Water Treatment Plant Operator

Pay: $39.44/hr - $45.27/hr (2026 rate) depending on qualifications 

Post Date: March 23, 2026

Deadline to Apply: April 13, 2026 @ 8:00 AM

Interviews: April 20th/21st (Virtual) and April 27th (onsite)

Pre-employment Process: May 2026

Expected Start Date: June 1, 2026

Details

• Full-Time Regular, Non-Exempt
• Benefit Eligible Date of Hire
• Eligible for additional seasonal disruption premium pay for participating in snow-clearing operations per the Local 49 union contract.
• Reports to Water Treatment Plant Operations Supervisor
• Located at Water Treatment Plant (14100 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55344)
• Typical work schedule is 4 days on (12-hour shifts) with 4 days off. Hours may vary based on business need. Scheduled overtime is required for this position. 

Responsibilities

The Water Treatment Plant Operator is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the city’s lime softening water treatment plant in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act, the operation of the treatment plant residual de-watering equipment and associated processes, and the water system maintenance procedures established by the Utilities Division Management. The primary position responsibilities and areas of impact are:

1. Provides safe, high quality drinking water in adequate supply to meet the needs of the city’s customers. Conducts laboratory testing and monitors the treatment process to meet the Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
2. Maintains proficiency in lime softening chemistry with the specific intent to interpret laboratory results and respond to those results to optimize water treatment chemical processes, including understanding and optimizing all Water Treatment Plant processes.
3. Performs record keeping for plant operations, maintains chemical inventory, responds to related customer service inquiries, and conducts Water Treatment Plant tours as assigned.
4. Assists with the general water treatment plant maintenance and preventative maintenance as directed. Performs operator level maintenance of water treatment, water supply, and water storage and if necessary, the water distribution systems. Coordinates water treatment plant operations with organizational maintenance activities and assists outside contractors as required.
5. Actively participates in educational programs to maintain required Department of Health licensing and treatment plant certification, and makes steady, positive progress toward improving individual certification, job skills, and professional training. 

While these areas are the primary focus of this position, we believe strongly in teamwork and employees will be called upon to perform a variety of duties as a part of their role with the City.

Requirements

• A minimum of one year experience in a Water Treatment Plant Operations, or a diploma in Water and Wastewater Technology or Water Quality Science, or a Graduate of Water Environment Technology or Water Quality Science Program is required. 
• Completion of Water Utility Treatment and Technology courses in Water Treatment (120 hours) will be required of employees without an equivalent education within the first 36 months of employment. 
• Minnesota Department of Health Water Supply System Operator – Class D License or higher (or equivalent level of water certification from another state) is required.
• Minnesota Department of Health Water Supply System Operator – Class C License obtained within six months of first becoming eligible to take the exam, or within 30 months of employment, whichever comes first is required. 
• Water Supply System Operator license (Class B and Class A) obtained within one year of becoming eligible to take each examination is required.
• Experience operating a Lime Softening Water Treatment Plant and working experience with water treatment chemistry and calculating chemical dosages is preferred. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and demonstrates strong math skills is preferred.
• Occasionally exertion of force in excess of 50 and/or up to 100 pounds to move objects or equipment accessories is required
• Must be able to exert 20-50 pounds of force frequently to move objects. Must be able to routinely climb ladders in excess of 120 feet and descend into and work inside confined spaces. Most work is performed within a water treatment facility, in-and-around water supply wells and water storage reservoirs and will involve working inside and outside of vehicles and in confined spaces. Seasonal conditions can include excessive heat or cold. Conditions can include working in wet, muddy, slippery, or dusty and windy conditions. At these times there may be intermittent exposure to very disagreeable working conditions. Some assignments involve exposure to odors and potentially toxic gases. There is often exposure to working within deep water treatment basins and mixers, climbing ladders into and out of water treatment equipment, and working at heights requiring fall-protection equipment. There is considerable attention to detail when handling equipment in tight quarters or around people.
• Candidates must successfully complete and pass the City’s evaluation of the pre-employment process prior to their first day of employment. Pre-employment processes for this position include professional reference checks, background check, driver’s license check (must have valid MN driver's license and excellent driving record), pre-employment physical exam, drug and alcohol test, work history verification and education verification.

Skills

• Accountability: Follows through on commitments. Focuses on appropriate tasks throughout the shift. Is prepared and punctual to all scheduled shifts. Actions and words are in sync. Follows all policies and procedures. Take responsibility for actions. Shares the right information. Maintains confidentiality.
• Attention to Detail: Produces work that includes minimal errors. Spends the necessary time to review work. Ensures high quality and best product is delivered.
• Organization: Able to keep activities, responsibilities, and tasks moving along to achieve results in a timely manner. Keeps things neat and orderly. Utilizes tools for efficiency. Plans ahead according to the task/project/work deadlines.
• Planning: Thinks ahead to determine how long a task or project is expected to take. Lays out tasks ahead of time to accomplish the goal. Breaks down work in process steps. Considers who and what will impact others.
• Process Management: Knows how to get things done within an organization. Understands who to partner with to maximize efficiency. Establishes and utilizes checklists and tools to ensure consistency when completing tasks. Can simplify a process so the least number of steps are completed while still producing a high-quality product. Informs others of the established process so impacting areas are working together.
• Technical Learning: Consistently achieves the technical knowledge necessary to be effective. Stays up to date with laws, statutes, industry standards, organization, and product information. Able to learn and apply knowledge to work. Utilizes technology to achieve goals/results.

Our Values

We are a service organization. We take pride in what we do. We cultivate a supportive, encouraging and productive culture with a strong customer focus. We promote wellness and plan work/life balance into our goals. We value differences and foster inclusion. We achieve success by exhibiting our core values: collaboration, innovation, integrity, performance, and relationships.