Salary: See Position Description
Location : 653 Veterans Pkwy, Clayton, NC
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-00951
Department: Water Resources
Division: Water Sewer Wastewater Treatment Plant
Opening Date: 07/16/2026
Closing Date: 7/19/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator* Salary Grade SG303* * Recruitment Salary Range: $49,399.00 - $61,697.00 *
Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator * Salary Grade SG307* * Recruitment Salary Range: $60,047.00 - $74,996.00 *
** Salary offered will be determined based on directly related experience **
* Work Location is 653 Veterans Pkwy., Clayton, NC (Johnston County) *
The Town of Clayton is seeking applicants for both
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator/Senior levels for the night shiftfor the
Water Resources Department. The Town of Clayton employs more than 340 full-time staff in areas including police, fire, and electric utilities. The Town of Clayton also offers a range of PT positions including positions in Parks & Rec, Library, and Cultural Arts.
The Town of Clayton is the fastest growing town in Johnston County, which is the fastest growing county in the State of North Carolina. The vision for the Town of Clayton includes a thriving town where growth contributes to the quality of life enjoyed by long-time residents and newcomers alike; easy access but with an atmosphere that feels smaller than it is; a system of parks and greenways that connect people and places; neighborhoods with a variety of quality living options; a town that offers opportunities for people to live, create, shop and eat; a bustling and historic downtown, and businesses that are successful, growing, and investing in the community.
Duties & Responsibilities
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator
The purpose of this position is to perform skilled operational and maintenance functions in the operations of Water Reclamation Facility.
This position is subject 24-Hour, 365 Days/Year Operation with 12 Hour Day Shifts and Night Shifts. Employees in this position will be Night Shift (7pm-7am), 2-2-3 schedule.
This position is classified as Service Critical and subject to call back work, weekends, holidays, and inclement weather as required.
- Makes routine plant rounds throughout the day.
- Processes control adjustments based on analytical results.
- Conducts electrical and mechanical troubleshooting and repairs on equipment.
- Reviews schematics and model data.
- Prepares Federal, State, and Local reports.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Senior
The Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator performs advanced-level duties in the operation, maintenance, and monitoring of a wastewater treatment facility. This position leads and participates in day-to-day plant activities, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations. The Senior Operator serves as a technical resource and may act in a lead or supervisory capacity during the absence of the Supervisor and Superintendent.
This position is subject 24-Hour, 365 Days/Year Operation with 12 Hour Night Shifts. Employees in this position will be Night Shift (7pm-7am), 2-2-3 schedule.
This position is classified as Service Critical.
- Performs routine plant rounds throughout the assigned shift (night).
- Operate and monitor wastewater treatment plant systems including pumps, valves, chemical feeders, digesters, clarifiers, and disinfection equipment.
- Adjust process controls to maintain compliance with permit requirements and optimize plant performance.
- Collect and analyze water and sludge samples; interpret results and make process control adjustments.
- Maintain detailed operational logs, reports, and records required by regulatory agencies.
- Perform preventative, predictive and corrective maintenance on equipment and instrumentation.
- Ensure proper handling and disposal of biosolids and chemicals.
- Train and mentor new operators and maintenance staff.
- Respond to alarms, emergencies, and after-hours issues as needed.
- Coordinate with contractors, engineers, and inspectors during repairs, upgrades, or expansions.
- Follow all safety procedures and environmental regulations.
- Serve as Backup Operator-in responsible Charge (BORC) for the treatment facility.
- Conducts electrical and mechanical troubleshooting and repairs on equipment.
- Reviews schematics and model data.
- Prepares Federal, State, and Local reports.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Performs Plant Check successfully with no supervision and troubleshoots operations or maintenance if need be.
- Perform On-Call Duties (Respond to Call Backs, Plant Check, Alarm Testing, Drinking Water Samples, writing in Logbook, etc.)
- Fills in for vacant shifts in the event the plant is short staffed.
Special Requirements, Education & Experience
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator
- Working knowledge of hydraulic, chemical, and mechanical principles pertinent to water reclamation plant operations
- Knowledge of the operating characteristics and maintenance requirement of water reclamation facilities
- Knowledge of state, federal, and local laws, regulations, and practices related to water and water reclamation and discharge
- The ability to detect flaws in the operation of mechanical equipment and to determine proper remedial measures
- The ability to prepare laboratory reagents and assemble laboratory apparatus for chemical and biological analysis
- The ability to read and interpret state and federal regulations related to water and water reclamation
- The ability to read and interpret technical federal guidelines on treatment procedures and tests
Education and Experience
- High School diploma or GED required.
- Grade 1 Biological Certification; Class C NC Drivers License required.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Senior
- Extensive knowledge of the Towns current workorder system, creating, submitting, and completing workorders
- Considerable knowledge of hydraulic, chemical, and mechanical principles pertinent to water reclamation plant operations
- Extensive knowledge of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and it's requirements
- Advanced knowledge of preventative and predictive maintenance, troubleshooting repair and replacement of equipment, and electrical work of PLCs and SCADA
- Advanced knowledge of Water Reclamation Facility Permits, knows Parameter Limits for Compliance, assists with sampling
- Advanced knowledge of Safety Protocols: SDS, supervises Confined Space entry, supervises Lock Out Tag Out, PPE, Lead safety meetings
- Ensure duties of Operators I, II, and III are completed
- Advanced knowledge of Laboratory Process Control, coordinates with Lab staff for supplies, moderate knowledge of microorganisms, assists with sampling and lab duties, as needed
- Knowledge of the operating characteristics and maintenance requirement of water reclamation facilities
- Knowledge of state, federal, and local laws, regulations, and practices related to water and water reclamation and discharge.
- The ability to detect flaws in the operation of mechanical equipment and to determine proper remedial measures
- The ability to prepare laboratory reagents and assemble laboratory apparatus for chemical and biological analysis
- The ability to read and interpret state and federal regulations related to wastewater treatment.
- The ability to read and interpret technical federal guidelines on treatment procedures and tests
Education and Experience:
- High School diploma or GED required
- NC Grade 3 Biological Wastewater Certification
- Must have a minimum of 4 years of related experience in the operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment.
OR
Depending on the position, the Town may consider an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.
* SUBMIT OFFICIAL APPLICATION USING THE TOWN'S CAREER WEBSITE*
https://www.townofclaytonnc.org/
If you have technical issues submitting your application, please call the NEOGOV (governmentjobs.com) Help Line at 855-524-5627. If there are any questions about this posting, other than your application status, please contact the Human Resources Office. If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. To check the status of your application, please log on to your NEOGOV account and click "Application Status". It is not necessary to contact the Human Resources Office to check the status of an application. Normal processing time for applications is 30-45 days from the closing date of the posting.
To obtain veterans preference, you must scan and upload a copy of your DD-214 or discharge orders. Degrees must be accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the online application form. Any information omitted from the application cannot be considered for qualifying credit. Attached or incorporated resumes (including Text Resume's on the on-line application) WILL NOT be used for screening for qualifying credit. "See Resume" or "See Attachment" WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completing an on-line application form. Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. Effective October 1, 2025, in accordance with North Carolina state law, all applicants for positions that involve working with children in any capacity are required to undergo criminal history record checks conducted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). Credit and motor checks are required for some administrative, finance and operational positions. Applicants will be required to take and pass a Pre-Employment Drug and Alcohol screen once they are verbally given a conditional offer of employment. Depending on the position, employees may be subject to random drug and alcohol screens throughout their employment. Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).
Town of Clayton employees enjoy many benefits including a retirement pension plan, 401K membership, Paid Vacation, Sick and Holiday Leave, State Health Plan, and various other benefits. Benefits information can be found by going directly to the Town of Clayton website at:
When a salary range is posted, the actual salary will be based on relevant competencies, knowledge, skills & abilities, internal equity and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position. The Town of Clayton is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Hiring salary will not exceed hiring pay range unless approved by the Town Manager.
Applications may be reviewed to determine if applicants education and experience is more applicable to other vacant positions within the Town.
01
Which position are you applying for?
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (SG303)
- Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (SG307)
02
If applying for a Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator, do you currently hold a Grade III or IV NC Biological Wastewater License and are willing to sign on as a Back-Up ORC?
03
Are you able and willing to work full time night shift?
04
This position is classified as Service Critical. Are you able and willing to report to work at the WWTP in all kinds of weather as needed?
05
. Are you able and willing to respond to work at the WWTP within 1 Hour in emergency situations as needed?
06
Are you willing to accept the position if offered at the recruitment salary range below:Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator* Salary Grade SG303* * Recruitment Salary Range: $49,399.00 - $61,697.00 *Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator * Salary Grade SG307* * Recruitment Salary Range: $60,047.00 - $74,996.00 *
Required Question
