Water Plant Engineer; Operates Water Production Facility

Position Summary

Under limited supervision, the Water Plant Engineer directs the operation of plant equipment to produce the specified quantity and quality of finished water, monitors plant equipment to assure proper plant performance, applies process chemicals, maintains plant operational records, and uses laboratory test equipment for routine tests.

Dates Posted

02/24-03/10/2026

Education

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED)

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum of 3 years of operational or maintenance experience at a water treatment facility, or distribution system or
• Minimum of 6 years working building operations/maintenance, or production facility operations/maintenance experience.
• Potable Water Treatment Plant Experience (preferred).
• Experience with using SCADA or other control systems (preferred).
• Experience working rotating shifts (preferred).

Licenses, Certifications and/or Testing

• Valid driver’s license upon hire.
• State of Nebraska Grade IV (4) Water Operator License within 180 days.
• State of Nebraska Grade III (3) Water Operator License within 3 years.
• Hearing, Vision, and Color identification testing upon hire.
• Pre-employment Background Check and Drug Screen upon hire.
• Pre-employment and/or post-offer physical demands screening upon hire.
• Certified to wear an Air Purifying Respirator and a Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) within 60 days; certification requires completing a Medical Questionnaire, passing a Pulmonary Function Test, Fit Test and compliance with the guidelines of the District’s Respiratory Protection Program.

Knowledge,

Skills And Abilities

• Perform simple chemical titrations and determine endpoints, turbidity tests, and color tests.
• Perform routine math operations to calculate chemical applications for treatment.
• Work and think independently in accordance with verbal and written instructions.
• Provide work direction to others.
• Work with hazardous chemicals such as chlorine, sodium permanganate, polymers, ammonia, ferric sulfate, fluoride, lime, hydrochloric acid, powdered carbon, soda ash, sodium bisulfite, and various other treatment and/or cleaning materials.
• Detail oriented and able to write legibly to maintain detailed logs and records.
• Willing to work 8 hour and 12 hour rotating shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Remain calm and productive in stressful situations.
• Efficient written and verbal communication skills in English to assist internal and external customers, co‑workers and management professionally.
• Proficiency with personal computers, tablets, and other electronic devices, familiar with, but not limited to, Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, Word) and enterprise wide software such as SAP; intermediate proficiency.
• Ability to learn new or upgraded computer software as required; laboratory skills preferred (entry proficiency).
• Knowledge of basic fluid flow principles preferred.
• Documented mechanical aptitude preferred.

Essential Functions

• Control treatment processes to meet directed requirements, including well‑field operations, basin blowdowns and transfers, chemical feed adjustments, filter rates, basin flow rates, filter backwash schedules, and high‑service pump operations.
• Notify duty chemist or supervisor in event of plant failures or abnormal conditions.
• Check status of and operate pumps, basins, chemical feeders, filters, and related equipment.
• Control water plant by means of SCADA and related equipment, and manually operate plant with assistance as necessary to ensure business continuity.
• Pick‑up and test samples of water in various stages of purification at established intervals, perform and record test results, and interpret results to make operational adjustments to meet required water quality goals.
• Respond to plant failure alarms and make necessary adjustments.
• Perform the physical requirements of position.
• Operate the plant’s natural gas generators to avoid electrical outages and restore normal operation during power failures.
• Operate high-s service and well‑field pumps to maintain proper flow through the plant and meet required production rates and storage requirements.
• Assist in training new employees, providing detailed instructions…