Job Description

The Town of Waynesville, NC

JOB DESCRIPTION

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Apply online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/townofwaynesvilleapplication

Senior Water Treatment Operator

Date: October 17, 2025

Department: Public Works - Water Resources Division

Reports To: Water Treatment Supervisor

Pay Grade 62: $43,373.46 - $69,385.23

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Position Overview

Serves as the lead operator for daily plant operations--providing technical leadership, QA/QC, and cross-team coordination--to ensure regulatory compliance, process reliability, and consistent performance across shifts. Performs advanced troubleshooting, supervises shift activities, and standardizes procedures.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Lead day-to-day work planning and complex startup/shutdowns; optimize treatment processes. Perform advanced diagnostics; direct process investigations (e.g., filter performance) and optimization projects; make control adjustments. Validate logs, MOR data, and CCR inputs; maintain audit-ready documentation and QA/QC of reports. Coordinate with Engineering, Distribution, and vendors on outages, upgrades, and maintenance; initiate/prioritize CMMS work orders. Mentor and train Advanced Operators, Operators, and OITs; maintain and improve SOPs; ensure operational consistency across shifts. Serve as shift lead for incidents, after-hours events, and interagency coordination; contribute to public-notice inputs as needed.

Required Skills and Competencies

Expert knowledge of treatment processes, regulations, and best practices. Leadership that models safety, consistency, and high reliability; strong field decision-making. Data-driven analysis and continuous improvement mindset. Mastery of SCADA, lab instruments, and CMMS with rigorous documentation discipline. Strong stakeholder communication and customer service orientation.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Qualifications

Valid NC Grade A Surface Water Treatment Operator License (REQUIRED) Must possess a valid North Carolina Driver's License. Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible water treatment experience preferred. Supervisory/team lead experience preferred. Serves as backup ORC

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or GED required; advanced technical coursework preferred. Five (5) + years of experience in water treatment plant operations including lead responsibilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge:

Principles of water treatment, chemistry, hydraulics, and microbiological standards. Regulatory requirements of NCDEQ, EPA, and OSHA. Understanding of SCADA systems, lab instrumentation, and automated controls.

Skills:

Technical troubleshooting, process optimization, and emergency response.

Team leadership, scheduling, mentoring, and training.

Effective oral and written communication.

Abilities:

Ability to manage a treatment plant independently while coordinating with other utility divisions. Capable of interpreting lab results, technical manuals, and engineering drawings. Ability to remain calm under pressure and ensure regulatory compliance in all scenarios.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is primarily performed in a treatment plant setting with periodic field duties and office-based reporting.

Must be available for on-call rotation and emergency response including nights, weekends, and holidays.

INVOLVEMENT WITH DATA, PEOPLE, AND THINGS

DATA INVOLVEMENT:

Tracks water quality data, sampling results, and SCADA trends for operational performance and compliance.

PEOPLE INVOLVEMENT:

Supervises treatment operators and interfaces with regulatory inspectors, public works staff, and residents.

INVOLVEMENT WITH THINGS:

Responsible for treatment plant equipment, chemical handling systems, lab tools, and electronic monitoring systems.

COGNITIVE REQUIREMENTS

REASONING REQUIREMENTS:

Applies sound judgment to troubleshoot system anomalies and lead emergency response.

MATHEMATICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Uses algebra and unit conversion for chemical dosing and reporting calculations.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS:

Prepares accurate, detailed reports and communicates clearly with technical and non-technical audiences.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Balances routine operations with unpredictable emergencies and maintenance challenges.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT REQUIREMENTS

PHYSICAL AND DEXTERITY REQUIREMENTS:

Must lift and carry up to 50 lbs., climb stairs, and access equipment platforms.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS:

Exposure to chemical hazards, confined spaces, weather conditions, and treatment environments.

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Requires strong vision, hearing, and smell for plant diagnostics and safety monitoring.

JUDGMENTS AND DECISIONS:

This position exercises independent judgment regarding water treatment operations and staff direction. Decisions impact public health and regulatory standing.

ADA COMPLIANCE

The Town of Waynesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the Town to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

The Town of Waynesville has the right to revise this job description at any time. This description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.

Apply online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/townofwaynesvilleapplication

Interested applicants may submit an application to:

Town of Waynesville,

Brittany Angel, HR Coordinator

Human Resources Department

16 S. Main Street

Waynesville, NC 28786

Or via email to bangel@waynesvillenc.gov

Applications will be accepted until filled

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Up to $69,385.23 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Professional development assistance Relocation assistance Retirement plan Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance
Ability to Commute:

Waynesville, NC 28786 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:

Waynesville, NC 28786: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person