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Plant Operator II

Fairfax County Government
$56,905.26 - $94,841.34 Annually
medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, child care, retirement plan
United States, Virginia, Lorton
Jul 20, 2025

Job Announcement

$2,500 Signing Bonus*

Would you like to be part of the team that supports critical wastewater, infrastructure for the largest county in Virginia?

This position assists in monitoring equipment and/or treatment processes.

  • Assists in corrective repairs and performs an ongoing preventative maintenance program of exercising and rotating various process equipment and machinery.
  • Works in team environment. Exchanges information with supervisor and co-workers communicates with previous operator at beginning of shift to determine problems and status of all equipment.
  • Operates plant equipment to ensure proper operating parameters and collects and composites samples for plant process testing and monitoring. Reads meters, gauges, and other instruments and records observations in operating log sheets and books.
  • Adjusts chemical feed rates, pump speeds, and other equipment to maintain optimum operating conditions, and accepts chemical deliveries in accordance with verbal and written instructions.
  • Makes frequent tours of his/ her work area observing treatment systems, process equipment and initiates required corrective actions when needed.
  • Performs tests for ph, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, settle ability of sludge, moisture content of sludge and other process control parameters.
  • Cleans process equipment, duty stations, and operating areas.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

DPWES is a diverse, nationally-accredited and award-winning public works agency with approximately 1,000 employees providing solid waste, capital facility development, wastewater, stormwater, urban forestry, and land acquisition management services for the most populous county in Virginia. Join our team to help us protect the environment and serve the people of Fairfax County by creating and preserving a sustainable community that is an ideal place to live, work, and play for everyone.

Fairfax County Government is committed to our employees, and offers comprehensive benefits, including a defined-benefit retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; paid leave; tuition reimbursement; and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Through our LiveWell Program and the County Benefits Division, we endeavor to cultivate a culture of wellbeing that empowers, educates, and engages employees and retirees to make life-long choices that promote a holistic approach to their physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, and financial wellness. Please review our awesome benefits in the following links:
  • Benefits
  • Retirement
*A $2,500 signing bonus is available to new county employees hired in the Plant Operator II position.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduation from high school or a GED issued by a state department of education and one year of experience as an operator in a Class I wastewater facility or higher.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

  • A valid driver's license.
  • A Class III Wastewater Treatment Operator's certification issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Appointees within this classification are subject to a criminal background check, driving record check and pre-employment physical prior to employment.

Positions within this classification are considered essential to the maintenance and continuity of core county operations during the activation of an emergency or critical incident.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
May be exposed to raw waste.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Two (2) years of experience in an industrial setting and/or wastewater treatment plant.
  • Good verbal and written communication skills.
  • Good mathematical skills.
  • Must be able to enter permitted confined spaces using an OSHA-certified non-entry retrieval system, which includes a safety harness with a weight restriction of 310 pounds.
  • Three years or more experience as a Plant Operator.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to stand, stoop, bend, stretch, walk, climb, sit, kneel, crouch, reach, crawl, lift and handle materials with manual dexterity. Ability to lift 50 to 75 lbs. in a safe manner. Ability to work in a variety of work environments hot and cold weather and noisy environment. May be exposed to raw waste. Must be able to follow oral and written instructions. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview and may include exercise.

BONUS ELIGIBILITY:
Positions within this classification that are general merit may be eligible for a one-time hiring incentive bonus for new county employees only. This bonus program requires a signed payback agreement between the department and employee.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others ) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.

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