Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Trainee

THE POSITION

Are you looking for a challenging and rewarding career where you can make a real difference? Consider applying today to be a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Trainee. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn the ins and outs of wastewater treatment, a vital service that protects public health and the environment. As a trainee, you will gain hands-on experience working with seasoned operators and learning about treatment processes, equipment maintenance, and regulatory compliance. You will also have the chance to contribute to keeping our water clean and safe, all while building a valuable skillset and career path. Apply today and launch your career in an essential industry!

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DESCRIPTION OF WORK

As a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Trainee, your main responsibility will be to assist certified operators with daily tasks that keep the plant functioning efficiently. This hands-on experience will provide you with valuable exposure to the different stages of wastewater treatment, from influent monitoring and preliminary treatment to biological processing, clarification, and disinfection. Through observation and hands-on learning, you will gain a thorough understanding of the various processes involved in wastewater treatment and develop the necessary skills to effectively troubleshoot and maintain equipment. Ultimately, your training will prepare you for a successful career in the field of wastewater treatment as a certified operator.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment (7.5 hours per day; 37.5 hours per week)
• Work hours are 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, rotating weekend and holidays, with a 30-minute lunch. May change based on operational needs.
• As an essential employee, you will be required to report to work during emergencies and office closings.
• Overtime as operationally necessary
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Six months of building maintenance or trades experience; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Special Requirements:

• You must possess a Pennsylvania Class C Driver's License.
• You must obtain, within the probationary period, a valid Operator's Certificate, or an Operator in Training Designation issued by the Pennsylvania State Board for Certification of Water and Wastewater System Operators as a wastewater treatment plant operator that is equal to or greater than the classification and subclassification of the wastewater system to be operated or maintained.

Additional Requirements:

• You must pass a favorable National Crime Information Center (NCIC) screening for admittance to Fort Indiantown Gap.

• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• Formal training (high school vocational program, apprenticeship, or post-high school technical training program) in wastewater management
• Experience in the operation of a Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)
• Experience in the operation, maintenance, and repair of motors, pumps, compressors, valves, filters, and/or other related WWTP equipment
• Experience performing sampling/testing of plant influent or effluent for environmental protection

Legal Requirement:

• A conditional offer of employment will require submission of criminal history reports. See hiring agency contact information.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. 7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at ....

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning

We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance

We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture

We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks

Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

• Eligibility rules apply.

01

Necessary Special Requirement - Do you possess a current driver's license which is not under suspension?

• Yes
• No

02

If you answered "Yes" to the above question, please provide the issuing state, license number, and expiration date. If you answered "No", type N/A in the text box below.

03

How much full-time building maintenance or trades experience do you possess?

• 6 months or more
• Less than 6 months
• None

04

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

05

How much college coursework have you completed in microbiology, engineering, or a skilled trade (such as plumbing, electrical, mechanical repair, etc)? If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.

If you answer this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visit and click on Other Information.

• 15 credits or more
• Less than 15 credits
• None

06

Have you completed post-high school training in a skilled trade?

• Yes
• No

07

If you are claiming post-high school training, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you are not claiming post-high school training, enter N/A in the box below. If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.

If you answer this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visit and click on Other Information.

• Training Source
• Credits/Clock Hours

08

Preferred Qualification - Have you completed any formal training (high school vocational program, apprenticeship, or post-high school technical training program) in wastewater management?

• Yes
• No

09

Preferred Qualification - How many years of experience do you have in the operation of a Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)?

10

Preferred Qualification - Please list the dates and employers where you gained your SBR WWTP experience or any WWTP experiences. (Type N/A, if not applicable.)

11

Preferred Qualification - How many years of experience do you have in the operation, maintenance and repair of motors, pumps, compressors, valves, filters and/or other related WWTP equipment?

12

Preferred Qualification - How many years of experience do you have in performing sampling/testing of plant influent or effluent for environmental protection?

Required Question

Employer Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Address 613 North Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120

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