Wastewater Treatment Plant Pretreatment Operator

Wastewater Treatment Plant Pretreatment Operator

Salary

$21.63 - $29.54 Hourly

Location

City of Sandpoint, ID

Job Type

Full Time Regular

Job Number

09/22/2026

Department

Public Works

Division

Public Works

Opening Date

10/07/2026

• Description
• Benefits

JOB SUMMARY

The principal function of an employee in this class is to perform skilled technical and maintenance work in the operation, maintenance and repair of wastewater treatment facilities and systems. The Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator reports directly to the Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor but is granted some latitude for independent judgment and initiative. The primary duties of this class are performed in and around a wastewater treatment plant, a laboratory and field environment that includes working in adverse weather conditions, confined spaces, and exposure to hazardous materials.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

This list is ILLUSTRATIVE only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by the incumbent of this class. Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Regularly checks the operation of all equipment for proper functioning as part of the preventative maintenance program; takes action, as appropriate, to extend the operating life of all plant equipment; starts and regulates the operation of electric motors, pumps and valves which control the flow of sewage or sludge.
• Operates, inspects, adjusts, and performs routine mechanical maintenance on pumps, valves, motors, and other equipment integral to wastewater treatment operations; identifies and reports electrical or controls-related issues for repair by qualified personnel.
• Handles chemicals according to prescribed standards.
• Maintains a daily log of plant operations and a daily inventory of chemicals used.
• Reads gauges, charts, graphs, SCADA, etc. and understands their significance.
• Performs routine mechanical repairs and maintenance within the employee's training and assigned responsibilities.
• Performs required laboratory tests, including but not limited to quantitative and qualitative laboratory analysis of wastewater, biosolids and sediments for chemical and microbiological contaminants according to protocols such as Standard Methods, EPA 600, SW-846, ASTM, etc.
• Perform strict quality control (QA/QC) procedures including calibration of instruments, analyzing standards, keeping logs, and performing statistical analysis of data.
• Operate and perform routine maintenance on laboratory instruments.
• Perform interpretation and evaluation of analytical data.
• Modify, expand, and implement new analytical methods as necessary to adapt to different situations or improve efficiency.
• Record, calculate, and compile data utilizing computerized software, including spreadsheet and word processing applications.
• Perform routine laboratory duties such as preparing chemical reagents, media, and standard solutions.
• Operates biosolids dewatering equipment and hauls sludge to designated site.
• Maintains inventory of spare parts and tools.
• Collects samples of wastewater at various stages of the treatment process for laboratory determination of the effectiveness of the treatment process and to properly define the treatment stage.
• Cleans facilities and operation equipment as required by daily visual inspection.
• Maintains buildings, grounds, piping, roadways, and machinery.
• Operates backhoe, dump truck, and other equipment.
• Performs general building maintenance and grounds keeping.
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies, procedures, and safety practices.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists other employees with assignments and duties as necessary.
• Carries and responds to emergencies as assigned.
• Assists as back-up WWTP Operator.

MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT USED

• Heavy equipment including backhoe, dump truck and fork lift
• Light equipment such as mowers, trimmers, engine lift, hoists, and various hand and power tools
• Computer with associated software and systems

CORE COMPETENCIES

Knowledge of:

• General principles, practices and methods of wastewater treatment and plant operations, including mechanical equipment, instrumentation, process control, and electrical safety awareness..
• Occupational hazards and safety.
• Proper methods of lubricating, maintaining, and adjusting equipment.
• Standard laboratory principles, techniques, equipment, and materials used in wastewater treatment plant operations.

Skill and Ability to:

• Check and detect flaws and defects in operation of equipment.
• Perform laboratory tests as required and maintain accurate records.
• Operate a variety of job-related equipment and perform minor repairs as required.
• Repair of mechanical equipment
• Perform physical labor.
• Read, write, speak, and comprehend the English language.
• Follow written and oral instruction.
• Communicate effectively to establish and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, organizations, and individuals encountered within the community and general public in performance of job responsibilities.
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Perform time management, organizational, and scheduling functions, meet deadlines, and set task priorities.
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously, including handling interruptions, and return to and complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Use logical and creative thought processes to develop reasonable solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.
• Work independently, with minimal supervision, and make appropriate decisions in the absence of a supervisor.
• Work well under pressure and maintain a calm and professional demeanor under stressful or adversarial conditions.
• Demonstrate patience, integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Interpret wastewater regulations, permits, ordinances, and discharge requirements
• Understand industrial processes sufficiently to identify potential sources of pollutants
• Collect representative wastewater samples
• Recognize abnormal or potentially noncompliant discharges
• Review laboratory results and identify trends or unusual results
• Determine when additional investigation or sampling is warranted
• Maintain accurate regulatory records
• Prepare inspection reports and enforcement documentation
• Communicate technical requirements to industrial users
• Exercise judgment when determining whether a discharge may threaten the collection system, treatment plant, employees, receiving waters, or regulatory compliance
• Investigate complaints and suspected illicit or unauthorized discharges
• Coordinate with treatment plant personnel, industries, laboratories, regulators, and other agencies
• Testify or provide documentation regarding enforcement actions when necessary.

Physical Demands:

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions, communication with other employees and the public, and discern warning or emergency alarms, including vehicle backup warnings;
• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions and work orders; read gauges and other indicators; perform laboratory tests; and operate varied job-related equipment;
• Sufficient manual dexterity with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate a variety of power and hand tools and to make adjustments to equipment;
• Sufficient strength to lift objects up to 100 pounds frequently.
• Sufficient body mobility, flexibility, stamina, and balance to perform operational and maintenance tasks which require stooping, pushing, pulling, climbing and working on ladders, working in enclosed and confined spaces.

Working Conditions:

• Industrial and commercial facilities
• Sewer manholes, lift stations, pump stations, and wet wells
• Laboratories and chemical storage areas
• Outdoor environments in all weather conditions
• Areas with strong odors and airborne contaminants
• Areas containing sewage, sludge, industrial wastewater, and potentially hazardous materials
• Potential exposures include:
• Hydrogen sulfide and other sewer gases

ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalent; and
• Experience in operating and maintaining equipment for a wastewater systems, utilities, or a related field is preferred. c
• Coursework or experience involving electrical systems, SCADA, instrumentation, process controls, mechanical systems, or computer programming/operation, etc. -- Preferred.

License(s) and Certification(s):

• Valid Driver's License - Required
• Valid State of Idaho - Class I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator License or the ability to obtain said license within one (1) year of hire.
• Valid First Aid/CPR certification or ability to obtain certification within six (6) months of hire.

Other licenses may be added or changed as conditions or operating requirements, or for consideration for additional compensation:

• Laboratory Analyst: I to IV;
• Wastewater Collections Operator: I - III;
• Pretreatment Operator

INSURANCE BENEFITS

Eligibility: Regular employees are eligible to enroll in the insurance benefits outlined below. Regular employees are those who regularly work more than 20 hours per week on a non-seasonal basis. Coverage begins for new hires and their dependents on the first day of the month following 30 days of employment, not to exceed 60 days.

Eligible Dependents: Spouse/Domestic Partner; natural child(ren), step-child(ren) who live with the employee, adopted child(ren), and any child(ren) for whom employee is legal guardian or for whom coverage is required by a Qualified Medical Support Order. Adult children under age 26 are also eligible.

Medical

Eligible employees may select from three health plans administered by Regence Blue Shield of Idaho - the Classic Plan, the Buy-Up Plan, and the HSA High Deductible Health Plan. The City pays the monthly premium in full for employees only, depending on the plan selected (Classic or HSA); employees choosing the Buy-Up Plan will be responsible for a portion of the monthly premium. The cost to add coverage for eligible dependents varies depending on the medical plan and coverage level selected and the number of hours the employee regularly works.

Dental

Dental insurance is offered through Delta Dental of Idaho. The City pays the monthly premium in full for employees only. The cost to add coverage for eligible dependents varies depending on the number of dependents covered and the number of hours the employee regularly works.

Life Insurance

Basic Term Life Insurance is provided for the employee with a policy benefit equal to the employees annual base salary plus $2,000 to a maximum of $100,000. The policy also includes $1,000 benefit for spouse and $1,000 benefit for dependent children up to age 26. The City pays the monthly premium in full.

Employee Assistance Program

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a referral and counseling service delivered by Reliant Behavioral Health. It provides a myriad of services to employees and their household members. Services include receiving confidential assistance for personal issues, such as: managing stress, depression, parenting, alcohol/drugs, grief, etc. Each household members is eligible to receive up to six counseling sessions per issue per year at no charge. There is also a benefit relating to financial or legal concerns in addition to work/life services and online tools.

VOLUNTARY INSURANCE BENEFITS

Vision

Vision insurance is offered on a voluntary basis through Blue Cross and the VSP Preferred Provider Network. The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium for self and dependents.

Supplemental Life Insurance

Voluntary Term Life Insurance is optional and is provided through USAble, subject to application review and approval. Additional coverage up to $300,000 is available for employees and their dependents. The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium for self and dependents.

AFLAC

Supplemental insurance is optional and is provided by AFLAC to help pay benefits that major medical insurance does not cover. The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium for self and dependents.

Flexible Spending Account

The City offers two optional Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) - Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA. The Health Care FSA allows an employee to use pre-tax dollars to receive reimbursement for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses. Dependent Care FSAs allow employees to contribute pre-tax dollars to qualified dependent care.

Continued Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

Employees separating from City service have the option to continue medical, dental and/or vision insurance benefits in accordance with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium for self and dependents, in addition to a small monthly administrative fee.

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho Base Plan

The Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI) is a defined benefit plan designed to provide pension benefits to career public employees. As a PERSI Base Plan General Member, an employee contributes 7.16% of his/her salary toward retirement; Police/Firefighter Members contribute 9.13% of salary. Contributions and earnings are tax deferred. Employees become vested (eligible for a lifetime monthly benefit at retirement age) after five years of service. The lifetime allowance an employee receives at retirement is not dependent on the amount of money contributed, but rather is determined by months of service and high average monthly salary.

PERSI Choice 401(k)

The PERSI Choice 401(k) is a defined contribution plan designed to supplement the PERSI Base Plan. As a PERSI Base Plan member, an employee may contribute a flat dollar amount or percentage of salary to this voluntary, tax-deferred retirement savings plan governed by Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k). The City does not offer matching contributions.

457(b) Deferred Compensation

The 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan is a tax-advantaged long-term investment savings plan designed to supplement an employees pension. Enrollment in this City-sponsored governmental plan is voluntary. Unlike typical 401(k) or other pension plans, employees can withdraw 457(b) assets without penalty when they leave service or retire, regardless of their age. The City does not offer matching contributions.

PAID TIME OFF

Official Holidays

The City observes 11 official holidays as paid. An official holiday that falls on a Saturday will be observed on the preceding Friday. An official holiday that falls on a Sunday will be observed on the Monday immediately following. The day after Thanksgiving is included as an observed holiday.

Personal Time Off

Eligible employees accrue paid time off (PTO) on a semimonthly basis. The amount of PTO earned depends on the employees length of service - from up to 21 days per year (7 hours per pay period) for a new employee to 33 days per year (11 hours per pay period) after 20 years of employment. Unused PTO hours carry over each year to a maximum of two times the annual accrual rate. The City also offers a buy-back program of up to 40 hours PTO per year, with certain restrictions, and all accrued PTO hours are paid out to the employee upon termination.

Other Leave Types

The City also provides several other paid and unpaid leaves, such as: bereavement leave, Family and Medical Leave (FMLA), maternity leave, emergency leave, jury duty, and military duty leave.

Employer City of Sandpoint

Address 1123 Lake Street

Sandpoint, Idaho, 83864

Phone 208-946-2060

Website http://www.sandpointidaho.gov