Water Plant Apprentice Operator Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Dunedin, FL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-00034
Department: Utilities
Division: Water
Opening Date: 08/20/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
General Statement of Job
Hiring Salary:
Water Plant Operator Trainee - starting salary of $18.27 per hour. Requires FL Water Operator "C" license within 2 years of employment.
Water Plant Operator C - starting salary of $20.09 - $24.11 per hour (DOQ). Requires FL Water Operator "C" license & a minimum of 1 year of verifiable work experience in drinking water treatment.
Water Plant Operator B - starting salary $22.10 - $26.52 per hour (DOQ). Requires FL Water Operator "B" license & a minimum of 3 years of verifiable work experience in drinking water treatment.
Water Plant Operator A - starting salary $24.31 - $29.17 per hour (DOQ). Requires FL Water Operator "A" license & a minimum of 5 years of verifiable work experience in drinking water treatment.
**Eligible for shift differential & on-call pay, if applicable**
**Must be able to work weekends and holidays. Schedule will consist of various days.**
Additional Benefits:

• 3 medical insurance plans through Cigna
• Life Insurance and Long Term Disability
• Vision & Dental Care
• Annual & Sick Leave @ 5 % of scheduled annual hours
• Defined Contribution Plan 401(a) with generous 8% City contribution
• 11 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave

Under direct supervision of a licensed operator, assists with and learns the daily practices and procedures of the City's reverse osmosis water production plant. Performs related work as required. Reports to the Water Shift Supervisor and or Water Plant Lead Operator.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
The duties recorded below are representative of the duties of the class and are not intended to cover all the duties performed by incumbents(s) of any particular position.
Assists certified operators in the operation, monitoring, and maintenance of water treatment plant processes to ensure the production of safe, high-quality drinking water.
Performs routine inspections of treatment equipment, pumps, motors, valves, chemical feed systems, and other plant infrastructure, identifying and reporting operational issues in a timely manner.
Collects water samples and performs laboratory analyses in accordance with established procedures and regulatory requirements, maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
Safely operates City vehicles to conduct water quality sampling, site inspections, and monitoring activities at remote facilities, treatment sites, and wellfield locations throughout the service area.
Performs chemical handling and feed system operations, including filling chemical storage tanks, monitoring feed rates, maintaining inventory levels, and ensuring compliance with all safety procedures and regulatory requirements.
Records operational data, laboratory results, maintenance activities, and process adjustments accurately and completely in plant logs, databases, and reporting systems.
Monitors plant performance through SCADA systems, instrumentation, and visual inspections, promptly reporting abnormal conditions to supervisory personnel.
Assists with preventive maintenance activities to support equipment reliability, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance Learns and applies water treatment principles, operating procedures, safety practices, and regulatory requirements through on-the-job training and formal instruction.
Maintains compliance with all safety policies, procedures, and personal protective equipment requirements while performing assigned duties.
Assists in maintaining water treatment plant, all working areas, and administration building cleanliness, organization, and housekeeping standards to promote a safe, healthy, and efficient work environment.
Operates various equipment and machinery as required for daily tasks, including pumps, valves, motors, hoist, trucks, laboratory equipment, various hand and power tools, power tools, vehicles, and plant equipment safely and responsibly in the performance of assigned tasks.
Demonstrates initiative in learning plant systems, treatment processes, and regulatory requirements necessary to obtain and maintain the required operator certification.
Performs other related duties as assigned in support of plant operations and departmental objectives.
ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Performs routine office work as required, including but not limited to attending meetings, answering the telephone, cleaning, organizing, copying and filing documents, etc.
Performs related duties as required.
Minimum Training & Experience
Requires a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
Special Requirements
Must possess a valid Florida Driver's License.
Must obtain "C" certification in Water Plant Operation within two (2) years of hire.
This is a Category A position for the purposes of Emergency Management. Employees in this category may be assigned to work a variety of schedules, including compulsory work periods in special, emergency, and/or disaster situations. Category A employees are required to stay on premises during a declared state of emergency, or as otherwise mandated.
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Knowledge of Job: Has knowledge of the methods, procedures and policies of the City of Dunedin as they pertain to the performance of essential duties of the Water Plant Operator Trainee. Is able to learn and apply the laws, ordinances, standards, principles, theories, practices and methodologies of water production systems and their maintenance and repair. Has knowledge of standard tools, equipment and materials of the trade. Has skill in the care and use of required tools and equipment. Is able to make minor repairs and adjustments to equipment. Has knowledge of and skill in the use of modern office practices and equipment. Has knowledge of basic mathematics. Is skilled in applying a responsible attention to detail as necessary in preparing reports and correspondence. Is able to read and interpret various materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job. Is able to aid fellow employees as necessary. Knows how to perform duties in a courteous manner and with the utmost integrity in the best interest of the public. Clearly understands any occupational hazards and adheres to all safety precautions inherent in performing the essential functions of the work
PERFORMANCE APTITUDES
Data Utilization: Requires the ability to calculate, compute, summate and/or tabulate data and/or information. Includes the ability to perform subsequent actions in relation to these computational operations. Is able to assemble and analyze information and make written reports and records in a concise, clear and effective manner. Consistent accuracy and timeliness of work logs, reports, and work records.
Human Interaction: Requires the ability to exchange information for the purpose of obtaining information or clarifying details. Performs such within well-established policies, procedures and standards.
Equipment, Machinery, Tools and Materials Utilization: Has knowledge of and skill in the use of modern office practices and equipment. Requires the ability to start, stop, operate and monitor the functioning of equipment, machinery, tools and/or materials used in performing essential functions. Requires the ability to use, operate and/or handle equipment such as a computer, diagnostic/laboratory instruments, pumps, motors, heavy equipment, hand and power tools, etc. Has knowledge of the standard tools, equipment and materials of the trade. Has skill in the care and use of required tools and equipment. Is able to monitor and operate equipment controls with precision. Is able to make minor repairs and adjustments to equipment.
Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to use a wide variety of reference and descriptive data and information. Has the ability to speak, write and understand the English language.
Mathematical Aptitude: Has the mathematical ability to handle required calculations. Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; to calculate decimals and percentages; to calculate surface areas, volumes, weights and measures.
Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems. Ability to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic or schedule form. Ability to exercise judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives. Is able to read and interpret technical materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job.
Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria. Is able to take the initiative to complete the duties of the position without the need of direct supervision. Has the ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities.
ADA COMPLIANCE
Physical Ability: Tasks involve the ability to exert very heavy physical effort in very heavy work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of heavy objects and materials (up to 100 pounds) and occasionally heavier items (100 pounds or over). Requires sufficient hand/eye coordination to perform skilled movements, as in mechanical repair work.
Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require visual, depth, olfactory and auditory perception and discrimination as well as oral communications ability.
Environmental Factors: Tasks require exposure to temperature extremes, smoke/dust/pollen, strong odors, wetness/humidity, toxic/poisonous agents, electric currents, machinery hazards, traffic hazards, and noise extremes.
The City of Dunedin is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the employer will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
Full-time employees who work a minimum of 35 hours per week are eligible for insurance benefits. Coverage will be effective the first day of the month following 30 calendar days of employment.
Health Insurance: The City offers medical insurance plans through Cigna to benefit-eligible employees. Medical insurance is provided for employees and their eligible dependents with in-network and out-of-network benefits.
Health insurance (Medical & Dental) is provided through Cigna.
Dental Insurance: Group Dental Plan coverage is available
Life Insurance and Long Term Disability: The City of Dunedin pro-vides a Term Life insurance benefit equal to one and a half times annual salary to a maximum of $100,000, and Short-Term Disability (STD) cover-age to all full-time employees.
Prescription Coverage: Prescription benefits are included with the City's medical insurance.
Vision Care: City of Dunedin offers a vision plan through Cigna
Health Reimbursement Account (HRA): Funded by the City according to the employee's participation in the City's wellness program.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) : Voluntary employee benefit
Annual & Sick Leave: All classified service status employees shall beentitled to earn and accrue annual leave with pay. New Employees earn annual leave at a rate of five percent (5%) of scheduled annual hours worked. Sick leave will be accrued at the rate of five percent (5%) of scheduled annual hours worked.
Defined Contribution Plan (City Plan) 401(a): Employees hired after January 1, 2010 will receive a contribution of 8% of the participant's compensation.
Holidays:
Ten (10) paid holidays per calendar year.
One (1) Floating Holiday per year. Floating Holidays are annually designated by the City Manager
To view more on benefits, please visit the City's page.
01
Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?

• High school graduate or GED equivalency.
• Some college coursework
• Associate degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Doctorate degree
• None of the above

02
Please list any professional certifications that are applicable to this position (type, State, or other licensing authority, expiration dates where applicable). Enter N/A if you do not have any certifications.
03
How many years of verifiable work experience do you have in drinking water treatment?

• I have no verifiable work experience in drinking water treatment.
• I have 1 year or less of verifiable work experience in drinking water treatment.
• I have 1 to 3 years of verifiable work experience in drinking water treatment.
• I have 3 to 5 years of verifiable work experience in drinking water treatment.
• I have 5 years or more of verifiable work experience in drinking water treatment.

04
Please briefly describe your experience as it relates to the position. If you do not have any related work experience, please enter N/A.
05
Please read and acknowledge the following statement: I understand that this position requires working on various shifts and I may be assigned to work an evening or overnight shift.

• Yes, I understand the statement and am willing and able to comply with this requirement.
• No, I am not willing to comply with this requirement.

06
I have read the job description and I und