Water Treatment Plant Operator

Job Title: Treatment Plant Operator

Job Description

The Treatment Plant Operator controls and monitors treatment plant machinery and equipment to purify and clarify water for human consumption and industrial use. This role involves operating electric motors, pumps, valves, and automated chemical dosing systems, performing routine testing to ensure water quality standards are met, and carrying out maintenance and repairs on plant equipment. The position follows a Monday–Friday schedule from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and requires a strong mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Operate and control electric motors, pumps, valves, and related equipment to regulate the flow of raw water into the treatment plant.
• Adjust and monitor automated devices that admit specified amounts of chemicals such as chlorine, ammonia, lime, and alum into tanks to disinfect, deodorize, clarify, and coagulate impurities in the water.
• Start and monitor agitators to mix chemicals thoroughly and allow impurities to settle to the bottom of tanks.
• Turn valves to direct water through filter beds to remove impurities and ensure effective filtration.
• Pump purified water into water mains and maintain proper water elevation, flow rates, and distribution throughout the system.
• Monitor panelboards and control systems, adjusting settings to maintain proper flow rates, loss of head pressure, and overall system performance.
• Clean tanks and filter beds using backwashing and other approved methods to maintain efficient plant operations.
• Perform routine inspections of plant equipment to identify issues and conduct basic maintenance, lubrication, and repairs using hand and power tools.
• Troubleshoot mechanical and operational problems, taking appropriate corrective actions or reporting issues requiring additional repair.
• Collect water samples and perform routine laboratory tests to determine acidity, color, turbidity, conductivity, and other key water quality parameters using instruments such as colorimeters, turbidimeters, and conductivity meters.
• Record and maintain accurate data on chemical residuals, water turbidity, water pressure, and other operational metrics.
• Ensure all plant operations comply with safety protocols and regulatory standards, including those established by the EPA and other governing bodies.
• Support the operation of portable water-purification units as needed to supply drinking water in specific locations.
• Assist with the purification of wastewater from the plant prior to pumping water into rivers, streams, or city mains, following all applicable environmental guidelines.
• Perform general building and facility maintenance tasks, including painting and basic repairs, to support a safe and efficient work environment.
• Safely load and unload trucks, climb and carry ladders, and move materials and equipment as needed for plant operations.
• Travel by company automobile to designated work locations when required.

Essential Skills

• Minimum Grade 4 Water Plant License.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 1–3 years of experience in a water treatment plant or related industrial setting preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in water treatment or wastewater treatment operations.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to operate, monitor, and adjust valves, pumps, motors, and other industrial equipment.
• Ability to perform preventive maintenance, general repair, and troubleshooting on mechanical and electrical systems.
• Experience with industrial maintenance and operations maintenance activities.
• Ability to collect water samples and perform routine laboratory tests, including interpreting data to ensure water quality standards are met.
• Knowledge of safety and regulatory requirements related to water treatment, including EPA and other governing body standards.
• Ability to work independently and effectively as part of a team.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Physical ability to bend, squat, kneel, lift, twist, climb, reach, stand, and walk continuously during an 8-hour workday.
• Ability to frequently lift and carry objects up to 60 pounds and occasionally move objects over 100 pounds.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with clean water treatment operations.
• Skills in maintenance repair, maintenance technician duties, and preventive maintenance.
• General building maintenance experience, including painting and basic facility repairs.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for mechanical and operational issues.
• Ability to perform general maintenance and repairs using hand and power tools.
• Comfort working in high-volume, high-output operational environments.
• Mechanically inclined with the ability to learn new equipment and processes quickly.

Why Work Here?

This opportunity offers a stable daytime schedule, allowing for consistent work-life balance while contributing to a critical public service. You will work in an environment that values safety, quality, and reliability, with the chance to develop and apply technical skills in water treatment and industrial maintenance. The role provides hands-on experience with a variety of equipment and processes, supporting ongoing professional growth and skill development within a supportive team setting.

Work Environment

The role is based in a high-volume treatment plant environment that requires consistently high-quality and high-output productivity on a day-to-day basis. Work is performed primarily on-site in and around plant facilities, with regular exposure to industrial equipment, chemicals used in water treatment, and varying indoor and outdoor conditions. The position follows a Monday–Friday schedule from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and involves continuous physical activity during an 8-hour shift, including bending, squatting, kneeling, lifting, twisting, climbing, reaching, standing, and walking, as well as repetitive use of hands for pushing, pulling, and grasping. You will frequently lift and carry objects weighing up to 60 pounds and occasionally move items exceeding 100 pounds. The work also includes loading and unloading trucks, climbing and carrying ladders, and traveling by company automobile to work locations as needed. Appropriate work attire and safety gear are required to perform duties safely in an industrial plant setting.

This is a Contract position based out of Millington, TN.

The pay range for this position is $22.61 - $22.61/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Millington,TN.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 28, 2026.

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.