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Job Description
Description
The City of Palo Alto’s Public Works Department, Environmental Services Division, is seeking qualified candidates to join the operations team at the Regional Water Quality Control Plant, where about 20 million gallons of wastewater are processed daily. The facility serves as a regional treatment plant for multiple partner agencies and operates continuously to serve more than 236,000 residents and businesses across the Peninsula. Major upgrades are currently underway at the facility to modernize treatment and reduce nutrient discharge to the Bay, providing operators the opportunity to work with evolving systems and new infrastructure.
The operations team works in a hands-on environment where operators rely on practical skills, teamwork, and attention to detail to keep the plant operating reliably.
Depending on qualifications, this recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies at the Operator Trainee, Operator I, Operator II, or Senior Operator level. Hourly salary ranges vary by classification level and currently range from $41.63 to $74.25 per hour, depending on qualifications and certification level. Candidates may be considered for placement at the level that best aligns with their experience, certifications, and the City’s operational needs. Please see the full job description links below for additional details.
Candidates at all experience levels are welcome, and operators with State Water Resources Control Board wastewater treatment certifications are also encouraged to apply. Placement at a specific classification level will be determined based on qualifications and City requirements. Please see the Minimum Qualifications section for additional information.
Ideal Candidate
Candidates should be dependable, safety-minded, and comfortable working in a wastewater treatment plant environment. The work requires attention to detail, awareness of changing plant conditions, and the ability to work effectively as part of a shift team.
Strong candidates typically demonstrate:- Interest in or familiarity with wastewater treatment processes and plant operations
- Willingness and ability to learn to operate pumps, valves, blowers, and other treatment equipment
- Understanding of, or willingness to learn, safe work practices related to plant operations, equipment, and chemical handling
- Ability to observe plant conditions and respond to operational changes as needed
- Ability to maintain operational records such as logs and equipment readings, or willingness to learn these tasks
- Clear communication and effective teamwork during plant operations
- Reliability and willingness to work shift assignments, including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed
Essential Duties
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:- Monitor treatment processes and plant systems to ensure proper operation.
- Operate pumps, valves, blowers, compressors, and other wastewater treatment equipment.
- Inspect equipment and facilities to identify operational or mechanical issues.
- Make adjustments to treatment processes and equipment as conditions change.
- Collect samples and perform routine process checks as required.
- Record operational data including meter readings, equipment status, and process conditions.
- Maintain operational logs and basic records related to plant operations and maintenance activities.
- Report equipment issues, unusual conditions, or safety concerns to supervisory staff.
- Follow established safety procedures and work practices related to plant operations and chemical handling.
To review the full Job description, click below:
WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT OPERATOR TRAINEE ($41.63 - $50.85 Hourly)
WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT OPERATOR I ($47.10 - $57.57 Hourly)
WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT OPERATOR II ($53.66 - $65.61 Hourly)
SENIOR OPERATOR WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT ($60.70 - $74.25 Hourly)
Minimum Qualifications
WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT OPERATOR TRAINEE
Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:- Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade
Special Requirements- Possession of a valid California driver's license
- Ability to obtain an "Operating-in-Training: Certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board at the time of hire
- Must obtain a Grade I Wastewater Plant Operator certificate before the employee’s SWRCB-issued wastewater treatment plant operator-in-training certificate expires. Ability to work shifts, on-call, weekends and holidays as assigned or as required
- Must be able to perform the critical and important duties of the class
- Must be able to wear and perform emergency response duties in a level A full-body protection suit and S.C.B.A. weighing 32 pounds, and must maintain a face seal while using the self-contained breathing equipment.
WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT OPERATOR I
Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:- Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade
and- Experience of one year in a related field
- Possession of a Grade I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board.
Special Requirements:
Possession of a valid California Driver's licenseAbility to work shifts, on-call, weekends and holidays as assigned or as requiredWill be required to meet Division of Clean Water Programs continuing education credits to maintain required certificationMust be able to wear and perform emergency response duties in a level A full-body protection suit and S.C.B.A. weighing 32 pounds, and must maintain a face seal while using the self-contained breathing equipment.
WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT OPERATOR II
Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:- Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade
and
- Two years experience in a related field
- Possession of a Grade II Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board
Special Requirements:- Possession of a valid California Driver's License
- Will be required to meet Division of Clean Water Programs continuing education credits to maintain required certification.
- Satisfactory completion of an internal written and/or practical examination demonstrating working knowledge of the Palo Alto Water Quality Control Plant and Water Reclamation Plant
- Must be able to wear and perform emergency response duties in a level A full-body protection suit and S.C.B.A. weighing 32 pounds, and must maintain a face seal while using the self-contained breathing equipment.
- Ability to work shifts, on-call, weekends and holidays as assigned or as required
SENIOR OPERATOR WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT
Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:- Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade
and- Possession of a Grade III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board.
- Three years experience in a related field
- Possession of a valid California Driver's license
Special Requirements:- Ability to work shifts, on-call, weekends and holidays as assigned or as required
- Will be required to meet Division of Clean Water Programs continuing education credits to maintain required certification
- Must be able to hear and perform emergency response duties in a level A full-body protection suit and S.C.B.A. weighing 32 pounds, and must maintain a face seal while using the self-contained breathing equipment.
Supplemental Information
The Selection Process:- Recruitment status notifications will be sent via email or text message (please enroll in text alerts when applying). Updates can also be viewed in your governmentjobs.com account.
- Applicants will be screened throughout the posting process, and qualified candidates may be invited to interview.
- The selection process may include one or more interviews, which may consist of panel interviews and/or interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.
An eligibility list may be established from this recruitment to fill future vacancies at the City’s discretion.
Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.
This position is represented by Service Employee International Union (SEIU).
Compensation (SEIU): Comprehensive compensation plan, to learn more click HERE.
The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
See our Benefits at a Glance Bookletfor more details.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking HERE.
Closing Date/Time: 4/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Palo Alto
Show moreThe Community
The birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, is a community of approximately 68,000 residents and nearly 100,000 jobs. Located on the mid-Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technology, medicine, and green innovation. The community's treelined streets and historic buildings reflect its California heritage, and, at the same time, many world-class businesses maintain or started offices here, such as Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Amazon, Broadcom, Hewlett-Packard, Houzz, Rivian, SAP and SAP Ariba, Tesla, and Varian Medical Systems. Numerous start-ups are also at home in Palo Alto, arguably making it the start-up capital of the world. Stanford University is foundational to the history and prestige of Palo Alto, reflected in the community's dedication to lifelong learning. Stanford's cultural and educational offerings are integral to the vibrancy and charm of Palo Alto, while the City's exceptional K-12 school district ranks among the top public-school systems in the country. With more than 50% of adult residents holding a graduate degree or higher, Palo Alto is frequently listed as one of the most educated cities in the nation. Palo Alto boasts a genuine sense of community and an active citizenry with strong environmental values. Beautiful neighborhoods are complemented by vibrant commercial corridors and a bustling economy featuring premium shopping and dining options. Excellent healthcare facilities, performing arts, and diverse recreational opportunities are some of the community's incredibly desirable and cherished amenities. To learn more, visit https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/City-Manager/Latest-NewsCity Government
Palo Alto is a full-service charter city with a council-manager form of government. The seven-member City Council is elected at large, and the City Council annually selects the Mayor and Vice Mayor from among its members. The Mayor and City Council appoint the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, and City Auditor. The City Manager is responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the City. Palo Alto is organized into 15 departments/offices with 1,093.10 authorized positions in FY 2025. There is also a FY 2025 capital budget of $316.2 million. Palo Alto owns and operates its own utilities, including electricity (carbon-neutral), gas, water, wastewater, and an expanding fiber network. This dynamic municipal environment ensures an ever-engaging platform for unique problem-solving and advances new initiatives, including sustainability, broadband, and effective service delivery. Community assets also include five libraries, 36 parks, five community centers, a museum and zoo, youth centers, a general aviation airport, an 18-hole golf course, a regional water treatment plant, and wildland open space preserves at the San Francisco Bay and in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains offering 41 miles of walking/biking trails in addition to its police, fire, and ambulance services. Palo Alto has long been a leader in sustainability, and the City's ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals are part of what sets it apart. Since the City's first Climate Protection Plan was passed in 2007, Palo Alto has set goals that exceed State and Federal targets. Today, the City's goal to reduce emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2030 (the "80x30" goal) and achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 guides sustainability efforts. An award-winning City, Palo Alto is recognized nationally as innovative and well-managed. City services and performance also receive impressive marks from community members in the Palo Alto Community Survey.
Many of those ratings put City programs and services in the highest percentiles among the hundreds of benchmark cities. Palo Alto makes decisions through comprehensive processes and proactively seeks to involve its extremely informed, educated, and engaged residents. Projects are naturally a cooperative effort among the City Council, Boards, Commissions, Committees, engaged residents, neighborhoods, businesses, property owners, and staff.
Join an Award Winning Team
Palo Alto is an award-winning City recognized nationwide as innovative and well-managed. Palo Alto is one of a small number of California cities with a AAA bond rating. Recently, Palo Alto became one of the most livable cities in the U.S. by Livability.com. It's the only city to receive the Platinum Beacon Award in sustainability best practices by California’s Institute for Local Government. We offer a variety of career paths that relate to building and improving communities. The City has fourteen departments employing 1,000 full-time staff. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and library professionals enhance community life. Utilities provides electric, gas, water, sewer and other services. Internal services departments help manage, staff, and protect the City.
Want to learn more about our benefits? Learn more by reviewing our "Benefits at a Glance Booklet."
Contact Us
Phone: 650-329-2376
Email: Recruit@paloalto.gov
Location: City Hall, 1st Floor | 250 Hamilton Ave 94301 | View Map
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