Position Information

Working Title of Vacant Position

Water Treatment Plant Operator (Waterworks Class I-II-III)

Job Type

Full Time

Posting Type

Public

Number of Vacancies

Department

PUBLIC UTILITIES

Division

PUB UTIL LGWT PLANT

Requisition Number

2026208

Number of hours worked per week

36 and 48 hour work week

Work Schedule

Schedule Varies;
Shift: either 8AM-8PM or 8PM-8AM

Rotating Work Shift

36 hr. work week (Sun-Wed-Thurs)
48 hr. work week (Mon-Tues-Fri-Sat)

Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.

Work Site Location

Chesapeake, VA

Position Driving Requirement

R - Routine

Pay Grade

GE09

Pay Basis

Semi-Monthly

Advertised Salary

Salary is based on experience, qualifications and license.
Water Treatment Plant Operator I (Waterworks Class 3)
$49,373-$73,442
Water Treatment Plant Operator II (Waterworks Class 2)
$54,492-$81,057
Water Treatment Plant Operator III (Waterworks Class 1)
$60,143- $89,462.75

Job Description

*SIGNING BONUS OF $2,000*
The City of Chesapeake is seeking a highly skilled self-starter and team player to monitor and maintain water treatment processes. Positions have promotion potential!

As a Waterworks Class III Operator, work involves monitoring and maintaining water treatment processes under the direction of senior operators at either of two water treatment plants. This position involves maintaining operational logs and records, monitoring the plant control (SCADA) system and making adjustments, as needed. This position will be responsible for monitoring the distribution and sewer collection systems and making adjustments in accordance with current operational guidelines. Performs routine laboratory tests and interprets results.

As a Waterworks Class III Licensed Operator progressing to a Class II licensed Operator, this position will be responsible for monitoring the water treatment plant, including operation of chemical and physical process. This position will be responsible for running laboratory tests at either of two water treatment plants and capable of analyzing test results and plant equipment operation; adjust chemical or physical operation as required. Calibrate plant equipment to standards to ensure accurate measurement of water treatment processes.

As a Waterworks Class II Operator progressing to a Class I Licensed Operator, this position will require you to oversee the junior operators and oversee treatment operations at either of the two water treatment plants. We are seeking an individual with leadership qualities who can provide training on water treatment processes and systems and overall plant operations. Work involves scheduling operators, dispatching service calls for after-hours operations, calibrating plant equipment, monitoring physical and chemical water treatment processes, and managing the wastewater system within the plant. Maintains operational logs and performs routine laboratory tests, analyzes results and makes adjustments, as needed. Performs preventive and corrective maintenance on water treatment equipment and systems. Coordinates activities with other departments and offices to maintain normal operation of the water distribution and sewer collection systems. Capable of maintaining the plant equipment operation and controlling mechanical, electrical, electronic chemical equipment involved in pumping and/or treating water to ensure accurate measurement of water treatment processes. The employee will also be responsible for determining and adjusting chemical feeds as required. Ability to maintain records of chemical usage and daily pumpage for monthly reporting and routine preventive maintenance. The employee will be responsible for interacting with customers by answering questions and providing general information about the Department. In either position, the employee will be required to perform routine office tasks, such as, typing, filing, faxing, phoning, copying, and maintaining logs and records. Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel is required.
Operator will have designation as an operator in responsible charge after requiring a Class II Waterworks License Operator. A Career Progression Program has been established to compensate and award operators for their contribution to the organization as demonstrated by the successful application of the desired knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies for each level of operator certification.

Requirements of a Water Treatment Plant Operator I (Waterworks Class 3)
WTPO’s will be required to complete the following tasks within the prescribed timelines to comply with the eligibility requirements for the WTPO I job classification: obtain the Virginia Class 3 Waterworks license within (24) months of hire as a WTPO I, complete internal qualifications for WTPO I within (12) months of hire as a WTPO I, hold a valid driver’s license, and meet the driving standards as outlined in the City’s Driving Standards policy, Administrative Regulation 1.20.

Requirements of a Water Treatment Plant Operator II (Waterworks Class 2)
Any employee possessing a valid Class I or Class II Virginia waterworks license may be designated as the Operator in Responsible Charge by the Designated Operator for the City’s two water treatment plants. This designation shall include supervising others and providing training on water treatment processes.
WTPO’s will be required to complete the following tasks within the prescribed timelines to comply with eligibility requirements for the WTPO II job classification: obtain the Virginia Class 2 Waterworks license within (48) months of hire as WTPO I, complete internal qualifications for WTPO II within (48) months of hire as a WTPO I, complete two years of continuous employment as a WTPO I, maintain a rating of “solid performance: or greater on the last two performance evaluations, possess a satisfactory work history with no discipline or significant performance concerns within the last (12) months, hold a valid driver’s license, and meet the driving standards as outlined in the City’s Driving Standards policy, Administrative Regulation 1.20.

Requirements of a Water Treatment Plant Operator III (Waterworks Class 1)
Any employee possessing a valid Virginia Waterworks Class I or Class II license may be designated as the Operator in Responsible Charge by the Designated Operator for the City’s two water treatment plants. This designation shall include supervising others and providing training on water treatment processes.

WTPO’s will be required to complete the following tasks within the prescribed timelines to comply with eligibility requirements for the WTPO III job classification: obtain the Virginia Class 1 Waterworks license within (24) months from start date as WTPO II, complete internal qualifications for WTPO III, complete two years of continuous employment as a WTPO II, maintain a “solid performance” or greater on last two annual performance evaluations, possess a satisfactory work history with no discipline or significant performance concerns within the last 12 months, hold a valid driver’s license, and meet the driving standards as outlined in the City’s Driving Standards policy, Administrative Regulation 1.20.

Failure to meet program requirements within the designated timeframe may result in separation from employment or demotion to another City position outside of the WTPO job classification series. An employee that is separated from employment due to not meeting the licensure requirements will not be eligible for re-hire for the same position until/unless at the time of application he/she holds the required license.

Click here to view the career path for this position.

Required Qualifications

VOCATIONAL/EDUCATIONALREQUIREMENTS:
Class III – Requires High School diploma or GED and any combination of education and experience equivalent to satisfactory completion of one year of college education.

Class II & I – Requires high school diploma or GED/HSE and any combination of education and experience equivalent to satisfactory completion of one year of college education in biology, chemistry, or a closely related field.

EXPERIENCEREQUIREMENTS:
Class III- In addition to satisfying the vocational/educational standard, this class requires a minimum of six months of related, full-time equivalent experience.
Class II – In addition to satisfying the vocational/educational standard, this class requires a minimum of one year of related, full-time equivalent experience.
Class I – In addition to satisfying the vocational/educational standard, this class requires a minimum of two years of related, full-time equivalent experience.

SPECIALCERTIFICATIONSANDLICENSES:
Requires a valid driver’s license and a driving record that is in compliance with theCity Driving Standards. Special skills or equipment operator or other certification may be required.

NOTE:
If not currently licensed, a Class III WTP Operators License must be obtained within Two (2) years of hire date.
In order to be considered for an Operator II or Operator I level position, you must produce the appropriate license at the interview.
Special Skills or equipment operator or other certification will be required.

SPECIALREQUIREMENTS:
Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.

PHYSICALANDDEXTERITYREQUIREMENTS:
Requires light to medium work that involves walking or standing virtually all of the time, exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a recurring basis, and considerable skill, adeptness and speed in the use of the fingers, hands or limbs in tasks involving close tolerances or limits of accuracy.

The City of Chesapeake offers an exceptional range of benefits.

Preferred Qualifications

Posting Detail Information

Job Open Date

04/29/2026

Job Close Date

05/13/2026

Open Continuous

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please specify whether employment was Part Time or Full Time for each job listed on your application and resume. Please ensure that all sections of the application are completed in full, as submission of a resume is optional for this recruitment.

This position is located at 5416 West Military Hwy, Chesapeake, VA 23321.

Medical Marijuana:
In accordance with City policy, this position is deemed safety-sensitive. As such, applicants for this position are subject to pre-employment drug/alcohol testing after receiving a conditional offer of employment and may also be subject to random testing. This drug test includes testing for marijuana. Possession of a medical marijuana card will not excuse an applicant from the testing process; however, a test will not be considered positive for marijuana if a valid medical marijuana certification is presented unless the position requires a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or is a sworn law-enforcement officer/deputy.

ADA Checklist

Overall Physical Strength Demands

Overall Physical Strength Demands

M=Medium - Exerting 20-50 lbs. occasionally, 10-25 lbs. frequently, or up to 10 lbs. constantly

Physical Demands

C = Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. F = Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. O = Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. R = Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. N = Never- Never occurs.

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City of Chesapeake

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Water Treatment Plant Operator (Waterworks Class I-II-III)