Water Treatment Plant Operator (Class I or II)

Town of Wytheville

Job Opening

Job Title: Water Treatment Plant Operator I or II

ANTICIPATED STARTING SALARY: $58,760 to $63,960

Actual compensation will be DOE/DOQ.

DEPARTMENT: Water Treatment Plant

FLSA DESIGNATION: Non-Exempt

POSTED: 09/29/2026

POSITION SUMMARY: The Operator Class I/II performs a variety of duties in the operation, maintenance, and repair of the of the Town of Wytheville’s water treatment facility. Works under the general supervision of the Superintendent or Chief Operator. May supervise lower-level trainees and/or operators as directed by the Superintendent or Chief Operator. Operators hired for this position must have reached at least the level of a certified Water Treatment Plant Operator I or II.

➔ Job Description is attached. Please review the full list of Duties and Responsibilities.

ENTRY LEVEL REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: High school diploma or GED is required. Experience in water treatment plant processing or a degree in biology, environmental science, chemistry, or a closely related field preferred. Valid state driver’s license required. Education and experience requirements for each Class Title are defined by the Commonwealth of Virginia's Qualifications for Examination Approval 18VAC160-110.

Must have the below basic knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Operators for this position must already be at least the level of a certified Water Treatment Plant Operator I or II.

• Ability to quickly learn about facilities and procedures used in water treatment activities and plant maintenance, as well as laboratory procedures and practices.

• Skill in operation of tools and equipment in the attached job description.

• Ability to work safely, communicate effectively verbally and in writing, establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, departments and the public, and understand and carry out written and oral instructions.

• Ability to perform math functions, basic algebra involving variables and formulas, basic geometry involving plane and solid figures such as circumferences, areas, and volumes, compute ratios, rates, percents, and other parameters.

Please refer to the attached Job Description for additional Required Minimum Qualifications

HOW TO APPLY:

• Applicants must complete a Town of Wytheville Employment Application to be considered for this position. Applications can be found online at https://www.wytheville.org/employment. Applications are to be submitted to the Department of Human Resources by email at human.resources@wytheville.org or in person at the Town Municipal Building. Please submit a completed application including a resume and any certifications or special licensures that relate to the advertised position. Please contact the Department of Human Resources with any questions at 276-223-3321.

CLOSING DATE: Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

The Town of Wytheville is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Class Title: Water Treatment Plant Operator 1/11

Department: Public Utilities and Engineering

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Effective Date: March 27 ,2024

This job description serves as the job description for Water Treatment Plant Operator's from an Operator Class I and Operator Class II. As employees advance in certification level to any of the class titles indicated below, they shall expand the scope of their job duties and responsibilities relative to the specific certification level attained. The Water Operator Class Title is assigned at the discretion of the Town Manager and dependent upon the selected candidate's overall qualifications and experience relative to the job vacancy.

Class Titles Represented:

Water Treatment Plant Operator I

Water Treatment Plant Operator II

Operators hired for this position must have reached at least the level of a certified Water Treatment Plant Operator I or II.

GENERAL PURPOSE

Water Treatment Plant Operators at all levels perform a variety of duties in the operation, maintenance, and repair of the Town of Wytheville's water treatment facility.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of the Superintendent or Chief Operator.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May supervise lower-level trainees and/or operators as directed by the Superintendent or Chief Operator.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Monitors the performance of all equipment in the water treatment plant and pump stations including electrical systems.

• Cleans wet wells and operates pumps/valves to control water treatment process.

• Records statistical data concerning plant operations by charting lab test results for trend analysis.

• Resolves malfunctions at the water plant by repairing controls and equipment.

• Gathers and tests water samples for plant efficiency reports by identifying characteristics of water in accordance with governmental requirements.

• Practices acceptable lab methods and procedures to assure accuracy of test results.

• Performs quality control tests on lab equipment and lab analyses.

• Calibrates lab instruments and control equipment, making repairs as necessary.

• Contains and disposes of hazardous wastes generated as processes require.

• Assures that the plant operates within required standards.

• Maintains the drawings and schematics of electrical and other treatment plant systems.

• Performs other duties as required and assigned.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

At minimum a High School diploma or GED equivalent is required. Experience in water treatment plant processing or a degree in biology, environmental science, chemistry, or a closely related field preferred. Education and experience requirements for each Class Title are defined by the Commonwealth of Virginia's Qualifications for Examination Approval 18VAC160-110.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to quickly learn about facilities and procedures used in water treatment activities and plant maintenance. and laboratory procedures and practices.

• Skill in operation of listed tools and equipment.

• Ability to work safely; ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, departments and the public; ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions.

• Ability to perform math functions, such as using basic algebra involving variables and formulas, basic geometry involving plane and solid figures, such as circumferences, areas, and volumes, and computes ratios, rates, percents, or other parameters.

Certifications, Licensures and Special Requirements:

Valid State driver's license and a driving record that follows Town driving standards is required. Telephone access is required to be able to respond to on-call and/or urgent situations. Required to complete appropriate safety (OSHA} training.

• Operators for this position must already be at least the level of a certified Water Treatment Plant Operator I or II.

Information regarding the pursuit of advanced water certifications:

The Town will pay for certification testing two times for each exam taken up to the level of a Class II Operator. If an employee fails any exam twice, they may be offered an opportunity to take the exam a third time or the employee may be terminated. If an employee is interested in testing for their Class I certification, the Town will pay for testing twice. If the employee fails the Class I exam twice and wishes to take the test again, the employee will be responsible for any cost associated with testing. The Department head may offer an opportunity for the employee to take the exam a third time. Determinations will be made at the discretion of the Department Head and the Town Manager on a case-by-case basis. Please refer to the Commonwealth of Virginia's Qualifications for Examination Approval 18VAC160-30-110 for testing eligibility guidelines, as these guidelines change in accordance with Virginia law when looking to pursuit advanced certifications. Continuing Professional Education (CPE): Continuing education classes are required to be completed as a condition of license renewal. The number of hours required depends on the type of license currently obtained.

Respirator Use:

Water Treatment Plant Operators, including Operator Trainees, are assigned tasks that require the use of a respirator. Employees must be medically evaluated and found eligible to wear the respirator. Operators at all levels are required by the Town under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA} standards to pass a Medical Evaluation and complete a Respiratory Physical. The Medical Evaluation / Respiratory Physical will be conducted by a licensed health care professional at the expense of the Town. Testing will consist of the OSHA Medical Questionnaire, Pulmonary Function Test, TB Test, and a General Medical Examination including a Vision Test and a Fasting Lipid Panel. If recommended by the physician, a Chest X-Ray, Resting EKG, and an Exercise Stress Echocardiogram may also be required. Applicants who fail the Respiratory Physical / Medical Evaluation will have the option to submit additional medical information for review at their own expense. Employees who fail to successfully complete the Respiratory Physical/ Medical Evaluation will not be retained in employment with the Town of Wytheville.

The Town of Wytheville has the responsibility of ensuring that employees are medically fit to tolerate the physical and psychological stress imposed by respirator use. By conducting the Respiratory Physical, the Town of Wytheville and the applicant can evaluate if the medical standards can be met for the employee to safely perform the essential functions of their respective position.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), motor vehicle, generators, pumps, gauges, common hand and power tools, shovels, wrenches, detection devices, mobile radio, phone, calculator, and a variety of lab equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to feel or operate tools or controls. The employee is required to stand, walk, talk, hear, climb, kneel, and crawl. Must have the ability to enter hatches as small as 20 inches by 20 inches for repairs or equipment checks. Must be physically and medically capable of safely using a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). The employee must frequently lift or move up to fifty (50) pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to one hundred (100) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is exposed to fumes or airborne particles, with the risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The employee is frequently exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately loud inside and outside the building.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; criminal background investigation; driving records; job related tests may be required. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Other duties may be assigned.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Revision History: 02/01/1996, 08/22/2002, 11/15/2012, 11/13/2013, 03/26/2024, 09/29/2026

Pay: $58,760.00 - $63,960.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

License/Certification:

• Water Treatment Plant Operator Class I or II Certification (Required)

Work Location: In person