Career Opportunities

The Opportunity

The City of Portage is excited to announce an opportunity for a full time Wastewater Service Operator to join the Portage Utilities team.

What You’ll Do
As a Wastewater Service Operator, you will:
 Maintain waste water treatment facilities and equipment.
 Perform laboratory functions.
 Provide general support to the department.
A full position description is available on our website at www.portagewi.gov or at the Portage
Municipal Building, 115 W. Pleasant Street.
What We’re Looking For
The ideal candidate will bring:
 A high school diploma or equivalent.
 1-2 years related experience.
 The ability to obtain a Commercial Drivers License and State certifications in wastewater
treatment within 6 months of hire.
 Computer proficiency in the use of spreadsheets and SCADA programs.
 Combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and
abilities will be considered.

Why Join Us?
The starting pay range for this position is $22.80 - $28.51/hour (commensurate with experience),
with a comprehensive benefits package.
Work Hours
This is a full-time role with regular hours from 7:00AM-3:30PM, Monday through Friday, with
rotational weekend (Saturday and Sunday), shifts monthly. Position responds to after-hours calls
as needed.
Apply Today!
Submit your resume and/or City of Portage Employment Application to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by mail to Phil Livingston, Public Works Director at Portage
Municipal Building, 115 W. Pleasant Street, Portage, WI 53901. All application materials must be
submitted by 4:00PM on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Applications will be accepted until the
position is filled.
Join us and be part of Portage’s team!

Purpose of Position
This position exists to maintain the waste water treatment facilities, lift stations, and equipment and to perform laboratory functions.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Maintains waste water treatment plant facilities, equipment, and grounds: inspects and cleans plant facility and equipment such as the pumping stations; performs preventative maintenance on equipment such as the annual cleaning of the digestors; repairs plant equipment; hauls sludge to landfill areas; maintains grounds by mowing lawns and removing snow.
• Performs laboratory functions: collects samples for analysis; tests samples; records test results; completes necessary reports; sterilizes laboratory equipment; assists with purchase of laboratory chemicals.
• Provides general support to the Department: monitors industry developments; attends educational seminars.
• Performs other duties as required.
Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions
● High school diploma or equivalent and additional technical coursework and one to two years laboratory experience or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.
● Must possess or have the ability to obtain an Operator-In-Training State certification for wastewater treatment within 6 months of hire. This is a requirement to complete probationary period. Following the probationary period, must possess or have the ability to obtain a Basic State certification for wastewater treatment within 12 months of Operator-In-Training certification..

Must possess or have the ability to obtain a valid Wisconsin Class B Drivers License with “N” certification, within 6 months of hire. This is a requirement to complete probationary period.
City of Portage
Position Description
● Ability to obtain profieciency in the use of computer software applications such as spreadsheets and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) programs.
Minimum Physical and Mental Abilities Required to Perform Essential Job Functions
Physical Requirements
• Ability to operate a variety of hand held manual and powered equipment and tools as well as operate vehicles and off-road equipment.
• Ability to climb, carry, lift up to 50 pounds unassisted, wear breathing mask and other personal protective equipment
• Ability to respond outside of normal working hours to emergencies.Mathematical Ability
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide; perform calculations using decimals, percentages, and algebraic equations. Ability to interpret statistical reports.
Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and/or prepare a variety of documents such as laboratory and sampling reports and bench sheets, Quality Assurance documents, maintenance records, statistical analyses, purchasing forms, and flow charts and weather charts using prescribed format and conforming to state rules and regulations and all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style.
• Ability to use and interpret waste water, plant maintenance, pumping station, and environmental manuals, the Sacramento Book, and other policy and procedure manuals.
• Ability to communicate effectively with City personnel, sales representatives, chemical companies, part-time summer employees, and the general public to convey or exchange information including receiving instructions from supervisors.
Environmental Adaptability
• Work is generally performed in a waste water treatment plant and laboratory environment with corresponding hazards. Work is also performed outside in varying weather conditions.
The City of Portage 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 employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.