Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

Senior Wastewater Treatment Operator

Salary Grade: SG 307
Recruiting Starting Salary: $58,294.00
Location: 653 Veterans Pkwy., Clayton, NC (Johnston County)

The Town of Clayton is seeking applicants for a Senior Wastewater Treatment Operator for the Water Resources Department. The Town of Clayton employs more than 340 full‑time staff in areas including police, fire, and electric utilities. The Town of Clayton also offers a range of part‑time positions, including Parks & Rec, Library, and Cultural Arts.

The Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator performs advanced‑level duties in the operation, maintenance, and monitoring of a wastewater treatment facility. This position leads and participates in day‑to‑day plant activities, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations. The Senior Operator serves as a technical resource and may act in a lead or supervisory capacity during the absence of the Supervisor and Superintendent.

This position is subject to 24‑hour, 365 days/year operation with 12‑hour day shifts and night shifts. Employees will work DAY SHIFT (7 am–7 pm) or NIGHT SHIFT (7 pm–7 am), 2‑2‑3 schedule.

• Performs routine plant rounds throughout the assigned shift (day or night).
• Operate and monitor wastewater treatment plant systems, including pumps, valves, chemical feeders, digesters, clarifiers, and disinfection equipment.
• Adjust process controls to maintain compliance with permit requirements and optimize plant performance.
• Collect and analyze water and sludge samples, interpret results and make process control adjustments.
• Maintain detailed operational logs, reports, and records required by regulatory agencies.
• Perform preventative, predictive and corrective maintenance on equipment and instrumentation.
• Ensure proper handling and disposal of biosolids and chemicals.
• Train and mentor new operators and maintenance staff.
• Respond to alarms, emergencies, and after‑hours issues as needed.
• Coordinate with contractors, engineers, and inspectors during repairs, upgrades, or expansions.
• Follow all safety procedures and environmental regulations.
• Serve as Backup Operator‑in responsibility Charge (BORC) for the treatment facility.
• Conduct electrical and mechanical troubleshooting and repairs on equipment.
• Review schematics and model data.
• Prepare Federal, State, and Local reports.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Perform Plant Check successfully with no supervision and troubleshoot operations or maintenance if need be.
• Perform on‑call duties (respond to callbacks, plant check, alarm testing, drinking water samples, writing in logbook, etc.), filling in for vacant shifts when the plant is short‑staffed.

• Extensive knowledge of the Town’s current work‑order system, creating, submitting, and completing work orders.
• Considerable knowledge of hydraulic, chemical, and mechanical principles pertinent to water reclamation plant operations.
• Extensive knowledge of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and its requirements.
• Advanced knowledge of preventative and predictive maintenance, troubleshooting repair and replacement of equipment, and electrical work of PLCs and SCADA.
• Advanced knowledge of Water Reclamation Facility Permits, parameter limits for compliance, and assistance with sampling.
• Advanced knowledge of safety protocols: SDS, supervising confined space entry, supervising lock‑out tag‑out, PPE, lead safety meetings.
• Ensure duties of Operators I, II, and III are completed.
• Advanced knowledge of laboratory process control, coordinates with lab staff for supplies, moderate knowledge of microorganisms, assists with sampling and lab duties, as needed.
• Knowledge of the operating characteristics and maintenance requirements of water reclamation facilities.
• Knowledge of state, federal, and local laws, regulations, and practices related to water and water reclamation and discharge.
• The ability to detect flaws in the operation of mechanical equipment and determine proper remedial measures.
• The ability to prepare laboratory reagents and assemble laboratory apparatus for chemical and biological analysis.
• The ability to read and interpret state and…