WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT OPERATOR I/OPERATOR TRAINEE

Description:

Are you an entry-level wastewater trainee with a California Grade I or II Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate?

Are you looking for a position with a career path allowing for advancement and generous compensation?

Are you interested in working with a department known for pioneering schedules to support work/life balance?

The City of Palo Alto invites those with Wastewater Operator Certificates to apply.

Others are encouraged to apply who do not possess the California Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certificate if they are hardworking, willing to learn, and have aptitude and experience in industrial team environments; industrial safety; and/or operating and maintaining large or complex machinery.

The City of Palo Alto supports its employees pursuing these certificates with paid training classes and mentorship.

This position works a 12-hour dayshift or nightshift, which rotates every 16 weeks. The shift may require overtime before or after the shift and on non-regular working days. The standard 12-hour shift provides for working 14 days every four weeks, which is one of the benefits of this shift structure.

To learn more about the mission of the Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP), please click HERE .

Selected candidates will be hired into the Operator II position when they are fully qualified plant operators responsible for the efficient operation of wastewater and/or water treatment equipment on an assigned shift. All candidates not meeting this criteria will be hired into the Operator I or Trainee position until qualifications are met.

First review of applications will be on January 8th. However, applicants are encouraged to apply early as the recruitment could be closed early if sufficient applications are received.

Depending on candidates' qualifications, positions may be filled at either the Operator I ($40.99-50.33) or Operator Trainee ($36.10-44.33) level.

Benefits
Learn more about some of the great benefits the city offers:

Commuter Benefits

Childcare Benefits

Parental Leave Benefits

Health Benefits

Retirement Benefits

Essential Duties:

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Operates pumps, valves, furnaces, blowers, compressors, bar screens, feeders, and auxiliary equipment to regulate the flow of water and/or wastewater through the treatment plant and to control chemical feeding functions at related facilities on an assigned shift
• Removes screening and grit; cleans equipment and sedimentation tanks and plugged lines
• Inspects equipment and reports operating and mechanical problems occurring during shift to supervisor; may perform routine maintenance or minor repair or lubrication work on wastewater equipment under the direction of the Senior Mechanic
• Responds to chlorine and sulphur dioxide leaks as a member of the leak response team
• Maintains basic operational records such as operating logs, maintenance work performed, and records readings taken from a variety of meters, gauges, or charts
• Keeps plant area in a clean and orderly condition
• Uses common hand and power tools; and drives a motor vehicle in performance of work

Related Functions:

• May receive advanced training in the more complex operations tasks to reinforce familiarity with procedures, and may perform such tasks intermittently under supervision
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required

Ideal candidate:

• An Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a science-related field is preferred.

Duties are clearly outlined and are performed without immediate supervision; emergency or unusual operating conditions are referred to supervisory personnel for action. Routine maintenance and adjustment of equipment is performed as an integral part of the job.

Minimum Qualifications:

Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:

Operator I

• 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.
For full Operator I job description, please click HERE .

Operator Trainee

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade

Special Requirements Possession of a valid California driver's licenseAbility to obtain an "Operating-in-Training: Certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board at the time of hireMust 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 requiredMust be able to perform the critical and important duties of the classMust 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. For full Operator Trainee job description, please click HERE .

Supplemental Information:

The Selection Process:

• Applicants will receive recruitment status notifications via email. Governmentjobs.com account also has notification status updates.
  
• The screening process for this position typically may include a virtual recorded interview and/or panel interviews preceding final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.
  

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.

Eligibility List: An eligibility list may be created from this announcement and will remain valid for up to one year from the posting date. This list can be utilized to fill any citywide vacant position within the WQCP Operator I and/or Operator Trainee classification series. The Human Resources Department will oversee the list, and the Human Resources Director has the authority to either terminate or extend it as needed.

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.

For more details visit our Careers Page, by clicking HERE.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking HERE.

Closing Date/Time: 2/2/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Palo Alto

• 650-329-2376

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