Port Trainee Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $21.99 - $40.76 Hourly
Location : 3100 Loveland Blvd Port Charlotte FL 33980, FL
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026-00179
Department: UTIL - EAST PORT WRF OPS
Opening Date: 05/14/2026
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: IUPAT
How You Can Help Us Make a Difference
PLANT OPERATOR A - $24.70 - $40.76PLANT OPERATOR B - $23.31 - $38.46PLANT OPERATOR C - $21.99 -$36.28
At Charlotte County, we don't just treat wastewater - we protect public health, preserve our beautiful waterways, and keep our community thriving. We're looking for a skilled and motivated Plant Operator to play a vital role in the safe, efficient operation of one of our treatment facilities.
In this hands-on technical role, you'll use your expertise and independent judgment to monitor and adjust treatment processes, maintain plant equipment and control systems, and ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations. From collecting samples to troubleshooting machinery and optimizing performance, your work will directly impact the quality of life for our residents and environment.
If you're ready to apply your technical knowledge, take initiative, and potentially step into a leadership role by training and guiding other team members, we invite you to bring your skills to a team that values professionalism, safety, and service to the community.
Make a difference where it matters most - right here in Charlotte County.
Education & Credentials That Power This Role
Education and Experience: PLANT OPERATOR C
An equivalent combination of relevant training, education and experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent:
  1. Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Operator Certification Program only accepts General Educational Development (GED) issued by the American Council on Education through an approved GED Administrator.
• One (1) year of experience in operating a wastewater / water treatment plant.

Licenses and/or Certificates:

• Must maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must maintain a valid Florida Wastewater Operator "C" License for Domestic Wastewater or Water Treatment.

Education and Experience: PLANT OPERATOR B
An equivalent combination of relevant training, education and experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent:
  1. Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Operator Certification Program only accepts General Educational Development (GED) issued by the American Council on Education through an approved GED Administrator.
• Three (3) years of experience in operating a wastewater treatment or water treatment plant.

Licenses and/or Certificates:

• Must maintain a valid driver's license.
• Depending on area of assignment:
  1. Must maintain a valid Florida Wastewater Operator "B" License for Domestic Wastewater Treatment.
  2. Or a valid Florida Water Class "B" Operator License of Drinking Water Treatment.

Education and Experience: PLANT OPERATOR A
An equivalent combination of relevant training, education and experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent:
  • Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Operator Certification Program only accepts General Educational Development (GED) issued by the American Council on Education through an approved GED Administrator.
• Five (5) years of experience in operating a water or wastewater treatment plant, to include lead or supervisory experience.

Licenses and/or Certificates:

• Must maintain a valid driver's license.
• Depending on area of assignment:
  • Must maintain a valid Florida Wastewater Operator "A" License for Domestic Wastewater Treatment.
  • Or a valid Florida Water Class "A" Operator License of Drinking Water Treatment.

Your Purpose & Day-To-Day Journey
This position is responsible for the operation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment plant to ensure the safe, efficient, and compliant treatment of wastewater in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, safety rules, and water quality standards. Daily responsibilities include starting, stopping, and operating plant machinery and systems; inspecting, adjusting, cleaning, and performing minor repairs on equipment; and assisting mechanics with major repairs and installations. The role conducts routine laboratory and bacteriological analyses to monitor treatment effectiveness, interprets charts, meters, gauges, and control panels to regulate flow and feed rates, and makes operational adjustments to maintain proper system performance. Additional duties include operating and maintaining pumps and related equipment, removing solids and debris, completing required reports and daily logs, and performing general grounds maintenance. The position may also serve as a lead worker by providing guidance and training to trainees and other assigned staff, while delivering exceptional customer service and resolving inquiries or concerns through various forms of communication.
Extra Details You Should Know
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Stooping, walking, pulling, grasping, hearing, seeing up close, seeing far away, talking, standing, finger movement, climbing. Frequent lifting up to 25 pounds; occasional lifting up to 50 pounds.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work typically requires moderate exposure to one or more disagreeable conditions (i.e., irate customers, outdoors weather conditions, excessive noise, extreme heat, odors, or dust).
RISK/SAFETY CONDITIONS
This position requires moderate exposure or risk to physical health and/or physical safety (e.g., exposure to environmentally hazardous material, heavy equipment, assault and battery, communicable disease, etc.).
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.
Charlotte County is an Affirmative Action/ADA/Veterans' Preference and Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities are Encouraged to Apply.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE/RECOVERY ACTIVITIES:
All County employees are required to work before, during, or after an emergency as needed. This may include temporarily being assigned to work and performing duties outside of the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.
Charlotte County is an Affirmative Action, ADA and Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to applyAs a veterans' preference employer, certain service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such service members and veterans, who claim and meet eligibility requirements of veterans' preference, receive preference and priority in employment and are encouraged to apply. In addition, certain servicemembers may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.
All positions with Charlotte County may be subject to drug testing in accordance with the Drug-Free Workplace Program and/or County policy.
Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners offers a comprehensive benefits package to regular full-time employees.