Water Treatment Plant Operator

Overview

Date Opened:
Friday, January 30, 2026 12:00 AM

Close Date:
Sunday, February 15, 2026 12:00 AM

Department:
Charlotte Water Department

Salary:
Commensurate with Experience

Welcome to the City of Charlotte. Charlotte is America’s Queen City, inviting a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses and visitors. 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 position operates and maintains treatment plant equipment, 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; 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, refilling chemicals, and interacting with contractors.

Compensation
:
The hourly rate is commensurate with experience and certification.

• NC Grade C Surface Water Certification — $24.00/hr to $25.75/hr
• NC Grade B Surface Water Certification — $25.55/hr to $28.38/hr
• NC Grade A Surface Water Certification — $29.58/hr to $32.85/hr

• Operates and maintains treatment plant equipment such as filters, pumps, chlorinators, air compressors, and electric motors; performs standard chemical and physical process control tests; checks oil levels and greases equipment; and obtains readings from equipment.
• Ensures efficient operations of plant equipment; maintains records of operations.
• Performs basic equipment troubleshooting.
• Drives and walks around the plant site and buildings; checks equipment; operates forklift, tractor, City truck, and utility/golf cart.
• Performs basic maintenance around and inside the building.
• Checks SCADA; updates operator’s logbook; communicates with other shifts and checks the whiteboard for issues.
• Collects water samples and runs lab tests; performs math/chemical calculations; enters lab data; documents chemical adjustments and equipment changes/failures.
• Handles chlorine delivery, maintenance, and cylinder changes.
• Interacts with contractors on site.
• Conducts safety inspections.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

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

• Requires valid driver’s license. Ability to obtain City driving permit.
• Requires NC Grade C Surface Water Certification (or obtain within 18 months of hire).
• Requires NC Grade B Surface Water Certification (or obtain within three years of hire).
• Requires NC Grade A Surface Water Certification (or obtain within five years of hire).
• Desires Physical Chemical I certification.
• Desires Maintenance I certification.

• Knowledge of math at appropriate level to perform job functions.
• Knowledge of surface treatment plant operations preferred.
• Skill in using computers.
• Skill in using chemicals.

The work is medium work and requires applying 30 pounds of force frequently and exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally to move objects. The following physical abilities are required: balancing, climbing, crouching, feeling, manual dexterity, grasping, handling, perceiving sounds, distinguishing among sounds, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, expressing ideas by spoken word, and good visual acuity for data, color, observations, equipment, and inspections.

The City’s Background…