Senior Wastewater Treatment Operator at Town of Clayton – Clayton, North Carolina

The Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator performs advanced-level duties in the operation, maintenance, and monitoring of a wastewater treatment facility. This position leads and participates in day-to-day plant activities, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations. The Senior Operator serves as a technical resource and may act in a lead or supervisory capacity during the absence of the Supervisor and Superintendent.

This position is subject 24-Hour, 365 Days/Year Operation with 12 Hour Day Shifts and Night Shifts. Employees in this position will be DAY SHIFT (7am-7pm) or Night Shift (7pm-7am), 2-2-3 schedule.

This position is classified as Service Critical.

• Performs routine plant rounds throughout the assigned shift (day or night).

• Operate and monitor wastewater treatment plant systems including pumps, valves, chemical feeders, digesters, clarifiers, and disinfection equipment.

• Adjust process controls to maintain compliance with permit requirements and optimize plant performance.

• Collect and analyze water and sludge samples; interpret results and make process control adjustments.

• Maintain detailed operational logs, reports, and records required by regulatory agencies.

• Perform preventative, predictive and corrective maintenance on equipment and instrumentation.

• Ensure proper handling and disposal of biosolids and chemicals.

• Train and mentor new operators and maintenance staff.

• Respond to alarms, emergencies, and after-hours issues as needed.

• Coordinate with contractors, engineers, and inspectors during repairs, upgrades, or expansions.

• Follow all safety procedures and environmental regulations.

• Serve as Backup Operator-in responsible Charge (BORC) for the treatment facility.

• Conducts electrical and mechanical troubleshooting and repairs on equipment.

• Reviews schematics and model data.

• Prepares Federal, State, and Local reports.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Performs Plant Check successfully with no supervision and troubleshoots operations or maintenance if need be.

• Perform On-Call Duties (Respond to Call Backs, Plant Check, Alarm Testing, Drinking Water Samples, writing in Logbook, etc.) Fills in for vacant shifts in the event the plant is short staffed.

• Extensive knowledge of the Towns current workorder system, creating, submitting, and completing workorders.

• Considerable knowledge of hydraulic, chemical, and mechanical principles pertinent to water reclamation plant operations

• Extensive knowledge of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and it’s requirements.

• Advanced knowledge of preventative and predictive maintenance, troubleshooting repair and replacement of equipment, and electrical work of PLCs and SCADA.

• Advanced knowledge of Water Reclamation Facility Permits, knows Parameter Limits for Compliance, assists with sampling.

• Advanced knowledge of Safety Protocols: SDS, supervises Confined Space entry, supervises Lock Out Tag Out, PPE, Lead safety meetings.

• Ensure duties of Operators I, II, and III are completed.

• Advanced knowledge of Laboratory Process Control, coordinates with Lab staff for supplies, moderate knowledge of microorganisms, assists with sampling and lab duties, as needed.

• Knowledge of the operating characteristics and maintenance requirement of water reclamation facilities

• Knowledge of state, federal, and local laws, regulations, and practices related to water and water reclamation and discharge.

• The ability to detect flaws in the operation of mechanical equipment and to determine proper remedial measures

• The ability to prepare laboratory reagents and assemble laboratory apparatus for chemical and biological analysis

• The ability to read and interpret state and federal regulations related to wastewater treatment.

• The ability to read and interpret technical federal guidelines on treatment procedures and tests