class "A" Surface Water Treatment certificate.

+ Class "B" Surface Water Treatment certificate.

+ Class "C" Surface Water Treatment certificate.

+ None at this time but I understand I have one year to get one.

Required Question

Employer

City of Asheville

Address

City of Asheville PO Box 7148 Asheville, North Carolina, 28802

Phone

828-259-5690 - Apply Online! - EOE

Website

http://www.ashevillenc.gov/jobs