Join the City of Chattanooga Team
Chattanooga
, a vibrant and growing community of over 190,000 residents within a metropolitan area of nearly 600,000 is known as the "Scenic City" for a reason. Nestled along the Tennessee River and surrounded by the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, we are a hub of outdoor adventure and innovation. Home to the
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC)
and
Chattanooga State Community College
, our city blends a rich industrial history with a tech-forward future—famously powered by the nation’s first community-wide "Gig" fiber-optic network. The City of Chattanooga was also recently designated as a "National Park City,” the first of its kind in the United States.
Our Organization
As a City, we are powered by a dedicated workforce of approximately
2,600 employees
committed to excellence in public service and making Chattanooga the best community in the country. Our team ensures our city thrives through a wide range of municipal services, including:
- Public Safety:
Chattanooga Police and Fire Departments.
-
Infrastructure & Utilities:
Public Works, Waste Resources, and specialized Stormwater management.
-
Quality of Life:
Award-winning Parks and Outdoors and Community Development systems and the Chattanooga Public Library.
-
Transportation:
The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) and citywide transit and pedestrian friendly initiatives.
-
Innovation:
Leading-edge smart-city programs with a commitment to cutting edge workforce development policies to ensure all our residents can get ahead.
Why Choose Chattanooga?
The City of Chattanooga’s workforce is the heartbeat of our community. We don't just offer jobs; we offer careers with purpose: making Chattanooga the best city in America. We are committed to being the
premier employer of choice
in Southeast Tennessee by providing:
- Competitive Compensation:
Robust pay scales that reflect our commitment to our staff.
-
Work-Life Balance:
Generous paid time off and flexible scheduling where possible.
-
Exceptional Wellness:
Comprehensive health benefits and wellness programs designed for you and your family that deliver savings to you beyond your paycheck, featuring a centralized health clinic and pharmacy for all City employees. .
-
Growth:
A focus on professional development and upward mobility within the organization.
-
The Great Outdoors: Your Backyard Playground:
Chattanooga isn't just near nature, it's immersed in it. As one of the most biodiverse cities in North America, the "Scenic City" offers an ecological richness that few places on earth can claim. Whether you are an
-
adrenaline junkie or a weekend wanderer, world-class adventure is always less than an hour away.
-
Vertical Adventures:
Scale legendary sandstone cliffs in what is widely considered the
premier rock climbing hub
of the Southeast.
-
Water & Rapids:
From the high-octane
whitewater kayaking
of the Ocoee River to world-class
bass fishing
and peaceful paddling on the Tennessee River.
-
Trails for Miles:
Explore a massive network of
mountain biking
and
hiking trails
that wind through lush ridges, hidden waterfalls, and deep river gorges.
In Chattanooga, "work-life balance" means you can finish your shift and be at a trailhead or on the water before the sun sets.
Our mission is to work together to build a safe, vibrant, and sustainable city for all Chattanoogans. To do that, it takes a team of skilled and passionate individuals. So, if you’d like to call Chattanooga home – or maybe you already do! – and want to further your career through meaningful work that makes a true impact where you live, we’d love to talk to you.
____________________________________________________________________________
Salary:
WWFG.04N
$21.63 - 25.96 per hour
Work Hours:
12 HOUR ROTATING SHIFTS - Varies by schedule.
*Hours may vary due to work assignments or projects.*
Work Location:
455 Moccasin Bend Rd (Wastewater Treatment Plant)
FLSA Status:
This is a Non-Exempt position.
Department:
Wastewater - Liquid Waste Handling
SERIES LEVEL:
Plant Operator 1 is the first level of a five-level wastewater plant operations series.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
(
The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.)
Assists in operating, maintaining and monitoring wastewater processes which includes adjusting valves; transferring sludge; cleaning bar screens; cleaning scum from channels; draining gas traps; placing clarifiers in and out of service; reading meters and gauges; cleaning out telescope valves; untangling floats; opening and closing gates and valves and performing related activities.
Collects a variety of water samples for analysis and notates readings; delivers samples to the lab, ensuring the integrity of the chain of custody.
Collects electric, water, pump hour and flow readings at pump stations and applicable sites; verifies meters are working correctly and monitors the location.
Monitors chemical feeds and makes appropriate adjustments.
Cleans, maintains and inspects applicable equipment and facilities which includes testing floats, milltronics, pumps, valves, gates, and telemetry; setting up stations for pumping or gravity flow; testing screen and float operations; checking onsite generators for operation, fuel, coolant, and oil levels and/or performing other related activities.
Prepares a variety of readings and information related to plant operations in applicable logbooks.
Must meet regular attendance requirements.
Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers and citizens.
Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.
Performs other duties as assigned.
This position is deemed essential during inclement weather situations, and must report to or remain at work, even when administrative closings are announced, as determined by the Department Head.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
High School Diploma or GED supplemented by vocational/technical training in wastewater treatment plant operations, chemical processing, monitoring production machinery/equipment, maintaining mechanical equipment, or in a related field or any equivalent combination of education, experience or training sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:
A valid Driver's License
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Knowledge of basic wastewater treatment systems; pump stations; applicable tools and equipment utilized in the trade; basic mathematical concepts; records maintenance principles and mechanical and electrical principles.
Skill in performing mathematical calculations; performing routine maintenance activities; troubleshooting routine wastewater system problems; reading and recording data; operating applicable tools and equipment of the trade; and communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Positions in this class typically require climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing and seeing.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Medium Work: Exerting up-to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up-to 20 pounds of force frequently and/or up-to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, fumes, odors, dusts, gasses, poor ventilation, chemicals, oils, inadequate lighting, extreme temperatures, workspace restrictions, and infectious diseases.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Safety Sensitive: Y
Department of Transportation - CDL: N
Child Sensitive: N
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
This position requires pre-employment screening(s) that include:
background check / drug screening / lift test / HepB Titer
The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
KJS 07/17/2026
