Plant Operator at Village of Winnetka, IL

Salary: $112,406.00 - $139,116.00 Annually
Location : Winnetka, IL
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 20251009
Department: Water & Electric
Opening Date: 12/05/2025

General Purpose

The Village of Winnetka is seeking a Plant Operator in the Water & Electric Department. The Plant Operator operates and maintains all aspects of both the Water and Electric Plant. This position performs maintenance on diesel generators, turbines, boilers and circuit breakers for electric power generation, and operates equipment for the proper and safe filtration and purification of water, including water sample testing. Additional duties include, but are not limited to, monitoring equipment, maintaining records of operations, inspecting and testing equipment, and performing equipment repair and building maintenance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Electric Plant Operations

• Ensure proper and safe operation of the Electric Plant and its infrastructure according to department, local, state, and federal requirements.
• Control, regulate, adjust or synchronize pumps, boilers, engines, water and cooling water feed systems, blowers, circuits, transformers, substations and other equipment, or direct and coordinate workers to do same, in accordance with information obtained from indicator instruments, consumer demand, and as conditions warrant, to supply power and transfer processed water to consumers and ensure equipment operation within recommended or prescribed ranges.
• Monitor equipment by means of regular and frequent inspection rounds. Keep records of generating and switching, maintenance and repair actions; equipment malfunctions; and the readings of gauges, meters, charts, and instruments.
• Operate and maintain the Plant Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system.
• Receive trouble calls from consumers and other departments; notify line crews of the location of troubled circuits; and dispatch workers for repairs.
• Relay information and technical instructions between line crews and appropriate departments for trouble requiring action not covered by standard operating procedures.
• Verify accurate recording and reporting of switching operations to ensure safety of line crews and avoid interruptions of service during repairs.
• Receive check-in calls from workers.
• Confer with Electric Plant Superintendent to resolve generating or distribution problems and to report normal and emergency work activities and personnel matters.
• Perform routine maintenance and repair tasks such as, but not limited to: general housekeeping of Electric Plant, substations, and other facilities; painting; insulating; cleaning and lubricating pumps and auxiliary equipment; cleaning and repairing boilers; repairing pipelines; tightening glands and pipe joints; packing valves; and replacing gauge glasses, using hand and power tools. Assist in major mechanical maintenance and repair assignments such as, but not limited to, putting boilers in storage; overhaul, maintain, clean, and inspect boilers, auxiliary equipment, steam turbines, and diesel generators.
• Clean, lubricate, repair, adjust, inspect, test, and listen for sounds from machinery that warn of malfunctioning mechanical and electrical equipment.
• Contact IMEA (Purchased Power Provider) to arrange exchange of power according to contract or emergency situations and coordinate tie-in with other systems.
• Assist in electrical maintenance and repair projects, as assigned by Electric Plant Superintendent.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Water Plant Operations

• Acquire and maintain knowledge of procedures and equipment to assure proper and safe operation of water plant according to department, local, state, and federal requirements.
• Operate and control machinery to regulate flow of raw water into treatment plant. Feed specified amounts of various chemicals into water or adjust automatic devices that admit same into raw or finished water to disinfect and clarify water. Monitor all equipment throughout the treatment process.
• Monitor and adjust controls to regulate flow rates, water elevation, and the distribution of raw and finished water within the plant. Operate valves to regulate water through filter beds to remove impurities and direct flow of water throughout the plant. Operate filters by placing them in and out of service, monitoring their performance, setting their flow rates, and backwashing them when indicated.
• Report and log operational abnormalities and problems to Water Plant Superintendent and other plant operators.
• Respond to and recommend further action to be taken in response to emergencies.
• Perform and/or supervise testing of water samples to determine acidity, color and impurities. Acquire and maintain knowledge of procedures and equipment to assure proper and safe using use of titrators, turbidity meters, and conductivity meter, etc.
• Record, document, and interpret data relating to water and if necessary recommend and/or modify chemical feed and filtering processes. Recommend and/or take corrective actions to maintain appropriate water quality.
• Acquire computer knowledge and skills required for the position and learn to operate and maintain the Plant Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system.
• Recommend scheduling of equipment outages for preventive maintenance, purchase of spare parts, supplies and services to be included in plant operating and capital budgets.
• Clean, lubricate, repair, adjust, inspect, test, and listen for sounds from machinery that warn of malfunctioning mechanical and equipment.
• Perform routine maintenance repair tasks and general housekeeping of Water Plant.
• Assist in maintenance and repair projects, as assigned by Water Plant Superintendent.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Desired Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.
• Skill in reading and understanding various gauges, and ability to recognize possible inoperative or malfunctioning machinery.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, especially Word, Excel, and Access.
• Mechanical ability to utilize tools and equipment for the repair, modification, and/or improvement of plant equipment.
• Ability to use and program Programmable Logic Controllers.
• Demonstrate ability to think logically and sequentially, such as computer programming.
• Knowledge of use of hand and power tools.
• Read, clearly speak, and legibly write the English language.
• Valid driver's license.

Other Requirements

• Within six (6) months of hire, obtain valid State of Illinois Approved Laboratory Analyst Certification in microbiological analysis for Total Coliform, and E. Coli Examination of Water from Public Water Supplies and their Sources (MMO-MUG).
• Within 12 months of hire, obtain valid EPA, State of Illinois, Public Water Supply Operator Certificate of Competency, Class "D" certificate.
• Within 24 months of hire, obtain valid EPA, State of Illinois, Public Water Supply Operator Certificate of Competency, Class "C" certificate.
• Within 36 months of hire, obtain valid EPA, State of Illinois, Public Water Supply Operator Certificate of Competency, Class "B" certificate.
• Within 48 months of hire, obtain valid EPA, State of Illinois, Public Water Supply Operator Certificate of Competency, Class "A" certificate.

Work shifts are rotating to cover 24-hour operation and are normally 8 hours in duration, 40 hours weekly, but may be extended in the event of emergency, personnel shortage, workload, work in progress or training, and include weekends and holidays. Position also requires that when working an operating shift, employees must work until relieved by other personnel.

Work is sometimes required under adverse or unusual conditions in all weather conditions and at all hours of the day. The position requires effective audio-visual discrimination and perception, hearing sufficient to understand verbal direction and detect abnormal equipment operation and alarms, the performance of fine hand control procedures as well as lifting up to 100 pounds, climbing, stooping, walking and standing for long periods of time.
Village of Winnetka

Position Range 1/1/26: $112,406 - $139,116

For questions or assistance, please contact Ann Eriksson, Human Resources Manager, at (847) ###-#### or [email protected].
Insurance Benefits Effective 1/1/2026

• BlueCross BlueShield Health Insurance - PPO Plan 1 Highlights:
  • Deductible: $400 (per person, in-network)
  • Office Visit: $20
  • Co-Insurance: 90% (in-network), 70% (out-of-network)
  • Employee Rate (24 pay checks):
    • Employee Only: $65.57
    • Employee + 1: $131.14
    • Family: $187.21
• BlueCross BlueShield Health Insurance - PPO Plan 2 Highlights:
  • Deductible: $5,600 (per person, in-network)
  • Office Visit: Deductible applies, then $0
  • Co-Insurance: 100% (in-network), 80% (out-of-network)
  • Employee Rate (24 pay checks):
    • Employee Only: $50.43
    • Employee + 1: $100.86
    • Family: $143.98
• BlueCross BlueShield Health Insurance - HMO Highlights:
  • Deductible: Unlimited
  • Office Visit: $20
  • Co-Insurance: 100% (in-network)
  • Employee Rate (24 pay checks):
    • Employee Only: $46.31
    • Employee + 1: $92.65
    • Family: $132.22
• Delta Dental PPO:
  • Deductible: $50 (per person)
  • Annual Maximum: $1,500 (per person)
  • Employee Rate (24 paychecks)
    • Single: $0
    • Employee + 1 Dependent: $20.63
    • Family: $47.23
• EyeMed Vision Insurance:
  • Annual Eye Exam Co-pay: $0
  • Annual Frame Allowance: $200, plus 20% off the balance over $200
  • Annual Lens Allowance: $200
  • Employee Rate (24 paychecks)
    • Single: $0.00
    • Employee + 1 Dependent: $4.24
    • Family: $8.44
• Securian Life Insurance:
  • All employees receive Village-paid basic term life coverage valued at 1x base salary and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services
  • Optional Life Insurance with Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Coverage for Employees, Spouses, and Children is available for purchase (100% Employee-Paid)
• National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems (NCPERS):
  • Voluntary life insurance for Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) employees (optional for purchase)
• Discovery Benefits Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA):
  • Pre-tax dollars the employee may allocate to pay for qualifying out-of-pocket medical, dental, and vision expenses and for the care of dependents
• Securian Accident, Critical Illness, & Hospital Indemnity plans

Retirement Savings Plans

• Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF):
  • Mandatory pension plan for non-sworn public employees.
  • Employees Contribute 4.5% of their wages bi-weekly (26 paychecks)
  • Voluntary Additional Contribution savings plan available
• MissionSquare (ICMA) Retirement Corporation:
  • Optional 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (pre-tax savings)
  • Optional Roth 457 Plan (post-tax savings)
  • Optional Roth IRA Plan (post-tax savings)
• Nationwide Retirement Solutions:
  • Optional 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (pre-tax savings)

Paid Leave

• Sick Leave:
  • 12 sick days per year
  • Maximum sick leave accrual is 180 days
• Vacation Earning Schedule:
  • 1st - 4th year: 10 days
  • 5th - 7th year: 1 additional day (14 days at 8th year)
  • 9th year: 15 days
  • 10th - 13th year: 1 additional day (20 days at 14th year)
  • 15th - 21st year: 21 days
  • 22nd year: 22 days
  • 23rd year: 23 days
  • 24th year: 24 days
  • 25th & subsequent: 25 days
  • Employees can carry over one year's earning of vacation days
• Personal Days:
  • 5 personal days each calendar year (cannot be carried over year-to-year)
• Village Holidays:
  • New Year's Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Day After Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Eve
  • Christmas Day

Other Benefits

• Commuter Benefits
  • Employees utilizing public transportation to commute to work may use pre-tax dollars to pay for transit passes and qualifying rideshare expenses
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Professional Development

01

What is your experience operating 2MW or larger diesel generators?
02

What is your experience operating steam turbine generators?
03

What is your experience operating a conventional treatment potable water plant?
04

Do you have a valid EPA, State of Illinois, Public Water Supply Operator Certificate of Competency? If so, what class of certificate (i.e. A, B, C, D)?
05

List any additional skills and/or training that you have relevant to the Plant Operator position:
06

How did you learn of this position?

• Village of Winnetka Website
• GovernmentJobs.com
• ILCMA Website
• WCMA Website
• Indeed
• Newspaper Ad
• School Website
• Referral
• The Blue Line
• Other

07

If you selected 'Other' please state how you learned of this position otherwise type N/A.
08

The Village of Winnetka is committed to remaining a Drug-Free Workplace. I understand the Village's pre-employment process involves drug testing (including cannabis) and the Village retains the right to rescind a conditional offer of employment due to a positive test result for cannabis.

• Yes
• No

Required Question