Wastewater Operator

The City of Sioux Falls is hiring a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator who is passionate about keeping our community and the environment safe. In this role, you’ll work with a team at the largest wastewater treatment plant in South Dakota, using hands-on skills and technology to make sure we comply with our discharge permit.

If you're a motivated, reliable person who cares about making a difference, enjoys working with your hands, and wants to learn and grow in a solid career, we’d love to hear from you!

The shift for this position is 3:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. with other shifts as needed.

1. Operate, inspect, and monitor SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) control panel and a wide variety of mechanical and electrical equipment while operating a variety of unit processes used in the treatment of wastewater.

2. Make regular tours of the wastewater facility; read charts, gauges, and other instruments; and record information on plant logs.

3. Collect wastewater and sludge samples and perform basic field and laboratory analysis on the samples.

4. Operate a variety of unit processes used in the treatment of wastewater.

5. Interpret all data accumulated and make equipment and process control changes within guidelines established by management.

6. Perform minor maintenance and labor tasks, including general housekeeping.

7. Perform other such duties and functions as are necessary or incidental to the proper performance of this position.

Graduation from high school or GED certification supplemented by two (2) years’ advanced or specialized education or vocational training or a minimum of two (2) years’ experience in the operation of a wastewater treatment facility; or any such combination of education, experience, and training as may be acceptable to the hiring authority.

Willing to work varied schedules and rotating shifts to accommodate a 24-hour-per-day, 7-day-per-week operation.

Must possess a valid South Dakota Wastewater Operator’s Certificate within one year of hire.

Possession of a valid driver’s license is desirable.

• Knowledge of the fundamentals of physical, chemical, and biological wastewater treatment.

• Knowledge of the machines, equipment, and unit operations used in primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment of wastewater and anaerobic digestion and dewatering of all associated sludges.

• Knowledge of sampling and preservation techniques.

• Knowledge of the interpretation of laboratory data and its application to process control.

• Knowledge of the occupational hazards or safety precautions relating to the safe handling of hazardous chemicals, such as chlorine and sulfur dioxide, and the safe operation of mechanical and electrical equipment.