Job Description

Water Treatment Plant Operator

Job Announcement No: 26-010

Vacant Position(s): 1

Department: Hanahan Water Treatment Plant

Applications Accepted through Sunday, January 18, 2026

Salary Range: SEE BELOW

Grade: SEE BELOW

Hours: 7:00a.m – 7:00p.m Rotating Shift (Day/Night)

Position Summary:

Under direct supervision of the Operations Shift Supervisor, and leadership from the Water Treatment Plant Journeyman Operator, this associate while in a training capacity, assists in the performance of all required job duties to produce finished water that meet all state and federal regulations.

Essential Functions:

Residuals treatment and disposal meeting all state and federal regulations.
Collect and analyze samples for control and optimization of all treatment plant processes.
Conduct bench-top tests for control and optimization of all treatment plant processes.
Required to work with chemicals.
Monitor and ensure that all equipment is in proper working condition; communicate with the shift supervisor and/or maintenance department personnel concerning problems encountered.
Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on equipment as required.
Monitor and operate the most economical and efficient equipment based upon treatment process needs, distribution system demands, and power consumption.
Monitor and perform calculations, implement, and optimize chemical dosages.
Prepare and maintain accurate daily and monthly plant operations reports, and chemical inventory records. Input data into various databases
Maintain accurate and complete plant operation logs.
Order chemicals and handle deliveries as required.
May be required to work under emergency conditions.

Regular attendance is required.
Essential functions will advance in complexity as the associate accelerates through the Water Treatment Plant Operator Apprenticeship Program (reference job descriptions for other Water Treatment Plant Operator positions listed below in the Education and/or Experience section).
Job performance must conform to all CWS policies and procedures.
Specific knowledge of CWS Environmental Management System Policy and Procedures.

Additional Duties

Enter data into a computer database.

Light maintenance of equipment on weekends and in absence of maintenance staff.
May be required to participate in Intra/Inter Departmental cross training.
Basic overview of SCADA Screens.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Additional Duties will advance in complexity as the associate accelerates through the Water Treatment Plant Operator Apprenticeship Program (reference job descriptions for other Water Treatment Plant Operator positions listed below in the Education and/or Experience section.

Job Requirements

Physical Requirements, Activities, and Working Conditions

Ability to communicate effectively in writing, verbally and with a 2-way radio, to include comprehension of complex oral and written instructions.
Ability to receive detailed information through oral and written communication and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making adjustments to equipment.
Ability to convey detailed instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, and quickly.
Ability to make visual observations of all basins and equipment, obtain instrument readings, collect samples and field test readings from numerous sample points.
Must be able to maneuver large valve operator wheels and chain mechanisms.
Ability to lift, carry and/or pour 50 pound bags of dry chemicals from a height of four feet from the floor.
Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul, or tug objects in a sustained motion. On occasion this can require greater than 50 lbs of force. Objects greater than 50 lbs require a two-person operation.
Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward, or outward.
Routinely ascend/descend ladders, stairs and ramps as high as three stories. Ability to work at elevated height levels as needed to perform various task.
Constantly positions self to move, traverse for long distances as necessary to perform required work. Must be able to move about extensively to make inspections of treatment plant with varied topography and features.
Ability to work 12 hour shifts, rotating. (Both day and night)
Constantly works in internal / external environmental conditions. Subject to atmospheric conditions of one or more of the following that affect the respiratory system or skin: Fumes (paint), odors, dusts, gases, etc. Personnel Protective Equipment Required.
Worker may be required to wear a respirator and/or self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
Required to work with chemicals used in water treatment processes.
Ability to navigate restricted spaces such as chemical pits, spiral stairwell, etc as needed to perform required job functions.
Must be able to wear Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) as defined in the Job Safety Analysis (JSA) to perform the required essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

This is an entry position. Associate is required to successfully complete the Charleston Water System’s

Operator Apprentice Program, which may include: formal classroom training with the Technical College, classroom and correspondence courses at the work site, on-the-job training with a qualified trainer, independent learning, work assignments and skills demonstration testing. All training completions have effective deadlines which must be met. Failure to qualify on the training requirements may result in termination. All applicants must possess the following:

High school diploma or GED required.
Must have a strong technical aptitude.
Good written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to use a calculator.
Basic computer skills with windows based word processing and spreadsheet software. (Prefer Word and Excel)
HAZMAT training preferred.
Prior work record indicating dependability and conscientiousness.

Water Treatment Plant Operator Apprentice

Salary Range: $45,760.00 ($22.00/hr) - $68,640.00 ($33.00/hr)

The candidate demonstrating the above abilities may be placed at a Grade 105.

Once fully proficient (as outlined by the Operator Apprenticeship Program), the Water Treatment Plant Operator will advance to Journeyman Operator.

Candidates may receive applicable bonuses or pay increases as they progress through the program.

Transitional Water Treatment Plant OPERATOR

Salary Range: $49,192.00 ($23.65/hr) - $73,798.40 ($35.48/hr)

The candidate demonstrating the following abilities may be placed at a Grade 106:

Minimum of six years’ relevant industrial experience, for example – chemical manufacturing, industrial boilers, nuclear operator, or water/wastewater treatment.
Candidates may receive applicable bonuses or pay increases as they progress through the program.
Once fully proficient (as outlined by the Operator Apprenticeship Program), the Transitional Operator will advance to Journeyman Operator.

Licenses, Certifications, Registrations

Valid South Carolina driver’s license required.
South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation require that persons operating an environmental treatment facility obtain an operator's license from the Environmental Certification Board. Must be able to pass the Water Operators Examination through the "B" level as outlined in the CWS Apprenticeship Program for Water Treatment Plant Operator. Failure to complete this requirement may result in Termination.
Must successfully complete a proficiency in the job skills required for each level as outlined in the CWS Apprenticeship Program for Water Treatment Plant Operator.

Training Needs:

OSHA and Departmental safety training as required.
Skills Based Training.
Standard Operating Instruction (SOI) per department requirements.
ISO 14001 standards for department and company.
See Department Competency and Training Matrix for this position.

Potential Career Path:

ELIGIBILITY FOR PROMOTION TO VARIOUS POSITIONS THROUGHOUT THE COMMISSION DEPENDS UPON INDIVIDUAL QUALIFICATIONS, AND NOTED JOB PROGRESSIONS ARE NO GUARANTEE OF CAREER PATH TO THESE OR ANY OTHER JOB(S) AT THE COMMISSION.

Journeyman Operator
Operations Shift Supervisor

Charleston Water System

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