Waste Water Operator III (Water Reclamation Plant Operator III) Public Works, Utilities
Job Location:
Savage, MN - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
- POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION
Howard County:
Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.
Howard County Government:
Howard County Government is a leader in innovation sustainability and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the 2026 Howard County Government received a record-breaking 113 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) the highest number of annual NACo awards achieved in the history of the State of Maryland and the highest number of awards of any county in the State of Maryland which received a collective 165 awards. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents improve existing programs upgrade working conditions and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking.
What are we looking for
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.
What youll like most about working at Howard County Government:- We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
- We have a highly talented diverse and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard but it will be encouraged!
- We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical retirement and wellness programs.
- As a member of the Howard County Government team youll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.
POSITION SUMMARY:
An employee in this class works with others on an assigned rotating shift basis to control Plant operations and maintain grounds and equipment.
STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$29.26 - $32.30/Hourly
$60866 - $67186/Annually*This is the anticipated starting salary range for this position. Please note that the final salary will be determined by the Office of Human Resources commensurate with experience and aligned to ensure internal equity with similarly situated roles.*
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
This is skilled work at the full performance level in the operation maintenance and care of mechanical and electrical equipment in a water reclamation plant. Work may include overseeing the work of lower level employees as an assistant shift leader.*This is a Classified position meaning that it is a part of the Howard County Classified Service upon completion of a probationary period of at least six (6) months*
*Please note that this position falls within a collective bargaining unit and is represented by AFSCME Local 3085 Local 3888 or Local 1810.*
*This position has been designated as essential personnel meaning an employee is expectedto report for regular work shift during inclement weather emergency situations County holidays and on an on-call basis.*
- ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Operations and Process Control:
- Monitors gauges meters control panels and process control computers.
- Observes variations in operating conditions and determines processing requirements.
- Takes corrective action on routine problems and reports serious issues to superiors.
- Operates valves and gates manually or by remote control.
- Starts and stops pumps engines and generators to adjust flows chemical dosages and treatment processes.
- Responsible for equipment operation adjustment and cleaning.
Equipment Inspection and Maintenance:
- Inspects mechanical and electrical equipment such as bearings valves seals filters generators and compressors.
- Performs minor repairs and reports major malfunctions to superiors; may assist with major repairs.
- Performs routine preventative maintenance including lubrication and minor corrective actions.
- Performs minor maintenance painting and assists with grounds maintenance.
- May perform or direct routine maintenance and custodial duties.
Sampling Testing and Recordkeeping:
- Obtains wastewater samples and performs routine laboratory tests and analyses as required by regulatory agencies.
- Maintains shift logs enters field and test data and records meter readings and laboratory results.
- Assists in maintaining operating records for the shift.
Leadership and Support:
- May direct the work or instruct lower-level employees.
- May perform duties of shift supervisor in their absence.
Emergency and Other Duties:
- Required to report to work during inclement weather or emergency situations (emergency essential position).
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.- MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
High School diploma or G.E.D. plus three (3) years of wastewater treatment experience at the Class 5A level; or at least one year (1) of college course work in wastewater treatment or a related field plus two years of wastewater treatment experience at the 5A level.
REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS:
Possession of a regular Class 5A Operators certificate issued by the Maryland State Board of Waterworks and Waste System Operators required prior to appointment and during tenure of employment.
Applicants with appropriate experience and equivalent licensing from another state will be considered for appointment but will be required to obtain a Statement of Reciprocity from the Maryland State Board prior to appointment.
A valid Maryland drivers license may be required depending upon job assignment.
PREFERRED EDUCATION KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:- Knowledge of the principles practices and methods used in water reclamation operations.
- Knowledge of the operation and servicing of wastewater treatment equipment and machinery.
- Knowledge of fundamental laboratory and sample collection techniques.
- Knowledge of safe working practices and procedures.
- Some knowledge of supervisory methods and techniques.
- Skill in repairing and maintaining pumps valves gauges and other wastewater treatment equipment.
- Ability to direct the work of others and instruct them in the performance of job tasks.
- Ability to maintain records and prepare reports.
- Ability to work in a cooperative courteous and effective basis with people.
- Ability to follow oral and/or written instructions.
- Ability to read gauges and meters accurately and to interpret the data gathered.
- Ability to make operational decisions in the absence of higher-level supervisory personnel.
- Ability to clean and clean and perform minor maintenance and adjustments on equipment.
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 stand walk and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop kneel crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision color vision depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
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.
While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to high precarious places; risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Required to work a rotating shift.
LANGUAGE SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as flow rates Mean Cell Residence Times weights proportions percentages area circumference and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written oral or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
TO APPLY:You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted.
Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening background screening and reference checks.
At time of application please submit a copy of any college degree coursework licenses or certifications that you have referenced on your who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services () or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation ( County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
Howard Countyis an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity equity and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color religion age sex ancestry creed national origin disability status genetics marital statusmilitary service sexual orientation gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at .Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.
Required Experience:
IC
