Water Utility Operator Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $24.17 Hourly
Location : Citrus County, FL
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-02511
Department: Water Resources
Division: Utility Operations & Maintenance
Opening Date: 06/18/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
General Description
The Utility Operator I operates and maintains water/wastewater treatment facilities according to federal, state, and local regulations. Performs skilled tasks relative to the repair and maintenance of County water/wastewater facilities. The primary schedule for this full-time position consists of 4, 10 hour days, 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Depending on qualifications, may consider candidates that qualify as Utility Operator I. Utility Operator I starting hourly wage is $21.51.
Detailed information regarding the County's benefits package and retirement offerings may be found here: 2025-26 Citrus EBH Booklet and myFRS.com
To learn more about Citrus County: Citrus County Government and Official Guide to Crystal River and Citrus County, Florida
Essential Functions

• Drives and/or operates a county vehicle or equipment and must obey all safety policies, and roadway rules and laws.
• Reads and understands engineering drawings.
• Performs analysis and records information, makes operational adjustments, as needed.
• Inspects facilities and equipment's to ensure compliance with established standards and safe operations.
• Serves as lead operator of water and/or wastewater plants in accordance with rules and standards adopted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, as needed.
• Repairs, cleans, and inspects water and wastewater facilities, storm water collection systems, storage tanks, transfer pump stations, and equipment including, but not limited to, blowers, chemical feed pumps, sludge pumps and other related equipment to ensure proper functioning of systems.
• Calibrates water analysis equipment, collects, and tests water samples on a regular basis. Adds chemicals in compliance with Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations, as needed.
• Performs maintenance and repairs on water lines, meters, back flow devices and other plant equipment. Troubleshoots problems at facilities.
• Pours and cleans sludge drying beds and transfers sludge to landfill.
• Performs routine clerical tasks including, but limited to, data entry, writing work orders, record keeping and filing. Orders supplies and chemicals.
• Maintains grounds of assigned area of responsibility, to include mowing grass, weeding, and painting.
• Makes recommendations to supervisor regarding Process Control modifications and improvements.
• Prepares routine and recurring reports and supply requests.
• Performs tank and compressor maintenance duties.
• Assumes regularly scheduled, on-call responsibilities as well as maintain 24/7 contact (i.e. County issued cell phone) to assist in emergency water and sewer repairs when necessary.
• Calculates flows and pump rates.
• Monitors Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems.
• Performs work duties on weekends and holidays, as needed.
• Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Requirements
UTILITY OPERATOR I Requires:

• Six (6) months of experience in Water and/or Wastewater Utilities Operation and Maintenance.
• Must have Florida license class "C" Water OR Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator.

UTILITY OPERATOR II Requires:

• Requires special courses or self-education that is equivalent to satisfactory completion of one (1) year of college education or specialized advanced training.
• One (1) year relevant experience.
• Must have a minimum of the following:
  • Florida license class "C" Water Treatment Plant Operator AND class "C" Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator OR
  • Florida license class "B" Water Treatment Plant Operator OR
  • Florida license class "B" Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator.
• Willing to obtain dual certification in Water Treatment Plant Operator and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

UTILITY OPERATOR I and II (both) Requires:
Education, Training, and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent including formal training.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work after normal business hours (including nights, weekends, and holidays).
• Must have sufficient physical strength, agility, and stamina to perform assigned tasks under adverse conditions.
• Requires ability to maintain courteous and effective relations with County staff, elected officials, community interest groups and the public.

Drivers License and Certificates

• Valid Florida Driver License or must obtain within 30 days of establishing residency in Florida.
• Must have or be able to obtain within 90 days certification in FEMA National Incident Management System (NIMS) courses:
  • IS-100.c: Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS); and
  • IS-700.b: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Requires a combination of sitting, standing, and walking.
• The job involves frequent lifting and carrying up to 10 pounds, and occasionally up to 20 pounds.
• The job requires frequent bending, squatting, crawling, kneeling, balancing, reaching above shoulders, and occasional climbing, jumping, and twisting.
• The job requires the completion of tasks that involves simple grasping, pushing, pulling, typing, operating food controls/levers, driving automotive equipment, and working in darkness.
• The job requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, depth perception, hearing, and speaking.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Emergency Response/Recovery Activities

• All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location, and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens. Emergency response duties may also include driving and/or operating a county vehicle or equipment and employees must obey all safety policies, and roadway rules and laws.

Supplemental Information
PLEASE REVIEW THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ON POSTING AND COMMUNICATE HOW YOU MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS IN YOUR APPLICATION/RESUME. MINIMUM REQUIEMENTS MUST BE MET TO BE CONSIDERED. Applications will be carefully reviewed to assess qualifications. Selected applicants will be interviewed to determine who will be hired for the job. The kind and length of related work experience, training and education shown on the application/resume will be an important consideration in the screening process. Relevant experience that is not gained through work experience should be explained in the additional information section of the application.
Must successfully pass a criminal background check, pre-employment physical examination, and drug screen. Drug screens will be in accordance with the Drug Free Workplace Act and/or the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991.
Citrus County, Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
Citrus County, Florida Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), marital status, citizenship, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected trait.
Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the Citrus County, Florida Board of County Commissioners in advance to allow sufficient time to provide an accommodation.
Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive preference in employment for vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Candidates claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.
Pursuant to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes or the "Public Records Law," applications, resumes and personnel records are subject to public inspections. Details regarding the "Public Records Law"/ "The Sunshine Law" / Florida Statutes and the statutory exemptions are available on websites such as the Florida Office of the Attorney General, Florida Senate and Florida Legislature. Additionally, Citrus County Board of County Commissioners Public Information section is located on our website.
The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners provides a comprehensive benefits package.
Medical Insurance - (Carrier: Florida Blue): Employee Premium is $50.00 monthly. Dependent coverage is available with bi-weekly premiums (please review detailed premiums using the link below).
**Wellness Incentive: New Hires will have the option of submitting to a nicotine test during the pre-employment physical. Those that are nicotine free will receive a $50 wellness incentive monthly applied towards their health premium costs. New hires that are not nicotine free are eligible to receive the wellness incentive once a tobacco cessation course has been completed and the Employee Health & Wellness Center is provided with a copy of their completion certificate.
Employee Health & Wellness Center: Employee Premium is $0.00 when covered under Medical Insurance. Dependent coverage is $0.00 when covered under Medical Insurance.
Dental Insurance: Employee Premium is $0.00. Dependent coverage is available with bi-weekly premiums (please review detailed premiums using the link below).
Vision Insurance: Employee and Dependent coverage is available with low monthly premiums.
Florida Retirement System: Employee contributes 3% of gross salary per pay-period. Option to choose from Pension Plan or Investment Plan. Detailed employer contributions can be found in the link below. Visit for more details.
Other Benefits:

• Basic Term Life and AD&D Insurance $20,000
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Dependent Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Health and Dependent Care FSA
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life Assistance Program
• ComPsych Programs
• Voluntary AFLAC Supplemental Insurance
• Deferred Compensation
• Paid Holidays - no waiting period
• Vacation Leave - accrues each pay period
• Sick Leave - accrues each pay period

Please note that the benefits may not apply to all constitutional offices; please refer to policies for specific information. The County's Personnel Policies, applicable Union Contracts and/or Certificate of Coverage provides detailed descriptions of all available employee benefit programs and stipulations.
For a more detailed overview of our benefit package,
01
A requirement of the Utility Operator I position is to have a Florida license class "C" Water or Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator. Do you currently have one of these licenses? If so, please provide the details in your application.

• Yes, I currently have one of the licenses.
• No, I do not have either license, but am willing to obtain the required license within one (1) year

02
A requirement of the Utility Operator II position is to hold 2 licenses. Please indicate which licenses you hold below. Please include the details in this application.

• Florida License Class C Water Treatment Plant Operator
• Florida License Class C Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator
• Florida License Class B Water and/or Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator
• Florida License Class A Water and/or Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator
• I do not hold a Florida License A, B, or C Water and/or Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

03
PLEASE REVIEW THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ON POSTING AND COMMUNICATE HOW YOU MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS IN YOUR APPLICATION/RESUME. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET TO BE CONSIDERED.Please check EACH of the 4 BOXES BELOW to confirm YOUR APPLICATION is ACCURATE AND COMPLETE. Please note: Applications with incomplete Education and/or Work History sections will not be considered. Submitting a resume without completing these sections on the application form will result in disqualification.

• Education Section
• Work History Section
• 3 Professional References
• Skills, Certifications, Additional Information Sections (Optional - but highly recommend completing)

Required Question