Water Plant Operator

OAC EXTERNAL POSITION POSTING
DATES POSTED: 10/05- 10/15/2026
 

Position Summary
Under limited supervision, the Water Plant Operator is responsible to operate plant equipment to
produce the specified quantity and quality of finished water, monitors plant equipment to assure
proper plant performance, maintains plant operational records, applies process chemicals, and use
laboratory test equipment for routine tests.

Education
Required - High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED)

Minimum Requirement
Required - Minimum of 2 years of experience in the operation or maintenance of a Potable Water
Treatment Plant or Potable Water Distribution system and hold the State of Nebraska Grade IV (4)
Water Operator License as indicated below. or
Required - Minimum of 3 years of operational or maintenance experience at a potable water
treatment plant and obtain the State of Nebraska Grade IV (4) Water Operator License within 180
days as indicated below. or
Required - Minimum of 6 years of experience in building operations/maintenance, or production
line operations/maintenance and obtain the State of Nebraska Grade IV (4) Water Operator License
within 180 days as indicated below.
Preferred - Experience with using SCADA or other control systems.
Preferred - Experience working rotating shifts.

Licenses, Certifications and/or Testing
Required - Have and maintain a valid drivers license Upon Hire and
Required - State of Nebraska Grade IV (4) Water Operator License and have two (2) years of
experience in the operation or maintenance of a Potable Water Treatment Plant or Potable Water
Distribution system. Upon Hire or
Required - State of Nebraska Grade IV (4) Water Operator License and have a minimum three (3)
years of operational or maintenance experience at a Potable Water Treatment Plant. within 180 Days
or
Required - State of Nebraska Grade IV (4) Water Operator License and have a minimum six (6)
years of building operations/maintenance, or production line operations/maintenance. within 180
Days
Required - Hearing (audiogram), Vision, and Color identification testing. Upon Hire
Required - Pre-employment and/or post-offer physical demands screening. Upon Hire
Required - Pre-employment Background Check & Drug Screen Upon Hire
Required - Certified to wear an Air Purifying Respirator and a Self-Contained Breathing
Apparatus (SCBA) in order to comply with confined entry procedures and/or chemical exposure.
Certification requires completing a Medical Questionnaire, passing a Pulmonary Function Test, Fit
Test and compliance with the guidelines of the Districts Respiratory Protection Program. within 60
Days

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Efficient written and verbal communication skills, in English, to assist internal and external
customers, co-
workers and management professionally, regardless of provocation.
Must be willing to work 8 hour and 12 hours rotating shifts to include evenings, nights and
weekends and Holidays.
Ability to perform simple chemical titrations and determine endpoints, turbidity tests and color
tests.
Ability to work independently in accordance with verbal and written instructions.
Ability to work with hazardous chemicals such as chlorine, ammonia, aluminum sulfate, soda ash,
fluoride, lime, sodium permanganate, polymers, powdered carbon and various cleaning materials.
Ability to perform routine math operation to properly calculate chemical applications for
treatment.
Must be detail orientated and ability to write legibly in order to maintain detailed logs and
records.
Ability to remain calm and productive in stressful situations.
Proficiency with personal computers, tablets, and/or other electronic devices to include
familiarity with, but not limited to, Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, Word) and enterprise
wide software (e.g., SAP).
Ability to learn new or upgraded computer software as required.
Laboratory skills are preferred. (Entry proficiency)
Knowledge of basic fluid flow principles is preferred.
Documented mechanical aptitude is preferred.

Essential Functions
Control treatment processes to meet directed requirements to include, but not limited to, basin
blow-downs, chemical feed adjustments and basin flow rates.
Check status of and operate pumps, basins, chemical feeders and related equipment.
Control water plant by means of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and related
equipment, and manually operate plant if SCADA fails.
Pick-up and test samples of water at specific locations in the treatment process at established
times. Perform various tests, record test results, and interpret the results to make operational
adjustments as necessary to meet directed requirements.
Assist with washing basins and other routine plant maintenance duties.
Break ice on open basins to maintain flow and to permit proper operation.
Perform the physical requirements of position.
Perform safety checks of buildings and equipment for problems, including but not limited to,
lighting, heat, leaks, electrical trouble, fire, and mechanical failure.
Operate valves throughout the plant to ensure proper plant flow.
Perform preliminary diagnosis of problems related to plant systems and inform supervisors to
initiate corrective action.
Restore plant to normal operations after power failure including pre-sedimentation and primary
basins.
Perform various plant maintenance tasks such as basin washing, housekeeping and grounds keeping
maintenance duties.
Perform weekly maintenance schedules.
Change grit tubs as needed with overhead crane.
Drive District vehicles.

Required for All Jobs
Perform a variety of other duties as assigned
Understand and comply with all District policies and procedures

Physical and Environmental Requirements
Field: Work inside and outside in all weather conditions and terrain for extended periods of
time.

*Please see job posting on our Careers page for a full list of physical demands

*Please ensure the application is filled out thoroughly to be considered for this position

An Equal Opportunity Employer Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation"