Waste Water Operator

CITY OF HIDALGO
Wastewater Plant Operator

Job Description

Job Title:

Wastewater Operator | Classification:
Non-Exempt
Department:
Waste Water | Division:
Public Works
Job Status:
Full Time
Days:
Sun., Mon., Tue., Wed., Thu., Fri., Sat.

Under the general supervision of the WWTP Supervisor, the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator is responsible for operating, monitoring, maintaining, and troubleshooting the wastewater treatment facility and its processes. The work involves technical aspects of plant operations, compliance with state and federal regulations, and collection systems. The operator performs heavy manual labor and operates light machinery used in cleaning, repairing, and maintaining the wastewater treatment plant and lift stations.

The employee is subject to review through reports, actions, and results achieved.

• Maintain regular, reliable, and prompt attendance; be physically present to work.
• Inspect equipment and monitor operating conditions of pumps, motors, aerators, reactors, belt-presses, media filters, and UV disinfection units.
• Determine load requirements, detect malfunctions of equipment, and correct malfunctions through thorough basic knowledge of mechanical equipment function.
• Collect and analyze sewage samples using analytical test equipment.
• Operate and adjust controls on equipment that clarify water, process raw and treated sewage, and generate power.
• Assign, perform, or assist in the repair and maintenance of plant equipment, and keep all structures and grounds neat and clean.
• Handle chemicals such as chlorine (Cl₂) safely; inspect and replace 150‑lb cylinders when necessary.
• Monitor control panels and adjust valves and gates to regulate flow to receiving process plants.
• Start and stop pumps/motors to control flow of raw and processed sewage through screening, aeration, settling, sludge digestion, filtering, dewatering, and disinfection processes.
• Maintain log of operations/maintenance and record meter readings.
• Multi‑task while operating a Belt‑press/Gravity Belt Thickener (GBT).
• Perform other duties as assigned with minimal to no supervision.
• Perform general janitorial work in maintaining the plant’s administration building and related grounds by scrubbing, wet mopping the floors, and disposing of trash.
• Collect samples and perform lab duties for wastewater facilities, including analysis of suspended solids, ammonia, chlorine residual, dissolved oxygen, and temperature; chart and interpret lab test results for process control.
• Perform other duties, as assigned.

• Use good judgment to work safely and use equipment properly.
• Use sensory skills to communicate and interact with employees and the public via telephone and personal contact.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.; may need to pull, push or drag up to 150 lbs. of maintenance equipment.
• Perform tasks that require moving, climbing, carrying, bending, squatting, twisting, crawling, standing, pushing, and pulling for extended periods while monitoring, recording, or maintaining work.
• Ability to swim, work in confined spaces, indoors and outdoors in extreme temperatures, including hot, cool and inclement temperatures.
• Be exposed to mechanical, electrical, chemical and dust hazards.
• Follow proper safety precautions.

• High School Diploma or equivalent (GED).
• TCEQ Class C Wastewater Operator’s License.
• Obtain a TCEQ Class B Wastewater Operator’s License within one (1) year.
• Must be able to work shifts, weekends, and holidays.
• Texas Class C driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• Pre‑employment screening, physical, and criminal background required.

• Knowledge: Chemical composition, processes, and transformation of substances; use of chemicals and interactions; safety signs; production techniques and disposal methods; relevant equipment, policies and procedures; arithmetic, geometry, English language content, machines and tools.
• Skills: Understand written documents; control operations of equipment or systems; determine causes of operating errors; give full attention to others’ communication; watch gauges…