Plant Operator III - Wastewater

Plant Operator III - Wastewater

Salary

$47,465.27 - $67,400.70 Annually

Location

Spotsylvania, VA

Job Type

Regular Full-Time (Non-Exempt)

Job Number

02749

Department

Utilities

Division

Wastewater Treatment

Opening Date

05/18/2026

Closing Date

6/4/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits

Spotsylvania County is committed to maintaining a drug free workplace. Employees are prohibited from manufacturing, distributing, possessing or using controlled substances such as marijuana. A positive drug test result, confirmed use or impairment can be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination in accordance with our personnel policies.

A positive pre-employment drug test will also disqualify a candidate for hire.

General Statement of Job

Under general supervision, performs responsible technical work in the operation and minor maintenance of equipment at the wastewater treatment plants. Work involves collecting and testing wastewater samples and controlling mechanical, electrical, and chemical equipment involved in pumping and/or treating wastewater. Employee is also responsible for adjusting chemical feed as required. Employee must exercise judgment based on training and experience in making decisions and coordinating the proper operation of equipment.

This position is essential. Personnel occupying this position may be scheduled to work irrespective of weather conditions and/or when general County offices are closed. Applicants must be available to work Sunday through Saturday as needed.

Special Duties & Responsibilities

• Operates mechanical equipment such as meters, pumps, filters, and feeders.
• Operates electrical and electronic equipment such as meters, recorders, controllers, automatic monitors, and stand by power systems.
• Collects wastewater samples for testing and performs laboratory analysis.
• Calibrates, maintains, services, repairs, and replaces various mechanical, electronic, and electrical equipment.
• Determines proper chemical dosage and control applications for various treatment processes.
• Prepares inventory and stores chemicals.
• Maintains accurate and complete records on various aspects of wastewater treatment.
• Maintains a safe working environment.
• Performs regular preventative maintenance on various types of equipment.
• Performs general plant maintenance and custodial duties.
• Maintains awareness of local, state, and federal regulations and stays informed of changes and updates.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Training & Experience

High School Diploma or equivalent; and one (1) to two (2) years of experience in wastewater treatment operations; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities.

Valid Virginia drivers license required.

Have a Virginia Class III License or must successfully obtain a Virginia Class III License within 30 months of employment.

Must obtain First Aid and/or CPR certification(s).

Must conform to OSHA regulations that may require removal of some facial hair.

Shall participate in the Wastewater Works Division Mandatory Training Program.

Special Requirements

• Knowledge of the operating principles and practices and the maintenance requirements of wastewater treatment plant equipment and machinery.
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions associated with wastewater plant and related activities.
• Knowledge of chemistry as applied to wastewater treatment.
• Knowledge of wastewater testing procedures.
• Knowledge of standard laboratory principles, techniques, terminology and equipment.
• Ability to understand and follow specified operating and recording procedures.
• Ability to detect defects and to take appropriate action in the operation of wastewater treatment equipment chemical feed systems and other related equipment.
• Ability to keep accurate records and prepare reports.
• Ability to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in contact with the general public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
• Ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments or directions from superiors.
• Ability to read manuals, regulations, gauges, levels, meters, etc.
• Ability to prepare logs, test reports, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style.
• Ability to speak with poise, voice control and confidence.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form; and to deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including engineering terminology.
• Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages; understand and apply the theories of algebra and geometry.
• Ability to communicate respectfully and professionally. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress.

Physical Requirements

Must be physically able to operate a variety of equipment, machinery and wastewater treatment plant equipment including laboratory test equipment, calculator, two-way radio, pumps, motors, mechanical and plumbing tools, etc. Must be able to exert up to 75 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push ,pull or otherwise move objects is considered requirements for Medium Work. Employee must be able to perform essential job functions while wearing specified respirators. In order to demonstrate ability, employee must be able to pass pre-employment and five-year follow up medical evaluation and spirometric evaluation. Spirometry testing will be utilized to measure. Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratory Volume-1 Second (FEV1). If FVC is less than 75% and/or FEV1 is less than 70% the employee will not be allowed to wear a respirator unless a written waiver is obtained from a medical doctor. Must conform to OSHA regulations that may require removal of some facial hair. Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape. Requires the ability coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using office and wastewater treatment plant equipment. Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as office equipment. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination. Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color. Requires the ability to talk and hear: (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words. Hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Must be able to communicate via a telephone.

The following programs offered by Spotsylvania County provide our employees with benefits that promote employee health, well-being and financial stability, now and in the future. The Countys variety of comprehensive and competitive benefit programs* include:

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Life Insurance

Opt-Out Program

Paid Holidays

Paid Leave

Sick Leave Bank

Supplemental Insurance Plans

Tuition Assistance Program

Retirement Plan

Deferred Compensation - 457 Plans

• Some benefits are exclusive to full-time employees. To learn more, please contact the Department of Human Resources.

Employer Spotsylvania County

Address 9104 Courthouse Road

P.O. Box 605

Spotsylvania, Virginia, 22553

Phone (540) 507-7290

Website http://www.spotsylvania.va.us