Job Description

DEPARTMENT:

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS – WATER AND WASTEWATER

JOB TITLE:

PLANT OPERATOR

COMPENSATION:

PLANT OPERATOR TRAINEE - GRADE 11/STEP 4 $19.58 HOURLY/$40,726 ANNUALLY
NIGHT SHIFT - GRADE 11SHIFT/STEP 4 $20.46 HOURLY/$42,557 ANNUALLY
PLANT OPERATOR I – GRADE 12/STEP 4 $20.46 HOURLY/$42,557 ANNUALLY
PLANT OPERATOR II – GRADE 14/STEP 1 $20.91 HOURLY/$43,493 ANNUALLY
*STEP BASED ON QUALIFICATIONS
PLANT OPERATOR III – GRADE 15/STEP 1 $21.93 HOURLY/$45,614 ANNUALLY
*STEP BASED ON QUALIFICATIONS

WORK SCHEDULE:

MONDAY TO FRIDAY 7:30AM TO 4:00PM; ON CALL EVERY 4 WEEKS FOR 1 WEEK AT A TIME
(ADDITIONAL ON-CALL PAY- $28.57/DAY)
OR
9:00PM TO 7:00AM, 4 TEN- HOUR DAYS, WORK EVERY THIRD WEEKEND; NOT ON-CALL

APPLICATION PERIOD: UNTIL FILLED

Job Summary: Under supervision, performs or assists in the mechanical maintenance, operation, and
inspection of one or more of the County’s water treatment works, wastewater treatment plants, and/or wastewater collection and pumping systems, and performs related duties as assigned.

General Requirements:

• Pre-employment background check
• Safety sensitive position subject to Drug and Alcohol Testing
• Essential personnel subject to emergency call-back with little or no notice
• Possession of a valid driver’s license, and a motor vehicle history with less than 4 points
• High School Diploma or GED
• Wastewater and Collections Operators will be required to obtain Class B CDL within 1 year of employment, it is preferred but not required for Water Operators have/obtain Class B CDL

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Operates and assists in the operation, inspection, maintenance and makes minor repairs to water and wastewater treatment plants, water collection and pumping systems, and associated pipelines and equipment; completes reports and prepares work orders for required maintenance
• Makes regular and periodic inspections of pumping stations and treatment plants
• Changes and checks recording charts and monitors the telemetry alarm system to ensure that equipment is operating properly
• Cleans, services, lubricates, and repairs pumps, motors, valves, and other mechanical equipment
• Collects water and wastewater samples, performs standard tests with samples such as pH, chlorine residual, dissolved oxygen, iron concentrations, manganese concentrations, jar tests and/or sedabilities
• Monitors and adjusts chemical feed equipment
• Inspects wells, tanks, pumps, and other related equipment
• Monitors metering devices, changes recording charts, and keeps detailed records of water consumption, pumpage, and/or chemical usage
• Maintains the physical plant and grounds surrounding pumping/treatment facilities
• Clears blockages in sewer laterals and maintains air vacuum valves
• Leads and instructs subordinates in duties related to plant operation
• Drives automobiles, trucks, or other non-commercial weight (under 26,000 pounds) vehicles as required to perform assigned tasks
• Participates in on-the-job and safety related training
• Knowledge of proper safety procedures and PPE utilization at all times to perform job related duties
• Completes assigned tasks accurately and by established deadlines
• Cross trains and backs up other staff as needed
• Establishes and maintains harmonious working relationships with co-workers, elected or appointed officials, and the general public using tact, discretion, sound judgment, and professionalism
• Complies with safety programs, procedures training, fire drills, COOP plans, etc. and works safely
• Ensures confidentiality of information and records and complies with record retention schedule
• Adheres to Worcester County Government Personnel Rules & Regulations
• Performs other related duties as required by supervisor

Qualifications and Skills:

• Plant Operator Trainee – Three (3) years of experience in the repair/maintenance of a water or
  sewer system, buildings, machinery, equipment, vehicles, plumbing, or utility construction.
  Temporary state certification as a Waterworks, Wastewater Works, and/or Wastewater Collection
  System Operator is required within ninety (90) days of appointment.
• Plant Operator I - One (1) year of experience and working knowledge of water and/or wastewater
  treatment processes in the same type of facility to be operated; and one of the Maryland State
  certifications as a Waterworks, Wastewater Works, and/or Wastewater Collection System Operator
  is required at time of appointment for the facility/facilities to be operated by this position.
• Plant Operator II - Maryland State certification as a Waterworks, Wastewater Works, and/or
  Wastewater Collection System Operator is required at time of appointment for 1 of the following
  licenses: W5A, C2, T4, C2 & T2 (certain Operators), and meeting career ladder requirements (will be
  provided to applicant during their interview)
• Plant Operator III - Maryland State certification as a Waterworks, Wastewater Works, and/or
  Wastewater Collection System Operator is required at time of appointment for 1 of the following
  licenses: W5A, C2,T4, T2 (certain Operators), and meeting career ladder requirements (will be
  provided to applicant during their interview)

For All Plant Operators:

• Valid driver’s license and driving record of less than 4 points (MD)
• Knowledge of water and/or wastewater treatment processes for facilities to be operated and maintained by this position
• Knowledge of mathematics with courses/training in basic science, chemistry, and/or biology
• Experience in unskilled and semi-skilled labor tasks using hand and power tools to perform carpentry, painting, electric welding, metal cutting with acetylene torches, and/or the maintenance/repair of small equipment
• Knowledge of safety procedures
• Basic knowledge of water and/or wastewater treatment processes
• Skilled in the operation and minor and routine, repairs of hand and power tools, machines, equipment
  and vehicles
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions, read street signs, keep records and logs, complete written forms, and to communicate effectively with the public
• Ability to apply acquired knowledge to increasing varied and complex tasks, perform duties independently and as part of a team, train on equipment and machinery of higher complexity and complete assigned tasks by established deadlines.
• Ability to perform heavy physical labor including bending, stooping, lifting and carrying heavy objects up to 50 lbs., and the operation of vehicles, tools, and equipment to accomplish assigned tasks

Known Hazards:
Some work requires exposure to potentially hazardous conditions, such as working in traffic along roadways, working in trenches, handling chemicals, and adverse weather.

Worcester County Government offers its employees a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, holidays, retirement plans, and much more! To learn more details about our full range of benefits, please view our Benefits Guide at

Paid Time Off
Full time employees can accrue up to 248 hours of paid time off in the first year of employment starting on the first full pay period. This includes up to 80 hours of vacation, up to 120 hours of sick, and up to 48 hours of personal leave. The accrual for vacation increases after 6 years and 11 years. Unused vacation and sick leave can be rolled over annually as outlined in the policy details. Full time employees are granted 14 paid holidays in calendar year 2025.

Medical Benefits
Full time employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision, flexible spending account(s), and AFLAC voluntary plans on the first day of the month after date of hire. Please visit our on-line Benefits Guide at the link above for additional details about the plans, co-pays, and premiums.

Full time employees are eligible for county paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance on the first day of the month following six months of employment.

Retirement
All employees budgeted for 500 hours, or more will automatically participate in Maryland State Retirement effective on the date of hire, if not already retired from a Maryland State Retirement system. All employees are eligible to participate in a deferred compensation plan that offers pre-tax and ROTH contribution options. The county provides a $1 for $1 match of employee’s contributions up to a maximum of $1,000 per fiscal year as outlined in the plan documents.

Part Time Employees
Part time employees are eligible to participate in the deferred compensation plan on the first day of the month after date of hire. Part time employees are eligible to earn 1 hour for every 30 hours worked of sick leave (up to 64 hours). Sick leave can be taken after a 106-day waiting period.

Extras for All Employees
All employees are eligible to use the Fitness Room at the Worcester County Recreation Center at no cost. All employees have access to an Employee Assistance Program that provides telephone consultations and up to 3 face-to-face visits per year. All employees are eligible for SECU credit union membership.

For more information , please view our Benefits Guide at or call
Human Resources at 410-632-0090.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs