City of Elmhurst
Employment Opportunity
Utility Operator I or II
Position Summary
This role supports the operation and maintenance of the City of Elmhurst water production and wastewater systems. Depending on experience, the position ranges from entry-level to skilled, with responsibilities that include the safe and efficient operation of departmental systems, adherence to safety procedures, and the ability to respond to emergency situations. Entry-level employees (Operator II) work under close supervision, while skilled workers (Operator I) perform duties with minimal supervision.
Essential Functions
WRF Operations
- Performs and assists with daily operations and maintenance of WRF.
- Collects and analyzes process labs and, with advanced skills, performs operational adjustments as needed.
- Collects and analyzes NPDES samples and, with advanced skills, administers operational adjustments based on test data.
Potable Water System Operations
- Performs and assists in routine operations and maintenance of potable water facilities.
- Collects and performs all needed compliance sampling.
Sanitary Lift Station and Stormwater Operations
- Performs and assists in all routine operations and maintenance of stormwater assets.
- Performs and assists in all routine operations and maintenance of sanitary lift stations.
General
- On call within 12 months of hire if new employee; if an internal employee is promoted, ability to respond will start when promoted.
- Monitors operation of potable water systems, sanitary lift stations, and stormwater pumping systems; notifies personnel and responds appropriately in the case of abnormal operating conditions or breakdowns.
- Required equal participation in after-hours rotation of on-call laptop within 12 months.
- Must demonstrate ability to operate asset management system within 12 months of hire. If internal employee is promoted, this skill must already be obtained.
- Operates equipment used in the water and wastewater division, including motors, pumps, bar screens, clarifiers, aerators, valves, blowers, chlorinators, grinders and other related equipment.
- Inspects, adjusts and monitors equipment and performs necessary adjustments with proper direction.
- Troubleshoots and reports equipment malfunctions and breakdowns; Operator I performs necessary repairs based on findings identified.
- Performs equipment maintenance, such as lubricating pumps, replacing pump shafts, bearings, oil and grease seals, packing and chain drives.
- Performs routine cleanliness, safety, and upkeep both at the WRF and at outside stations and assets.
- Reports non-routine maintenance needs, process control problems, supply needs and unusual instrument readings to management.
- While on duty, stays in active phone communication and responds to emergency operations.
- Required participation in Public Works snow plowing operations as assigned.
- Promotes and maintains responsive community relations.
- Promotes teamwork and maintains positive working relationships.
- Performs related duties and manual labor as assigned.
- Operator I must work as a team to mentor and train other employees as assigned.
- Regular and reliable attendance is an essential function of this role.
Qualifications
- Operator I: Must possess a high school diploma or a general education development (GED) certificate. New employees must have a minimum of five years of experience and/or training in the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources.
- Operator II: Must possess a high school diploma or general education degree (GED); AND new employees must have minimum of 1 year of experience and/or training in the operation and maintenance of equipment used within water and wastewater systems; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources.
Operator I & II:
- Valid driver’s license.
- Ability to obtain an Illinois CDL Class “A” license (with air brakes) within 12 months of employment if new employee. Must maintain driver’s license with CDL class endorsements while employed.
Operator I – in addition:
- Must Possess a minimum IEPA Class C Public Water Supply Operator’s License, or minimum IEPA Class 2 Wastewater Operator’s License.
Required Knowledge and Skills
- Knowledge and understanding of the operational and safety procedures as outlined in associated regulations, standard operating procedures and practices found in department manuals.
- Knowledge and understanding of machines, equipment and operating practices, as well as the occupational hazards and necessary safety precautions in the water and wastewater fields.
- Knowledge of utilizing tablets to identify and troubleshoot issues within water, wastewater, and storm systems.
- Correct business English, including speech, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent.
- Ability to interpret and make needed adjustments from charts, gauges, and instrument readings.
- Must practice all safety policies at any time.
- Adapts quickly to evolving technology, embracing new tools, systems, and processes to improve efficiency and support organizational needs.
- In addition, Operator I: Ability to calculate water and wastewater formulas to properly operate a wastewater plant (F/M, MCRT, HP, ETC).
Salary and Benefits
Salary Range: Operator I: $35.57-$46.27 per hour / Operator II: $30.35-$39.46 per hour, DOQ. FLSA Status: Non-Exempt. Benefits: Includes union Local 150 health insurance benefits, tuition reimbursement, paid time off, and participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF).
Interested, qualified candidates are asked to submit a completed application and resume online at https://elmhurst.org/jobs. Offers of employment are subject to successful completion of background check, drug screen, and physical. Applications will be accepted through September 10, 2026.
The City of Elmhurst is an equal opportunity employer.
