Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

Salary : $58,294.00 Annually
Location : Clayton, NC
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 25-00849
Department: Water Resources
Division: Water Sewer Wastewater Treatment Plant
Opening Date: 02/16/2026
Closing Date: 3/27/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Description
This vacancy is a repost.

* Salary Grade SG 307* * Recruiting Starting Salary: $58,294.00


** Salary offered will be determined based on directly related experience **


* Work Location is 653 Veterans Pkwy., Clayton, NC (Johnston County) *
The Town of Clayton is seeking applicants for a Senior Wastewater Treatment Operator for the Water Resources Department. The Town of Clayton employs more than 340 full-time staff in areas including police, fire, and electric utilities. The Town of Clayton also offers a range of PT positions including positions in Parks & Rec, Library, and Cultural Arts.
The Town of Clayton is the fastest growing town in Johnston County, which is the fastest growing county in the State of North Carolina. The vision for the Town of Clayton includes a thriving town where growth contributes to the quality of life enjoyed by long-time residents and newcomers alike; easy access but with an atmosphere that feels smaller than it is;

a system of parks and greenways that connect people and places; neighborhoods with a variety of quality living options; a town that offers opportunities for people to live, create, shop and eat; a bustling and historic downtown, and businesses that are successful, growing, and investing in the community.

Duties & Responsibilities
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.

• 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.

Special Requirements, Education & Experience

• Extensive knowledge of the Towns current workorder system, creating, submitting, and completing work orders.
• 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…