Water/Wastewater Operator

Salary : $45,512.51 - $73,875.09 Annually
Location : County of Culpeper, VA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 00579
Department: Environmental Services
Division: Water/Waterwater
Opening Date: 08/07/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt


Job Summary
Does a career in an everchanging and advancing field interest you? Are you interested in learning about water and wastewater? Does the idea of working at a modernized and automated plant intrigue you? How about working in an environment that is family oriented and community driven? If you said yes to any of these questions, you should consider coming to Culpeper County, with our advanced treatment plants, amazing staff, training, and opportunities for advancement.
Responsible for performing a variety of duties related to the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater plants in accordance with State and Federal water quality regulations.


Pay is based on licensure level attained by the employee. Duties and responsibilities vary slightly depending upon licensure level.
Job Functions

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Engages in the safe and compliant operation, and monitoring, of the County's water, wastewater treatment facilities, and distribution and collection systems
• Follows standard operating procedures and regulatory requirements for operating water and wastewater treatment systems
• Collects regulatory samples and maintains plant records and audit documentation
• Maintains appropriate inventories of chemicals, operator supplies and personal protective equipment
• Performs a variety of preventive maintenance tasks associated with operating water and sewer treatment systems and associated collection and distribution systems
• Reads water meters, conducts utility inspections, and supervises contractors
• Inspects construction of water and sewer utilities to ensure they are built to County standards
• Reading blueprints and document inspections

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Performs general and preventive maintenance, supervise inmate or community service work force, when needed
• Class 1 and Class 2 Wastewater Operators may be assigned duties and responsibilities of the Water/Wastewater Lab Manager, when needed

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Education equivalent to a high school diploma.

Special Qualifications:
Must possess satisfactory results of a criminal history background check. Requires Class 1-4 Wastewater and Water Operators licenses within specified time frame. Must possess and maintain a valid Virginia driver's license, Virginia Class B commercial driver's license preferred. OSHA Industrial including lock out tag out procedures, confined space entry.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the principles, laws, procedures and regulations of water and wastewater treatment
• Knowledge of the biological, chemical, and physical processes of water and wastewater treatment
• Knowledge and ability to operate, monitor, and maintain water and wastewater plant machinery and equipment
• Ability to evaluate operational process performance and to select appropriate actions
• Knowledge of appropriate operational responses to emergency situations
• Ability to write accurate reports and maintain accurate records
• Skilled in using a computer and various software applications
• Ability to perform heavy physical work
• Ability to follow safety procedures
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team environment

Working Conditions & Disclaimer
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This position classifies the physical exertion requirements as heavy. Must be physically able to operate water/wastewater equipment. Must be able to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 25 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. May occasionally involve heavier objects and materials (up to 125 pounds). May be required to work afterhours, on weekends, or on call. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate depths. Some tasks require visual perception and discrimination. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate odors.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Essential functions are regularly performed in at the various water/wastewater facilities. Tasks may risk exposure to chemicals, odors, machinery, wetness, dust, fumes, dirt, vibrations, electricity, driving and confined spaces.


Disclaimer
The above information in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications as required of employees assigned to this job.


In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Culpeper County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.


General Sign-off: The employee is expected to adhere to all County policies and to act as a role model in the adherence to the policies.
The above information in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications as required of employees assigned to this job.
Culpeper County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Culpeper County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
COUNTY OF CULPEPER BENEFITS
THERE ARE FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME COMPLEMENTS FOR THIS POSITION. PLEASE REFER TO THE BENEFITS THAT APPLY TO THIS JOB POSTING.
COUNTY OF CULPEPER BENEFITS
FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES

Full-time employees have access to a wide variety of benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, life insurance, optional life and disability insurance plans, flexible spending accounts, and a deferred compensation program.
RETIREMENT As a condition of full-time employment, each individual is enrolled in a retirement plan with the Virginia Retirement System that provides a monthly benefit to all retirees for life. VRS Plans 1 and 2 and the VRS Enhanced Hazardous Duty plans are defined benefit plans. The VRS Hybrid plan consists of both a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan.

All individuals are required to contribute 5% of their gross salary to their retirement account each month as a condition of employment.
LIFE INSURANCE The County of Culpeper provides a basic life insurance plan for all eligible employees. The coverage amount is an employee's annual salary, rounded up to the next highest thousand, then multiplied by 2. The County pays 100% of the cost of this benefit. Additional coverage may be purchased.
MEDICAL INSURANCE The County offers two (2) medical plans: an HMO & an HSA.
DENTAL INSURANCE The County offers three comprehensive dental plans for employees and their eligible dependents.
HOLIDAY/VACATION/SICK ACCRUALS The County follows the state calendar for paid holidays. Vacation and sick accrual depend on the agency, office, or department in which an individual is employed.
PAY FOR PERFORMANCE The County currently utilizes a merit pay system to determine employee salary increases. This does not apply to Culpeper Human Services.
SHORT-TERM DISABILITY The County offers basic income protection in the event an employee is unable to perform the essential functions of his or her position. The County pays for this coverage for all VRS members.
LONG-TERM DISABILITY The County also offers additional income protection that will continue beyond the short-term disability period until an employee is able to return to work or reaches retirement age. This coverage is provided for a nominal cost to employees covered under VRS Plans 1 and 2 and the VRS Enhanced Hazardous Duty plan. This coverage is provided at no cost to all employees covered under the VRS Hybrid plan.


VOLUNTARY INSURANCE PROGRAM The County offers voluntary insurance programs through a variety of insurance carriers. These include:

Accident Plan
Cancer Plan
Whole Life Insurance
Critical Illness Plans
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT The County offers a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) that allows employees to set aside up to $2,500 annually, on a pre-tax basis via payroll deductions, to pay for eligible medical, dental, or vision expenses. The IRS regulates this program and runs concurrently with the benefit plan year.
DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The County offers a Dependent Care Assistance Program that allows employees to set aside up to $5,000 annually, on a pre-tax basis via payroll deductions, to pay eligible dependent care expenses. The IRS regulates this program and runs concurrently with the benefit plan year. Open enrollment is held annually.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION The County offers a 457 as another alternative to set aside money for retirement.
PART-TIME EMPLOYEES

Part-time employees must consistently work at least 20 hours per week to participate in the programs listed below.

VOLUNTARY INSURANCE The County offers voluntary insurance programs through a variety of insurance carriers. These include:
Personal Accident Indemnity Plan
Cancer Plan
Whole Life Insurance
Critical Illness Plans
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT The County offers a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) that allows employees to set aside up to $2,500 annually, on a pre-tax basis via payroll deductions, to pay for eligible medical, dental, or vision expenses not covered by the benefit plans. The IRS regulates this program, which runs from September to October.
DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The County offers a Dependent Care Assistance Program that allows employees to set aside up to $5,000 annually, on a pre-tax basis via payroll deductions, to pay eligible dependent care expenses. The IRS regulates this program, and it runs from September to October.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION The County offers a 457 as another alternative to set aside money for retirement.
This employer uses E-Verify
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