Water Plant Engineer

OAC EXTERNAL POSITION POSTING

DATES POSTED: 10/20 - 10/30/2026

Job Title:

Water Plant Engineer

Entry Wage:

$40.26

Division:

Water Production & Pumping (Florence)

Standard Wage:

$50.33

Schedule:

Full-Time

Shift:

Rotating

Reports To:

Foreman, Florence Water Plant - Shift

Job Code:

10290

Position Summary

Under limited supervision, the Water Plant Engineer directs the operation of plant equipment to produce the specified quantity and quality of finished water, monitors plant equipment to assure proper plant performance, applies process chemicals, maintains plant operational records, and uses laboratory test equipment for routine tests.

Education

• Required - High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED)

Minimum Requirements

• Required - Minimum of 3 years of operational or maintenance experience at a water treatment facility, or distribution system or

• Required - Minimum of 6 years working building operations/maintenance, or production facility operations/maintenance experience.

• Preferred - Potable Water Treatment Plant Experience.

• Preferred - Experience with using SCADA or other control systems.

• Preferred - Experience working rotating shifts.

Licenses, Certifications and/or Testing

• Required - Have and maintain a valid driver’s license Upon Hire and

• Required - State of Nebraska Grade IV (4) Water Operator License within 180 Days and

• Required - State of Nebraska Grade III (3) Water Operators License within 3 years

• Required - Hearing (audiogram), Vision, and Color identification testing. Upon Hire

• Required - Pre-employment Background Check and Drug Screen Upon Hire

• Required - Pre-employment and/or post-offer physical demands screening. Upon Hire

• Required - Certified to wear an Air Purifying Respirator and a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) in order to comply with confined entry procedures and/or chemical exposure. Certification requires completing a Medical Questionnaire, passing a Pulmonary Function Test, Fit Test and compliance with the guidelines of the District’s Respiratory Protection Program. Upon Hire

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to perform simple chemical titrations and determine endpoints, turbidity tests, and color tests.

• Ability to perform routine math operations to properly calculate chemical applications for treatment.

• Ability to work and think independently in accordance with verbal and written instructions.

• Ability to provide work direction to others.

• Ability to work with hazardous chemicals such as chlorine, sodium permanganate, polymers, ammonia, ferric sulfate, fluoride, lime, hydrochloric acid, powdered carbon, soda ash, sodium bisulfite, and various other treatment and/or cleaning materials.

• Must be detail orientated and ability to write legibly to maintain detailed logs and records.

• Must be willing to work 8 hour and 12 hour rotating shifts to include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Ability to remain calm and productive in stressful situations.

• Efficient written and verbal communication skills, in English, to assist internal and external customers, co-workers and management professionally, regardless of provocation.

• Proficiency with personal computers, tablets, and/or other electronic devices to include familiarity with, but not limited to, Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, Word) and enterprise wide software (e.g., SAP). (Intermediate proficiency)

• Ability to learn new or upgraded computer software as required.

• Laboratory skills are preferred. (Entry proficiency)

• Knowledge of basic fluid flow principles is preferred.

• Documented Mechanical aptitude is preferred.

• Water Production & Pumping (Florence) Requirement(s) Only: - Within 6 months of being placed in the job, demonstrate proficiency of the tasks related to pump changes and chlorine calls as well as Filter Plant operation and control. This will be measured through reviews and audits in hypothetical and real-life exercises.

Essential Functions

• Control treatment processes to meet directed requirements to include, but not limited to, basin blowdowns and transfers, chemical feed adjustments, filter rates, basin flow rates, filter backwash schedules, and high service pump operations.

• Notify duty chemist or supervisor in the event of plant failures or abnormal conditions.

• Check status of and operate pumps, basins, chemical feeders, filters, and related equipment.

• Control water plant by means of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and related equipment, and manually operate plant with assistance of other plant/District staff as necessary to ensure business continuity. This includes escalated issues as needed.

• Pick-up and test samples of water in various stages of purification process at established time intervals, perform and record test results, and interpret these results to make operational adjustments to meet required water quality goals.

• Respond to plant failure alarms and make necessary adjustments or changes if needed

• Perform the physical requirements of position.

• Water Production & Pumping (Florence) Essential Function(s) Only:

• Operate high and low service pumps and intakes to maintain proper flow through the plant and to meet required production rate.

• Break ice on open basins to maintain flow and to permit proper operation.

• Assist in training of new employees. This includes providing detailed instructions, side by side plant operation to work through various scenarios and delivering feedback.

• Perform safety checks of building, grounds, and equipment to ensure standards are maintained and systems are operational to include, but not limited to, vandalism, lighting, heat, leaks, electrical/mechanical trouble, and fire; document or report non-compliance and/or facilitate corrective action as appropriate.

• Perform preliminary diagnosis of problems related to plant systems and inform supervisors to initiate corrective action.

• Perform weekly maintenance schedules.

• Drive District vehicles.

• Water Production & Pumping (Florence) Additional Responsibilities Only:

• Perform, or assist with, various plant maintenance tasks including basin washing, HVAC equipment, various wellfield maintenance tasks, and housekeeping and grounds keeping maintenance duties.

• Provide work direction to the Water Plant Operators.

• Lead the immediate and routine assistance in a hazardous event, ensure established policies and procedures are followed to remediate the occurrence, and complete accurate and detailed documentation as appropriate.

• Verify Water Plant Operators’ test results, feeder, and valve settings.

• Operate diesel electric generators and natural gas engines in accordance with established procedures.

• Restore plant to normal operations after power failure including high and low service pumps, Pre-Sedimentary Basins, Primary Basins, and Filtration Plant.

• Observe river level and conditions on river such as oil, ice, and floating matter. Report or take actions if needed.

Required for All Jobs

• Perform a variety of other duties as assigned

• Understand and comply with all District policies and procedures

Physical Demands

• Stationary Position - Frequently

• Move/Traverse - Frequently

• Stationary Position/Seated - Frequently

• Transport/Lifting - Frequently

• Transport/Carrying - Frequently

• Exerting Force/Pushing - Frequently

• Exerting Force/Pulling - Frequently

• Ascend/Descend - Occasionally

• Balancing - Occasionally

• Position Self/Stooping - Frequently

• Position Self/Kneeling - Rarely

• Position Self/Crouching - Rarely

• Position Self/Crawling - N/A

• Reaching - Frequently

• Handling - Frequently

• Grasping - Frequently

• Feeling - Frequently

• Communicate/Talking - Constantly

• Communicate/Hearing - Constantly

• Repetitive Motions - Frequently

• Coordination - Constantly

Additional Physical Demands

WorkFit physical demands testing: Use Water Plant Operator Trainee POET (10340)

Safety Equipment: Protective footwear, full face respirator, eyewear, reflective gear, and hardhat.

Ability to lift and transport 70 lbs. bags and buckets a distance of at least 20 feet and empty contents.

Ability to move and empty a wheelbarrow with a load of 70 lbs.

• Climbing (Occasionally)

• Twisting - Neck (Occasionally)

• Twisting - Lumbar (Occasionally)

• Fingering (Frequently)

• Hammering (Occasionally)

• Reclining (Not Required)

• Jumping (Not Required)

• Throwing (Not Required)

• Running (Not Required)

• Reaching above shoulder level (Occasionally)

• Reaching at or below shoulder level (Frequency)

• Reaching to floor (Occasionally)

• Driving (Occasionally)

• Pushing & Pulling and Lifting & Carrying - 10 lbs or below (Frequently)

• Pushing & Pulling and Lifting & Carrying - Up to 20 lbs (Frequently)

• Pushing & Pulling and Lifting & Carrying - Up to 35 lbs (Occasionally)

• Pushing & Pulling and Lifting & Carrying - Up to 50 lbs (Occasionally)

• Pushing & Pulling and Lifting & Carrying - Up to 80 lbs (Occasionally)

• Pushing & Pulling and Lifting & Carrying - Up to >100 lbs (Occasionally)

Essential Job Functions & Physical Demands: The physical tasks are listed by Essential Function number and were collected by direct measurement and hands on trials when available. A calibrated force gauge and weight scale was utilized. Workers in this job do have consistent ability to ask for assistance. All Essential Job Functions below include these physical demands in addition to those listed in each section:

• Frequent upper extremity horizontal reaching

• Frequent standing

• Frequent bending/stooping/squatting

• Frequent walking throughout workday

• Frequent use of stairs throughout the workday

Performs the proper tasks associated with controlling the water plant.

• Constant sitting, observing via computer

Tests water samples during various stages of the water purification process.

• Constant standing

• Frequent gripping and lifting/moving of samples utilized for analysis

• Frequent use of laboratory equipment to perform tests

• Proper documentation of findings from performed tests

• Frequent use of measuring tools, calculators, and computers to perform analysis and testing.

• Frequent neck rotation for visual field

Performs proper maintenance on machinery/basins and various equipment utilized.

• Frequent use of hand/power tools for various tasks

• Frequent use of sledgehammer to help remove/break up grit from machinery

• Frequent use of lawn maintenance equipment such as mowers & string trimmers

• Occasional chain saw use

• Occasional ladder use

• Occasional use of crane or cart caddy power mover to move grit tubs

• Occasional lifting/carrying materials up to 70 lbs.

• Occasional stair climbing

• Occasional use of full face respirator or SCBA

Cleans area as needed.

• Cleans/sterilizes lab equipment and area

• Cleans work area and maintenance shop as needed

Physical and Environmental Requirements

• Field: Work inside and outside in all weather conditions and terrain for extended periods of time.

*Please ensure the application is filled out thoroughly to be considered for this position

An Equal Opportunity Employer “Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation"