Drinking Water Treatment Plant Operator

City of Franklin, Kentucky | City of Franklin, KY

Date Posted: 7/31/2026 10:39:22 AM

Description:

Purpose: The drinking water treatment plant operator is responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant operations of the City of Franklin's water treatment facilities. This position ensures that potable water meets all federal, state, and local regulatory standards while maintaining reliable service to the community. Performance of these job duties requires considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within established guidelines and confidentiality of city and customer information.

• Operate and monitor water treatment plant equipment including, but not limited to, pumps, filters, chemical feed systems, and control panels.
• Perform routine and emergency adjustments to maintain proper plant operations and water quality standards.
• Collect, preserve, store, package, and analyze water samples using laboratory equipment to ensure compliance with EPA, Kentucky Division of Water, and other regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate laboratory, maintenance, operational, safety, training logs, reports, and compliance documentation.
• Monitor SCADA systems and respond to alarms and system irregularities.
• Perform preventive maintenance and minor repairs on plant equipment.
• Adjust chemical feed rates (e.g., chlorine, fluoride, coagulants) as necessary.
• Inspect plant systems to identify issues and ensure proper functioning.
• Respond to emergency situations such as equipment failures, water quality issues, or power outages.
• Assist with facility and grounds maintenance and housekeeping.
• Ensure adherence to safety procedures and OSHA standards.
• Participate in on-call rotations and respond to after-hours emergencies as required.
• Available to work on holidays and weekends, and in all weather conditions.
• Travel to acquire training and certifications.

• Knowledge of water treatment processes, including filtration, disinfection, and chemical application.
• Understanding of applicable regulations including safe drinking water act standards.
• Ability to interpret meters, gauges, charts, and lab results.
• Basic mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills.
• Skill in operating computerized control systems (SCADA).
• Ability to maintain detailed records and prepare reports.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to generate spreadsheets, graphs, tables, charts, and documents.

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Ability to obtain KY DOW Drinking Water Treatment Operator Certification Class IVA within 12 months by meeting the minimum education and experience requirements established in 401 KAR 11:040.
• Basic computer skills required.

• One year of operation of a Class IIIA or IVA public water treatment plant as established in 401 KAR 8:030, Section 2.
• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university in engineering, or biological, environmental, physical, or chemical science, or equivalent.
• Technical training in environmental science, chemistry, or related fields.
• Competence in Microsoft office applications

• Work is performed in both indoor plant environments and outdoor settings.
• Exposure to chemicals, machinery, and varying weather conditions.
• May require lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and on-call duty may be required.

• Ability to stand, walk, climb ladders, and work in confined spaces.
• Must have sufficient vision and hearing to operate equipment safely.
• Ability to perform physical labor as needed.
• Competitive salary commensurate with certifications and experience.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Kentucky Retirement System (KRS) participation.

The City of Franklin is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, promotion, discipline, and termination. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, gender, religion, marital status, genetic information, disability, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Final date to receive applications: 08/31/2026

Milli Mcintosh
Director of Human Resources

Director of Communications and Marketing