Job Description

Posting number: 2026-00563

Department: PU Waste Treatment Plant

Job classification: Plant Operator

Posting type: Open

Categories: Water Agency, Wastewater

Summary

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This position is being re-advertised. Candidates who have previously submitted an application and were referred to the hiring manager are still being considered and do not need to reapply.

Raleigh Water is seeking a dedicated Plant Operator to perform routine inspections, collect samples, conduct laboratory testing, and make process adjustments to maintain compliance with environmental and safety standards.

This role is responsible for troubleshooting equipment and process issues, collaborating with maintenance and laboratory staff, and helping ensure continuous, efficient plant operations.

About You:

Do you enjoy solving complex problems, working with advanced technology, and protecting the environment? If so, consider joining our team as a Plant Operator at the Neuse River Resource Recovery Facility.

As a Plant Operator on the night shift (7:00 pm – 7:00 am), you'll play a critical role in protecting public health and the environment by ensuring wastewater is treated safely, efficiently, and in compliance with environmental regulations. You'll operate, monitor, and maintain complex treatment systems while responding to operational issues to keep the facility running at peak performance.

In this role, you'll operate pumps, motors, valves, and wastewater treatment equipment while monitoring gauges, meters, SCADA systems, and process controls to ensure reliable plant operations.

If you enjoy science, mechanics, technology, and hands-on problem-solving, this is an opportunity to build a rewarding career while making a meaningful impact every day. Join a dedicated team committed to protecting public health, preserving our community's water resources, and supporting a cleaner, more sustainable future.

About Us:

Raleigh Water’s mission is to provide safe, sustainable water services for our customers while protecting public health and contributing to the economic, environmental and social vitality of our communities. To carry out our mission and continue to provide the safest and best drinking water for our community, we are seeking a skilled Plant Operator, devoted to providing operational, technical and maintenance support for the City's water and wastewater treatment plants.

Examples of duties

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Operate, monitor, and maintain wastewater treatment systems, including pumps, motors, valves, electrical equipment, and process control systems, to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant plant operations
• Monitor plant performance through visual inspections, equipment sounds, odors, gauges, meters, instrumentation, and the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system; evaluate process conditions and make operational adjustments as needed
• Inspect plant equipment, monitor tank and chemical levels, respond to alarms, troubleshoot equipment and process issues, and implement corrective actions to maintain continuous operations
• Perform routine preventive maintenance and minor repairs; identify, document, and report equipment malfunctions or critical issues requiring maintenance support
• Collect process samples, perform laboratory analyses, interpret results, and adjust treatment processes to support operational efficiency and regulatory compliance
• Receive, inspect, and manage chemical deliveries; monitor chemical inventories and ensure the safe storage, handling, and use of treatment chemicals
• Maintain accurate operational records by entering data into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), completing daily logs, documenting inspections, and preparing required operational reports
• Receive shift briefings, review current plant operating conditions, and complete assigned operational, maintenance, and housekeeping activities, including grounds maintenance and residuals handling
• Collaborate with operators, maintenance technicians, laboratory personnel, and land management staff to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient facility operations
• Participate in team meetings, safety training, and professional development activities while following all applicable safety policies, environmental regulations, and standard operating procedures
• Protect public health and the environment by ensuring wastewater and biosolids are treated, processed, and managed in accordance with federal, state, and local regulatory requirements

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

High School diploma or G.E.D. equivalency; No previous experience required

OR

Any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted

Licenses or Certifications:

• Grade II Biological certification or the ability to obtain within 2 years
• Valid North Carolina Class C Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record, or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire

Supplemental information

Knowledge of:

• Mechanical systems and components
• Electrical systems and controls
• Plumbing and piping systems
• Wastewater treatment processes and equipment
• Maintenance and repair techniques and troubleshooting methods

Skill in:

• Using tools and equipment
• Diagnosing equipment malfunctions
• Problem-solving to address issues efficiently
• Coordinating with team members and supervisors

Ability to:

• Log maintenance activities and access digital resources
• Interpret technical drawings and blueprints
• Assess situations and make informed decisions
• Work under pressure and in challenging conditions

ADA and Other Requirements:

Work Environment and Physical Effort:

Medium: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Work Environment:

Employees may occasionally work in an office or similar indoor environment, outdoor environment, at a construction site, or in a vehicle.

Work Exposures:

There is frequent exposure to loud noises (85+ decibels average over 8-hour working day such as heavy trucks, jack hammers, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, construction). Employees may occasionally be exposed to extreme cold (below 32 degrees), extreme heat (above 100 degrees), moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic substances.

City of Raleigh is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.