Utilities Plant Operator Trainee

Utilities Plant Operator Trainee

Salary

$16.43 - $27.11 Hourly

Location

3100 Loveland Blvd Port Charlotte FL 33980, FL

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

2026-00219

Department

UTIL - EAST PORT WRF OPS

Opening Date

07/02/2026

Closing Date

7/11/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

IUPAT

• Description
• Benefits

How You Can Help Us Make a Difference

The Plant Operator Trainee performs entry-level work assisting in the operation and inspection of a water treatment plant, booster station, or wastewater treatment plant on a reoccurring or rotating shift. Work requires the exercise of limited judgment in making minor operating adjustments to machinery, equipment, and related apparatus in accordance with established operating procedures and standards. Operates, monitors, and inspects equipment, dials, meters, pumps, and valves for proper process control. Work is conducted under relatively close supervision by a direct supervisor or designee.

Education & Credentials That Power This Role

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent:
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Operator Certification Program only accepts General Educational Development (GED) issued by the American Council on Education through an approved GED Administrator.

Licenses and/or Certificates:

• Depending on area of assignment, must obtain and maintain a valid Florida Drinking Water Operator "C" or Wastewater Operator "C" License for Domestic Wastewater Treatment within two (2) years of employment.
• Must be prepared to sit for the exam at first offering upon the completion of the required coursework.
• Upon successful completion of the exam must submit for Class "C" license after completion of 2,080 hours of work.

Your Purpose & Day-To-Day Journey

• Knowledge of departmental policies, plans, and procedures.
• Knowledge of modern office practices, plans, and procedures.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other job-related computer programs and software applications.
• Knowledge of the operating principles and practices applicable to wastewater treatment, equipment, and machinery.
• Skill in effective communication, both orally and in writing.
• Skill in prioritizing and organizing work.
• Skill in the use of office equipment such as a computer, multi-line telephone system, scanner, fax machine, and copier.
• Ability to accurately follow routine operating and recording procedures.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations.
• Ability to detect faulty operating characteristics in equipment or treatment processes and to perform corrective minor mechanical repairs or adjustments.
• Ability to manually operate gates and valves in normal as well as harsh weather conditions.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and reports.
• Ability to perform manual labor, sometimes under unfavorable weather conditions.
• Ability to provide internal/external guidance and customer assistance via all forms of communication.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with fellow employees, and the public.
• Ability to use computers for data entry, word processing, and/or accounting purposes.
• Ability to author reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.

Extra Details You Should Know

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stooping, crouching, walking, pulling, grasping, hearing, seeing up close, seeing far away, kneeling, reaching, pushing, talking, standing, finger movement, repetitive motions, depth perception. Frequent lifting of 10 to 25 pounds; occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work typically requires moderate exposure to one or more disagreeable conditions (i.e., irate customers, outdoors weather conditions, excessive noise, extreme heat, odors or dust).

RISK/SAFETY CONDITIONS

The position requires moderate exposure or risk to physical health and/or physical safety (e.g., exposure to environmentally hazardous material, heavy equipment, assault and battery, communicable disease, etc.).

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Charlotte County is an Affirmative Action/ADA/Veterans' Preference and Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, and Persons

with Disabilities are Encouraged to Apply.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE/RECOVERY ACTIVITIES:

All County employees are required to work before, during, or after an emergency as needed. This may include temporarily being assigned to work and performing duties outside of the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.

Charlotte County is an Affirmative Action, ADA and Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. As a veterans preference employer, certain service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such service members and veterans, who claim and meet eligibility requirements of veterans' preference, receive preference and priority in employment and are encouraged to apply. In addition, certain servicemembers may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.

All positions with Charlotte County may be subject to drug testing in accordance with the Drug-Free Workplace Program and/or County policy.

Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners offers a comprehensive benefits package to regular full-time employees.

Charlotte County Benefits & Total Rewards

Employer Charlotte, County of (FL)

Address 18500 Murdock Circle

Room 130

Port Charlotte, Florida, 33948

Phone 941-743-1260

Website https://www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov