Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator

Department of the Army

United States Army Installation Management Command

U.S. Army Garrison Installation Command Directorate of Public Works

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel in the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: This is a developmental position with the full performance level of WG-10 for USA Garrison Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, with duty location of Edgewood (APG South).

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

At the full performance level of the position, you will perform the following duties. As a developmental employee, you will be trained and supervised to perform the duties.
Operate a Waste Water Treatment Plant to provide the full range of the treatment process, that is required to meet National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit conditions.
Provide four stages of plant treatment, namely: Pretreatment, and primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment.
Operate a variety of pumps, valves, gates, feeders, flocculates, clarifies (purifying liquids), filters and other controls and equipment to move waterborne domestic waste through the various states of treatment.
Collects samples, runs tests on influent, intermediate stages and effluent, and adjusts chemical additions according to specified requirements.
Performs operation and maintenance on all equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures, manufacturers specifications/manuals and written and oral instructions from superior.
Maintains required records, operator logs, flow charts, and calibration charts.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
You will be required to complete a Basic Background investigation, Tier one (1) investigation.
Employee shifts are rotated on a regularly scheduled basis.
The duties of this position may require the incumbent to be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week on a rotational basis, based on the needs of the organization.
This position requires the employee to use personal protective equipment provided by the employer.
This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
This position has a requirement to lift up to 50 lbs.
“Mission Essential” position. In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations (natural or man-made disaster) you are required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations.
The duties of this position require the incumbent to possess or obtain, and maintain valid state driver’s license in one of the 50 U.S. states or possessions to operate vehicles.
Incumbent must obtain and maintain a state of Maryland Environmental Certification for Waste Water treatment Operators level 4, within 3 years of appointment to the position.
You may be required to service a one-year probationary period if applicable.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

There is no specific length of training or experience required. However, you must be able to demonstrate, through experience shown in your written application materials that you possess the sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of this position without more than normal supervision.

Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a(n) ~ without more than normal supervision. - Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

WG-08 Level: I have the ability to perform common tasks at a Waste Water Treatment Plant such as: 1) Experience working in a WWTP; 2) Experience recording measurement data; 3) Experience operating WWTP equipment; 4) Experience taking samples for measurement tests. I work under normal supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who observes tasks in progress and upon completion to make sure they are properly performed.

WG-10 level: I have the ability to perform some tasks including: 1) Experience working in a WWTP; 2) Experience operating and maintain equipment such as pumps, gate valves, and outlets to adjust and regulate the flow of water into and out of a system; 3) Measuring and performing routine tests such as pH or measuring and reading meters and gauges; and 3) Experience recording test and measurement data. I work under supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who reviews my work for completion.

COMPETENCIES:

SCREENOUT-ABILITY TO DO THE WORK OF THE POSITION WITHOUT MORE THAN NORMAL SUPERVISION
Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.
Operation of and perform minor maintenance on a variety of complex equipment such as pumps, valves, chemical feed machines and chlorinators.
Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic).
Use of Measuring Instruments.
Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprinting reading).
Dexterity and Safety.
Physical Effort - Operator frequently works in strained positions while cleaning equipment or lifting heavy equipment or tools. Job requires considerable walking, standing on concrete and climbing stairways and ladders. Regularly lifts objects weighing 45-50 pounds; occasionally heavier weights.
Working Conditions - Works inside and outside in all kinds of weather. Sometimes requires exposure to running motors, pumps and machinery, loud noises, and poor ventilation. Incumbent is exposed to chlorine, sulfuric acid, methane gas, sulfur dioxide, and bacteria. Odors and fumes occasionally unpleasant. Complete protective clothing including acid resistant gloves and aprons, gas mask or full face shield, and respirator required when working with dangerous chemicals. Frequent exposure to dirty and greasy machinery. Required to work on catwalks and ladders.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

This is a developmental position and selection may be at the WG-08 or WG-10. If selected for less than the full performance level of WG-10, you may be promoted without competition. Promotion is subject to meeting all regulatory requirements, training, certifications, and performance. Promotion is at management's discretion.
Within 3 years of entrance on duty you must obtain and maintain a State of Maryland Environment Certification for Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator Class 4.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
This is a(n) Construction, Engineering, Infrastructure Career Field position.
Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
The following special programs/incentives MAY be offered if it is appropriate to the position being filled and in the best interest of the government:
- Recruitment incentives
- Relocation incentives
- Student Loan repayment
- Salary negotiations for those candidates who are new to Federal service my be authorized.
- Credit for prior non-federal work experience and certain military service for determining annual leave accrual rate may be authorized.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

Required Documents

The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment. A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist for Public Announcements.

As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

1. Your resume:

Your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
For each relevant work experience, make sure you include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (include month and year), for qualifications purposes, the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position.
Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume.
If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
For additional information, to include formatting tips, see: What to include in your resume.

2. Other supporting documents:

Cover Letter, optional
Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable
This position requires a job-related license or certification. You MUST submit a copy of your license or certification with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. See: Transcripts and Licenses

NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 08/18/2026 to receive consideration

To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application (https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13020265).
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. As a reminder, your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. For additional information, refer to the 'Required Documents' section.
You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. Your resume selected in USAJOBS will be included, but you must re-select other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application may be incomplete.
It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/applicant/profile/dashboard/), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk

Website: https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq

Address: FT-W4QVAA US ARMY IMCOM-USAG APG
DO NOT MAIL
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005
US

Next steps

If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking (as applicable) for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.

Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator Job in Edgewood, MD