Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I-II

Position Description

RECRUITMENT OVERVIEW

Thank you for your interest in our Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I-II position. We look forward to the opportunity to consider you as an applicant.

We are seeking a reliable and skilled Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I or II to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for the safe and efficient operation of our facility, ensuring all treated water meets or exceeds state and federal regulatory standards.

The City of Tulare is a vibrant and steadily growing community with a population of 67,834 located in the heart of California's Central Valley. The city provides a full-range of services to our citizens. The organization, staffed with 411 full-time employees, enjoys a culture of fiscal conservatism, collaboration, teamwork and dedication to public service and our community.

To be considered for this outstanding career opportunity applicants must submit a detailed application with detailed information in each section of the application: Education, Work Experience, Certificates and Licenses, and Skills.

In addition to submitting a detailed application, applicants are required to respond to the supplemental questions associated with the application. Responses to the supplemental questions will be used to help us evaluate applicants’ qualifying knowledge, skills, and abilities. Resumes may be attached but will not be accepted in lieu of a complete, detailed application or in lieu of detailed responses to the supplemental questions.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Under direct or general supervision, operates equipment, facilities, pump stations, and related appurtenances as found in a wastewater treatment plant and collection systems; takes periodic samples and performs standardized tests to ensure proper operation within established guidelines; assists with preventive maintenance and makes minor repairs to plant facilities and equipment; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

Receives direct or general supervision from the Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor and/or Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III. May provide technical and functional direction to lower-level staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I : This is the entry journey-level class in the wastewater treatment plant operator series. Under general supervision, incumbents operate and maintain wastewater treatment and distribution equipment and appurtenances according to City practices and procedures, as well as State and Federal regulations. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with greater independence. This class is alternately-staffed with Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining the knowledge, skill, experience, and certifications that meet the qualifications for, and demonstrating the ability to perform the work of, the higher-level class.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II : This is the full journey-level class in the wastewater treatment plant operations series that performs the full range of duties required to ensure that the wastewater treatment facilities and systems operate effectively and are maintained in a safe and effective working condition. Responsibilities include performing standardized tests on wastewater operations equipment, inspecting and attending to issues in a timely manner, and performing a wide variety of tasks in the preventative maintenance and minor repair of assigned facilities and systems. This class is distinguished from the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III in that the latter is responsible for technical and functional direction over lower-level operations staff on weekends, industrial inspections, and is capable of performing the most complex duties assigned to the department.

Salary Information

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I: $ 4,399.60 - 5,347.74

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II: $ 4,861.07 - 5,908.66

Examples of Essential Functions

(Illustrative Only) Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Monitors plant operations equipment and processes to ensure compliance with environmental and public health standards, including monitoring and making adjustments as needed to optimize efficiency, making chemical dosage changes, changing pumping rates, and monitoring all equipment daily.
• Reviews and analyzes automated information and control system data and revises equipment settings as appropriate; notifies supervisor of unusual situations and makes inspections or corrects system problems as necessary.
• Reads, records, and calculates readings of meters and gauges; interprets information into operational characteristics; changes flow meter charts; makes process adjustments according to information gathered, samples collected, readings, and records.
• Collects wastewater, sludge, and other samples from various phases of the treatment process; performs standard chemical and physical tests on these samples to ensure that plants are operating effectively and that regulatory requirements are being met.
• Interprets and may perform routine laboratory and process tests to optimize plant performance, checks the results, and recommends changes to Supervisors.
• Performs proper usage and handling of chemicals according to industry standards.
• Operates and assists in preventive maintenance on a variety of treatment plant equipment, such as electric motors, engines, gas and electric powered pumps, drive units, emergency systems, power generation systems, pressure and flow regulators, and other treatment plant fixtures and appliances.
• Operates valves, pumps, and automated controls to regulate the flow of wastewater through the system; operates valves to dispose of wastewater effluent.
• Removes blockages; replaces worn parts; assists maintenance as required.
• Confers with maintenance staff to determine equipment problems; suggests methods of minimizing such problems in an operational setting.
• Lubricates pumps, motors, chains, conveyors, and other machinery and equipment.
• May assist in preventative maintenance and services equipment according to an established schedule and inspects facilities and equipment to determine the need for maintenance or repair.
• Maintains light, medium, and heavy-duty equipment and vehicles appropriate to the functional area of assignment.
• Operates a variety of hand and power tools and equipment related to work assignment as instructed.
• Performs a variety of general and ground maintenance activities, including mowing, edging, and trimming landscaped areas as scheduled, weed abatement, and painting facilities and equipment when needed.
• Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition, including securing equipment at the close of the workday.
• Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions.
• Responds to complaints and answers questions from public or escalates to supervisor, as necessary.
• Responds to operations, maintenance, and repair emergency situations as required.
• Maintains records and logs of daily activities; prepares reports as necessary.
• Observes safe work methods and makes appropriate use of related safety equipment as required.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications / Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, equipment, materials, and tools used in the operation, cleaning, and preventive maintenance of wastewater treatment and disposal facilities and equipment.
• The operation and preventive maintenance of piping systems, including pipes, valves, and related appurtenances.
• Standard chemical and physical tests of wastewater, sludge, and related materials.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances, regulations, and guidelines relevant to assigned duties.
• Basic equipment troubleshooting principles and practices.
• Basic record keeping practices.
• Basic mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic principles.
• Basic arithmetic and statistical techniques.
• Safe work methods and safety practices pertaining to the work, including the handling and storage of hazardous chemicals.
• Safe driving rules and practices.
• Basic computer software related to work.
• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to:

• Operate, maintain, and repair a variety of wastewater treatment and disposal facilities and equipment.
• Recognize and correct or report unusual, inefficient, or dangerous operating conditions.
• Read a variety of gauges, charts, and meters, record data accurately and make appropriate process adjustments.
• Conduct standard chemical and physical tests of wastewater, sludge, and related materials.
• Handle hazardous chemicals in a safe manner.
• Make accurate arithmetic calculations.
• Safely and effectively use and operate hand tools, mechanical equipment, power tools, and equipment required for the work.
• Perform routine equipment maintenance.
• Operate a motor vehicle safely.
• Maintain both manual and automated logs, records, reports, and charts.
• Follow department policies and procedures related to assigned duties.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I, and II : Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I : In addition to the above, one (1) year of experience equivalent to Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Trainee at the City of Tulare.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II : In addition to the above, one (1) year of experience equivalent to Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I at the City of Tulare.

Licenses and Certifications:

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator /I/II

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver’s license.
• Within twenty-four (24) months of the date of entry into the position, must obtain a Confined Space Entry Certificate.
• Within twenty-four (24) months of the date of entry into the position, must obtain a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificate.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I

• Possession of a Grade I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.
• Within twenty-four (24) months of the date of entry into the position, must obtain a Grade II Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II

• Possession of a Grade II Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.

Additional Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in standard wastewater treatment plant and related facilities; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work, to work in confined spaces, around machines and to climb and descend ladders, and to operate varied hand and power tools and equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; color vision to read gauges and identify appurtenances; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio. The job involves frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 75 pounds and heavier weights with the use of proper equipment.

Environmental Elements

Employees work partially indoors and partially outdoors and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances, odors, and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives, and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

• Members of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). In accordance with the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), the City of Tulare will offer the following retirement benefit (2.0% at 62) to new PERS members beginning January 1, 2013 with three (3) years final compensation. Existing PERS members with no break in service will receive the 2.5% at 55 formula with single highest year.
• City pays a portion of the employee and dependent coverage costs of group medical, dental and vision insurance. An opt-out plan is also available.
• Life insurance - $20,000 coverage.
• 10 working days vacation per year. Additional days based on years of service.
• 12 days sick leave per year.
• 15 holidays annually: 12 city observed holidays, plus birthday credit and 2 in-lieu holidays.
• Flexible benefit program - IRS Section 125 Plan.
• Deferred compensation plan - 457 Plans available.
• City sponsored employee health care clinic - Services include: general medical care and health and wellness coaching. No deductibles, co-pays, or out-of-pocket expenses.

Closing Date/Time: 9/21/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of Tulare

• 559-684-4204

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