Treatment Plant Operator - Surface Water

Job Summary

Treatment Plant Operator I – Surface Water in Pearland, TX. Full-time position with a competitive hourly rate and strong benefits.

Hourly base salary: $21.83 – $23.63 (based on experience and qualifications). Certification pay is available for licenses above the required level. City pays premiums for dental, long‑term disability, life insurance, and the majority of medical costs for employees and dependents. Retirement benefits are provided through the Texas Municipal Retirement System with a 2:1 employer match.

Hiring incentives are paid upon successful employment:

• Grade C License – $2,500
• Grade B License – $3,500
• Grade A License – $5,000

Pearland is one of Texas' fastest‑growing cities, offering affordable housing, top‑rated schools, and a high quality of life. Ranked among the state’s safest cities, it is just 20 minutes from Houston and provides residents with access to professional sports, cultural amenities, and recreation.

Employees enjoy a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and collaborative teamwork. City resources include a fitness center, employee assistance program, educational assistance, 11 paid holidays, 2 designated holidays, vacation, sick leave, and a wellness program.

Under general supervision of a SWTP Operator II, responsibilities include:

• Daily inspection, operation, and monitoring of raw water intake, coagulant feed systems, rapid mix, flocculation, sedimentation, sludge system, filtration, and disinfection processes.
• Routine preventive maintenance of equipment and plant grounds.
• Execution of laboratory tests (turbidity, chlorine residual, pH, alkalinity) and accurate record‑keeping.
• Operation of mechanical equipment, pumps, motors, chemical feed pumps, air compressors, belt press, and valves.
• Maintenance and calibration of chlorination equipment and chemical piping.
• Assistance with startup, shutdown, and routine adjustments based on instrumentation and control system data.
• Backwashing, clean‑in‑place, integrity testing, and membrane cartridge replacement.
• Maintenance of operational logs, daily rounds, and response to alarms.

• Attend monthly safety meetings.
• Apply knowledge of water testing and treatment principles.
• Diagnose equipment failures and implement corrective action.
• Operate hand and power tools safely.
• Perform laboratory QA/QC protocols.
• Maintain effective professional relationships.
• Complete other related assignments as directed.

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Minimum of one (1) year in surface water treatment plants or a closely related field.

• Valid Texas Driver's License.
• TCEQ Class D Water Operator License – Required.
• TCEQ Class C Surface Water License – Preferred.

$21.83 – $23.63 per hour.