Join the City of Chattanooga Team
Chattanooga, a vibrant and growing community of over 190,000 residents within a metropolitan area of nearly 600,000 is known as the "Scenic City" for a reason. Nestled along the Tennessee River and surrounded by the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, we are a hub of outdoor adventure and innovation. Home to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and Chattanooga State Community College, our city blends a rich industrial history with a tech-forward future—famously powered by the nation’s first community-wide "Gig" fiber-optic network. The City of Chattanooga was also recently designated as a "National Park City,” the first of its kind in the United States.
Our Organization
As a City, we are powered by a dedicated workforce of approximately 2,600 employees committed to excellence in public service and making Chattanooga the best community in the country. Our team ensures our city thrives through a wide range of municipal services, including:
Why Choose Chattanooga?
The City of Chattanooga’s workforce is the heartbeat of our community. We don't just offer jobs; we offer careers with purpose: making Chattanooga the best city in America. We are committed to being the premier employer of choice in Southeast Tennessee by providing:
In Chattanooga, "work-life balance" means you can finish your shift and be at a trailhead or on the water before the sun sets.
Our mission is to work together to build a safe, vibrant, and sustainable city for all Chattanoogans. To do that, it takes a team of skilled and passionate individuals. So, if you’d like to call Chattanooga home – or maybe you already do! – and want to further your career through meaningful work that makes a true impact where you live, we’d love to talk to you.
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Salary: WWFG.05N $22.48 - $26.98 per hour (depending on experience)
Work Hours: 12 hour rotating shifts - This is a ROTATING SCHEDULE**
*Hours may vary due to work assignments or projects.*
Work Location: 455 Moccasin Bend Rd (Wastewater Treatment Plant)
FLSA Status: This is a Non-Exempt position.
Department: Wastewater - Liquid Waste Handling
SERIES LEVEL:
Plant Operator 2 is the second level of a five-level wastewater plant operations series.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
(The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.)
Maintains, operates and checks the operation of all collection systems, lift stations and chlorination facilities; operates pumps, valves and other equipment by hand or mechanical means to regulate the flow of wastewater through various primary, secondary treatment processes; maintains an even flow to assure maximum efficiency of plant equipment and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Operates multiple pump stations which include station maintenance, emergency repair, and response; data collection, record-keeping, and sample collection.
Collects samples of wastewater and other materials at scheduled times; performs standardized control tests; operates, adjusts and maintains chemical feed equipment to ensure compliance with established standards; performs record-keeping functions such as logging plant operations, test results, maintenance work and unusual operating conditions encountered; prepares special reports as required.
Reads and monitors meters, gauges, charts, instruments, and computerized systems to identify potential problems and ensure continuous operations; changes recording charts and ensures their continuous operation.
Performs routine and higher-level maintenance at plant facilities and grounds including washing down facility daily, maintaining grounds such a cutting grass and light maintenance duties, the sludge handling facilities including odor control and performing general housekeeping duties; performs maintenance of plant machinery, equipment, piping, and structures; cleans air diffusers, clears blockages from pipes and valves and performs repairs as necessary.
May prepare and record a variety of readings and information related to plant operations in applicable logbooks.
May ensure that all daily samples, Chains-of Custody and Daily Reports correctly follow the State and Federal regulations before preparing and disseminating a variety of routine and legally mandated reports related to wastewater plant operations.
Routine duties involve highly skilled work of operating, maintaining and monitoring wastewater (sludge) flows and stabilization in the treatment plant. Specifically in Solids it involves the operation of high volume, high speed Centrifuges in order to recycle the sludge into usable organic fertilizer.
May utilize computerized graphic displays for Centrifuges, conveyors, pumps plus controlled chemical mixing and injection; then verify and interpret the process and direct proper personnel to resolve any problems, ensuring efficient and safe plant operations.
May operate a City vehicle to carry out duties at pump stations through the City.
Must meet regular attendance requirements.
Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers and citizens.
Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.
May performs other duties as assigned.
This position is deemed essential during inclement weather situations, and must report to or remain at work, even when administrative closings are announced, as determined by the Department Head.
DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC DUTIES (if any):
SCADA- Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition.
May perform skilled technical work in the operation of the Moccasin Bend Wastewater Treatment plant, utilizing a bank of four computer monitors, monitoring all 88 pump stations and CSO’s from a secure location.
May observe, maintain and provide Situational awareness to remote facilities operations via SCADA in order to control equipment, Conditions and personnel during a 12 hour rotating shift.
Coordinate operational failures with the maintenance and Electrical departments or other agencies as required.
May coordinates with other departments, vendors and Contractors for access to secure work sites.
May maintain contact via Radio/ phone communication with outside workers and contractors.
May conduct site visits after normal work hours as needed in case of loss of communication, station failure or unforeseen problems as they arise.
If unable to troubleshoot/ repair problems in a timely manner, contact the on call operator, mechanic or Electrician as needed.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
High School Diploma or GED supplemented by vocational/technical training in wastewater treatment plant operations' or a related field and six (6) months of work experience in a wastewater treatment plant, operating chemical processing equipment, clarifiers, collecting and lab testing samples, sludge inventory, adjusting flows and/or reading meters, or any equivalent combination of education, training/experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.
LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:
A valid Driver's License
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Knowledge of operation, maintenance and repair of wastewater plant equipment and facilities; wastewater treatment principles, methods and practices; operation and maintenance of a wide variety of tools and equipment utilized in the trade; mathematical concepts; safety rules, codes and regulations and safe work methods and precautions related to the work; methods and precautions in storing and handling chlorine and other hazardous gasses and chemicals; routine process control tests; and preventative maintenance practices and procedures as applied to wastewater treatment facilities and collection systems.
Skill in operating wastewater treatment plant equipment; performing routine maintenance and making operating adjustments to wastewater equipment; cleaning facilities and equipment; recognizing unusual, inefficient or dangerous operating conditions and taking appropriate action; reading and recording data from gauges and meters; performing routine control tests and adjust plant equipment accordingly; preparing and maintaining a variety of records and logs of work performed; and communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Positions in this class typically require climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing and seeing.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Medium Work: Exerting up-to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up-to 20 pounds of force frequently and/or up-to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, fumes, odors, dusts, gasses, poor ventilation, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, and infectious diseases.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Safety Sensitive: Y
Department of Transportation - CDL: N
Child Sensitive: N
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
This position requires pre-employment screening(s) that include: background check / drug screening / lift test / & HepB Titer
The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
KJS 05.28.2026
Chattanooga, the 4th largest city in the state, is located in Southeast Tennessee near the border of Georgia at the junction of four interstate highways. The city has received national recognition for the renaissance of its beautiful downtown and redevelopment of its riverfront. The city boasts the most productive affordable housing program in the nation, and is notable for leveraging development funds through effective public/private partnerships, with significant civic involvement on the part of private foundations. Chattanooga was one of the first US cities to effectively use a citizen visioning process to set specific long-range goals to enrich the lives of residents and visitors.
