Environmental Operator Trainee

Salary : $39,353.18 - $63,752.13 Annually
Location : La Plata, MD
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2025-00150
Department: PW UT - MATTAWOMAN
Opening Date: 01/20/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Summary
This is a repost of this position. Previous applicants need not re-apply. Open until filled with a best consideration date of February 2, 2026.
All applicants moving forward in the recruiting process for this position will be required to take and pass a math test.The hiring salary is $39,353.18 annually.
.Charles County Government is currently recruiting for an Environmental Operator Trainee to become a part of our Department of Public Works team. The Environmental Operator Trainee performs utility plant operation work. Involves maintaining, operating, and repairing equipment, machines and devices used in the water pumping and delivery system and the wastewater processing plant.

Essential Job Functions

• Assists with the maintenance and minor repair of a variety of mechanical and electrical equipment (pumps, chemical feed systems, metering devices, motor control systems, valves, etc.) under the direction of the Supervisor.
• Assists in preventative maintenance of chlorination equipment and the rebuilding of chemical feed equipment.
• Monitors process controls, SCADA, and makes visual assessments for proper water/wastewater system operation. Operates and maintains County environmental facilities by observing the operation of all equipment and controls. Operates electrical controls for start and stop operation.
• Conducts sampling duties at water and wastewater treatment plants and performs tests in compliance with state and federal regulations and maintains operations to meet regulatory agency permit levels.
• Maintains records, logs, and reports. Collects and tests samples for laboratory analysis.
• Inspects and monitors water wells, equipment, and sewer pump stations.
• Regulates and maintains hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical equipment, valves, and pumps, as well as monitoring and maintaining the disinfection/DeChlor system, polymer, alum feed and pH control.
• Reads integrators, charts, meters, and timers, and enters data into computer.
• Assists in the regulation of flows and chemical levels.
• Transports equipment, materials, and chemicals to and from work sites.
• Maintains facility process operations including startup and shutdown.
• Adjusts pumps and motor speeds, and changes valves to direct flows maintaining predetermined operating levels.
• Monitors/operates the County wide Supervisor Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) alarm system, County radios and phone systems during the evening hours and weekends for the County Department of Public Works/Utilities. Makes necessary contacts in response to alarm.
• Monitors and records blanket levels in clarifiers and sludge thickeners.
• Notifies supervisors of any equipment failures, operational problems, or unusual occurrences observed during the performance of assigned duties.
• Follows safety regulations and procedures in the performance of all duties.
• Operates and maintains sand filter and sludge dewatering facilities as assigned.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education and Experience:
Six (6) months of experience in mechanical maintenance; or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

Licenses or Certifications:
Must possess a valid driver's license.

Within first year of employment must gain the following licenses:
Northern region: Temporary Class 2 Water Certification, Wastewater Collection System Certification, Water Sampler License, Wastewater 3.

Southern region: Temporary Class 1 Water Certification, Temporary Class 5-A Wastewater Operator certification, Temporary Water Treatment Class 5 Site Specific (Radiation) License

Central Region: Temporary Class 5-A Wastewater Operator certification, Temporary Class 1 Water Certification

Special Requirements/Qualifications:
Subject to work beyond the normal scheduled hours of work.
Satisfactory completion of confined space training within first year.
Must obtain temporary certification at appropriate level for assigned system and be able to pass a pulmonary fit test.
Subject to call back in emergencies.
Serve in on-call duty on a rotational basis.
Required to handle a variety of chemicals on a daily basis.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION, AND EMPLOYEES IN THIS POSITION ARE SUBJECT TO RANDOM DRUG AND ALCOHOL SCREENING.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the use and care of hand, power and other tools used in the work.
• Knowledge of basic principles of mechanics as applied to the equipment, machines and devices used in water systems and wastewater treatment plants.
• Ability to follow specific instructions and procedures and refer nonstandard situations or problems to others.
• Ability to learn water and wastewater operator duties.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work.
• Ability to use the tools and equipment of the work efficiently.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to comply with all aspects of OSHA respiratory requirements, including medical evaluations and fit testing.
• Ability to pass annual Pulmonary Breathing Function Test (will be required to be clean-shaven).
• Ability to enter confined spaces, with proper training.
• Ability to sometimes work on weekends and holidays.

Additional Information
PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is regularly active with periods of heavy exertion. Typical positions require workers to walk or stand for long periods; lift and carry up to 100 pounds; climb stairs, ladders, and scaffolding; bend, kneel, crouch and crawl; reach, hold, grasp, and turn objects; feel the size, shape, and temperature of items; use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards; speak normally, to use normal or aided vision and hearing, and to detect odors. This is considered an essential job; you will be required to be present during snow or weather emergencies.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Principal duties of this job are performed in a general office; in shop or field settings and outside environment and exposed to inclement weather. Exposed to wastewater environment.

Department/Division: Public Works Utilities/Operations and Maintenance
Pay Grade: 105
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Telework Eligible: No
Reports To: Wastewater Operations Supervisor
Supervises: None
CharlesCountyGovernment
BENEFITS SUMMARY
www.GovernmentJobs.com/Careers/CharlesCountyMD
Health Insurance
Charles County Government PAYS 70% of cost: Blue Choice Advantage and HMO Open Access plans, including prescription and vision coverage. CareFirst and Delta for dental coverage.

Flexible Spending Account
Provides medical and dependent care options.

Supplemental Income Products
Accident Policy, Critical Illness Policy, and Hospital Indemnity Policy.

Long Term Disability Insurance
No charge to employee. The benefit pays 60% of salary at date of disability, up to $5,000/month. Retiree Health Insurance New hires who elect health insurance coverage with County Government are enrolled in a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Account (VEBA). This coverage allows employees to pay health insurance premiums and other medical expenses following retirement or separation from employment.

Life Insurance
No charge to employees (valued at 1.5x the annual salary, not to exceed $250,000). Supplemental insurance and dependent life insurance are available for an additional cost. Term and whole life policies available.

Pension Plan (Defined Benefit Retirement Plan) 401(a) Plan - Must work minimum 37.5 hrs/week. Participation is mandatory.

Deferred Compensation Plan
457(b) Governmental Plan - Available to all employees, regardless of hours worked.

Employee Leave
Charles County Government full-time employees earn annual, sick, and paid time off (PTO).
The County currently recognizes 20 paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
Away from work programs like paid parental leave and FMLA are available to employees.

Transfer of Sick Leave
New hires may be eligible to receive credit for up to 400 hours of sick leave from their previous employer when they begin employment.

Work Schedules
Most work weeks are 37.5 hrs, and some positions may offer the opportunity for flexible work schedules or allow telework.

Additional Fringe Benefits
Tuition Reimbursement for full-time employees upon completion of probation period
Discounted, Onsite Childcare at a County Government facility.
House Keys 4 Employee Program offers assistance to full time employees who are first-time homebuyers.
Free, Employee Wellness Programs
Legal Resources (prepaid benefit)
Employee Assistance Program (free, short-term counseling)

Benefits eligibility is for employees who work 30 hours or more per week unless otherwise noted. Effective: March 1, 2025
01

How many years of experience in the operation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment plant do you have, as documented on your application?

• I do not have wastewater treatment plant experience, but I have a combination of education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
• I do not have wastewater treatment plant experience, but I have experience working in an industrial or process-based facility.
• I have at least one (1) year of wastewater treatment plant experience not listed on my application.
• I have three (3) years of wastewater treatment plant experience listed on my application.
• I have five (5) or more years of wastewater treatment plant experience listed on my application.
• I do not have wastewater treatment plant experience, but I am willing to learn.

02

Please indicate your level of experience using computers and Microsoft Windows-based systems.

• Minimal experience. Prefer pen, pencil, and paper.
• Limited experience. Basic familiarity with computers.
• Basic proficiency. Able to perform routine computer tasks.
• Intermediate proficiency. Comfortable using software applications and data entry systems.
• Advanced proficiency. Highly skilled with computers, software applications, spreadsheets, and administrative systems.

03

Do you currently hold one or more of the following operator licenses? (Certain positions or career advancement may require operator certification) Wastewater Treatment Class 5A Operator License Water Treatment Class 2 Operator LicensePlease select one:

• Yes, I currently hold a Wastewater Treatment Class 5A and/or Water Treatment Class 2 Operator License.
• No, but I am willing to obtain the required license(s) if hired.
• No, and I am not willing to obtain either license.

04

Please select all abilities you have used in your previous work experience.

• Understand and follow instructions.
• Read meters and gauges and accurately record readings.
• Perform basic mathematical calculations.
• Record daily activities in logs and/or computer systems.
• Understand and follow moderately complex oral and written instructions.
• Observe equipment and machinery during operation.
• Detect improper or abnormal equipment operation.
• Determine appropriate corrective actions and report or perform corrections as required.
• Understand the basic operations of a wastewater treatment plant.

05

Please select all skills you have used in positions listed on your application.

• Operating equipment and machinery.
• Performing general maintenance and labor activities.
• Using power tools and hand tools.
• Operating a motor vehicle as part of job duties.
• Maintaining accurate records and files.
• Basic computer skills.
• Operating and maintaining plant equipment and machinery.
• Reading gauges and meters and recording readings.
• Maintaining logs and operational records.
• Using basic mechanical repair tools and procedures.

06

This position is assigned to rotating schedules based on operational needs and is subject to change.Please indicate your preferred shift(s):

• Day Shift: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Sunday-Thursday
• Day Shift: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
• Evening Shift: 4:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. Sunday-Thursday
• Evening Shift: 4:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. Tuesday-Saturday
• Midnight Shift: 12:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. Sunday-Thursday
• Midnight Shift: 12:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. Tuesday-Saturday

07

The hiring salary for this position is $39,353.18 annually. Please confirm that you are acknowledging this is the hiring salary for this position.

• I acknowledge this is the hiring salary for this position.

08

The position you are applying for requires an acceptable driving record. The Charles County Government employee driving policy states that employees will be considered to have an acceptable driving record if ALL of the following statements are true: - I do not exceed a maximum of four (4) points on my driving record. - I do not have a suspended or revoked license. - I do not have a single motor vehicle violation, conviction, or plea of Nolo Contendere, or the acceptance of Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) involving the use of alcohol, illegal drugs, refusal to take an alcohol or drug test, or the misuse of legal over-the-counter medication for any of these violations. - I have not demonstrated a pattern of unsafe vehicle operation as evidenced by moving violations or single infraction of such severity (e.g., eluding a police officer; evading responsibility; failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, reckless driving, etc.).According to these guidelines, do you have an acceptable driving record?

• Yes
• No

09

For the top candidate selected for this position, the next steps in the hiring process will include reference checking. We will contact your current employer and two additional professional references following a conditional offer. We will also conduct a background check and driver record check, if applicable. Pre-employment drug and alcohol screening is the final step. Please confirm that you are acknowledging that if you are the top candidate selected for this position, the steps described above will be taken during the hiring process.

• I confirm that I am acknowledging that if I am the top candidate selected for this position, the steps described above will be taken during the hiring process.

10

Are you a federal employee recently affected by a layoff/reduction in force?

• Yes
• No

Required Question