Water Treatment Plant Operator

Date Opened: Thursday, May 28, 2026 12:00 AM

Close Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026 12:00 AM

Department: Charlotte Water Department

Salary: $26.29 - $32.87 Commensurate with Experience

Welcome to the City of Charlotte

Charlotte is America's Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses and visitors alike. Here you will find a safe, family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive. The mission of the City of Charlotte is to deliver quality public services and promote the safety, health, and quality of life for all residents.

Our guiding principles include:

• Attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce

• Valuing teamwork, openness, accountability, productivity, and employee development

• Providing all customers with courteous, responsive, accessible, and seamless quality services

• Taking initiative to identify, analyze, and solve problems

• Collaborating with stakeholders to make informed decisions

SUMMARY

This 3rd shift, hourly position operates and maintains treatment plant equipment such as (filters, pumps, chlorinators, air compressors, and electric motors), adjusts chemicals, and maintains buildings. Work involves operating and maintaining treatment plant equipment such as filters, pumps, chlorinators, air compressors, and electric motors; checking oil levels; troubleshooting equipment; performing standard chemical and physical process control tests; washing filters; keeping records of operations; performing math/chemical calculations; and inspecting for safe/efficient operations of plant equipment. This position also conducts preventative maintenance around the plant, and refilling chemicals.

The salary for this position is $47,480.00 - $60,023.31/year. Compensation is based on Level of Certification and Experience

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Produces safe and sufficient drinking water for the population and visitors of Mecklenburg County by managing day-to-day operations of a surface water treatment facility.
• Monitors treatment processes by utilizing SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), systems and visual observation of process equipment (pumps, chemical feeders, filters, flocculators, rapid mixers, instruments, and air compressors).
• Ensures quality and process control by laboratory analysis and chemical dosage rate adjustments as well as taking bacteria/taste and odor samples along various stages of treatment.
• Calibrates equipment; and adjusts chemical feeds/flows.
• Conducts safety inspections.
• Assists in unloading and storage of treatment process chemicals.
• Monitors high service pumping of treated water to the distribution system to ensure appropriate system pressure and elevated storage tank level to meet consumer demand.
• Adjusts treatment plant rate and coordinates with two other surface water treatment plants to match demand requirements of the overall system.
• Performs laboratory analysis; gathers samples; and maintains lab instruments.
• Washes filters.
• Keeps records of operations.
• Maintains equipment (greasing, inspecting, and rebuilding equipment)
• Performs janitorial services (sweeping, mopping, cleaning assigned areas; and taking out the trash).
• Enters data (such as lab results).
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of surface water treatment plant operations.
• Skill in working with computers and software related to the position.
• Skill in making math and chemical calculations.
• Ability to obtain City driving authorization.
• Ability to work with chemicals.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work is medium work and requires applying 30 pounds of force frequently and exerting up to 50 - 100 pounds of force occasionally to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: climbing, feeling, grasping, handling, perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, distinguishing among sounds, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, expressing ideas by spoken word, shouting above noises, visual acuity in data/color/observations/equipment/inspections, and walking.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs. Requires working shifts and working around machinery with chemicals.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED from an accredited school.
• Two (2) years of related work experience preferred.

Licenses, Certifications or Registrations:

• Requires valid driver's license.
• Requires (or obtains within 18 months of hire date) NC Grade C Surface Water Certification.
• Requires (or obtains within 3 years of hire date) NC Grade B Surface Water Certification.
• Requires (or obtains within 6 years of hire date) NC Grade A Surface Water Certification

The salary for this position is $47,480.00 - $60,023.31/year. Compensation based on Level of Certification and Experience:

• C Surface or Uncertified candidate - $47,480
• Candidate holding a B Surface certification - $51,849.26
• Candidate holding an A Surface certification - $60,023.31

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City's Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate's written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.

Our culture is to serve the community honorably.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email Careers@ci.charlotte.nc.us

The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.

BENEEFITS

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.

Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte's benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.