Posted: Apr 20, 2026

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator- Intern

Intern

Salary: $25.02 Hourly

Application Deadline: N/A

Are you passionate about environmental sustainability and eager to kickstart your career in the field of wastewater management? Look no further! Two Rivers Utilities, a subsidiary of the City of Gastonia, is offering a dynamic internship position for aspiring Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators.

We are dedicated to pioneering innovative solutions for wastewater treatment, ensuring cleaner and safer environments for communities. As a leader in the industry, we pride ourselves on our commitment to excellence and environmental stewardship. During the internship, individuals will gain exposure to routine technical, skilled work in wastewater treatment plant operations while working under the direct supervision of the Treatment Plant Supervisor. Plant operations require three shifts (1st, 2nd, and 3rd shifts) to cover operations 24/7.

Essential Functions/Duties

The following job functions are typical for a position of this nature. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each function satisfactorily. Other job functions and duties may be required as assigned.

Monitors the proper functioning of pumps, motors, chlorinators, filters, and chemical feeders, making adjustments as necessary to maintain proper flow.
Develops and implements system control methods to maintain the required parameters.
Conducts the operation of the computerized Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA).
Records readings of meters and indicators.
Changes charts on recording meters and gauges; collects wastewater samples from designated points.
Makes regular tours of the plant and checks engines, generators, pumps, aerators, mixing basins, settling basins, digesters, filters, clarifiers, and other equipment for proper functioning; makes routine physical and chemical tests, recording results.
Regulates and adjusts motors, pumps, blowers, valves, and other apparatus to meet changing operating conditions.
Makes process adjustments and notifies superiors of the need for equipment repair.
Maintains a safe work area.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of the principles, practices, equipment, and methods used in wastewater treatment
Knowledge of the occupational hazards of the work and of necessary safety precautions
Knowledge of biology and chemistry as related to the specific treatment process
Ability to adjust pumps, chemical feed machines and other plant equipment
Ability to check the operation of equipment and to detect defects in operation
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
Ability to take accurate readings, ability to keep routine records and to make mathematical computations
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with others
On-the-job training is available to a successful candidate that does not have wastewater treatment plant operations experience.

Education/Experience/Physical Demands/Special Requirements/Additional Information

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Enrolled in an accredited academic institution
Currently enrolled college students are preferred

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Minimum age requirement is 18 years’ old
Valid driver’s licenses

Physical Demands

The physical activity of this position includes:

Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like, using feet, legs, and/or hands and arms. This factor is important if the amount and kind of climbing required exceed those required for ordinary locomotion
Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing, or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing exceed what is needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium
Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending the spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
Kneeling: Bending legs at the knee to come to rest on the knee or knees.
Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending the leg and spine.
Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
Standing: Particularly for sustained periods.
Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward, or outward.
Pulling: Using the upper extremities to exert force to draw, drag, haul, or tug objects in a sustained motion.
Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips.
Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas using the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal spoken word levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts.
Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers

The physical requirements of this position include:
Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

The visual acuity requirements, including color, depth perception, and field of vision, include:
The worker is required to have close visual attention to perform one or more of the following:

Preparing and analyzing data and figures
Accounting
Transcription
Computer terminal
Extensive reading
Visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and operations of machines (including inspecting)
using measurement devices
Assembly or fabrication of parts at distances close to eyes

The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position include:

The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: activities occur inside and outside.
The worker is subject to extreme cold: temperatures below 32 degrees for periods of more than one hour.
The worker is subject to extreme heat: temperatures above 100 degrees for periods of more than one hour.
The worker is subject to noise: There is sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout to be heard above the ambient noise level.
The worker is subject to hazards: Including various physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat, or exposure to chemicals
The worker is subject to atmospheric conditions: One or more of the following conditions affect the respiratory system of the skin: Fumes, odors, dust, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.

Drug screening and criminal background check required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The City of Gastonia is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, equitable, and welcoming. We value diversity and promise to honor your experiences, perspective, and unique identity.

The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/H)