Entry Level Power Plant Operator Jobs in Washington

Salary : $49,432.86 - $89,080.99 Annually
Location : Corbalis Water Treatment Plant
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 202601305
Division: Production
Department: Maintenance - Corbalis
Opening Date: 07/20/2026
Closing Date: 8/10/2026 4:30 PM Eastern
Description
Under general supervision of a Supervisor, Plant Maintenance performs a variety of skilled and semi-skilled corrective and preventive industrial mechanical maintenance tasks required in the maintenance, repair and operation of equipment in a water treatment plant. Responsible for maintaining the grounds and facilities of a water treatment plant. This position is considered essential personnel by Fairfax Water.
Examples of Duties
Performs a variety of skilled corrective and preventive industrial mechanical tasks by:

• Assisting Plant Mechanic III's in maintaining, rebuilding, repairing, installing, modifying, overhauling, troubleshooting, and assembling plant processing equipment to include: pumps, flocculation equipment, mixers, speed reducers, gear boxes, chain and belt drives, chemical feed systems, valve actuators and other equipment.
• Assisting/performing plumbing, pipefitting, welding and carpentry tasks and performing general repair work on building structures and grounds utilizing hand and power tools.
• Assisting/performing preventive and condition-based maintenance tasks to include: inspecting and lubricating plant equipment, changing oil and filters and changing belts in accordance with schedules.
• Updating computerized records of work required, work performed, materials used, and cost.
• Completing work orders in a detailed and timely manner.
• Assisting in planning jobs to include organizing, ordering and documenting necessary materials and manpower needed.
• Handling, transporting and removing hazardous materials according to proper safety procedures.
• Providing instruction to subordinates in plant maintenance practices and techniques, safety rules and accident prevention practices.
• Performing minor maintenance tasks on Fairfax Water vehicles and coordinating major repairs with Automotive/Equipment Maintenance Department.
• Supporting Operations, Electrical, Instrumentation, and Condition Based Maintenance Departments as required.
• Assuring work areas and tools are clean and neatly organized.
• Operating various equipment and machinery to include: backhoes, forklifts, dump trucks, hand and power tools, snow plows, snow blowers, gauges, safety equipment, etc.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Typical Qualifications
To Qualify at the Plant Mechanic I position you must have the following:
Graduation from high school or GED and a minimum of one-year related mechanical maintenance experience or mechanical maintenance experience, with 2-years of high school Career and Technical Education in Automotive Technology or HVAC, or 1-year Certificate in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) discipline may be considered.
To Qualify at the Plant Mechanic II position you much have the following:
Graduation from high school or GED with minimum two years working as a Plant Mechanic I in a water or wastewater treatment plant environment or any equivalent combination of education, industrial mechanical maintenance experience and knowledge.

• Good knowledge of methods, tools, materials, and equipment used in plant maintenance.
• Familiarity with occupational hazards, accident prevention techniques and personal protective equipment associated with mechanical work, environments and hazardous chemicals (i.e. chlorine, ammonia, ozone, strong acids and bases, industrial solvents, liquid oxygen and combustible gases).
• Basic knowledge of hydraulics.
• Basic knowledge of the use of computers and the ability to use SAP, Microsoft Word and Excel, and SharePoint.
• Aptitude for performing general mechanical tasks.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations and use precision measuring devices.
• Ability to follow and give oral and written instructions.
• Ability to read, understand and follow manufacturer's service repair manuals and materials safety data sheets.
• Ability to operate heavy construction machinery, hand and power tools in a skillful and safe manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, contractors and the public.
• Must pass a controlled substance (drug) test for employment. This position is also subject to random testing after hire.
• Possession of a valid driver's license and good driving record.
• Possession a Commercial Driver's License within two years, Corbalis Treatment Plant only.
• Preferred possession of a Pesticide Applicator's Certification from the Commonwealth of Virginia, Griffith Treatment Plant only.
• Completion of a Coast Guard approved boating safety course.
• Ability to work overtime and standby as required and to perform work at other Fairfax Water facilities other than the principle location.
• Ability to work unscheduled hours during emergency and/or unusual situations (24 hours/7 days week).
• Willingness to learn and perform skilled mechanical tasks up to and including those of a full Plant Mechanic III performance level as a means of increasing knowledge of the mechanical trade and developing the necessary skills required for advancement.
• Must pass an annual respiratory physical for respirator and self-contained breathing apparatus use and a respiratory fit test. Must maintain personal grooming standards for effective use of the equipment.
• Ability to work in a variety of conditions that may result in exposure to noise, odors, heat, cold, dust, fumes, vapors or mist, and hazardous materials and conditions.

Supplemental Information

• Ability to lift up to 75 pounds.
• Ability to climb ladders, steps and scaffolding.
• Ability to perform manual physical labor that may include long periods of standing, bending, twisting, stooping and climbing.
• Ability to work in confined spaces and work at heights.
• Ability to wear a respirator.

Fairfax Water is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to our employees and their eligible dependents, as well as opportunity for continued education and professional development. A summary of these benefits is listed below.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Fairfax Water is dedicated to providing equal employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation or transgendered status, or ethnic, national origin, or on the basis of any other category protected under federal, state and local laws.
Holidays
January - New Year's Day; Inauguration Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February - George Washington Day
May - Memorial Day
June- Juneteenth
July - Independence Day
September - Labor Day
October - Columbus Day
November - Veterans' Day; Thanksgiving Day; Day After Thanksgiving
December - Christmas Eve ½ Day; Christmas Day
Health Insurance - Employee Cost/Month
Employee Only - $100.88
Employee + 1 - $335.74
Family - $ 466.74
The Fairfax Water Health Plan is offered to all permanent full time employees and their eligible dependents. We offer self-insurred bundled medical, dental and vision plans administered by a third party administration.
Coverage is effective 1st day of month after hire if hired between the 1st and 15th of the month. If hired between the 16th and 31st of the month, coverage is effective the 1st day of the 2nd month after hire.
Group Life Insurance - Employee Cost Month
Basic = 2 times annual salary
Paid by Fairfax Water
Supplemental 1 to 6 times annual salary
Age-banded rates
Additional supplemental life insurance request requires you to submit an evidence of insurability form (EOI).
Dependent spouse and/or child - $2.55 per month cost for either spouse only, children only or both.
The Group Life Insurance Plan is offered to all permanent full time employees. Effective date follows same rule as health insurance.
Long-Term Disability
Effective after 36 months of employment with Fairfax Water. Benefit is equivalent to 66.7% of base pay at no cost to the employee.
Fairfax Water Retirement Plan - Is a defined benefit plan in which all regular full time employees are enrolled in at time of hire at no cost to employees. Employees are vested after five years of service.
457 Plan - Is a deferred compensation plan which employees can voluntarily participate in with either Pre-tax or Post-tax contributions to maximum contribution as established by the IRS on a yearly basis.
Additional Benefits
Flexible Spending Accounts: Fairfax Water offers a Medical Flexible Spending Account where employees may contribute up to $3,400 per year on a pre-tax basis for eligible expenses. Fairfax Water offers a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account where employees may contribute up to $7,500.00 per year on a pre-tax basis for eligible child-care expenses.
Child/Adult Care Reimbursement: Employees with household incomes up to $118,400 my be eligible for an annual subsidy for licensed child/adult care ranging from $1,600.00 to $4,000.00 depending on eligibility.
Paid Family & Medical Leave
Up to 240 continuous hours of paid leave in a rolling 12-month period for qualifying continuous absences that are covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Professional Development: Reimbursement of approved attendance at professional conferences and seminars.
Direct Deposit of pay. Pay days are bi-weekly on Thursday.
This review is intended to be a brief summary of the major benefits provided by Fairfax Water. In all instances, plan documents and policies govern the eligibility and administration of each benefit plan.