Environmental Operator Trainee

Environmental Operator Trainee Salary $39,353.18 - $63,752.13 Annually

Location: La Plata, MD Job Type: Full-time Job Number: 2025-00150 Department: PW UT - MATTAWOMAN Opening Date: January 20, 2026 Closing Date: Continuous

Benefits --------

This is a repost of this position. Previous applicants need not re-apply. Open until filled with a best consideration date of February 2, 2026. All applicants moving forward in the recruiting process for this position will be required to take and pass a math test. The hiring salary is $39,353.18 annually.

Job Summary ------------

Charles County Government is currently recruiting for an Environmental Operator Trainee to become a part of our Department of Public Works team. The Environmental Operator Trainee performs utility plant operation work. Involves maintaining, operating, and repairing equipment, machines and devices used in the water pumping and delivery system and the wastewater processing plant.

Essential Job Functions ------------------------

• Assists with the maintenance and minor repair of a variety of mechanical and electrical equipment (pumps, chemical feed systems, metering devices, motor control systems, valves, etc.) under the direction of the Supervisor.
• Assists in preventative maintenance of chlorination equipment and the rebuilding of chemical feed equipment.
• Monitors process controls, SCADA, and makes visual assessments for proper water/wastewater system operation.
• Operates and maintains County environmental facilities by observing the operation of all equipment and controls.
• Operates electrical controls for start and stop operation.
• Conducts sampling duties at water and wastewater treatment plants and performs tests in compliance with state and federal regulations and maintains operations to meet regulatory agency permit levels.
• Maintains records, logs, and reports.
• Collects and tests samples for laboratory analysis.
• Inspects and monitors water wells, equipment, and sewer pump stations.
• Regulates and maintains hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical equipment, valves, and pumps, as well as monitoring and maintaining the disinfection/DeChlor system, polymer, alum feed and pH control.
• Reads integrators, charts, meters, and timers, and enters data into computer.
• Assists in the regulation of flows and chemical levels.
• Transports equipment, materials, and chemicals to and from work sites.
• Maintains facility process operations including startup and shutdown.
• Adjusts pumps and motor speeds, and changes valves to direct flows maintaining predetermined operating levels.
• Monitors/operates the County wide Supervisor Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) alarm system, County radios and phone systems during the evening hours and weekends for the County Department of Public Works/Utilities.
• Makes necessary contacts in response to alarm.
• Monitors and records blanket levels in clarifiers and sludge thickeners.
• Notifies supervisors of any equipment failures, operational problems, or unusual occurrences observed during the performance of assigned duties.
• Follows safety regulations and procedures in the performance of all duties.
• Operates and maintains sand filter and sludge dewatering facilities as assigned.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Qualifications --------------

Education and Experience:

• Six (6) months of experience in mechanical maintenance; or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

Licenses or Certifications:

• Must possess a valid drivers license.
• Within first year of employment must gain the following licenses:
• Northern region: Temporary Class 2 Water Certification, Wastewater Collection System Certification, Water Sampler License, Wastewater 3.
• Southern region: Temporary Class 1 Water Certification, Temporary Class 5-A Wastewater Operator certification, Temporary Water Treatment Class 5 Site Specific (Radiation) License.
• Central Region: Temporary Class 5-A Wastewater Operator certification, Temporary Class 1 Water Certification.

Special Requirements/Qualifications:

• Subject to work beyond the normal scheduled hours of work.
• Satisfactory completion of confined space training within first year.
• Must obtain temporary certification at appropriate level for assigned system and be able to pass a pulmonary fit test.
• Subject to call back in emergencies.
• Required to handle a variety of chemicals on a daily basis.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the use and care of hand, power and other tools used in the work.
• Knowledge of basic principles of mechanics as applied to the equipment, machines and devices used in water systems and wastewater treatment plants.
• Ability to follow specific instructions and procedures and refer nonstandard situations or problems to others.
• Ability to learn water and wastewater operator duties.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work.
• Ability to use the tools and equipment of the work efficiently.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to comply with all aspects of OSHA respiratory requirements, including medical evaluations and fit testing.
• Ability to pass annual Pulmonary Breathing Function Test (will be required to be clean-shaven).
• Ability to enter confined spaces, with proper training.
• Ability to sometimes work on weekends and holidays.

Physical Demands ----------------

The work is regularly active with periods of heavy exertion. Typical positions require workers to walk or stand for long periods; lift and carry up to 100 pounds; climb stairs, ladders, and scaffolding; bend, kneel, crouch and crawl; reach, hold, grasp, and turn objects; feel the size, shape, and temperature of items; use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards; speak normally, to use normal or aided vision and hearing, and to detect odors. This is considered an essential job; you will be required to be present during snow or weather emergencies.

Work Environment ----------------

Principal duties of this job are performed in a general office; in shop or field settings and outside environment and exposed to inclement weather. Exposed to wastewater environment.

Department/Division: Public Works Utilities/Operations and Maintenance

Pay Grade: 105

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Telework Eligible: No

Reports To: Wastewater Operations Supervisor

Supervises: None

Benefits Summary ----------------

Charles County Government offers the following benefits:

• Health Insurance: 70% of cost (Blue Choice Advantage and HMO Open Access plans, including prescription and vision coverage)
• Dental Coverage: CareFirst and Delta
• Flexible Spending Account: Provides medical and dependent care options
• Supplemental Income Products: Accident Policy, Critical Illness Policy, and Hospital Indemnity Policy
• Long Term Disability Insurance: No charge to employee (60% of salary at date of disability, up to $5,000/month)
• Retiree Health Insurance: New hires who elect health insurance coverage with County Government are enrolled in a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Account (VEBA)
• Life Insurance: No charge to employees (valued at 1.5x the annual salary, not to exceed $250,000)
• Supplemental insurance and dependent life insurance are available for an additional cost
• Term and whole life policies available
• Pension Plan (Defined Benefit Retirement Plan): 401(a) Plan - Must work minimum 37.5 hrs/week. Participation is mandatory.
• Deferred Compensation Plan: 457(b) Governmental Plan - Available to all employees, regardless of hours worked.
• Employee Leave:
• Charles County Government full-time employees earn annual, sick, and paid time off (PTO).
• The County currently recognizes 20 paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
• Away from work programs like paid parental leave and FMLA are available to employees.
• Transfer of Sick Leave: New hires may be eligible to receive credit for up to 400 hours of sick leave from their previous employer when they begin employment.
• Work Schedules:
• Most work weeks are 37.5 hrs, and some positions may offer the opportunity for flexible work schedules or allow telework.
• Additional Fringe Benefits:
• Tuition Reimbursement for full-time employees upon completion of probation period
• Discounted, Onsite Childcare at a County Government facility
• House Keys 4 Employee Program offers assistance to full-time employees who are first-time homebuyers
• Free, Employee Wellness Programs
• Legal Resources (prepaid benefit)
• Employee Assistance Program (free, short-term counseling)

Required Question ----------------

Employer: Charles County Government