Hourly Polymer Testing Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $36,316.80 - $45,406.40 Annually
Location : Public Works, 2123 Market St Baytown, TX
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-00135
Department: PUBLIC WORKS & ENGINEERING
Opening Date: 09/09/2026
Job Summary
Join our team as a Wastewater Operator I/II/III and contribute to maintaining the essential water services in our community. We are looking for dedicated individuals with a strong work ethic and a commitment to environmental stewardship, who can effectively operate and maintain wastewater treatment facilities. If you have a passion for ensuring water quality and are ready to advance your career in a supportive and growth-oriented environment, apply today!
Protects public health and welfare. Learns all aspects of the plant including maintaining equipment and cleaning clarifiers. Participates in training to learn wastewater plant operations and maintenance.
Duties
Wastewater Operator I

• Participates in training of plant operations, equipment and grounds maintenance.
• Participates in training of preventive maintenance of plant mechanical equipment.
• Participates in training of laboratory testing, recording results, and reporting and monitoring all data.
• Participates in cleaning of the plant such as clarifiers, bar screen area, and digester.
• Participates in keeping the Treatment Plant compliant with the EPA's Risk Management Plan, and the TCEQ's Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan permits.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Wastewater Operator II

• Performs general plant cleanup and yard maintenance, checks and maintains equipment, oil or grease machinery, and wash down the plant on a daily basis.
• Makes plant inspections, takes readings: totalizer, water meter, flow meter, and hour meters on various equipment.
• Changes out empty chlorine and sulfur dioxide cylinders as needed. Changes out polymer.
• Collects samples and runs tests on effluent, mixing basins, and clarifiers - DO, pH, CL2, 30 minute settling tests. Plant operations: waste solids, runs belt press, supernatant digesters, operates valves and pumps to transfer sludge from one place to another. Sometimes supervises operations.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Wastewater Operator III

• Collect and run daily/weekly samples and storm water sampling during inclement weather as required by TCEQ.
• Ensure proper chlorination and dechlorination, clean clarifies, running of belt press. Makes plant inspections, takes readings: totalizer, water meter, flow meter, and hour meters on various equipment.
• Prepare work orders, retrieve purchase orders to complete work ordered Acquire bids for work to be completed following HUB vendors list.
• Complete monthly reports for water intake/output averages and weekly reports for daily averages.
• Provide routine maintenance and groundskeeping as needed in the plant. Changes out empty chlorine and sulfur dioxide cylinders as needed. Changes out polymer.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

We encourage continuing education, assist with testing for certifications, and reimburse for testing. We offer certification pay in addition to the hourly rate for TCEQ certs.
Minimum Qualifications
Wastewater Operator I ($17.46 - $21.83/hour DOQ, + Cert Pay)
Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record (must obtain TX driver's license within 90 days).
• Six months of related experience.
• Must be able to obtain a Class "C" Wastewater Treatment Operator Certificate from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) within 18 months from date in position.

Wastewater Operator II ($19.78 - $24.73/hour DOQ, + Cert Pay)
Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED) plus specialized technical courses.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record (must obtain TX driver's license within 90 days).
• Two years of related experience.
• Class "C" Wastewater Treatment Certification from the TCEQ.

Preferred:

• Class "B" Wastewater Treatment Certification from the TCEQ.

Wastewater Operator III ($22.11 - $27.64/hour DOQ, + Cert Pay)
Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED) plus specialized technical courses.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record (must obtain TX driver's license within 90 days).
• Two years experience in a paraprofessional related role.
• Class "B" Wastewater Treatment Certification from the TCEQ.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of basic math. Ability to keep daily records of operation. Ability to get along appropriately with co-workers and the public.
Here at the City of Baytown, in recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you bring. We strive to provide a workplace where differences are honored, with a workforce that reflects the diversity of the people we serve.
Attendance is an essential function of this position. The City reserves the right to require an employee in this position to work overtime. This position provides services or performs duties for the benefit of the general public during emergency situations. These may include services or duties different from those performed in the usual course and scope of your job. In the event of an evacuation, the incumbent in this position may be required to remain to perform needed services.
Overall Position Strength Demands
Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
To promote health and wellness, we provide a comprehensive benefits program (listed below) to meet the needs of you and your family. Our goal is to help you live and work well - 365 days a year.
Medical

• United Healthcare
• Effective the first day of the month following 30 days of employment
• Annual Deductible (Network) $750 Indiv/$2,250 Family
• In-Network Benefit 80%/20% after plan deductible
• $50 co-pay (general visit)
• RX - $10 Generic/$40 Formulary/$75 Non-Formulary
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Healthcare and Dependent Care expenses
• FREE virtual visits

Dental

• Cigna Dental PPO & DHMO
• Effective the first day of the month following 30 days of employment
• Preventative & diagnostic covered at 100%
• Annual Deductible: $50/Indiv (Cigna PPO) - No annual deductible for Cigna DHMO

Vision

• Superior Vision
• Effective the first day of the month following 30 days of employment
• In-Network exam co-pay $10 & $25 materials co-pay
• Frames: $140 Allowance - Contact Lenses: $160 Allowance

Holistic Health & Wellness

• Employee Wellness Center offering FREE primary care medical treatment for employees & dependents on the Medical plan
• FREE access to gyms, Shipt, and Walmart+ through our employee medical insurance
• Gym partnership with Lee College Wellness Center & swimming pool for $58/year
• Employee Assistance Program providing employees and their household family members up to 8 FREE counseling sessions per issue per year, legal and financial assistance, will generator tools, and more!
• Sick Leave Pool providing participants additional paid sick time if accruals are exhausted.
• SmartDollar: free online program providing tips and tools from Dave Ramsey for getting out of debt and building good saving practices

Retirement

• Texas Municipal Retirement System:
  • 7% employee contribution with a 14% employer match
  • 5 year vesting
  • Retirement Eligibility: 20 years of service/any age - or - 5 years of service/at least age 60
  • FREE Life Insurance coverage up to 1X your base annual salary
• MissionSquare 457 and 457 Roth IRA plans: additional voluntary employee participation

Disability Insurance

• Equitable:
  • Long-term Disability: voluntary elected coverage. Pays 60% of monthly earnings up to $8,000 per month up to social security age, depending on the disability
  • Short-term Disability: voluntary elected coverage. Pays 60% of weekly earnings up to $1,000 per week for up to the first 13 weeks of a disability

Training and Tuition Assistance

• The HUB Employee Training Center: we invest in you by equipping you with the knowledge and skills needed to live out our Purpose and Core Values
• Access to funding up to $1,500 per semester or $3,000 per year for tuition toward courses that are job-related or will enhance your work performance

Generous Paid Sick, Vacation, & Holiday Leave

• 10 holidays per year and one personal employee day per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• Starting at 10 days of vacation per year; up to 25 days per year
• Sick and Vacation hours roll over annually up to the maximum limit
• 15 days Paid Parental Leave

To explore all of the benefits we offer, please visit:
01
Which of the following best describes your highest level of education?

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

02
Do you have a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record? (Must obtain TX driver's license within 90 days)

• Yes
• No

03
How much related experience do you have?

• Less than 6 months
• 6 months - 1 year
• 1 year - 2 years
• 2 years - 3 years
• 3 years - 4 years
• 5+ years
• None of the above

04
Do you possess a Class "C" Wastewater Treatment Operator Certificate from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)?

• Yes, I have a Class "C" Wastewater Treatment Operator Certificate from the TCEQ
• Yes, I have the ability to obtain a Class "C" Wastewater Treatment Operator Certificate from the TCEQ within 18 months of being hired in this position
• No, I do not meet this requirement

Required Question