Position Title: Wastewater Operator
Grade: 3
Department: Wastewater Treatment
Salary: $24.51-30.75/hr.
Reports to: Wastewater Supervisor
Status: Non-exempt, Union
Date Adopted
3/1/2025
Statement of Duties:
Under direct or general supervision, this position is to perform skilled work in the operation and maintenance of the municipal wastewater treatment plant and collection system.
Supervision:
Under direct or general supervision of the wastewater superintendent and wastewater Supervisor. The employee is familiar with the work routine and uses initiative in carrying out recurring assignments independently without specific instruction. Any questionable cases are referred to by the supervisor for clarification or interpretation. Reviews and checks of the employees’ work are applied enough to keep the supervisor aware of progress, ensure that completed work and methods are technically accurate and that instructions are followed.
No supervision is exercised by the wastewater operator. 
Essential Functions: The essential functions or duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
The employee operates and performs maintenance on equipment, systems, and facilities related to the treatment plant and collection system. The operator is required to be on call for emergencies.
1. Performs process operations for wastewater treatment, sludge processing and disposal equipment to control flow and processing of wastewater, sludge, and effluent; monitors gauges, meters, and control panels; checks all tanks for sludge volume and blankets.
2. Observes variations in operating conditions and interprets meter and gauge readings and test results to determine processing requirements and process control of all parts of the plant and Pump Stations. Make corrections to keep things working normally.
3. Operates valves and gates; starts and stops pumps to control and adjust flow treatment processes of return activated sludge, waste, and thickened sludge, to maintain plant operations.
4. Maintains logs and records meter and gauge readings; records and monitors daily and monthly flow; records and monitors Ph and percentage of solids.
5. Monitors chlorine, polymer, and other chemicals; aids in the hook up & start-up of sodium hypochlorite feed from barrels taking appropriate safety precautions to prevent or to control leaks when they occur.
6. Performs regular inspections to observe and check the operation and condition of equipment; calibrates meters; detects and reports faulty equipment operation, disorders, and breakdowns to Wastewater Treatment Superintendent.
7. In the event of emergencies, operators take necessary steps to restore normalcy. This may involve alarm call-ins as primary contact or as support personnel.
8. Maintains equipment and facilities under care in a clean, orderly manner; drains and cleans tanks, placing tanks online or offline, hoses tanks down, and hoses out wet wells.
9. Performs routine laboratory analysis and sample collection on alternating weekends, holidays, and when needed. Information needed to determine pumping rates for RAS and wasting gallons. Determines areas where violations to state and federal permits may be forthcoming if not adjusted.
10. Maintains wastewater treatment plant and pumping station grounds. Responsibility includes mowing lawns, weeding, and trimming shrubs.
11. Repairs, unclogs, and replaces sewer lines and manholes throughout Orange.
12. Operates a variety of motor driven vehicles and equipment including trucks with a rated capacity of more than 26,001 lbs., loaders, crawlers, excavators, front-end loaders, paving machines, graders, sewer rodders, jack hammers and backhoes; ensuring that all safety precautions are followed.
13. Prepares for and responds to seasonal challenges including snow removal, snow and storm water, flooded areas, construction projects, and repair and maintenance of equipment and machinery.
14. Participate in the construction, repair and cleaning of sewer lines and associated appendages such as catch basins, manholes and dry wells, maintain trenches, clears blockages from sewer mains, services sewer mains, proper bleeding of pipe, joining of pipe sections, maintenance of proper grades/slopes and general construction work meeting standards of performance and aesthetics, and other department activities.
15. Perform investigations of private sewer services or sewer lines using a variety of methods which may include reviewing Town’s sewer records, colored water dye tests, CCTV camera investigations, and sound tests.
16. Uses a variety of power-driven tools and hand tools to perform assigned tasks.
17. Occasionally perform general carpentry work.
18. Provides back-up support and assistance to other divisions as needed.
19. As requested, required to participate in all snow and ice removal operations and other emergencies declared by the department.
20. Attends training sessions as required to stay current with updates or changes in occupational safety requirements, local, state and/or federal regulations or laws pertaining to the provision of public works services, and to maintain required licenses or certifications.
21. Interacts with co-workers, the public and external contacts such as contractors or vendors doing business for the Town.
22. Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates.
Education and Experience
Minimum Qualifications:
1. Education and Experience:
2. A candidate for this position should have a High School diploma or equivalent.
3. A candidate should also have experience with wastewater, heavy equipment, trucks, equipment operation, welding, chainsaw operations, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
4. Special Requirements:
a. Massachusetts Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators License Grade 3 within 1 year
b. A valid state driver’s license is required, a valid Class B commercial driver’s license (CDL) with air brake endorsement required within 1 year
c. Hoisting engineer license class 1C/2B or higher required within 1 year
d. NEWEA Grade II Wastewater Collection System Operator Certification
e. OSHA 10
f. Hoisting engineer license class 3A
g. Confined Space Certification
Drug and Alcohol Testing:
This position shall be subject to the Town’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Program.
Knowledge, Abilities and Skill:
1. Working knowledge of materials, methods, and current practices are essential to the construction and maintenance of town streets and roadways and related infrastructure and equipment.
2. Knowledge of technical terminology, shop and grounds machinery and a variety of measuring equipment.
3. Working knowledge of snow and ice removal techniques and practices.
4. Knowledge and ability to follow directions.
5. Ability to operate specialized equipment such as trucks, trailers, backhoes, and loaders safely and effectively.
6. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
7. Ability to interact with the public tactfully and effectively.
8. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department staff and contractors doing business with the town and state regulatory authorities.
9. Ability to carry out essential functions under hazardous or inclement weather conditions in a safe manner, and Effective mechanical skills and operation of department equipment and vehicles.
Physical Requirements:
Work requires agility and physical ability and strength to move in and about sewer work sites, sewer trenches, or over rough terrain; the position may require the employee to stand, bend, twist, or walk for extended periods of time and often during inclement weather conditions. The employee regularly lifts or carries up to 60 pounds and occasionally lifts 100 pounds. May involve assignments requiring application of hand and eye coordination with finger dexterity and motor coordination. Examples include operating a motor vehicle, trucks, equipment, or climbing a ladder. Visual demands require constantly reading documents for general understanding; routinely reviewing non-written materials (e.g., maps and blueprints). Must be able to differentiate colors.
Work Environment:
Duties may involve the continuous presence of unpleasant or irritating elements such as raw sewage, hazardous machinery or substances, considerable noise, odors, chemical fumes, traffic, moving mechanical parts, extremes of heat or cold, high, or confined places, dust, smoke, heat, cold, oil, dirt, or grease. Work is continually performed outdoors, regardless of weather conditions. Work contains one or more constant elements of stress such as being on call or working during emergency situations. Position requires occasional work outside normal business hours in response to natural or man-made emergency situations.