JOB: Water Plant Operator (Mount Pleasant)
Water Plant Operator
Location: Mt. Pleasant
The City of Mt. Pleasant is hiring an individual eager to learn and grow as a Water Plant Operator (WPO). The Water Department staff is responsible for the operation and repair of the City of Mt. Pleasant’s public utilities water treatment plant and distribution system. If you are team-oriented, flexible, self-motivated, and open-minded, consider joining our professional Water Department team!
The WPO position is a full-time, 40 hours per week. The weekly schedule is:
Tuesday: 2:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Thursday: 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Saturday: 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
The selected candidate must also be available for occasional emergency call-ins. Weekly work schedule will vary during training phase.
Candidates must have demonstrated mechanical and electrical skills as well as solid knowledge in the areas of plumbing, math, basic biology and chemistry, and blueprint reading. A general understanding of computer and software systems is required as well as a valid driver’s license and a safe driving record. This position requires a minimum of a high school degree or equivalent with course work in mathematics, basic chemistry, lab processes, and computer usage. Newly hired Water Plant Operators are required to currently possess or attain an F-4 Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) certification within two EGLE testing cycles from the date of hire to remain employed.
Employees in this position receive both on the job training and industry specific learning opportunities for continuing education to maintain licensure. Tuition reimbursement is available for job-related college coursework.
The 2026 starting base wage is $23.14 to $23.79 per hour, depending upon qualifications. The current top base pay rate is $25.56 per hour. Top base pay is received after one or two years of employment, depending on the rate of pay received upon hire. Wage and license rates (EGLE license pay) are F-4 $2.26 per hour; F-3 $2.78 per hour; F-2 $3.59 per hour; F-1 $4.47 per hour. Licenses are not cumulative. Shift premiums for afternoon and weekend work also apply. See the TPOAM union contact for details.
Selected applicants will be contacted by email to complete the required online skills testing, which must be completed by November 9, 2026. The online skills testing includes the following areas:
- Grammar and Punctuation
- Spelling
- Basic Mathematical Calculations
- Filing
- Data Entry
- Microsoft Windows General Skills
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Typing
In addition, selected applicants will be invited to undergo in-person skills testing in basic chemistry, electrical, math, and mechanical skills. In-person testing is tentatively scheduled for November 10, 2026.
Please note that not all applicants who complete testing will be invited to interview.
Interviews are tentatively scheduled for November 24, 2026. We anticipate the selected candidate to begin work in January 2027.
City of Mt. Pleasant Profile
Mt. Pleasant is a growing and financially stable community located in the geographic center of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. We are a warm and friendly community dedicated to retaining our small-town traditions while building a vital economy. The area population officially stands at 21,688 but can swell to two or three times that number due to special events and the approximate 30,000 daily visitors to the Soaring Eagle Resort and Casino located at the east City limits.
We are also home to Central Michigan University’s 14,000 plus students and many of its employees. CMU offers more than 170 programs at the Bachelor, Master, and Specialist Degree levels, as well as their Medical School. Mid-Michigan College’s Mt. Pleasant Campus is an option for those who wish to transfer to a university or prepare for a career in health, business, or industrial technologies. Five other colleges and/or universities are within 45 miles of Mt. Pleasant. This community is dedicated to education and offers seven neighborhood schools, one middle school, and two high schools. There is also one parochial and two charter schools.
The Mt. Pleasant community provides an abundance of recreational and cultural opportunities ranging from hockey to chamber music concerts. Golfers are especially pleased with the 13 courses available within a 30-minute drive. The City Parks and Recreation Department offers a wide range of recreational programs for all ages, including youth soccer, softball, golf, basketball, volleyball, and tennis. The City operates and maintains 11 parks comprising 300 acres, offering venues for picnicking, swimming, fishing, canoeing, and hiking. The Isabella County park system adds another 900 acres with similar opportunities as well as camping and cross-country skiing.
The City of Mt. Pleasant offers a robust benefits package including paid time off (vacation, sick, personal); 10 paid holidays; health, prescription, dental, vision, and life insurance; medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts; MERS Defined Contribution Plan with a 10% employer contribution; non-taxable tuition reimbursement program; and a variety of incentives offered through the voluntary HealthSteps Wellness Program.
Additional information:
To be considered for this position, please submit the following by October 25, 2026:
- Letter of Interest;
- Resume; and
- Completed Job Application (This is a public position, as such the City cannot guarantee confidentiality once the applicant accepts an invitation to interview. If you would like to request confidentiality during the pre-interview phase, please indicate your request on the application form).
Submit these materials by email to: hr@mt-pleasant.org
Please combine multiple documents into a single file before submitting. Incomplete documents are not accepted.
The City of Mt. Pleasant is an Equal Opportunity Employer.