Plant Operator - Water Treatment Division

Salary : $47,507.20 - $86,777.60 Annually
Location : Richmond, VA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 35M00000479
Department: Public Utilities
Opening Date: 03/03/2026
Closing Date: 3/17/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Are you Richmond R.E.A.D.Y? Respect. Equity. Accountability. Diversity...YOU!!!

This is an EXCITING time to Join the City of Richmond! We are committed to nurturing talent, fostering growth opportunities, and building strong connections within our workforce. As we continue to make strides to becoming the employer of choice, we are thrilled about the below employee benefit enhancements:

• Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
• Language Incentive
• Referral Bonus
• Tuition Assistance Program

Description
The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities - Water Treatment Division is seeking qualified candidates to fill a Plant Operator position to operate a 132 mgd water plant.

Duties include but are not limited to

• Adjusting chemical dosages to maintain compliance with State and Federal regulations;
• Collecting samples of water to perform chemical laboratory analysis;
• Reading, interpreting and adjusting gages, meters and control panels to make sure plant equipment and processes are working properly;
• Observing and documenting variations in operating conditions to determine processing requirements;
• Recording operational data, operating valves and gates and starting and stopping plant equipment to control and adjust treatment process;
• Adjusting, monitoring and responding to operational situations involving the water distribution system;
• Monitoring pumping stations and coordinating with Pump Station operator on distribution system requirements

Incumbents serves as an Essential employee, which means that the incumbent is required to work when the City is closed due to public emergencies, critical or hazardous conditions, or inclement weather.

This individual may be required to work nights, weekends, holidays or on-call as needed

Qualifications, Special Certifications and Licenses
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Demonstrated knowledge of principles and practices of water treatment operations; operation of valves, pumps, and motors; principles and methods of laboratory water analyses; effects of water treatment processes, and potential issues that may arise; applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations regarding water treatment; computer software used in water plant system controls and operations; basic mathematics calculations; basic science concepts and their applications in regards to plant operations; and safety Data Sheets.

Demonstrated skills to understanding diagrams and blueprints, reading and interpreting plans and specifications; safety in a water treatment or industrial environment; and decision making.

Demonstrated abilities to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community; operate and understand treatment or industrial equipment.
MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or GED;
• Zone I is a trainee level, preferably in the performance of utility tasks (Zones II through V will require additional experience and certifications as defined in the broad band program);
• An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS, and OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Incumbents assigned to Zone II require a Commonwealth of Virginia Level 4 Water Operator's License.
• Incumbents assigned to Zone III require a Commonwealth of Virginia Level 3 Water Operator's License.
• Incumbents assigned to Zone IV require a Commonwealth of Virginia Level 2 Water Operator's License.
• Incumbents assigned to Zone V require a Commonwealth of Virginia Level 1 Water Operator's License.

PREFERRED TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Have Analytical skills - Water treatment plant and system operators must conduct tests and inspections on water or wastewater and evaluate the results.
• Be Detail oriented - Water treatment plant and system operators must monitor machinery, gauges, dials, and controls to ensure processes are operating properly. Drinking water is regulated by State and Federal officials, operators work should be accurate.
• Have Math skills - Water treatment plant and system operators must have the ability to apply data to formulas that determine treatment requirements, flow levels, and concentration levels;
• Be Mechanically Inclined - Water treatment plant and system operators should have basic mechanical knowledge that can be applied to treatment operations.
• License in Waterworks is a plus;
• Associate or higher degree in Biology, Chemistry, Geology or Environmental Sciences;
• Utility experience is a plus.

Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond; exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation; inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. The essential duties of this classification may require the ability to balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, push objects, pull objects, lift, use fingers and grasp objects. The working conditions may include exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases and potentially hazardous chemicals, working in or with wastewater. In terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties, this classification is considered to be medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The City of Richmond provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

The City of Richmond is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, the City of Richmond will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If you require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the job application and/or the interview process, please contact Jessica McKenzie, Human Resources Manager by email at

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
The City of Richmond Values Veterans. We are an official V3 Certified Company.

The City of Richmond is a proud partner with the US Army Partnership for Your Success PaYS Program.
With over 4,000 employees, the City of Richmond is an "Employer of Choice" among cities throughout the nation. The City strives to hire and retain employees who bring dedication and talent to the workforce. Offering a competitive, cost effective, and quality benefits package is one element of an "Employer of Choice".

The City offers a full range of benefit programs from initial hire through retirement. Please visit our Web site for details.
01

10-point compensable veteran. You must have an existing compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more. Other 10-point veteran include disabled veteran or a veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart for wound or injuries received in action, veteran's widow or widower who has not remarried, wife or husband of a veteran who has a service-connected disability, widowed, divorced or separated mother of an ex-service son or daughter who died in action, or who is totally and permanently disabled. Do any of these apply?

• Yes
• No

02

5-point veteran's must have been discharged under honorable conditions and had one of the following:Active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, in a war, or during the period 4/28/52-7/1/55 or active duty for more than 180 consecutive days other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning 2/1/55 and 10/14/76 or active duty during the Gulf War sometime between 8/2/90 - 1/2/92 or active duty in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized or active duty for which more than 180 consecutive days other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning 9/11/2001 and ending on the date prescribed by the Presidential proclamation or by the law as the last date of operation Iraqi Freedom. Do any of these apply?

• Yes
• No

03

Employees in this job classification are designated ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL and must be available to report to work during disasters, inclement weather, and other declared emergencies. Are you available and willing to work under these conditions?

• Yes
• No

04

Are you available to work overtime, including nights, weekends and/or on-call hours?

• Yes
• No

05

Which best describes your highest level of education?

• High School Diploma/GED
• Some College
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's/Advanced Degree
• None of the above

06

Do you have an Associate's degree or higher in Biology, Chemistry, Geology or Environmental Science?

• Yes
• No

07

How many years of experience do you have working in utilities or environmental industry?

• Less than one (1) year of experience
• One (1) to three (3) years of experience
• Three (3) or more years of experience

08

From this list below, select the task(s) in which you have verifiable work experience. (Check all that apply)

• Recording data
• Performing basic math
• Using basic hand tools
• Operating machinery
• Following strict instructions/procedures
• None of the above

09

Which answer best describes your experience with MS Office (Outlook, Excel, Word)?

• Beginner experience
• Intermediate experience
• Advanced experience
• No experience

10

If hired, will you be able to complete the requirements for a Class IV water treatment certification within 12 months?

• Yes
• No

11

Do you have a valid Driver's License or ability to obtain a VA Driver's License within 30-days of hire?

• Yes
• No

12

Do you currently have your Waterworks license? (If yes, please indicate your class and expiration date on application)

• Yes
• No

13

How has your education, training and experience prepared you for the opportunity?
Required Question