Water Lead Operator

Are you an experienced water treatment professional who takes pride in protecting public health and ensuring reliable water service? We're seeking a Water Lead Operator to lead daily treatment plant operations, oversee shift activities, and support a team dedicated to delivering high-quality drinking water.  Class A Water Operator or equivalent is required.

In this hands-on leadership role, you'll operate and maintain critical water treatment systems, direct plant operators during assigned shifts, and use your technical expertise to ensure regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and safe, efficient facility performance.

If you're a problem solver who enjoys a combination of operations, laboratory analysis, equipment maintenance, and team leadership, we encourage you to apply.  Relocation assistance may be available.

What You'll Do

Lead Water Treatment Operations

• Direct and support plant operators during assigned shifts.
• Assist supervisory staff with reviewing operational data and plant performance.
• Ensure water treatment processes are operating safely, efficiently, and in compliance with established standards.
• Respond to operational issues and make process adjustments as needed.

Operate and Monitor Treatment Systems

• Operate pumps, valves, turbines, electric motors, and related equipment.
• Regulate water flow, pressure, and distribution throughout the treatment process.
• Monitor control panels, gauges, meters, and operating conditions.
• Perform backwashing and other system cleaning activities on scheduled intervals.
• Record reservoir levels, power consumption, equipment utilization, and operational data.

Perform Water Treatment & Laboratory Testing

• Add and monitor treatment chemicals to disinfect, deodorize, clarify, and condition water.
• Regulate flow through sedimentation and filtration processes.
• Collect raw and treated water samples for testing.
• Conduct laboratory analyses including:
  • pH
  • Chlorine residual
  • Fluoride residual
  • Turbidity
  • Total coliform
  • Hardness
  • Alkalinity
• Analyze test results and make process control adjustments to maintain water quality standards.
• Prepare and maintain laboratory and operational reports.

Maintain Equipment & Facilities

• Calibrate meters and testing equipment.
• Inspect equipment and identify operational concerns before they become major issues.
• Transfer, handle, mix, and adjust chemical feed systems safely.
• Maintain treatment facilities, vehicles, equipment, and grounds.
• Perform housekeeping tasks including cleaning tanks, equipment, floors, and facility areas, as well as grounds maintenance.

Documentation & Compliance

• Accurately document readings, laboratory results, equipment adjustments, and process changes.
• Enter data into computerized systems and maintain required records.
• Support QA/QC procedures and regulatory compliance efforts.
• Attend safety training and consistently follow all safety policies and procedures.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.  Advanced degree study in relevant subject preferred.
• Supervisory experience required.
• Valid driver's license and ability to meet driving requirements.
• Florida Class A Water Treatment Plant Operator License or ability to receive through receprocity.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of

• Water treatment plant operations and well site operations.
• Water treatment flow schemes and treatment processes.
• Laboratory testing and analysis techniques.
• Disinfection and sedimentation processes.
• QA/QC procedures and documentation.
• Safety procedures, practices, and equipment.
• Vertical turbine pumps, chemical metering pumps, centrifugal pumps, and related equipment.

Ability to

• Lead and direct work activities during assigned shifts.
• Understand and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Collect, interpret, and analyze operational data.
• Prepare reports, records, and logs accurately.
• Perform mathematical calculations.
• Work emergency call-outs and non-scheduled hours when needed.
• Distinguish between different shades of color for testing and operational purposes.

Work Environment

This position is performed in an active treatment plant environment and may involve exposure to:

• Extreme temperatures
• Wet or humid conditions
• Dust, pollen, fumes, and odors
• Loud noise and vibration
• Moving mechanical equipment
• Chemicals and treatment agents
• Electrical systems, heights, traffic, and environmental hazards

All safety standards, procedures, and protective equipment requirements must be followed at all times.

Physical Requirements

This is a physically demanding position that requires:

• Frequent standing, walking, kneeling, bending, and climbing.
• Operating tools, equipment, and testing instruments.
• Regular lifting of 50+ pounds.
• Exerting up to 100 pounds of force when performing job duties.
• Normal visual acuity, depth perception, and hearing.

Candidates must be willing and able to work overtime, emergency call-ins, weekends, holidays, and other non-standard schedules as operational needs require.