Plant Specialist Trainee/ I/ II/ III - $1,000 Sign on Incentive

Overview

At Orange County Government, we are proud to serve the public with integrity, honesty, fairness, and professionalism. We develop innovative policies and services that impact Central Florida and shape the future of our community. We believe in hiring the very best. Our workplace experience sets us apart and makes us a great place to work. Our goal is to create an environment of exceptional organizational values, customer service standards, and employee satisfaction. Orange County Government is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment and services to all individuals.

Orange County Utilities provides water resources and solid waste recovery services to protect and enrich the lives of the citizens and guests of Orange County Florida. The Water Division ensures a safe and reliable water supply for all of Orange County Utilities' customers. The Water Division operates three regional water supply facilities and nine satellite water supply facilities that collectively produce approximately 60 million gallons per day.

The Water Division is seeking a highly qualified individual to fill the position of "Plant Specialist Trainee/I/II/III". This position is responsible for the analysis and troubleshooting of operational problems using available data and follows the proper course of action to meet plant operating objectives.

Job Description

General Functions

This key position is a skilled role that performs operation and maintenance of a treatment facility in compliance with the requirements of the Utilities Health and Safety Manual. Participates in the analysis and troubleshooting of the operational problems using available data and follows the proper course of action to meet plant operating objectives. May be assigned as team leader and to provide training.

Work requires independent judgment and is performed under the supervision of a designated supervisor. Work is reviewed through observations, conferences, reports and results achieved.

Representative Duties/Assignments

Duties may vary based on area of assignment. The following are representative duties; it is not the intent to capture all duties performed by this classification.

Plant Specialist Trainee

• Provides preventive and corrective maintenance on mixers, blowers, compressors, pumps, motors and related equipment
• Collects process samples in accordance with approved protocol
• Maintains operational database and records
• Prepares reports and documents situations as needed
• Operates and maintains chemical feed equipment
• If applicable to location, drives a tractor-trailer or dump truck
• Troubleshoots processes and equipment such as chemical feed units and various level control systems, hydraulic and pneumatic equipment
• Provides operational control assistance for processes
• Performs other duties as assigned

Plant Specialist I

• All of the duties of the Plant Specialist Trainee AND
• Follows safety procedures
• Monitors and responds to facility SCADA system
• Performs quality checks and responds to trouble calls
• Drives a tractor-trailer or dump truck, if applicable to location
• Performs other duties as assigned

Plant Specialist II

• All of the duties of the Plant Specialist Trainee/I

Plant Specialist III

• All of the duties of the Plant Specialist Trainee/I/II AND
• Trains staff in the operation, maintenance and repair of various plant process equipment
• Completes purchase order requests for supplies needed to complete jobs and general operating supplies
• Provides operational control of processes

Minimum Qualifications

High school or equivalent is required for Plant Specialist Trainee/I/II/III AND

Plant Specialist Trainee

• Must obtain State FDEP mandated C Water or Wastewater license within (2) two years from date of hire or promotion
• Must obtain a Class C Water or Wastewater operators course within (1) one year
• Must pass the General knowledge test and one skill test component within (2) two years from date of hire or promotion
• Must be able to comply with requirements of the Utilities Health and Safety manual

Plant Specialist I

• Must possess State mandated C Water or Wastewater certification
• Must be able to comply with the requirements of the Utilities Health and Safety manual
• Within (1) one year of hire/promotion date, employees must successfully pass a General Knowledge test and a Skill test in one of the specialty areas listed below with a passing score of at least 70% on each. In addition to the written tests, a hand¿s-on skill test demonstrating mastery of the skill must be successfully completed for one of the skill areas*

Plant Specialist II

• Must possess State mandated B Water or Wastewater certification
• Must be able to comply with the requirements of the Utilities Health and Safety manual
• Within (1) one year of hire/promotion date, employees must successfully pass a General Knowledge test and a Skill test in (2) two of the specialty areas listed below with a passing score of at least 70% on each. In addition to the written tests, a hand¿s-on skill test demonstrating mastery of the skill must be successfully completed for one of the (2) two skill areas*

Plant Specialist III

• Must possess State mandated a Water or Wastewater certification
• Must be able to comply with the requirements of the Utilities Health and Safety manual
• Must complete the Orange County Leadership Development series within (2) two years of hire or promotion
• Must demonstrate proficiency in (3) three skill areas
• Must complete the Orange County Effective Training and Presentation Skills program or an equivalent trainer¿s certification program within (2) two years of hire or promotion
• Within (1) one year of hire/promotion date, employees must successfully pass a General Knowledge test and a Skill test in (3) three of the specialty areas listed below with a passing score of at least 70% on each. In addition to the written tests, a hand¿s-on skill test demonstrating mastery of the skill must be successfully completed for one of the (3) three skill areas*

Proficiency/Skill Areas for Plant Specialist I/II/III:

• Treatment process control in advance water or wastewater systems
• SCADA/DCS system operations of electronic equipment
• Biosolids processing and management

Preferences

Prefer applicants with education and training involving mechanical, electrical or instrumentation experience and competent in basic mathematics, chemistry and biology

Will consider previous water or wastewater plant experience

Application Deadline

Open Date: 03/05/2026

Close Date: 03/18/2026

This posting is subject to close without prior notice.

Salary Information

Pay Grade: 010 - From $18.10 to $22.97

Pay Grade: 013 - From $21.51 to $27.96

Pay Grade: 014 - From $23.19 to $30.14

Pay Grade: 015 - From $25.00 to $32.49

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Placement based on Education and Experience

Sign-on Incentive

This position may be eligible for a Sign-on Incentive. To learn more about our Sign-on Incentive Program visit our website at:

http://www.ocfl.net/careers/#incentives

Please note that current County employees are not eligible for a sign-on monetary incentive.

Benefits

• 10 paid holidays and 2 floating holidays annually.
• 18 days paid time off per year.
• Longevity bonus based on years of service.
• 6 days of paid TERM (sick) time annually.
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, additional life insurance.
• Free basic life, long term disability, and employee assistance for all the family members effective on day one.
• Participation in the Florida Retirement System.
• Employee assistance program includes multiple free one on one sessions with licensed counselors and online tools for legal advice, financial planning, personal life balance, etc.
• Free access to Wellworks gyms and Orange County Recreation Centers.
• Free onsite wellness coaching, including dietician and nurse.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Earn service time to forgive student loans.

Disclaimer: Benefits may vary for employees under collective bargaining agreements.

For more information on Benefits visit - https://www.ocfl.net/EmploymentVolunteerism/EmployeeBenefits.aspx

Veterans Preference

If you are claiming Veterans' Preference, you are responsible for providing the required eligibility documentation by the closing date of the posting. Please scan and upload a copy of your cover letter and supporting documents, to Orange County Human Resources Division via the secure Box.com folder.

Your cover letter should include the Job ID number you are applying for, the title of the position, your full name and the last 4 digits of your social security number. *If you are a current employee returning from active military service, you may be eligible for promotion preference if the active military service qualifies for Veterans' Preference. Please note that Veterans' Preference applies only to a Veterans' first promotion after reinstatement or reemployment, without exception.

Educational Requirements

If your education was obtained in the United States, the County recognizes degrees or diplomas which are accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). If you have obtained education from a country other than the United States, your degree or diploma must be evaluated to determine the United States equivalency by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Service (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluations (AICE) at your expense.

Address

Orange County Utilities

Water Division

(These positions are available in various Water Division facility locations)

Notes

Work hours: 40 hours per week

Schedule: Monday ¿ Friday / 7:00am ¿ 3:00pm, on-call duty as assigned and SCADA desk 24 hour shift coverage

Selected candidates will be required to provide employment references and will be required to complete a pre-employment drug, physical and background check.