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Water Plant Shift Operator

Salary

$30.49 - $33.34 Hourly

Location

Harrisonburg, VA

Job Type

Part-Time

Job Number

6701 - (Nov 2025)

Department

Public Utilities

Opening Date

11/12/2025

Closing Date

Continuous

FLSA

Non-Exempt

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Description

Are you searching for a flexible part-time (as-needed) opportunity? Apply today to join Harrisonburg’s Public Utilities Department as a Water Plant Shift Operator, where you can earn additional income leveraging your current state licensure, education, or ambition and also build your credentials with us. Either way, you'll make a difference each shift and play a key role in providing a vital service to our community - safe, dependable water.

This particular Water Plant Shift Operator opportunity is a part-time position (no benefits) and will cover shifts, as needed, due to the absence of operators assigned to those shifts (e.g., vacation, etc.). Opportunities will become available for both planned and unplanned work shifts (e.g., days and nights, weekdays and weekends). In this role, you'll be paired with a City of Harrisonburg Class I Operator and provided paid, on-the-job training so that you become familiar with plant operations.

This advertisement has been written for a Class I level. Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications for the Class I level may be considered for the following levels within the department at an annual rate commensurate with applicant qualifications:

+ Preferred Hiring Ranges*:

+ Class I (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harrisonburg/classspecs/1012480?keywords=5701&pagetype=classSpecifications) : $30.49 - $33.34 per hour (includes a $1.92 per hour Class I Operator Incentive).

+ Class II (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harrisonburg/classspecs/1012481?keywords=5702&pagetype=classSpecifications) : $23.93 - $26.33 per hour.

+ Class III (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harrisonburg/classspecs/1012482?keywords=5703&pagetype=classSpecifications) : $21.91 - $24.10 per hour.

+ Class IV (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harrisonburg/classspecs/1012484?keywords=5704&pagetype=classSpecifications) : $20.05 - $22.06 per hour.

+ Apprentice (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harrisonburg/classspecs/1012485?keywords=5705&pagetype=classSpecifications) : $19.15 - $20.59 per hour.

*An exact salary will be dependent upon the selected candidate's qualifications/experience and in compliance with City policy.

You may perform some or all of the following:

+ Operation of the City's municipal water treatment plant;

+ Daily inspection and calibration of lab equipment;

+ Collecting samples for testing and performing tests related to plant operations;

+ Checking plant equipment and chemical systems for proper operation then taking necessary corrective actions, if required;

+ Making changes in plant processes to improve efficiency;

+ Regulating chemical dosages as needed;

+ Assisting in all maintenance at the plant and at various other locations in the water system, as needed;

+ Performing general groundskeeping and housekeeping to maintain appearance and safety;

+ Monitoring and controlling water plant and distribution systems both manually and through the use of specialized software;

+ Maintaining records/files and using the information gathered to prepare reports.

A detailed list of the ideal candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is available in the Water Plant Shift Operator I (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harrisonburg/classspecs/1012480?keywords=5701&pagetype=classSpecifications) class specification.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Requirements for the Class I Level:

+ High school diploma or GED and extensive (6 or more years) experience in the operation of a water treatment plant, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

+ Possession of a Class I Water Treatment Operator's Certificate issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

+ Valid driver's license.

+ This vacancy requires a flexible schedule to cover shifts, as needed, due to the absence of operators assigned to those shifts (e.g., vacation, etc.). Shifts will become available for both planned and unplanned work shifts (e.g., days and nights, weekdays and weekends). The schedule for this position is subject to change due to business requirements.

+ Click here for the physical requirements of the position (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harrisonburg/classspecs/1012480?keywords=water%20plan%20shift&pagetype=classSpecifications) .

Interested in this opportunity with Public Utilities but don't meet all of the minimum requirements above for the Class I level? All applicants will be considered, for the level in which they qualify, at a rate commensurate with qualifications as stated above in this ad. You may click on the hyperlinked job titles at the top of this ad to view more information related to that particular position level.

The selected candidate for this position will be subject to the following screenings and must receive satisfactory results:

+ DMV record review;

+ Drug screening; and

+ Criminal background check.

This position is subject to the City's random drug and alcohol screenings.

Supplemental Information

To Apply: In order to be considered, all candidates must submit a complete City of Harrisonburg online employment application, including previous work experience and education history. This position may close at any time after 10 calendar days. (posted 11/12/2025)

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or veteran status.

The City of Harrisonburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Full-time employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including 15.5 observed holidays. More information on available benefits is listed on the City's website (https://www.harrisonburgva.gov/benefits-and-compensation) .