Treatment Plant Operations Supervisor

Salary : $62,733.00 - $106,163.00 Annually
Location : City of Washington, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Water Resources
Opening Date: 06/30/2026
Closing Date: 7/14/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt

Job Description

Summary
Manage the operations and maintenance of the City's water and wastewater treatment facilities, as well as wastewater lift stations to ensure compliance with City's NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit and with all applicable NCDOL (OSHA) rules and regulations. Serves as a division manager responsible for managing the operations and maintenance of the City's water and wastewater treatment facilities, wastewater lift stations. Emphasis of the work is on efficient and effective plant operations and maintenance to ensure compliance with applicable environmental and safety rules and regulations. Work includes managerial functions related to assisting with developing and administering annual operating budgets, developing long range capital improvement programs and management of operations and maintenance staff. Assists with operational decisions in response to problems reported by wastewater treatment facility operations staff. Developing and implementing training programs for safety and operational compliance with NCDEQ (NC Department of Environmental Quality) and NCDOL (OSHA) rules and regulations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

• Plans, organizes and manages the work of operations, maintenance and laboratory personnel; performs and/or directs the routine or emergency repairs or replacement of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, electronic and other related plant equipment, meters and gauges.
• Advises plant operations staff and general maintenance staff of assigned duties, changes in routines, issues and conducts meetings as required; provides training for all plant operations and maintenance staff.
• Establishes policies and procedures for plant operations and responses to emergencies.
• Interviews and recommends new candidates for hire; evaluates employees on work performance, makes promotion and disciplinary recommendations and approves leave and time entry of staff.
• Ensures operators apply work rules and practices to comply with NCDOL (OSHA) and NCDEQ; and all equipment is in proper working condition.
• Assists with the development and administration of the annual operating budget including short and long-range forecasts; develops technical plans for infrastructure improvements as part of the long term (5 years or more) capital improvement plan.
• Oversees the development and administration of operational training programs for employees; develops standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all facilities and enforces compliance with OSHA safety standards.
• Ensures staff maintains plant inventory, operating and maintenance records by conducting periodic audits.
• Oversees laboratory personnel who perform tests for pH levels and alkalinity; assists with determining optimal process controls; understands the testing for BOD/COD, total suspended residue, mixed liquor, percent solids in sludge, dissolved oxygen, metals, toxicity and other analytical tests.
• Oversees preparation of monthly and annual regulatory compliance reports and applications for renewal of operating permits; evaluates regulatory requirements and determines processes and steps to ensure compliance.
• Provides tours of water & wastewater facilities with the general public, regulators and school groups.
• Serves as a technical and compliance representative for the City with various local, state, and federal boards and agencies for wastewater and environmental issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and/or Experience
An Associate's degree from four-year College or university in environmental science, chemistry, biology, hydrology water and wastewater engineering or a related field; and five years or more years' experience operating and maintaining a water and/or wastewater treatment plant and supervisory experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Preferred - Bachelor's degree in environmental science, chemistry, biology, hydrology water and wastewater engineering or a related field

Special Requirements

• Valid N.C. driver's license and acceptable driving record
• Water Treatment Facility Operator A-Well Cert. or ability to obtain within 18 months of hire date
• Biological Wastewater Operator Grade IV Cert. or ability to obtain within 18 months of hire date
• Physical/Chemical Wastewater Operator Grade I Cert. or ability to obtain within 18 months of hire date
• Spray Irrigation Cert. or ability to obtain within 18 months of hire date

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, tools, and equipment used in treatment plant operations as well as the operating characteristics and maintenance requirements of treatment works.
• Thorough knowledge of the operating and maintenance requirements of treatment plants including knowledge of hydraulic, chemical and mechanical principles.
• Thorough knowledge of state and federal water and wastewater treatment and water quality regulations.
• Thorough knowledge of the occupational hazards of work associated with wastewater plants and necessary safety precautions used including OSHA rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of effective management and supervision of personnel.
• Knowledge of principles of employee relations, discipline, reward systems and effective coaching.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of fiscal accounting and budgeting practices and procurement procedures, in accordance with city and state rule and regulations.
• Knowledge of communication practices to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with various groups or individuals in a variety of workplace settings.

• Skill in the operation of water & wastewater plant and related equipment.
• Ability to plan and administer operating and capital budgets.
• Ability to detect problems in the operation of mechanical equipment and to apply proper repair methods.
• Ability to interpret laboratory test results and direct corrective actions, as required.
• Ability to operate the wastewater treatment plant facility and associated equipment.

Physical Requirements
When participating with staff in operations the work is characterized as medium work requiring exertion of up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in up to 20 pounds of force frequently to move objects. Work in this class is described as both administrative and managerial in nature. Typical physical tasks working in an office environment with computers and software, speaking on telephones, managing files and records, and preparing reports. Employee must have physical capability to walk all areas of the treatment plants to inspect operations and give direction and supervision to operations and maintenance staff. Physical activities include climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling and repetitive motion. The employee must have visual acuity to evaluate the operation of equipment and to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of assigned work. Employee must have hearing acuity to perceive the sounds emitted by operating machinery and at a normal spoken word level with or without accommodation. Employee must have ability to speak with other employees, other city personnel, and regulators.

Working Conditions
Work is subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions, including extreme heat and extreme cold. Employee is subject to physical hazards such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, exposure to chemicals, and atmospheric conditions. Although the employee typically works in an office environment, the inspection or participation in work may include working in close quarters, crawl spaces, shafts, man holes, small enclosed rooms, small sewage and water lines, narrow aisles or passage ways, and other areas which could cause claustrophobia.
Health, Dental and Vision Insurance:

The City of Washington provides, at no cost, employee only coverage for Medical (High-Deductible with H.S.A), Vision and Dental insurance. Coverage is available for all regular status full-time employees scheduled to work 40 hours. Employees may also choose to cover eligible dependents. Benefits begin on the 1st day of the month following 30 days of employment.

Paid Life Insurance

The City provides $15,000 of term life insurance and $15,000 of accident death insurance to all full-time employees at no cost. Employees may elect additional coverage, including dependent coverage, at their own cost.

Employer Paid Leave:

Paid Vacation: Full-Time employees earn 8 hours of vacation leave per month. Leave accruals increase based on the number of years of City service. (Ex: at 5 years increases to 10 hours per month)

Paid Holidays: The City of Washington observes 13 paid holidays per calendar year. The approved holidays are New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, 2 days at Thanksgiving and 3 days at Christmas.

Sick: Full-Time employees earn 8 hours of sick leave per month (Fire Personnel earn 14.15 hours). Sick leave hours accumulate without limits and may be used toward credible service upon retirement from the NC Local Government Retirement System.

Retirement:

The City assists our employees in securing their financial future during retirement by participating in the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System, administered by the State of North Carolina. Regular status employees, scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week, become members in the retirement system upon employment. As a member of this system, employees are required to contribute 6 percent of their gross salary on a tax-deferred basis.

Deferred Compensation Plans:

To further assist employees in saving for retirement, the City offers two supplemental retirement savings programs. These programs offer employees an opportunity to save a portion of their salary on a tax-deferred basis to supplement their retirement benefit. The programs offered are 401(k) Supplemental Retirement Income Plan and the 457 Plan through Prudential.

Cafeteria Plan / Supplemental Benefits:

Realizing that each employee may have different insurance needs, the City offers its employees the opportunity to supplement City-provided benefits by selecting from the benefits listed below. These benefits are offered at employee's expense through payroll deduction:
• Supplemental Term Life Insurance
• Cancer Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Whole Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (Pre-tax basis)

Death Benefit:

After one year as a contributing member of the Retirement System, a death benefit is provided that is equal to the highest 12 months' salary in a row during the 24 months before death, no less than $25,000 and no more than $50,000. There is no cost to the employee for these benefits.

Pay Periods/Direct Deposit:

City employees are paid bi-weekly, every other Friday through direct deposit.

Full benefit details may be viewed here: