TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR I, II, III (WATER TREATMENT)

Salary : $51,292.80 - $94,993.60 Annually
Location : Water Treatment Plant, Gastonia, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 01750
Department: Public Utilities Water Treatment
Opening Date: 09/02/2026
Closing Date: 9/30/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
FLSA: Non-Exempt


General Definition of Work
Are you passionate about ensuring the safety and quality of our community's water supply? Two Rivers Utilities, a subsidiary of the City of Gastonia, is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Water Treatment Plant Operator to join our team. In this vital role, you will be at the forefront of maintaining and operating our state-of-the-art water treatment facilities, ensuring that every drop of water meets the highest standards for our residents.


As a Water Treatment Plant Operator, you'll have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology, collaborate with a skilled team of professionals, and play a crucial part in protecting public health and the environment. Principle areas of work include Raw Water Supply, Process Control, Laboratory and Quality Control, Distribution Supply, and Facility and Operation Security. Work is performed under the supervision of the Water Quality Supervisor.

Essential Functions/Duties
Raw Water Supply: Assists with load management strategies to minimize power costs; assists with monitoring pump changes and valve operations; assists with monitoring various equipment, facilities, and processes by use of the SCADA computer system under supervision; collects water samples from designated points; performs other tasks as required.


Process Control: Observes pumps, motors, chlorinators, filters, mixers, chemical feeders and other equipment during scheduled times; assists with monitoring pump changes and valve operations; assists with load management strategies to minimize power costs; routinely records information from meters, gauges and indicators; assists with daily chemical inventory and completes daily usage report under supervision of Lead Operator; completes daily operational reports; transfers chemical to day tanks to maintain proper level; mixes dry chemical in vats under supervision of Lead Operator; backwashes filters and completes run records under supervision; changes charts on various recording instruments; assists in unloading chlorine shipments; performs regular security checks at water plant after business hours; assists in washing basins (sedimentation, flocculation); executes routine housekeeping duties; participates in painting, lawn maintenance and other plant maintenance projects; performs other tasks as required.


Laboratory and Quality Control: Conducts hourly physical and chemical tests in a laboratory under supervision; monitors turbidity display following the new Turbidity Rule; enters data from lab tests into computer; prints out shift report; changes charts on various recording instruments; assists with monitoring pump changes and valve operations; performs other tasks as required.


Distribution Supply: Assist with monitoring pump changes and valve operations; assist in monitoring tank levels using SCADA; change charts on various recording instruments; perform other tasks as required:


Facility and Operations Security: Monitors divisional security systems; performs regular security checks at the water plant after business hours; assures that all alarms are set and responds to security issues per divisional policies; performs analyses on raw water to monitor for changing conditions that indicate a potential immediate threat to the water supply; performs other tasks as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Some basic knowledge of chemistry, math, and physics;
• Familiar with the principles, practices, equipment, and methods used in water treatment;
• Awareness of the hazards of the work and the safety procedures required;
• Must be able to perform the job while wearing protective equipment;
• Ability to follow technical written procedures and verbal instructions;
• Ability to make rate adjustments on chemical feed machines and other plant equipment;
• Ability to check the operation of equipment and detect malfunctions
• Ability to take accurate readings, keep routine records, and make mathematical computations
• Ability to operate laboratory equipment and perform precise analytical tests; Ability to maintain effective working relationships with others.

Education/Experience/Physical Demands/Special Requirements/Additional Information
Treatment Plant Operator I

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Ability to obtain North Carolina Water Plant Operators Grade "C-Surface" Certification within 1 year.

Treatment Plant Operator II

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 1.5 to 2 years' experience at a Surface Water Treatment Plant
• Ability to obtain North Carolina Water Plant Operators Grade "B-Surface" Certification

Treatment Plant Operator III

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 1.5 to 4 years' experience at a Surface Water Treatment Plant
• Ability to obtain North Carolina Water Plant Operators Grade "A-Surface" Certification

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Valid driver's license
• Complete NIMS 700 training within twelve months of hire.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical activity of this position includes

• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. This factor is important if the amount and kind of climbing required exceeds that required for ordinary locomotion.
• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing, or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending the spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Kneeling: Bending legs at the knee to come to rest on the knee or knees.
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
• Pushing: Using the upper extremities to press against something with steady force to thrust forward, downward or outward.
• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force to draw, drag, haul, or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas using the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal spoken word levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts.
• Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

The physical requirements of this position
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.
The visual acuity requirements including color, depth perception, and field of vision include:
The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform one or more of the following:

• Preparing and analyzing data and figures
• Accounting
• Transcription
• Computer terminal
• Extensive reading
• Visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and operation of machines (including inspection)
• Using measurement devices
• Assembly or fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes

The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position include:

• The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside
• The worker is subject to noise: There is sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout to be heard above the ambient noise level.
• The worker is subject to hazards: Including a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat, or exposure to chemicals.
• The worker is subject to atmospheric conditions: One or more of the following conditions that affect the respiratory system of the skin: Fumes, odors dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.
• The worker is required to wear a respirator

Drug screening, criminal background, and reference checks are required.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
The City of Gastonia is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, equitable, and welcoming. We value diversity and promise to honor your experiences, perspective, and unique identity.
The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/H)
High Deductible Health Plan with HSA
Dental
Vision
Life
Supplemental Insurance Plans
Pension (Local Government Employees' Retirement System)
401(k)
457
Short-term/Long-term Disability
Dependent Care Plan
Employee Assistance Program
On-Site Health Clinic
Employee Educational Assistance Program
Sick Leave (12 days per year)
Initial Employment Vacation: Starting at 12 days per year
Holidays (11 days per year)
Personal Day (1 day per year)

A comprehensive list of benefits can be found online at