Plant Operations Specialist, Senior
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Plant Operations Specialist, Senior
Salary
$52,903.00 - $82,086.00 Annually
Location
1600 Mist Lake Dr., Durham, NC
Job Type
Full time with benefits
Job Number
26-06026
Department
Water Management
Opening Date
07/17/2026
Closing Date
7/31/2026 12:00 AM Eastern
Description
Benefits
Questions
Position Description
Work, Serve, Thrive. With the City of Durham
Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.
Hiring Range: $53,962.00-$65,606.00
Hours: 8:00 am-4:00 pm , Weekend rotations and holidays (on occasion cover off shift rotations)
The City of Durham's Department of Water Management (DWM) (https://www.durhamnc.gov/944/Water-Management) wants YOU to join our team of more than 380 talented and dedicated employees that provide critical water and sewer services for Durham's 309,000 plus residents. Not only do we deliver the Best Tasting Water in the state to our customers each and every day, but we also make sure that the wastewater leaving our facilities is carefully treated to protect the environment. We have a wide-ranging variety of positions open to match your skill set - mechanics, engineers, maintenance specialists, technicians, customer billing techs, and much more. If you have a passion for managing vital water resources, protecting the environment, providing excellent customer service, and keeping the water and wastewater in the pipes, bring your skills and talent to Durham!
This position is devoted to the operation of water and wastewater treatment facilities through the performance of skilled labor and technical work. Position serves in a full journey-level capacity as operators of a water or wastewater treatment plant.
Responsible for monitoring plant operations; performing a variety of maintenance tasks; operating and adjusting equipment; maintaining records; performing plant preventative maintenance activities, such as minor repairs and maintaining lubricant levels in equipment; performing physical inspections; receiving and unloading chemicals; obtaining and interpreting data from instruments and lab results and making process adjustments based on data; participating in reviewing policies; collecting samples and conducting lab analysis as assigned; and observing all work safety rules and procedures. This job is subject to recall for weather-related emergencies. You must be readily available by phone with ability to work rotational stand-by/recall duty.
Duties/Responsibilities
Performs as a journey-level plant operator; monitors operational processes and conditions; operates, adjusts, and performs routine predicted maintenance on plant equipment; collects samples and conducts lab analysis as assigned; obtains and interprets data from instruments and lab results; reviews data and makes process adjustments; and ensures compliance with applicable safety and operational policies and procedures.
Inspects plant equipment and systems; calibrates equipment; performs predicted preventative maintenance, including performing minor repairs and maintaining lubricant levels in equipment; ensures proper working condition and functioning of equipment and reports additional maintenance needs.
Participates in reviewing operating policies and making recommendations; cleans equipment and assigned areas, including washing filters and removing sludge; and receives and unloads chemicals.
Prepares, maintains, and reviews reports, records, logs, work orders, and other documentation; maintains databases and online systems; enters, updates, compiles and submits information; and proofs and reviews work to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Minimum Qualifications & Experience
High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)
Two years of water or wastewater treatment and/or operations experience based on assignment.
North Carolina Grade C Surface Water Treatment Operator's License or North Carolina Grade II Biological Wastewater Operator Certification
Must have a valid, unrestricted, North Carolina driver's license, or if a valid license from a State other than North Carolina, must be willing and able to obtain a valid, unrestricted NC driver's license within 60 days of hire
Those assigned to water treatment require a North Carolina Grade C Surface Water Treatment Operator's License
Those assigned to wastewater treatment require a North Carolina Grade II Biological Wastewater Operator's Certification
Additional Preferred Skills
Knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Familiarity working with a water or wastewater plant/system via a SCADA interface.
Benefits - General Full-Time Employees
12-13 paid holidays per year
13 standard work days of vacation per year
13 standard work days of sick leave per year, which accumulates indefinitely; sick leave may be used toward early retirement
2 weeks paid military leave per year
Medical, dental, vision, and supplemental life insurance plans
State and City retirement plans
Short and long term disability plans
Paid temporary disability leave for specified conditions
City contribution of 13.6% into the N.C. State Retirement System
Paid funeral leave
Employee Assistance Program - personal and family counseling
Paid life insurance equal to annual salary
48 hours for volunteer work each year*
4 hours parental leave each year
Workman's Compensation Insurance
457 Deferred Compensation Plans
Benefits - Part-Time (1,000 hours or more per year)
401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
State retirement plan
Benefits Part-Time (Average 30 hours per week over 12 month period)
401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
State retirement plan effective first day of the month following date of hire
Health insurance effective first day of the month following date of hire
Dental and life insurance, after one year of service
Pro-rated vacation, pro-rated sick, pro-rated floating holiday, parttime holiday pay (based on scheduled hours for that day) after one year of service
01
Where did you first hear about this opportunity?
City of Durham Website
Walk in
Job fair
Employee referral
Professional organization Please list the organization in "other" box below
Internet posting Please list the specific web site in the "other" box below
Craig's List
Facebook
LinkedIn
GlassDoor
governmentjobs.com
Monster.com
Indeed.com
Employment Security Commission
Magazine/Newspaper
Other
02
If you listed "other" above please give specific web site, organization, or publication.
03
Please select your highest level of COMPLETED education.
Less than a High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)
High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)
Associates Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
PhD or Juris Doctorate
04
How many years of related water or wastewater treatment and/or operations experience do you have?
No related experience
Less than 1 year of related experience
1 year but less than 2 years related experience
2 years but less than 5 years related experience
5 or more years related experience
05
Do you have an NC Grade C Surface Water Treatment Operator's License?
Yes
No
06
Do you have an NC Grade 2 (or greater) Biological Wastewater Certification?
Yes
No
07
Do you have a valid, unrestricted, North Carolina driver's license "or" if you currently have another state driver's license, are you willing to obtain a valid NC driver's license within 60 days of hire?
Yes
No
08
Are you able to make mixed arithmetic calculations involving multiplication, addition, subtraction, & division of whole numbers, decimals, & fractions?
Yes
No
09
Are you able to perform basic math & chemistry calculations to accurately read meters & charts, maintain required records, & interpret readings to make necessary adjustments to treatment processes?
Yes
No
10
Do you have working experience with a water or wastewater plant/system via a SCADA interface?
Yes
No
11
How would you rate your experience level with MS Office applications (such as Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint)?
No experience
Beginner level
Intermediate level
Advanced level
Expert level
12
Are you willing and able to work an 8am-4pm, shift with weekend rotations and holidays (on occasion cover off shift rotations)?
Yes
No
13
Are you willing and able to work recall for weather-related emergencies?
Yes
No
14
Are you readily available by phone with ability to work rotational stand-by/recall duty?
Yes
No
Required Question
