WASTEWATER OPERATOR I

Western Virginia Water Authority $24.07 United States, Virginia, Roanoke Sep 08, 2026

JOB

POSITION

WASTEWATER

OPERATOR I

Division:

Water Quality

Status:

Non-Exempt

Grade:

106

Job Code:

773

Reports to: Wastewater Operations Supervisor

Date:

07-01-07

Revised Date:

04-01-22

Last Reviewed Date:

04-01-22 SUMMARY OF JOB

Performs skilled work in the operations of the sewage treatment plant. Assist with

supervision of other wastewater operators in the absence of the shift supervisor.

Completes reports/evaluates operation of equipment/collects samples. Makes

regular tours of plant and equipment. Assess operating conditions through

instrument readings, required process calculations and knowledge of process.

Regulates and adjusts equipment based upon assessment of operating conditions.

Completes regular operation reports. Generates work requests for maintenance

repair work. Makes minor or emergency repair. Records readings from

meters/instruments. Monitors/completes required Department of Professional and

Occupational Regulation (DPOR) continuing education requirements. Graduation

from high school/GED equivalent supplemented by course work in environmental

studies/chemistry/sewage treatment/other related areas. Previous experience

preferred. Class I Wastewater license from the Virginia Department of Professional

and Occupational Regulation for Waterworks and Wastewater Works. Assist with supervision of other wastewater operators in the absence of the shift

supervisor.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Includes the following. Other duties may be assigned or scheduled.

• Oversees and directs work of assigned employees as needed.
• Identifies and reports work progress of assigned employee to responsible
  supervisor/manager.
• Reports problems and conflicts to supervisor immediately or as soon as possible.
• Makes regular tours of plant and equipment.
• Assess operating conditions in assigned area through instrument readings,
  performance of requires process calculations and knowledge of process.
• Regulates and adjust related equipment in assigned area based upon
  assessment of operating conditions.
• Communicates with Shift Supervisor and other operators to coordinate
  treatment process throughout plant.
• Completes regular operations reports.
• Evaluates operation of equipment.
• Generates work requests for maintenance repair work.
• Makes minor or emergency repair.
• Collection of samples throughout assigned areas of the process using approved
  collection methods.
• Records readings from meters and instruments.
• Monitors and completes required Department of Professional and Occupational
  Regulation (DPOR) continuing education requirements.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversees the work of assigned employees as needed. Assists responsible

supervisor in interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and

directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees;

addressing complaints and resolving problems.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each

essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the

knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made

to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to oversee assigned work of other personnel in assigned area.
• Ability to review and recommend improvements in processes and procedures for
  assigned area.
• Ability to think logically and comprehend data.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work safely and obey all safety rules.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and in writing.
• Ability to respond to inquiries from employees and customers orally or in writing
  as necessary.
• Ability to represent assigned area in meetings attended.
• Ability to identify problems and/or conflict and seek management assistance in
  dealing with problems and/or conflicts.
• Ability to analyze and solve technical and administrative problems.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and
  maintenance instructions, maps and procedure manuals.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished
  in writing, oral or diagram form.
• Ability to write reports, correspondences and procedure manuals in a clear
  concise manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers,
  other Water Authority departments and the general public.
• Ability to work alone or in a team environment.
• Must possess and maintain a good work ethic with a strong emphasis on good
  attendance, reporting to work on time, completing job assignments in a timely
  manner, maintaining a good work attitude, performing all job duties as assigned
  and/or scheduled.
• Working knowledge of equipment, materials, methods and procedures used in a
  wastewater treatment facility.
• Basic knowledge in the use of hand tools, sockets, wrenches, etc.

EDUCATION and/or

EXPERIENCE

Graduation from high school or GED equivalent supplemented by course work in

environmental studies, chemistry, sewage treatment, or other related areas, plus

three (3) or more years of related experience or equivalent combination of

education and experience.

CERTIFICATE, LICENSE, REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess a valid Virginia driver's license or have the ability to obtain one
  within 60 days of employment date. No more than six (6) demerit points on
  driving record if required to drive Water Authority vehicles.
• Must be in possession of a Class I license from the Virginia Department of
  Professional and Occupational Regulation for Waterworks and Wastewater
  Works.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met

by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to

perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to
  walk, stand, and sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and
  arms; talk and hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include ability to adjust focus. If
  corrective lenses are noted on driver's license, the lenses must be worn when
  operating Authority vehicles.
• Repetitive movement using equipment is involved.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to
  stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, climb (ladders/stairs), balance or crawl.
• Employee must be able to stand for an extended amount of time at the jobsite.
• Employee must be physically able to walk several miles during the day.
• Employee must be physically able to regularly reach overhead.
• Employee must regularly push/pull up to 30 pounds.
• Employee must regularly lift, carry and/or move up to 30 pounds and
  occasionally 50 pounds.

Assistance is required on weight amounts above those

listed. Failure to do so could result in injury and denied Worker's Compensation

benefits.

WORK ENVIRONMENT ENCOUNTERED IN THIS JOB

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an

employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to

perform the essential functions.

• Employee will be regularly exposure to moderate or high noise level, extreme
  outside weather conditions, uneven, steep, slippery terrain conditions, dusty
  conditions and wet and/or humid conditions.
• Employee will be subject to exposure to moving mechanical parts and heavy
  equipment operation.
• Employees will be subject to roadway hazards, i.e. traffic.
• Employee will be subject to outside hazards, i.

e. poison ivy, bees, spiders, dirt,

animals.

GENERAL STATEMENT AND SELECTION GUIDELINES

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work assigned to in

this job position. They should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties

or tasks performed by personnel so classified. The following will identify the selection guidelines for job placement:

• WVWA application
• Rating of education, experience, training and qualifications
• Reference checks
• Interview with WVWA management team
• Applicant must pass a pre-employment physical and drug/alcohol test
• A criminal background check and social security number verification will be
  performed. The results must match information provided by the applicant on the
  WVWA application
• Job related test might be required and would be administered to all applicants
  applying for the position