Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator

Division/Section: Infrastructure and Operations - Water 

Position Type: Permanent Full Time (9 day fortnight, 38 hours/week) 

Salary Range: $ 107,609 - $ 117,294 per annum + super

Location: Townsville

Application Close: 11:45pm, Wednesday 26 August 2026

About the Role

As a Wastewater Treatment Operator, you'll play a vital role in protecting public health and the environment by ensuring the safe and efficient operation of Townsville City Council's wastewater treatment plants. Working across multiple treatment facilities, you'll monitor and optimise treatment processes, complete operational and maintenance activities, undertake testing and reporting, and contribute to achieving environmental compliance and service excellence. This hands-on role offers variety, technical challenges, and the opportunity to work as part of a dedicated team delivering essential services to our community.

About you:

You are a safety-focused and reliable operator with experience in wastewater treatment or a similar process-driven industry. You have strong problem-solving skills, an understanding of treatment processes and compliance requirements, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. With excellent communication skills and a commitment to continuous improvement, you take pride in maintaining high operational standards and delivering outcomes that support the health and sustainability of our community.

Key skills and experience include:

• Experience operating wastewater treatment plants or similar industrial/process facilities.
• Certificate III in Water Industry Operations (Wastewater Treatment) or equivalent experience.
• Ability to monitor plant performance, interpret results, and respond to operational issues.
• Strong commitment to workplace health, safety, and environmental compliance.
• Ability to participate in an on-call roster and work across multiple treatment plant locations as required.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

For further information review the Position Description. 

Townsville City Council is the largest local government authority in Northern Australia. We’re committed to supporting our people through a strong focus on work–life balance, a positive and inclusive culture, and a shared passion for making a meaningful impact in our community.

We have a range of benefits that confirm this commitment:

• 5 weeks annual leave + 17.5% leave loading
• 3 weeks Personal/Carers Leave
• 14 weeks paid Parental Leave
• Domestic and Family Violence Leave
• Natural Disaster Leave
• Uniforms and PPE provided 
• Annual wage progression
• Up to *13.5% Superannuation employer contribution for contributing members
• Salary Sacrifice opportunities
• Access to a range of learning and development opportunities, including on-the-job learning and formal training programs
• Fitness Passport program offering discounted membership to selected health and wellbeing facilities
• Employee Loyalty Program offering discounts at selected local businesses
• Employee Assistance Program

* The Council contribution to employees' superannuation for contributing employees shall be 13.5% of the employees' ordinary time earnings subject to the employee contributing a minimum of 6% of their ordinary time earnings.

Contact Person:     Glenn

Contact Email:       ••••@townsville.qld.gov.au

How to Apply

Your application can be submitted through the 'Apply' button. Please include a cover letter (maximum 2 pages), outlining how your skills, qualifications and experience would allow you to achieve success in this role. We also will require your resume which should confirm any licences and qualifications your hold.

For further information review the Position Description. 

We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive workplace where diverse styles, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, encouraged, and respected. People from diverse backgrounds (including but not limited to, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, people with diverse gender identities and sexualities, people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disability, and veterans) are encouraged to apply!

All successful candidates are required to undergo drug and alcohol testing as part of the recruitment process. Please be aware Townsville City Council has a ‘zero tolerance’ policy to drugs and alcohol in the workplace.

If you need any adjustments to be made to the recruitment process or if you would like to discuss any accessibility requirements, please contact ••••@townsville.qld.gov.au or phone 07 •••• •004 for a confidential discussion.