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Power Plant Operator Trainee Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Minimum of two (2) years of prior experience in power plant operations as a Utility Operator or the equivalent. Must complete all required training for Plant Operator I. Successful completion of ...

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Machine Operator Trainee

Jacksonville, FL ยท On-site

$15.75 - $18.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Report to Plant Supervisor About You We Require: * Must have at least 1-year of manufacturing ... Have knowledge of electrical, hydraulic, power transmission, pneumatic, and control systems * Must ...

Wastewater Operator Trainee

Melbourne, FL ยท On-site

$21.42 - $34.38/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Trains in the monitoring and maintenance of the proper surveillance of all wastewater plant ... Wastewater Operator Trainee Qualifications : High School diploma or GED. One year general work ...

Utility Plant Operator I (PCP)

FL ยท On-site

$53K - $62K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

May act as a lead worker providing guidance, direction and training to plant operator trainees and unskilled and semi-skilled workers as assigned. * Alternates with others on a rotating standby off ...

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Power Plant Operator Trainee information

See Florida salary details

$15

$33

$47

How much do power plant operator trainee jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for power plant operator trainee in Florida is $33.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.45 and $43.85 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a power plant operator trainee?

A Power Plant Operator Trainee is an entry-level position where individuals learn how to monitor and control power-generating equipment under the supervision of experienced operators. Trainees receive hands-on training in operating turbines, boilers, generators, and other systems to ensure safe and efficient power production. Responsibilities typically include reading gauges, recording data, and responding to system alerts. Over time, trainees gain the knowledge and skills needed to become fully qualified power plant operators.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a power plant operator trainee?

As a Power Plant Operator Trainee, your daily tasks typically involve shadowing experienced operators, monitoring equipment gauges and control panels, recording operational data, and assisting with routine maintenance. You may also learn to adjust controls to regulate output, respond to alarms or abnormal indicators, and participate in safety drills. Over time, you'll gain experience analyzing system performance and troubleshooting issues under supervision. The role offers hands-on training in a highly structured team setting, preparing you for increased responsibility and possible advancement to full operator roles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the power plant operator trainee position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Power Plant Operator Trainee, you need a basic understanding of mechanical and electrical systems, attention to detail, and at least a high school diploma or equivalent, with some employers preferring technical training or coursework. Familiarity with control systems, monitoring equipment, and safety protocols is crucial, and completion of relevant safety training or industry certifications can be beneficial. Strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, and the ability to follow instructions make a candidate stand out in this position. These competencies ensure safe and efficient plant operations while supporting learning and advancement in a highly regulated environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Power Plant Operator jobs in Florida?

The most popular types of Power Plant Operator jobs in Florida are:

What cities in Florida are hiring for Power Plant Operator Trainee jobs?

Cities in Florida with the most Power Plant Operator Trainee job openings:

Infographic showing various Power Plant Operator Trainee job openings in Florida as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $69,501 per year, or $33.4 per hour.

WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR TRAINEE

City of Lake Worth Beach

Lake Worth, FL โ€ข On-site

$18.41 - $23.38/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday


Job description

The City of Lake Worth Beach invites qualified individuals to apply for the position of Water Treatment Operator Trainee.

This Full-Time position is non-exempt with an hourly pay range of $18.41 - $23.38. This position will work at Water Treatment Plant at 301 College Street, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460.


In addition, this position offers:

  • Vacation and Sick Leave Accruals
  • 13 Paid Holidays
  • 3 Floating Holidays
  • City of Lake Worth Beach Medical Benefits that include Life Insurance, Dental and Vision coverage
  • Retirement Plan

JOB SUMMARY:

This is an entry level position in water treatment plant operations. It requires twelve (12) months of training by a certified operator for a trainee to understand the fundamentals of water treatment plant operations.


This is an entry level / Training position in the operation of a water treatment plant on assigned shift. The water plant consists of a 12.9MGD Lime Softening Plant with 12 wells, 4.5 MGD Reverse Osmosis Plant with 3 Floridan well, one 4.05 MGD Deep Injection Well and 2 Booster Pumping Station. This position also provides training in maintenance and repair of treatment process and chemical feed equipment in the water treatment plant, wellfield, booster pumping stations and distribution system. This is moderately heavy labor position consisting of daily plant maintenance and skilled work in the water plant. The employee will assume the responsibility for the safe, efficient, environmentally acceptable operation and maintenance of water plant on an assigned shift.


The operator trainee will be engaged in maintaining electrical, instrumentation equipment, mechanical equipment, buildings and grounds. The operator may participate in more complex maintenance and repair work.


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Under the overseeing of certified treatment plant operator the trainee will be expected to learn water treatment operations when given oral or written instruction of how to operate a water plant. The trainee will be required to learn all aspects of operation such as, but not limited to, adjusting flows, backwashing filters, adjusting chemicals, performing basic laboratory tests, changing charts, reading electric and water meters in the wellfield, recording pertinent information in the daily log book, and performing housekeeping duties. The trainee will keep the certified operator informed of any mechanical or electrical defects that he may come in contact with. Assists in the collection of water samples, repairs of treatment process equipment and other shift operations. Performs other job duties in order to be familiar with all aspects of water treatment operation. The trainee would be required to work different shifts.

  • Performs inspections of all mechanical and feed equipment.
  • Maintains all pumps, electric, check valves, air compressors, vacuum pump primer, and related piping.
  • Repairs and maintains lime slakers, polymer, chlorinator, ammoniator, acid, caustic and scale inhibitor feed systems
  • Maintains clear and accurate records of repairs in maintenance logs and/or daily log sheets in accordance to regulations of Palm Beach County Health Department, and Department of Environmental Protection.
  • Maintains inventory of supplies and repair parts and prepares justifications.
  • Receives and follows directions given and/or procedures as outlined in Plant policy or other applicable rules, regulations and laws.
  • Effectively operates and controls equipment within established procedures under most circumstances; to include emergency conditions.
  • Technical and operational understanding of all water plant systems; to include electrical switchgear up to 480 volts.
  • Learns to recognize readings which are not in line with equipment specifications and/or operating conditions and reports problems.
  • Follows applicable rules, regulations, environmental, safety, City and Plant policies.
  • Takes direction in performing the necessary manual operation and adjustments to start, stop and maintain proper startup, shutdown and operation of all water plant equipment.
  • Receives deliveries and fills out appropriate reports as necessary.
  • Understanding water chemistry and treatment.
  • Checks chemical pumps for proper operation and changes chemical containers, when necessary.
  • Performs general daily maintenance, cleaning, painting, etc. on water plant equipment; to include structures, offices, control rooms and other areas designated.
  • Works with other water plant operators in the maintenance and repair of equipment.


OTHER RELATED DUTIES

The examples of essential functions as listed in this classification specification are not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function of work does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.


Supervision: None


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Graduation from a recognized high school or possession of a recognized equivalent certification. A comparable amount of training and/or experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.
  • Worked in a water treatment plant with a minimum of one (1) year of experience as either a water, wastewater treatment plant mechanic or operator is preferred.
  • Must have passing “C” level State Exam

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

  • Graduation from a recognized high school or possession of a recognized equivalent certification. Some experience in mechanical, electrical, laboratory work. Math skills preferred
  • A valid Florida driver’s license.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Basic knowledge of chemistry and mathematics as it relates to water treatment. Ability to learn methods and practices of modern water treatment operations. Ability to learn and understand the functions of basic water hydraulics of different types of pumps used in water treatment. Ability to learn water analysis and interpret their results. Ability to learn how to calculate dosages of chemicals and the metric unit of measurement used in the lab and in the field. Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions under the direction of a certified operator.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

  • Basic knowledge of lime softening equipment, tanks, piping, valves and the chemical properties of quicklime.
  • Basic knowledge of Reverse Osmosis equipment, tanks, piping, valves and the chemical properties.
  • Ability to safely handle chemical when working on feed equipment. Complete understanding of the dangers of working around chlorine, ammonia, Acid, Caustic and lime slaking equipment.
  • Skilled in the use of mechanic's tools and shop equipment in the installation, repair and maintenance of water treatment plant equipment and related piping
  • Ability to work from blueprints, pencil drawings, written and oral instructions.
  • Demonstrates ability to perform duties and responsibilities.
  • Ability to work extended hours when required; to include nights, weekends and holidays.
  • Ability to work overtime; to include both scheduled and unscheduled, as needed and to report to work on a short notice in an emergency.
  • Ability to perform high school level mathematical calculations.
  • Ability to read and understand blueprints, procedures, technical manuals and other job-related information.
  • Ability to learn and understand lock out tag system, safety procedures, and environmental regulation.
  • Demonstrates verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to communicate verbally and written with all levels of plant personnel.
  • Physically able to negotiate inclines and stairs.
  • Physically able to operate valves requiring 50 fp torque and lift equipment weighing fifty (50) pounds.
  • Maintains safe working shoes, as determined by current policy.
  • Ability to effectively and efficiently utilize computers, including basic Microsoft Office programs such as Outlook (e-mail, calendaring), Word and Excel.

All full-time employees are considered critical in response to emergency situations and may be deemed essential as needed depending on the situation.

Employees in this position will be required to complete the FEMA Incident Command System (ICS) Certification Levels 100, 200, 700 and 800 within the first six months of employment. Certain positions may be required to attain additional ICS training as needed.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City of Lake Worth Beach and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

The City of Lake Worth Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with United States Equal Employment Opportunity guidelines and the Americans with Disabilities Act, this organization provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Applicants for positions with the City of Lake Worth Beach should know and be aware of the following:

Applicants for employment who become candidates for available employment positions should note employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of all reference checks and pre-employment physical satisfaction. Upon request, information on the nature and scope of an inquiry will be provided under FS 119.

Furthermore, some of the job classifications within the City of Lake Worth Beach workforce are covered by Collective Bargaining Agreements with a union. Consistent with Chapter 447 of the Florida Statutes, a bargaining unit employee has the right to join or not join the union. However, the Union is not obligated to represent a non-member.