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Posted: April 14, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Water Plant Operator III

City of Grand Rapids

Water

Fresh

Location

Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49503-2206

Salary

$67,772 - $80,484

per year

Closes

May 14, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This job involves running a water treatment plant and overseeing the city's water distribution system during assigned shifts, including testing water quality, adjusting equipment, and coordinating maintenance with teams.

It also includes leading other workers and handling security and record-keeping tasks.

A good fit would be someone with hands-on experience in water treatment who is detail-oriented, good at problem-solving, and comfortable working independently or in a team in a public utility setting.

Key Requirements

  • High school diploma or GED equivalent
  • Four years of work experience in water treatment activities
  • State of Michigan EGLE F-3 Complete Treatment certification
  • Ability to perform chemical and bacteriological water tests
  • Experience operating water filtration and distribution systems
  • Skills in monitoring water quality parameters and adjusting chemical feed rates
  • Proficiency in maintaining records, log books, and creating work orders

Full Job Description

The purpose of this job is to assure the proper operation of a water treatment and pumping plant and its district wide water distribution system on an assigned shift.

Receive phone calls and works directly with contractors, engineers, and staff mechanics to implement system maintenance, and breakdown mitigation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

  • Provides qualitative and quantitative analysis of treated water entering the plant. Monitors established levels and parameters that fall within the State of Michigan EGLE guidelines for safe human consumption. Performs multiple chemical and bacteriological tests during each shift
  • Operates water distribution and filtration system
  • Monitors water quality and assesses chemical feed rates, trends, and communicates them to plant workers, in terms of adjustments, and equipment changes
  • Maintains plant records and creates work orders; updates log book
  • Identifies problems in equipment and infrastructure and assesses what course of action is required to remediate them
  • Monitors and adjusts distribution system; enters plant and distribution system data
  • Monitors plant security using security programs to grant access and entry to various locations within filtration plant
  • Acts as lead worker and assigns work and tasks
  • Performs related work as required

Requirements

Required Education and Experience
  • High school diploma (or GED equivalent)
--AND--
  • Four (4) years of work experience related to water treatment activities
--OR--
  • Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities
Required Certification
  • State of Michigan EGLE F-3 Complete Treatment certification
Preferred Certifications
  • State of Michigan EGLE S-3 Distribution certification

Additional Information


We Offer:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision starting on Day 1
  • 6% employee 401a contribution with employer matching (6% or 7% based on bargaining unit)
  • Employee & Employer contributions to Retiree Health Savings Account
  • Voluntary benefits such as term life insurance, flexible spending accounts, accidental insurance, disability insurance, and deferred compensation plan options
  • Twelve Paid Holidays
  • Paid Vacation and Sick Time
  • Paid Parking (if applicable)
  • Employee Home Ownership Incentive
  • Tuition Reimbursement and professional development opportunities
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Employee Assistance Program with free mental health counseling
  • Comprehensive Wellness program with a health and wellness incentive
  • Employee Discounts and Perks
Should an applicant need any disability related accommodation or other consideration in the application or selection process, please notify the human resources department upon submittal of application

Should an applicant need any disability related accommodation or other consideration in the application or selection process, please notify the human resources department upon submittal of application.

The City of Grand Rapids does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy or gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Please Note:
This position is subject to the provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement and all relevant civil service rules. For additional information, links to union agreement and Civil Service Rules are provided below.

Collective Bargaining Agreements

Civil Service Rules

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Posted on NEOGOV: 4/14/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 4/15/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-grandrapids-5302016