Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

Imagine if you were given an opportunity to connect with others who work to keep our community the most livable and safe it can possibly be. If you like to work with your hands and have basic mechanical and computer skills, you may be a great addition to our Public Works team. Make a difference with the City of Hutchinson!

Under the supervision of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Systems Supervisor, the WWTP Operator is responsible for operating and monitoring departmental equipment to effectively treat wastewater prior to its discharge, and for maintaining and repairing treatment plant equipment, buildings and infrastructure, and lift station equipment. This employee should possess a strong mechanical aptitude, technical and effective written and oral communication skills.

This is an entry-level position; therefore, we would be willing to train you on the following skills.

Work schedule:

6:00am – 4:30pm, Monday through Thursday or 6:00 a.m.

- 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

• Monitors treatment equipment and processes; takes sludge samples and sludge depth samples; collects samples for laboratory testing.
• Operates solids handling equipment including gravity belt thickener and centrifuge; monitors aeration basins for proper dissolved oxygen levels; handles and uses chemicals, including sodium hypochlorite and polymer, in a safe manner.
• Records and interprets equipment meter readings, water meter readings, operation log entries and prepares operational reports; performs cleaning, maintenance and repairs as required to equipment such as boilers, compressors, blowers and pumps; lift stations, pumps, gates, valves, bar screens, clarifiers, cyclones and grit equipment.
• Makes emergency repairs to lift stations as necessary; cleans and maintains weirs; cleans and maintains the outfall line; cleans and maintains plant facilities and equipment.
• Performs general maintenance tasks such as operating lawn mowers, trimmers, general building cleaning/maintenance, and snow and ice removal during inclement weather; operates department equipment including pumps, tractors, and trucks; responds to various alarms involving operations and maintenance.
• Practices with safety equipment, and attends safety meetings; and assists other departments as the need arises.

• EDUCATION: A high school diploma or GED is required, and a technical degree or some college credit is preferred.
• EXPERIENCE: One or more years of similar or related experience is preferred. Employee is expected to have acquired the necessary information and skills to perform the job reasonably well within one year of employment.
• CERTIFICATIONS: A Class I Wastewater Operator Certification from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is preferred at time of appointment, and required within two years of appointment. The employee must maintain the appropriate level of certification and is responsible for completing necessary education requirements for certification and renewal of certification.
• LICENSES: Must possess a valid Kansas Driver's License.
• RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENT: Applicants must live within 25 miles of the City of Hutchinson Wastewater Treatment Plant facility and be able to report to the facility within 30 minutes for after-hours emergency calls.

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts:
  Medical & Dependent Care
• Retirement: KPERS & 457 Retirement Savings Plan
• Insured Disability
• Life Insurance & Optional Voluntary Life Insurance
• Death Benefit
• Service Connected Death
• Vacation Leave, Sick Leave, Wellness Day, Floating Holidays & City Designated Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program

City of Hutchinson is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.