Utilities - Water Pollution Control (WPC) Operator I Trainee, I, II, or III

UTILITIES WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (WPC) OPERATOR I TRAINEE, I, II, & III  - 2 POSITIONS AVAILABLE 

Utilities Division

Polk County Utilities provides safe drinking water, wastewater collection and treatment systems to nearly 68,000 accounts in unincorporated communities throughout the county. In some service areas, this division also provides reclaimed water.

Polk’S Utilities Program:

Produces and distributes 18.9 million gallons of drinkable water each day

Collects and treats 8.6 million gallons of wastewater each day

Produces and distributes 7.4 million gallons a day of reuse water for irrigation

Responded to nearly 23,000 Sunshine One Call requests in 2022 to identify locations of utility lines

The Utilities Division also works closely with agencies such as the water management districts, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and other municipalities in Polk to provide for future demand through planning and water conservation measures.

• PG-13 Utilities Water Pollution Control (WPC) Operator I Trainee: $19.75, $21.76hr, $24 Hourly, Nonexempt
• PG-13 Utilities Water Pollution Control (WPC) Operator I: $21.94-$31.81 Hourly, Nonexempt.
• PG-15 Utilities Water Pollution Control (WPC) Operator II: $24.18-$35.07 Hourly, Nonexempt.
• PG-17 Utilities Water Pollution Control (WPC) Operator III: $26.66-$39.99 Hourly, Nonexempt.

Employee Benefits

Direct Deposit, Bi-Weekly Pay Checks

Medical, Dental, Vision

Life Insurance

Florida Retirement System Participation

10 Paid Holidays

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

Education Incentives

Deferred Compensation Plan

Wellness Incentives

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Free Employee Gym

Free Employee Health Clinic

We are a Certified Age-Friendly Employer

Drug-Free Workplace

Must have the physical, developmental and mental ability to perform job tasks, work efforts, responsibilities and duties of the job illustrated below:

Major Function

Routine mechanical and manual work responsibilities in the operation and maintenance of water pollution control plants.

Illustrative Duties

Operates and maintains pumping equipment with mechanical and automatic controls. 

Reads meters and charts. 

Makes daily visits to plants to perform plant and equipment maintenance and operational controls as required for water pollution control plants. 

Takes wastewater samples, conducts routine tests and collects samples. 

Performs daily operational functions and controls for wastewater treatment plants. 

Performs custodial and maintenance work in the care of plant and grounds.

Knowledge, Abilities And Skills

Knowledge of the principles of wastewater treatment including extended aeration, contact stabilization, oxidation ditch, advanced wastewater treatment, both chemical and biological. 

Knowledge of operations, maintenance and repair procedures relating to wastewater treatment facilities. 

Knowledge of occupational hazards involved in wastewater treatment and collection. 

Knowledge of the methods, practices and procedures in the repair and maintenance of pumps and related equipment. 

Ability to read meters and charts accurately and maintain records of operations. 

Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions. 

Sufficient physical strength and agility to perform a variety of labor tasks in all weather conditions including lifting and/or interacting with job related appurtenances and equipment which might weigh in excess of seventy-five (75) pounds. 

Ability to see colors. 

Ability to perform tasks that require eye and hand coordination. 

Ability to see, ambulate independently, drive, bend, stoop, sit and stand. 

Knowledge of all Federal, State and Local rules and regulations governing the operations and maintenance of wastewater treatment facilities.

Minimum Qualifications

Water Pollution Control Operator I Trainee

Graduate of an accredited high school or possess an acceptable equivalency diploma.

Possess a valid driver’s license and be able to secure a valid Florida driver license at the time of employment within this classification.

Obtain a Class “C” Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators license as issued by the Florida Department of Professional Regulation and/or Florida Department of Environmental Protection within two (2) years.

** Persons hired as a trainee shall be eligible for benefits but will be hired at five percent less than the classification’s minimum rate for each year of experience, education or certification/degrees required. 

As the individual gains the required certification, education, etc., the individual’s salary shall be adjusted to reflect that progress. For example, the job classification requires two years’ experience, but the trainee hired has no experience. This individual would be hired at 10 percent below the minimum rate for that classification. This individual would receive 5 percent increase upon completion of one year and 5 percent increase upon completion of the second year. 

No annual increase will be made to trainees until they meet the requirements of their job classification and are relieved of the trainee status. **

Water Pollution Control Operator I

Graduate of an accredited high school or possess an acceptable equivalency diploma. Minimum of one (1) year experience in the operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment plants. Possess a Class "C" Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators license as issued by the Florida Department of Professional Regulation and/or Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Possess a valid driver's license and be able to secure a valid Florida driver's license at the time of employment within this classification.

A comparable amount of related training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications with exception of the required licensure.

Water Pollution Control Operator II

Graduate of an accredited high school or possess an acceptable equivalency diploma. Minimum of one (1) year experience in the operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment plants. Possess a Class "B" Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators license as issued by the Florida Department of Professional Regulation and/or Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Possess a valid driver's license and be able to secure a valid Florida driver's license at the time of employment within this classification.

A comparable amount of training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications with exception of the required licensure.

Water Pollution Control Operator III

Graduate of an accredited high school or possess an acceptable equivalency diploma. Minimum of one (1) year experience in the operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment plants. Possess a Class "A" Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators license as issued by the Florida Department of Professional Regulation and/or Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Possess a valid driver's license and be able to secure a valid Florida driver's license at the time of employment within this classification.

A comparable amount of training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications with exception of the required licensure.

Special Requirements

Must have an active telephone number at the time of employment as employee is subject to standby and/or call out for emergencies. Employee will assist with supervision and participation in any necessary emergency work.

This position, when activated, is required to report for work when a declaration of emergency has been declared in Polk County.
 

About Polk County, FL

Seventeen municipalities, ranging from a tiny village to a metropolitan city, are located in Polk County, along with twenty-four unincorporated, populated areas. 

Incorporated Polk County: City of Auburndale, City of Bartow, City of Davenport, Town of Dundee, City of Eagle Lake, City of Fort Meade, City of Frostproof, City of Haines City, Village of Highland Park, Town of Hillcrest Heights, City of Lake Alfred, Town of Lake Hamilton, City of Lakeland, City of Lake Wales, City of Mulberry, City of Polk City, City of Winter Haven

Unincorporated Polk County: Babson Park, "Ghost Town" of Brewster, Combee Settlement, Citrus Ridge, Crooked Lake Park, Crystal Lake, Cypress Gardens, Fussels Corner, Gibsonia, Highland City, Homeland, Inwood, Jan Phyl Village, Kathleen, Lakeland Highlands, Loughman, Medulla, Nalcrest, Pittsburg, Poinciana, Wahneta, Waverly, Willow Oak, Winston