Job Details
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I
2026-01-14 City of Kinston, NC Kinston,NC
Description:
Physical Demands
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force; work regularly requires standing, walking, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently reaching with hands and arms and occasionally requires climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions; work requires close vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires wet, humid conditions (non-weather), working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to outdoor weather conditions, exposure to extreme cold (non-weather), exposure to extreme heat (non-weather), exposure to the risk of electrical shock, exposure to vibration and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. heavy traffic, large earth-moving equipment).
All full-time regular employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package which includes, vacation, and sick leave and twelve holidays. Also available are medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. For an overview of the City of Kinston's benefits package offered please click here: .
Salary: $35,172.80 - $48,880.00 Annually
Location : Kinston, NC
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 01403
Department: Public Services
Division: Water Reclamation
Opening Date: 01/12/2026
Closing Date: 2/12/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
Description
Performs skilled trades work in the operation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment plant, and related work as required. Work is performed under the immediate supervision of the Water Reclamation Plant Supervisor.
Essential Functions
- Makes regular tours of plant and checks bar screens, engines, generators, pumps, aerators, settling tanks, filters, clarifiers, cooling, water filter and other equipment for proper functioning.
- Monitors gauges, meters and control panels.
- Records readings from meters and instruments.
- Changes charts.
- Regulates and adjusts motors, pumps, blowers, valves and other apparatus to meet changing operating conditions with appropriate notice given to shift supervisor.
- Collects samples of raw sewage, primary treatment effluent and grit for laboratory analysis.
- Skims grease from settling tanks.
- Cleans bar screens.
- Disposes of sand, trash and rags.
- Cleans and services pumps, motors and other equipment, plant building and grounds.
- Makes minor or emergency repairs; reports defects to proper personnel.
- Performs minor preventive maintenance on plant equipment.
- Assists with plant maintenance and repair.
- Performs related tasks as required.
- High school diploma or GED and some experience in mechanical maintenance, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum 6 months experience preferred.
- Possession of Wastewater Operators Grade I level certificate from the State of North Carolina.
- Some knowledge of the operating characteristics and maintenance requirements of a wastewater treatment plant.
- Some knowledge of hydraulic, chemical and mechanical principles pertinent to wastewater treatment plant operations.
- Some knowledge of occupational hazards of the work and of necessary safety precautions.
- Ability to detect flaws in the operation of mechanical equipment and to determine proper remedial measures.
- Ability to conduct routine laboratory tests.
- Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
- Ability to read meters and charts accurately and to maintain records of shift operations.
- Skill in the use and care of hand tools.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates.
- Possession of an appropriate driver's license valid in the State of North Carolina.
Physical Demands
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force; work regularly requires standing, walking, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently reaching with hands and arms and occasionally requires climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions; work requires close vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires wet, humid conditions (non-weather), working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to outdoor weather conditions, exposure to extreme cold (non-weather), exposure to extreme heat (non-weather), exposure to the risk of electrical shock, exposure to vibration and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. heavy traffic, large earth-moving equipment).
All full-time regular employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package which includes, vacation, and sick leave and twelve holidays. Also available are medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. For an overview of the City of Kinston's benefits package offered please click here: .