Utilities Plant Operator Trainee

Utilities Plant Operator Trainee

Salary

$20.66 - $28.93 Hourly

Location

New Port Richey & Wesley Chapel, FL

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

14354-1026

Department

Utilities Water & Wastewater O & M

Division

Water Services

Opening Date

10/23/2026

Closing Date

11/5/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Salary Range

$20.66 - $28.93

Pay Grade

N34 (Non-exempt position)

Salary Disclosure

Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Description

JOIN OUR TEAM AS A PLANT OPERATOR TRAINEE - DRINKING WATER

Trainee works in learning the fundamentals of water treatment plant operation. After instruction, orientation and certification, the employee will be expected to carry out those routine duties as required of a licensed plant operator. Skilled work in the operation of drinking water supply and distribution systems, to provide high quality treatment of water in compliance with local rules and regulations.

Essential Job Functions

Note: The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform one or more of the activities described below:

• Responds to emergency situation such as, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and other natural and/or unnatural crisis to provide for public health and safety.
• Prepares and maintains accurate, detailed operations reports and maintenance records.
• Collects, organizes and evaluates water operational data and develop logical conclusions for operational adjustments.
• Oversees and/or performs inspections of facility equipment and machinery to determine that all systems are operating properly.
• Works with licensed operational staff to perform routine and non-routine adjustments to controls in conformance with operating instructions, Florida Administrative Code and prescribed standards.
• Notifies appropriate staff of needs for non-routine adjustments and/or malfunctioning of equipment.
• Performs and assists with plant maintenance work as required.
• Assists in operations, calibrations and in maintaining all department equipment, vehicles and test equipment to ensure safe and efficient operations.
• Gains knowledge of Florida Administrative Code and regulatory requirements.
• Researches and responds to information requests in conformance with department procedures.
• Implements OSHA lock-out/tag-out procedures to safely isolate equipment and remove it form service.
• Aids in response to customer inquiries and complaints to include determination of water quality issues and resolutions, provides requested information within established guidelines and capabilities or redirects call to appropriate person to ensure good customer relations.
• Accepts documentation from chemical delivery drivers, signs to verify amounts of delivered for payment, and submits the tickets to the facility supervisor or office assistant for payment.
• Uses appropriate personal protective equipment and follows material safety data sheets recommendations for handling toxic, corrosive and flammable materials.
• Performs related work as directed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of written and oral, computer communication.
• Ability to perform assigned duties with considerable independence.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate, detailed operations and maintenance records and reports.
• Ability and willingness to respond to emergency situations such as, floods, tornadoes and other nature and/or unnatural crises to provide for public health and safety.
• Ability to use a computer and related software.

Core Competencies:

• Customer Commitment - Proactively seeks to understand the needs of the customers and provide the highest standards of service.
• Dedication to Professionalism and Integrity - Demonstrates and promotes fair, honest, professional and ethical behaviors that establishes trust throughout the organization and with the public we serve.
• Organizational Excellence - Takes ownership for excellence through ones personal effectiveness and dedication to the continuous improvement of our operation.
• Success through Teamwork - Collaborates and builds partnerships through trust and the open exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives to achieve organizational goals.

Minimum Requirements

PHYSICAL SKILLS/WORKING CONDITIONS: Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and also push or pull heavy objects. May use a handling device (dolly, cart, etc.) or work with another team member to lift and/or move excessively heavy objects. Ability to bend, climb, squat and walk frequently. Ability to communicate effectively using verbal, written and visual communication. Ability and willingness to work overtime, rotating shifts, including nights, weekends and holidays.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: Graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS OR REGISTRATIONS: Must possess a valid Florida drivers license. Must successfully pass examinations to receive a Class "C" License in water within eighteen (18) months from date of hire.

Applicants who have passed the water certification exam and/or completed/started required course for certification will be given preference.

Note: Candidate hired as "Trainee" in Tier 1 will serve an twelve (12) months probationary period. They are required to complete all educational requirements to acquire a valid State of Florida Water Plant Operator "C" Certificate of Completion within one (1) year of position assignment and obtain the license within eighteen (18) months.

ADA STATEMENT: A qualified employee or applicant with a disability may be afforded a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential job functions of a position in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE: Pasco County BOCC is a drug-free workplace in accordance with Federal and Florida Law.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE/RECOVERY ACTIVITIES: All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.

VETERANS PREFERENCE: Under Section 295.07, F.S., chapter SSA-7 Pasco County BCC provides to Veterans, that preference in appointment will be given to preference-eligible applicants.

PASCO COUNTY WAS VOTED ONE OF THE NATIONS TOP WORKPLACES FOR 2021

Benefits include:

• Florida Retirement System (FRS) retirement plan
• PTO (Paid Time Off)
• Paid holidays
• Group insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Deferred compensation
• Medical leave pool
• Annual medical leave buy-back
• Mid-management/Professional grade, and management personnel may receive 40 hours of admin leave per calendar year.

Effective July 1, 2011, FRS members must contribute 3% of their salary as retirement contributions, on a pre-tax basis (the salary is reduced by the amount of the employee contribution before determining the federal income tax deduction). The employer will automatically deduct the employee contributions.

01

I am aware that the following supplemental questions will determine my eligibility for this position.

• Acknowledge
• Decline

02

Are you a current Pasco County BOCC employee?

• Yes
• No

03

Which best describes your highest level of COMPLETED education?

• GED
• High School
• Associate degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctorate
• None of the above

04

Which best describes the years of experience you have as required for this position?

• Ten or more years of experience
• Nine years but less than ten
• Eight years but less than nine
• Seven years but less than eight
• Six years but less than seven
• Five years but less than six
• Four years but less than five
• Three years but less than four
• Two years but less than three
• One year but less than two
• Less than one year of experience

05

Do you possess a valid Florida drivers license or have the ability to obtain the license within 30 days from date of hire?

• Yes
• No

06

Are you a veteran who served as a member of the armed forces of the United States during a period of war, defined in Title 38, U.S.C., and who was separated from such service under honorable conditions, or the surviving spouse of any such veteran? (SUPPORTING DOCUMENTION IS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION OR NEXT BUSINESS DAY).

• Yes
• No

07

I hereby acknowledge that Pasco County BOCC is a drug-free workplace in accordance with Federal and Florida law, and consent to pre-employment drug/alcohol testing, and agree to abide by the program and policy if employed by Pasco County BOCC.

• Acknowledged
• Declined

08

Are you legally authorized to work in the United States? Note: If hired, a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, must be completed at the start of employment.

• Yes
• No

09

Have you recently retired from the Florida Retirement System (FRS) Pension Plan or Investment Plan within the last 6 months?

• Yes
• No

10

Have you recently taken a disbursement from the Florida Retirement System (FRS) Pension Plan or Investment Plan within the last 6 months?

• Yes
• No

11

If so, please provide the date.

12

Please specifically explain how your prior work experience and education match the qualifications for this position. (1000 characters or less)

13

How did you hear about this position?

• Billboard
• Facebook
• Friend/Family Referral
• Indeed
• Instagram
• Job Fair
• LinkedIn
• Magazine publication
• Nextdoor
• Pasco County employee
• Pasco County Facebook Page
• Pasco County website/Governmentjobs.com
• Pasco County Traffic Sign
• Utility bill insert
• X/Twitter
• YouTube
• Other

14

If a Pasco County employee referred you, please provide the name of the employee. If none, write N/A.

Required Question

Employer Pasco County

Address 7536 State Street

New Port Richey, Florida, 34654

Phone (727) 847-8030

(727) 847-8103

Website http://www.pascocountyfl.net