Operator 3 - Water Reclamation

Operator 3 - Water Reclamation

Salary

$27.55 - $31.94 Hourly

Location

Spring Hill, TN

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

202500117

Department

Utilities

Division

Waste Water Treatment Plant

Opening Date

07/24/2026

FLSA

Non-Exempt

• Description
• Benefits

Description

Under the general supervision of the Water Reclamation Superintendent, the Water Reclamation Operator III performs skilled journey-level work in the operation, monitoring, adjustment, inspection, and routine maintenance of the Citys Water Reclamation Facility. The position independently operates treatment processes and related equipment; evaluates process conditions; collects samples; completes operating and compliance records; troubleshoots equipment and treatment issues; and responds to alarms, emergencies, and changing plant conditions.

Operator III is expected to exercise sound technical judgment within established permits, standard operating procedures, safety requirements, and supervisory direction. The position may assist with training less-experienced employees, coordinate assigned work, or serve as shift lead or operator in responsible charge when formally designated and authorized.

Examples of Duties

Facility Operations and Process Control

• Operate, inspect, monitor, and adjust wastewater treatment, pumping, screening, biological treatment, clarification, disinfection, solids handling, dewatering, odor-control, and related facility processes and equipment.
• Review SCADA displays and trends, alarms, flow and loading data, laboratory results, operating logs, chemical feed rates, dissolved oxygen, solids inventories, and other process indicators; make or recommend adjustments within established authority.
• Perform facility rounds; inspect tanks, basins, pumps, blowers, aeration systems, chemical systems, generators, instrumentation, and related equipment for proper operation, safety, leaks, unusual noise, vibration, heat, odors, or other abnormal conditions.
• Troubleshoot biological, chemical, hydraulic, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and control-system problems; take appropriate initial action and promptly notify supervisory or specialized maintenance personnel when needed.
• Start, stop, isolate, place into service, and remove equipment from service in accordance with operating procedures, lockout/tagout requirements, and supervisory direction.
• Assist with planned shutdowns, construction interfaces, equipment startup, performance testing, and commissioning of new or rehabilitated facility systems.

Sampling, Laboratory Support, and Regulatory Compliance

• Collect wastewater, process, and biosolids samples using approved methods; perform assigned field and process-control tests; preserve, label, document, and transfer samples in accordance with chain-of-custody and quality-control requirements.
• Interpret routine laboratory and process-control data and use results to support stable, efficient, and compliant facility operation.
• Maintain accurate and complete rounds sheets, bench sheets, logs, work orders, chemical-use records, maintenance records, electronic entries, and other operational or compliance documentation.
• Operate the facility in accordance with the Citys NPDES permit, applicable TDEC and U.S. EPA requirements, biosolids requirements, consent orders or enforcement obligations, and City procedures.
• Immediately report permit excursions, spills, releases, overflows, equipment failures, abnormal operating conditions, or other potentially reportable events; assist with response, documentation, cleanup, sampling, and corrective actions.
• Assist with regulatory inspections, audits, sampling events, records reviews, and preparation of routine operational or compliance reports as assigned.

Maintenance and Asset Reliability

• Perform routine preventive and corrective maintenance consistent with training and authorization, including cleaning, lubrication, adjustment, minor repair, equipment changeover, and replacement of common components.
• Create and complete work orders; document equipment condition, maintenance performed, parts used, follow-up needs, and return-to-service status in the Citys maintenance-management system.
• Identify and report equipment deficiencies, unsafe conditions, critical spare-part needs, and developing reliability concerns before they affect treatment performance.
• Assist maintenance staff, contractors, vendors, and technical representatives with troubleshooting equipment, repair, testing, and service activities.
• Maintain assigned tools, vehicles, work areas, chemical-storage areas, and operating spaces in a clean, safe, and serviceable condition.
• Operate mowers, string trimmers, blowers, and other landscape or grounds-maintenance equipment to maintain facility property when assigned

Team Support and Work Coordination

• Communicate plant status, alarms, operating changes, equipment limitations, incomplete work, and priority follow-up items during shift turnover and to supervisory personnel.
• Assist with the orientation, hands-on training, and development of operators, trainees, and other assigned employees; demonstrate proper operating, sampling, maintenance, documentation, and safety practices.
• Provide task-level work direction or serve as shift lead when assigned, while referring personnel, discipline, policy, and major operating decisions to supervisory staff.
• Participate in the development and improvement of standard operating procedures, rounds sheets, checklists, emergency procedures, and training materials.
• Work cooperatively with operations, maintenance, laboratory, collections, pretreatment, engineering, safety, contractors, and other City personnel.

Safety and Emergency Response

• Follow occupational safety requirements, City policies, and facility procedures, including lockout/tagout, confined-space entry, chemical handling, respiratory protection, fall protection, electrical safety, and personal protective equipment.
• Participate in safety meetings, job-hazard analyses, emergency drills, incident reviews, training, and corrective actions.
• Respond to facility alarms, process upsets, power failures, severe weather, chemical incidents, equipment failures, and other emergencies; take immediate action within training and authority to protect employees, the public, facility assets, and receiving waters.
• Work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, and on-call assignments as scheduled or required by operational and emergency needs.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

A combination of education, training, certification, and progressively responsible experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential duties of the position will be considered. A typical qualifying background includes:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in wastewater treatment operations, including experience independently operating treatment processes, evaluating process-control data, completing regulatory records, and troubleshooting facility equipment or process conditions.
• Relevant college coursework, technical education, military training, approved operator training, advanced wastewater certification, or closely related utility experience may be considered in determining whether the applicant possesses the required journey-level knowledge and ability.
• Demonstrated ability to safely perform the full range of assigned operator duties with limited supervision.

Licenses and Certifications

• Current Tennessee Grade III Wastewater Treatment Operator certification, or a higher Tennessee wastewater treatment certification, is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained as a condition of employment.
• Valid TN issued drivers license is required and must be maintained.
• Must obtain and maintain City-required safety, emergency-response, equipment-operation, and other job-related certifications within established timeframes.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities for Successful Job Performance:

• Working knowledge of municipal wastewater treatment principles and practices, including biological treatment, nutrient removal, clarification, disinfection, solids processing, biosolids management, and process control as applicable to the facility.
• Working knowledge of Tennessee wastewater regulations, NPDES permit requirements, operator certification requirements, sampling, recordkeeping, reporting, and regulatory inspection practices.
• Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, chemical, instrumentation, SCADA, and control-system concepts used in water reclamation facilities.
• Knowledge of wastewater sampling, basic laboratory procedures, quality assurance/quality control, and interpretation of physical, chemical, and biological process data.
• Knowledge of routine preventive maintenance, work-order systems, tools, equipment, chemical handling, and safe work practices applicable to wastewater facilities.
• Ability to independently operate and adjust assigned treatment processes, recognize abnormal conditions, troubleshoot problems, and take timely corrective action within established authority.
• Ability to read and interpret operating procedures, safety data sheets, technical manuals, equipment drawings, permits, regulations, gauges, charts, and electronic process information.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations used in wastewater treatment, including flow, loading, dosage, detention time, solids, and process-control calculations.
• Ability to maintain accurate records, enter information into electronic systems, prepare clear shift and incident reports, and communicate operating conditions effectively.
• Ability to train or guide other employees, organize assigned work, and establish effective working relationships with employees, management, regulators, contractors, vendors, laboratories, and the public.
• Ability to use office productivity software, SCADA, electronic reporting systems, maintenance-management systems, and other job-related technology.

Additional Requirements:

• Valid drivers license.
• Successful completion of a background investigation.
• Must maintain availability for assigned shifts, on-call rotation, emergency response, overtime, weekends, and holidays.
• Employment is subject to applicable City policies and requirements for safety-sensitive and essential personnel.
• This job description is not an employment contract. Duties, responsibilities, and organizational assignments may be modified to meet operational needs.

Supplemental Information

Equal Employment Opportunity StatementThe City of Spring Hill is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Reasonable Accommodation

The City is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process, please contact the Human Resources Department at HR@springhilltn.org.

Job Description Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. The City reserves the right to assign, modify, or remove duties and responsibilities as operational needs require.

Nothing in this job description creates an express or implied contract of employment. Employment with the City remains at will unless otherwise provided by applicable law or written agreement.

We offer an extensive benefits package:

We offer several medical insurance options for the entire family, and employer paid dental coverage for the employee (with the option to purchase additional coverage for dependents at a minimum cost) and vision insurance that you are eliglible for at the first of the month after your hire date.

We also provide $25,000 in employer paid life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), and employer paid Long Term Disability (LTD). Available for purchase are Short Term Disability (STD) and AFLAC policies (i.e., Critical Illness, Accident, and Life Insurance) for which you are eligible on the first day of the month after 60 days of employment

The City of Spring Hill participates in the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS), a defined benefit plan. In addition to mandatory participation in the pension, we also offer 401(k) and 457(b) retirement options. Like other public employees in Williamson County, our employees can enroll in discounted membership with Williamson County Parks and Recreation, and enjoy using the Longview Recreation facility, as well as any other facility in the system. You will also enjoy 13 paid holidays each year.

Employees earn one day of sick leave each month, which is immediately accessible. You will also earn 2 weeks of vacation during your first year of employment, one of which you can access after a 6-month introductory period, the remaining vacation is accrued monthly.

Employer Spring Hill, City of (TN)

Address 199 Town Center Parkway

Spring Hill, Tennessee, 37174