WTP Operator Trainee

Water Treatment Plant Operator

City of Gainesville, GA

$41,600.00 Annually

Flowery Branch, GA

Full Time

Job Number : 00991

Department : Department of Water Resources

Division : Lakeside

Opening Date : 10 / 07 / 2025

Summary

Receives classroom and on the job training while assisting other WTP Operators on any shift at their assigned plant treating raw water to assure adequate potable water supplies are maintained and the effluent water meets all applicable standards for purity.

Job Duties

Performs lab jar tests on samples of influent, effluent, raw, and finished water; checks temperature, pH, alkalinity, chlorine, and fluoride; mixes chemicals necessary to complete the tests. Weighs and feeds the proper amount of various chemicals into the system including lime, alum, polymer, and fluoride; fills fluoride hopper and alum dry tank. Monitors charts, meters, and gauges in the lab indicating the overall condition of the plant; changes all charts as needed. Checks and calibrates all equipment for routine operation such as high service pumps, raw water pumps, feed pumps, sludge collectors, chlorinators, flocculators, and air compressors. Fills out forms daily to monitor the condition of the plant including flocculator reports, chlorine status, alum and polymer feed rate, and lime and fluoride feed rate. Provides shift coverage for Operators on approved leave. Backwashes filters as needed to remove a build up of silt and debris. Regulates filters for the amount of water needed to insure proper flow is maintained. Operates Sludge Presses. Flushes sludge valves, blow off valves and bottoms of basins. Records and reports any problems to WTP Operator and maintenance staff for repairs. Paints facility and equipment as necessary. Maintains plant grounds; Cuts grass, runs hedge trimmers, cuts shrubs, lays straw, etc. Performs other related duties as required. Employee subject to recall to duty in cases of emergency.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience :

High School Diploma or G.E.D. No experience required. Applicants who pass an initial screening will be required take a pre-employment math / science exam to predict their abilities to obtain the required certifications.

Licenses and Certifications :

Employee must obtain Class III Water Operator License within one year. (Effective 11 / 04 / 04) Valid Class C Driver's License and a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record (MVR).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Knowledge of the principles and practices for the safe operation of plant equipment and related measuring and testing devices. Knowledge of the safety precautions used in chemical analysis. Knowledge of records maintenance practices applied to plant operations. Basic proficiency in mathematics and science. Ability to read and interpret charts. Ability to perform routine and emergency equipment maintenance. Must be able to lift 50 lbs as of 12 / 04 / 01. Must be able to climb up to 70 stairs 05 / 08.

Supplemental Information

This position is classified as safety-sensitive. Incumbent will be subject to random drug / alcohol testing.

The City of Gainesville is an equal opportunity employer. The City of Gainesville prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The City of Gainesville conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.