WASTEWATER PL CHIEF OPERATOR

Salary: $57,458.00 - $73,259.00 Annually
Location : Columbia, SC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202500409
Department: UTILITIES
Division: METRO WASTEWATER PLANT
Opening Date: 03/11/2026
Closing Date: 4/11/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: 113

Description

This position performs skilled technical and manual work in the daily operation of the City's wastewater treatment plant; provides instruction, training, and leadership of lower-level operators as assigned; to prepare and maintain required records and reports; and performs related work as required. The incumbent works within a general outline of work to be performed, and develops work methods and sequences under general supervision.

The work is considered heavy in nature and involves walking, standing, stooping, crouching, crawling, reaching, and constantly lifting, pushing, or raising objects, exerting between 35 and 50 pounds of force on a recurring basis and 100 pounds of force on an a frequent basis. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: balancing, climbing, crouching, grasping, feeling, fingering, handling, hearing, kneeling, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Work environment may involve exposure to bright/dim light, dusts and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, extreme noise levels, vibration, fumes and/or noxious odors, moving machinery, electrical shock, heights, toxic/caustic chemicals, disease / pathogens, confined spaces; and is dynamic that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.
Essential Job Functions

• Assists in monitoring daily plant operations;
• Performs duties of plant operators as necessary to maintain plant efficiency and productivity;
• Provides direct supervision of wastewater plant operators;
• Provides direct supervision of wastewater plant operators;
• Provides assistance to the Assistant WWTP Superintendent with plant safety and other work related programs;
• In the absence of the Assistant Wastewater Plant Superintendent, may temporarily assume duties and responsibilities as assigned by management;
• Inspects equipment and processes to determine efficiency of operations, maintenance requirements, and cleanliness;
• Troubleshoots technical and mechanical problems; initiates corrective action as necessary;
• Performs preventive maintenance on equipment; performs and/or assists with equipment repairs as needed;
• Monitors and records readings from meters, gauges and instruments;
• Starts up, shuts down, regulates and adjusts motors, pumps, compressors, grinders, blowers, valves and other apparatus to meet changing operating conditions;
• Assists in determining chemical dosages and feed rates;
• Collects and prepares wastewater samples for laboratory analysis; performs lab tests and prepares shift change reports;
• Performs computer data entry to record daily operations data;
• Orders and assists in maintaining inventory of chemicals and supplies as needed;
• Cleans and maintains assigned vehicles and equipment;
• Advises and consults with appropriate WWTP staff on unusual operational issues and/or the need for adjustments/repairs to equipment that may potentially affect compliance and/or efficiency with respect to the overall process control of the WWTP;
• Assists in ensuring plant compliance with City/department policies and procedures, S.C. DES regulations, and all other applicable laws, regulations, and standards of quality and safety;
• Assists in ensuring plant security at all times;
• Prepares and maintains accurate and complete work records;
• Completes special projects as assigned;
• Performs general clerical work as required, including preparing records and reports, completing forms, copying and filing documents, entering and retrieving computer data, answering the telephone, etc.;
• Attends meetings, training, seminars, etc., as appropriate to enhance job knowledge and skills;
• Receives and responds to inquiries, requests for assistance and complaints from City personnel and customers in areas of responsibility;
• May be required to work nights, weekends and/or holidays;
• Serves on call 24 hours per day to ensure uninterrupted service for customers; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• High school diploma or GED;
• Six (6) years of relevant prior experience;
• Valid South Carolina Class "D" Driver's License;
• Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator "A" certification.
• Will be required to demonstrate competency and complete the necessary requirements in the Apprenticeship Program for Wastewater Plant Operators.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, and/or calculating ratios, rates and percentages, measurements, and logarithmic or geometric construction;
• Ability to coordinate or determine time, place or sequence of operations or activities based on analysis of data or information and may implement and report on operations and activities;
• Ability to provide information, guidance or assistance to people to directly facilitate task accomplishment; may give directions or assignments to helpers or assistants;
• Ability to lead, operate or repair complex machinery or equipment that requires extended training and experience, such as survey instruments or the application of complex software or systems; may involve installation and testing. Involves operations of limited scope;
• Ability to perform supervisory work involving policy and guidelines, solving both people- and work-related problems;
• Ability to read technical instructions, procedures, manuals and charts to solve practical problems; composing routine reports and specialized reports, forms and business letters with proper format; speaking compound sentences using normal grammar and word form;
• Ability to perform specialized technical or entry-level professional work requiring general understanding of operating policies and procedures and their application to problems not previously encountered; application of specialized technical or professional principles and practices or the use of a wide range of administrative methods in the solution of problems; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results and occasional exposure to unusual pressure; and
• Ability to take actions of others, requiring almost constant decisions affecting co-workers, customers or others in the general public; works in a moderately fluid environment with guidelines and rules, but frequent variations from the routine.

The City of Columbia is proud to offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees. This package includes health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

Part-time or temporary employees, including interns, are not eligible for City benefits.
To learn more details, visit our benefits page at:
01

Do you have a High School diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have six (6) years of relevant prior experience?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have a valid Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have a Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator "A" certification?

• Yes
• No

Required Question