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Job Description
Water Plant Operator
Valley Water
Salary: $109,865.60 - $140,712.00 Annually
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 01886-E
Location: CA, CA
Department: Treated Water
Closing: 5/4/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Overview:
The Water Plant Operator will perform the duties of a state-designated shift operator in the monitoring and operation of a water treatment plant, to provide relief operations shift coverage and, as necessary, to perform the duties of an Assistant Water Plant Operator. The Water Plant Operator will use the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to monitor and control plant operations. They will analyze data to ensure compliance with all State and Federal drinking water standards and perform administrative procedures. The Water Plant Operator will train and sign-off training checklists for lower-level operations staff. They will perform scheduled and emergency plant shutdowns and start-ups. Additionally, they will complete safety trainings and follow safety protocols. Please note that this position is based at our Penitencia Water Treatment Plant.
Our Commitment: We are committed to building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment for all. We believe every member of our team enriches our diversity, contributes to inclusion, and strengthens belonging by broadening our perspective and collective understanding of the world around us to accomplish our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protections, and environmental stewardship.About Valley Water:Valley Water is a public agency with an operating and capital budget of $964 million, and over 900 employees. With headquarters in San Jose, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community.
Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- As the state-designated shift operator, oversee all plant activities on an assigned shift; maintain situational awareness of, or assist in, maintenance, engineering, and construction work, special projects, contractors, non-plant Valley Water employees, and all plant visitors; represent the treatment plant with personnel located offsite such as retailers, regulators, other Valley Water plants and support units, and other water agencies; direct the activities of the operator on shift; and formulate production and quality related decisions.
- Use the plant's computer based Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to monitor and control plant operations; investigate and respond to alarms; scan multiple computer monitors simultaneously; navigate a multitude of program screens to observe, track, and retrieve on-line instrument readings for water, chemicals, and equipment.
- Perform various administrative tasks such as data entry into spreadsheets and database programs, initiate and follow up on work orders for preventative and corrective maintenance; create and revise standard operating procedures; order chemicals; maintain, compile, and review plant operations data; complete entries into the plant's log book.
- Serve in the role of Relief Operator on as needed/rotational basis.
- Perform scheduled and emergency plant shutdowns and startups.
- Train lower-level operator staff; sign off on training checklists.
Ideal Candidate's Background Includes:
Applicants whose experience and background best match the ideal experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education are considered ideal candidates for the position. To determine the top candidates, each applicant will be assessed based on the ideal candidate criteria as listed below.
Ideal Experience:
Water Plant Operator Experience: Three (3) or more years of experience performing work as a licensed operator at a water treatment plant that is rated as a T-4 or higher facility.
Ideal Skills and Abilities:
- Working experience/expertise in operating and troubleshooting standard and advanced water treatment plant equipment
- Proficient in water treatment math and chemistry
- Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), SCADA, Maximo.
Ideal Knowledge:
- Understanding of key regulations, reporting procedures and requirements of drinking water
- Knowledge of safe work practices around water treatment plant chemicals and equipment
- Knowledge of practices and responsibilities of leading the work of assigned staff
- Understanding and familiarity with new or pending regulations such as algal toxicity.
Ideal Training and Education:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by six (6) quarter units in chemistry and six (6) quarter units in math from an accredited college.
Required License or Certificate
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. Individuals who do not meet the driver's license requirement due to a disability will be considered for a reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.
Possession of a valid Grade T3 Water Treatment Operator certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.
To review the Classification Specification, please click https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/valleywater.org.us-west-1/s3fs-public/Water%20Plant%20Operator%2012-2020.pdf https://get.adobe.com/reader/
North Water Treatment Operations Unit (Position Code 557)
Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date.
This position requires the individual to be onsite and is typically not a teleworking position.
Selection Process
(1) The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, application assessment, performance exercise, written exercise and/or interview.
(2) The Employment Application, Qualifying Information Questions and/or Supplemental Questions will be evaluated based on the ideal candidate criteria listed above. Resumes are highly recommended.
NOTE: Position and start date is subject to availability of funds. Valley Water retains the right to repost this position as deemed necessary.
Consideration may be given to existing applicant pools within the same classification.
Valley Water's Equal Opportunity Non-Discrimination Policy is available for review upon request.
Valley Water will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources in advance of any special needs by calling 408-630-2260.
Please be aware that once submitted all application materials become the property of Valley Water and will not be returned. Human Resources staff are not authorized to make copies of application materials for applicants.
To apply, please visit https://apptrkr.com/6171443
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ABOUT THE COMPANY
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Valley Water
Show moreThe Santa Clara Valley Water District, now known as Valley Water, is a special district, governed by a seven-member board of directors, and is responsible for water supply, flood protection and watershed management in Santa Clara County. The district encompasses all of the county’s 1,300 square miles and serves the area’s 15 cities, 1.7 million residents and more than 200,000 commuters. Our responsibilities flow from our dual missions: to provide high quality water, and to manage flood and storm waters along the county’s 700 miles of creeks and rivers.
The mission of the district is a healthy, safe, and enhanced quality of living in Santa Clara County through the comprehensive management of water resources in a practical, cost-effective and environmentally sensitive manner.
The Santa Clara Valley Water District, now known as Valley Water, manages an integrated water resources system that includes the supply of clean, safe water, flood protection and stewardship of streams on behalf of Santa Clara County’s 2 million residents. The district effectively manages 10 dams and surface water reservoirs, three water treatment plants, a state-of-the-art water quality laboratory, nearly 400 acres of groundwater recharge ponds and more than 275 miles of streams.
We provide wholesale water and groundwater management services to local municipalities and private water retailers who deliver drinking water directly to homes and businesses throughout Santa Clara County.
Who We Are
A seven-member Board of Directors governs Valley Water. We are an ethnically diverse, family friendly organization with employees who are committed to public service and work collaboratively with other agencies (all levels of government, community-based organizations, and neighborhood organizations) in carrying out our mission.
Be a Part of It
Valley Water strives to attract, develop and retain a talented and diverse workforce. Many of our employees have worked at the district for more than 20 years. Our employees come from diverse, cultural and professional backgrounds. The district promotes high performance, diversity and equal employment opportunities. We offer careers in a wide range of fields.
We Value Our Employees
- The district’s salaries and benefits are highly competitive.
- The district supports employee development through tuition reimbursement, certification, management development training, safety training, on-line training and apprenticeship programs.
- Please use the links at left to explore our current job openings, salary and classification information, benefits packages, Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunity programs.
We Value Excellence
The district values Excellence in Innovation, Integrity, Transparency and Teamwork. Our Workforce Development Program helps to guide our employees into the future by providing a systematic framework to facilitate the efficient, effective use of resources, which guides the development of a training curriculum based on business needs to enhance job knowledge and skills of the District’s workforce, and promotes professional development.
We Support Veterans
The Veteran’s Employee Resource Group provides assistance and supports Veteran affairs at Valley Water. Over the past ten years the district has participated in external support activities including care package drives for troops stationed overseas, as well as participating in the “Cell Phones for Troops” program.
In recognition of our employees who are veterans, a celebration is held annually around Veteran’s Day and features speakers and topics of historical interest.
We Value Diversity
The district is committed to creating an inclusive work environment which recognizes and supports the diversity of our community and enriches our perspectives.
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