Wastewater Treatment Operator Apprentice/ Transitional Operator (25-115)

Job Description Wastewater Treatment Operator Apprentice/ Transitional Operator Job Announcement No: 25-115 Vacant Position(s):

1

Department:

ERD

Applications Accepted through Sunday, December 21, 2025

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Salary Range: SEE BELOW Grade: SEE BELOW Hours: 7:00am – 3:30 pm

Position Summary

Under direct supervision of the Operations Shift Supervisor, and leadership from the Operator, this associate while in a training capacity, assists in the performance of all required job duties to produce treated effluent that meet all state and federal regulations.

Essential Functions

- Residuals treatment and disposal meeting all state and federal regulations.

- Collect and analyze samples for control and optimization of all treatment plant processes.

- Conduct bench-top tests for control and optimization of all treatment plant processes.

- Required to work with chemicals.

- Monitor and insure that all equipment is in proper working condition; communicate with the shift supervisor and/or maintenance department personnel concerning problems encountered.

- Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on equipment as required.

- Monitor and operate the most economical and efficient equipment based upon treatment process needs, distribution system demands, and power consumption.

- Monitor and perform calculations, implement, and optimize chemical dosages.

- Prepare and maintain accurate daily and monthly plant operations reports, and chemical inventory records. Input data into various databases

- Maintain accurate and complete plant operation logs.

- Order chemicals and handle deliveries as required.

- May be required to work under emergency conditions.

- Regular attendance is required.

- Job performance must conform to all CWS policies and procedures.

- Specific knowledge of CWS Environmental Management System Policy and Procedures.

Additional Duties

- Enter data into a computer database.

- Light maintenance of equipment on weekends and in absence of maintenance staff.

- May be required to participate in Intra/Inter Departmental cross training.

- Basic overview of SCADA Screens.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

Physical Requirements, Activities, and Working Conditions

- Ability to communicate effectively in writing, verbally and with a 2-way radio, to include comprehension of complex oral and written instructions.

- Ability to receive detailed information through oral and written communication and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making adjustments to equipment.

- Ability to convey detailed instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, and quickly.

- Ability to make visual observations of all basins and equipment, obtain instrument readings, collect samples and field test readings from numerous sample points.

- Must be able to maneuver large valve operator wheels and chain mechanisms.

- Ability to lift, carry and/or pour 50 pound bags of dry chemicals from a height of four feet from the floor.

- Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul, or tug objects in a sustained motion. On occasion this can require greater than 50 lbs of force. Objects greater than 50 lbs require a two-person operation.

- Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward, or outward.

- Routinely ascend/descend ladders, stairs and ramps as high as thirteen (13) stories. Ability to work at elevated height levels as needed to perform various task.

- Constantly positions self to move, traverse for long distances as necessary to perform required work. Must be able to move about extensively to make inspections of treatment plant with varied topography and features.

- Ability to work 12 hour shifts, rotating. (Both day and night)

- Constantly works in internal / external environmental conditions. Subject to atmospheric conditions of one or more of the following that affect the respiratory system or skin: Fumes (paint), odors, dusts, gases, etc. Personnel Protective Equipment Required.

- Worker may be required to wear a respirator and/or self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

- Required to work with chemicals used in wastewater treatment processes.

- Ability to navigate restricted spaces such as chemical pits, spiral stairwell, etc as needed to perform required job functions.

- Must be able to wear Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) as defined in the Job Safety Analysis (JSA) to perform the required essential functions.

Education And/or Experience

- High school diploma or GED required.

- Must have a strong technical aptitude.

- Good written and verbal communication skills.

- Ability to use a calculator.

- Basic computer skills with windows based word processing and spreadsheet software. (Prefer Word and Excel)

- HAZMAT training preferred.

- Prior work record indicating dependability and conscientiousness.

WASTEWATER Treatment Plant Operator Apprentice

Salary Range:

$41,600.00 ($20.00/hr) - $54,225.60 ($26.07/hr)

The candidate demonstrating the above abilities may be placed at a

Grade 104.

Once fully proficient (as outlined by the Operator Apprenticeship Program), the Water Treatment Plant Operator will advance to Journeyman Operator.

Transitional Wastewater Treatment Plant OPERATOR Salary Range:

$45,760.00 ($22.00/hr) - $59,654.40 ($28.68/hr)

The candidate demonstrating the following abilities may be placed at a

Grade 105:

- Must successfully complete a proficiency in the job skills required for each level as outlined in the CWS Apprenticeship Program for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator.

- Associate Degree in a Technical/Mechanical field and minimum of three years relevant industrial experience, for example – chemical manufacturing, industrial boilers, nuclear operator, water/wastewater treatment plan; OR Combination of education/experience to equal 6 years; OR has Obtained a “D” level Water/Wastewater License.

- Additional education preferred beyond high school.

- Once fully proficient (as outlined by the Operator Apprenticeship Program), the Transitional Operator will advance to Journeyman Operator.

Wastewater Treatment Plant operator / Journeyman operator

Salary Range:

$52,353.60 ($25.17/hr) - $81,140.80 ($39.01/hr)

The candidate demonstrating the following abilities may be placed at a

Grade 108:

- Must have a minimum of two years of experience operating in a surface water treatment plant or secondary wastewater treatment plant.

- Must comply with requirements of the Operator Apprentice Program or the Incumbent Accelerated Journeyman Program.

- Good working knowledge of regulations and treatment techniques to resolve problems meeting permit limits.

- Working knowledge of statistics and control charting.

- Good computer skills with windows based word processing and spreadsheet software (prefer Word and Excel), with an emphasis on remote monitoring of equipment and energy management system.

- Must possess either the S.C. "A" Wastewater Treatment Operator License, as required by the assigned plant.

- Once fully proficient (as outlined by the Operator Apprenticeship Program), the Transitional Operator will advance to Journeyman Operator.

Licenses, Certifications, Registrations

- Valid South Carolina driver’s license required.

- South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation require that persons operating an environmental treatment facility obtain an operator's license from the Environmental Certification Board. Must be able to pass the Biological Wastewater Operators Examination through the "B" level as outlined in the CWS Apprenticeship Program for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator. Specific CWS schedule for attaining certification level is as follows:

D certification exam passed within 6 months of employment

C certification exam passed within 12 months of employment

B certification exam passed within 24 months of employment

Termination of employment for failure to meet any deadline

- Must successfully complete a proficiency in the job skills required for each level as outlined in the CWS Apprenticeship Program for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator.

Training Needs

- OSHA and Departmental safety training as required.

- Skills Based Training.

- Standard Operating Instruction (SOI) per department requirements.

- ISO 14001 standards for department and company.

- See Department Competency and Training Matrix for this position.

Potential Career Path

ELIGIBILITY FOR PROMOTION TO VARIOUS POSITIONS THROUGHOUT THE COMMISSION DEPENDS UPON INDIVIDUAL QUALIFICATIONS, AND NOTED JOB PROGRESSIONS ARE NO GUARANTEE OF CAREER PATH TO THESE OR ANY OTHER JOB(S) AT THE COMMISSION.

- Transitional Operator

- Journeyman Operator

- Operations Shift Supervisor