Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator IV
City of CharlotteClose Date: Wednesday, October 01, 2025 12:00 AM
Department: Charlotte Water Department
Salary: $27.61 - $34.51 Commensurate with Experience
Welcome to the City of Charlotte
Charlotte is America’s Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses and visitors alike. Here you will find a safe, family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive. The mission of the City of Charlotte is to deliver quality public services and promote the safety, health, and quality of life for all residents.
Our guiding principles include:
Attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce
Valuing teamwork, openness, accountability, productivity, and employee development
Providing all customers with courteous, responsive, accessible, and seamless quality services
Taking initiative to identify, analyze, and solve problems
Collaborating with stakeholders to make informed decisions
SUMMARY
Charlotte’s local government, with more than 9,000 employees and a total budget of $3.65 billion budget, works hard to ensure that the community will be a winning city for everyone – a truly remarkable place to live, work, learn and play.Charlotte Water is an enterprise department of the City of Charlotte and one of the largest public water and sewer service providers in the southeast with over 330,000 customer accounts and over 1100 employees. Our service area includes the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and the towns of Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Mint Hill, Matthews and Pineville. Charlotte Water’s FY 26 budget is $651 million and a five-year capital program of $2.2.28 billion. We enjoy the highest credit ratings from Moody’s and S&P Global as a result of sound financial planning and management and strong support from our City Council. We value competent, skilled candidates with a customer service focus to work in a team environment.
SALARY:
$31.06/Hr. - $34.50/Hr. Commensurate with Experience
WORK SCHEDULE:
1st Shift: 7:00am - 3:00pm (Tues - Sat) or (Sun - Thurs)
2nd Shift: 3:00pm - 11pm (Tues- Sat) or (Sun - Thurs)
3rd Shift: 11:00pm - 7:00am (Tues - Sat) or (Sun - Thurs)
Charlotte Water operator training may occur on a different shift than the permanently assigned shift. New hire training may occur on a different shift from the permanent assigned shift.
SUMMARY:
Work involves performing duties on an assigned shift at the plant; assisting with monitoring equipment and processes for proper operations; troubleshooting and resolving issues with plant equipment; conducting testing and analysis of samples; endeavoring to keep the wastewater plant operating at optimum levels; communicating any potential issues; and providing technical assistance to other employees. This position involves walking around the plant to inspect equipment, following safety rules and protocols, conducting audits, maintaining records, and contributing to plant cleanliness. Normal work shifts are 5 – 8hr days per week, with 2 days off.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Observes/reports on facility conditions/operations.
- Uses biological/chemical parameters to analyze overall wastewater treatment plant operation and, reports anomalies.
- Performs process control activities by collecting, testing, and analyzing process control samples; inputting operational data into computer software; analyzing biological bacteria; conducting settle ability test; collecting composite samples; monitoring sludge blanket levels; calibrating and monitoring automatic samplers for permit compliance; and running additional tests as needed to ensure proper process control.
- Monitors SCADA computer workstations for plant equipment and process conditions.
- Maintains flows and loading by continuously monitoring dissolved oxygen; returns activated sludge rates, ammonia levels, suspended solids levels, alkalinity chemical levels, wasting rates, flows, digester temperatures and levels, chemical feed rates and tank levels, methane gas pressures and flows, and other process indicators.
- Performs laboratory analysis on wastewater samples to recommend/implement operational changes
- Maintains facility equipment and housekeeping in assigned area
- Operates various types of pumping systems, clarifier equipment, aeration equipment, sand filters, and other plant equipment.
- Inspects a wide range of various wastewater equipment for noise, vibration, and any abnormal operating characteristics; performs minor maintenance and preventive maintenance tasks; and completes rounds and records operational data.
- Briefs other operators at shift change; assists maintenance staff with shutdown and startup of equipment.
- Updates database information; collects data; and maintains records.
- Manages bulk chemicals onsite; communicates with chemical vendors; and orders and accepts chemical deliveries.
- Assists visitors and contractors.
- Conducts internal audits and assists with external audits for International Organization for Standardization (ISO) compliance.
- Attends preventative action team meetings.
- Performs other related job duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of the science of wastewater treatment.
- Skill in communicating, both verbally and in writing.
- Skill in basic math.
- Skill in using computers and job-related software.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Having one of the following certifications is preferred:
- NC Grade I Wastewater Operator Certification
- NC Grade II Wastewater Operator Certification
- NC Grade III Wastewater Operator Certification
- NC Grade IV Wastewater Operator Certification
- Desires NC Water Pollution Control System Operator Certification
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- High school diploma or GED from an accredited school.
- One to four years of related work experience in a wastewater treatment plant environment.
LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS:
- Requires a NC or SC Driver's License.
- Must obtain and maintain a City Driver's permit.
- Requires NC Grade I Wastewater Operator Certification (or obtain within one year of hire).
- Requires NC Grade II Wastewater Operator Certification (or obtain within two years of hire).
- Requires NC Grade III Wastewater Operator Certification (or obtain within four years of hire).
- Requires NC Grade IV Wastewater Operator Certification (or obtain within six years of hire).
- Desires NC Water Pollution Control System Operator Certification.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The work is medium work and requires applying 30 pounds of force frequently and exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: balancing, climbing, crouching, feeling, manual dexterity, grasping, handling, perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, distinguishing among sounds, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, expressing ideas by spoken word, shouting above noises, visual acuity in data/color/observations/equipment/inspections, and walking.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in an environment with heavy equipment and machinery that could result in bodily harm to co-workers or others. Requires working indoors/outdoors; during inclement weather; around chemicals, solvents, and dust in an industrial environment; and working weekends and holidays as assigned.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.
Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.
Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.
The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.
Our culture is to serve the community honorably.
HOW TO APPLY
Apply online.
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.
You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.
For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email Careers@ci.charlotte.nc.us.
The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.
BENEEFITS
The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.
Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.
The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.