Water Treatment Plant Operator

Job Description:

Water Treatment Plant Operator

Description

Description

PLEASE READ THIS BULLETIN IN ITS ENTIRETY

THE POSITION

5% COLA increase effective July 2025

5% COLA increase effective July 2026

This recruitment is being conducted to fill three full-time vacancies. The list established by this recruitment may be used to fill future full-time, part-time, limited term, and temporary vacancies for up to one year.

The City of Vallejo is seeking candidates for three Water Treatment Plant Operator positions, as collaborative members of the City's Water Department. The ideal Water Treatment Plant Operator will be able to perform a variety of skilled technical duties and semi-skilled labor, as regulated by Federal and State potable water treatment guidelines, in the operation and maintenance of the City's drinking water treatment plants, transmission, distribution systems, and appurtenances. While not required, possession of an Associate's Degree in Water Treatment, Water Distribution or related field and industry approved specialized training are highly desired.

THE DEPARTMENT
The Vallejo Water Department is a dynamic organization engaged in growth and positive change for the benefit of our customers and community. The Department provides potable water to 121,000 customers through a highly complex system including multiple raw water sources, three treatment plants, a Sludge Dewatering Facility, 600 miles of distribution pipes, 8 pressure zones, 27 pump stations and 37,000 service connections. Vallejo Water is a Treatment-5/Distribution-5system. In 2017, Vallejo water services transitioned from a division of Public Works, to a standalone Water Department reporting directly to the City Manager. This change gives drinking water-related operations and issues greater visibility and strategic direction for the benefit of rate-payers. The Water Department's strategic goals include: infrastructure reliability, public trust, sustainability, organizational performance and financial viability.

The Water Department has six Divisions: Water Treatment, Engineering, Distribution, Watershed and Facilities Management and Administration/Conservation. The Water Quality Division of the Water Department is an important stakeholder in projects unfolding in Vallejo and the Advance Water Treatment Plant Operator is a key member of the team.

THE CITY OF VALLEJO

The City of Vallejo is located in Solano County and has a population of approximately 121,000 residents. Vallejo is a rapidly changing, highly diverse community located midway between the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento. It is a friendly, active waterfront community that attracts innovative, hardworking people and takes great pride in its 148-year history and maritime heritage. Residents of Vallejo are situated to take advantage of the best of what the area has to offer. Golf, museums, performing arts, boutique shopping, brewpubs and a wide selection of restaurants are all available in Vallejo. Residents and visitors alike enjoy Vallejo's delightful historical downtown area, weekly downtown farmer's market, and beautifully restored Victorian homes and business facades. Vallejo is also home to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, one of America's only combination wildlife, oceanarium and theme parks.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the full journey level classification in the Water Treatment Plant Operator series. Employees in this classification have completed the thirty-six (36) month trainee portion of this progressive classification series (or equivalent experience from an outside agency), successfully obtained their Grade T3, and successfully demonstrated their ability to perform the full range of responsibilities including operating and maintaining serviceable water supply through the City's transmission, distribution facilities, water treatment plants and sludge de-watering facility, often without immediate supervision. Incumbents apply independent judgement and standard job knowledge to resolve issues/problems of diverse scope where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors, initiative and action within established operational parameters.

This classification is distinguished from the Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator class, in that the latter is the advanced journey level responsible for the most complex tasks and requiring frequent analysis of unique issues/problems without precedent and/or structure.

As a condition of continued employment with the City of Vallejo in the classification of Water Treatment Plant Operator, incumbents are required to maintain Grade T3 certification by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). If incumbent is unable to maintain a Grade T3 Water Treatment Plant Operator certification, employment will be terminated.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives lead direction from Senior Water Treatment Plant Operators and general supervision from Water Treatment Plant Supervisors and/or other supervisory and management staff.

Provides lead direction to Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainees.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Operate, monitor, and adjust control functions within a water treatment plant, distribution system and sludge de-watering facility, using local controls and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA).
• Operate and adjust treatment plant pumps, motors, feeders and other equipment to maintain appropriate plant operations.
• Regulate the flow of water into and through the source water transmission system, the water treatment plant, and the distribution system.
• Record entries, update and maintain plant operation logs, forms and reports; perform and document calculations related to plant operational activities.
• Monitor water quality through online instrumentation, sampling procedures, and performing an analysis using standardized testing methods, tools, and equipment in a plant process laboratory, and at various stages in the treatment process.
• Mix and apply chemicals for use at various stages in the treatment process.
• Calculate dosages and adjust feeders/chemical injection pumps for proper operation and application of chemicals in order to ensure a high finished water quality standard.
• Work with hazardous chemicals related to water treatment and laboratory operations; receive training in and assist in spill prevention and response at City facilities.
• Maintain plant, operating equipment and facilities in a clean and orderly condition; perform routine housekeeping inside and outside the plant and conduct regular site safety inspections.
• Dispatch call-out personnel as required as required for emergency situations at all hours.
• Schedule, receive, safely unload, and store chemicals and materials by hand and by use of motorized and mechanical equipment; record deliveries and ensure adequate supplies.
• Safely operate a City-owned motor vehicle for travel to a number of pumping stations and water distribution and treatment facilities; operate City communication equipment.
• Correctly regulate waste side-streams and return flows. Assemble, update, and maintain plant operations logs and reports; perform and record mathematical calculations related to plant operational activities, process testing and control.
• Assemble, update, and maintain plant operations logs and reports; perform and record mathematical calculations related to plant operational activities, process testing and control.
• May act in a central communications function as follows: taking, relaying, transmitting, and providing information to and from City personnel or outside emergency services as required.
• Receive business contact with other city employees, customer inquiries and make every effort to enhance public relations.
• Conduct general tours of the facilities.
• Provide for safe plant conditions and working environment at all times by exercising a routine of attentiveness and proactive responses to plant safety and security matters.
• Participate in accurate and complete shift change turn-overs to discuss vital plant information.
• Participate in emergency preparedness training and exercises.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of :

• Standard principles of mathematics, biology, chemistry, and hydraulics as applied in the operation of a drinking water treatment facility and throughout the distribution systems.
• Standard principles and practices of drinking water treatment plant operations, laboratory analysis techniques and current drinking water standards and regulations.
• Operating principles of plant equipment such as valves, pumps motors, controls, instrumentation and telemetry.
• Basic computer (PC) skills in Microsoft Office Suite software.
• Safety regulations pertaining to industrial work practices and use of related equipment.
• Operational and safety regulations pertaining to water treatment plant operations and vehicle and equipment usage.
• Regulations, techniques and equipment used in managing, mitigation, recovery and reporting of hazardous materials release.

Ability to :

• Understand and carry out written and oral instructions.
• Read and interpret gauges and other recording devices, plant piping and distribution diagrams and other technical documents.
• Logically solve problems and identify hazardous work conditions.
• Apply the practices, procedures, techniques, and treatment rules pertaining to the operation of water treatment plants and distribution system into daily practice.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work any shift, rotation, weekends, and holidays, at any Water Department facility. Water Treatment Plant Operators may be assigned and required to report directly to any City treatment facility location, and to travel to alternate duty/work locations and offsite meetings.
• Lift 55 pounds and move heavy chemical containers.
• Operate and maintain water treatment plant equipment.
• Perform simple to moderately complex tasks while wearing Level A personal protective equipment.
• Wear respiratory protection equipment as required; perform required duties while wearing a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).
• Maintain the ability to perform required duties while wearing a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).
• Diagnose operating problems and take effective courses of action.
• Make independent technical decisions within established parameters to maintain proper treatment operations.
• Perform simple repair or maintenance to plant equipment such as pumps, valves, and electronic monitoring devices.
• Independently operate all of the Water Department's facilities.
• Exercise all phases of plant operations: start-up, shutdown, reduction or bypass of unit processes, adverse or emergency conditions.
• Accurately observe and record operating conditions and furnish verbal reports.
• Work independently without supervision.

Experience and Training Guidelines

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

Completion of thirty-six (36) months of experience in the Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee I & II (or equivalent experience from an outside agency), successful demonstration of ability to perform the full range of responsibilities of Water Treatment Plant Operator, and possession of Grade T3 certification from the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB); or (1) year functioning as a journey-level operator, while holding Grade T3 Water Treatment Plant Operator certification at a T3 or higher surface water treatment facility.

Education:

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.

Successful completion of relevant courses required in order to obtain and maintain Grade T3 certification from the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).

License or Certificate:

Possession of, and ability to maintain, a valid driver's license.

Possession of, and ability to maintain, a Water Treatment Plant Operator Grade T3 Certification issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). Failure to maintain appropriate certification throughout employment for this classification will result in termination of employment.

Possession of current and valid certifications for Hazardous Materials Technician, Confined Space Entry, CPR/First Aid, and Fork Lift Safety at the time of appointment is desirable, but must be obtained within the probation period and maintained thereafter as a condition of employment.

*Any license, certification, or registration required for this position shall be maintained (i.e. active and in good standing) at all times during employment with City of Vallejo. For continued employment with City of Vallejo, you must maintain such license, certification, or registration to meet the minimum qualifications of this position.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Pursuant to California Government Code, Title 1 Division 4, Chapter 8, Section 3100 "all public employees have been declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law."

Must be medically approved for wearing a Self-contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), and maintain facial hair at all times as required to not interfere with wearing respiratory protection equipment.

Must maintain the ability to perform required duties while wearing SCBA.

Must be able to work safely while wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Work on an unscheduled basis for emergency situations; must be willing to work any day and any shift within a 24-hour period as assigned, including rotations, holidays, weekends and overtime as needed.

Must be able to pass a stringent background check to enter the Travis Air Force Base Water facility.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Working Conditions

Incumbents must be able to perform physical tasks which may include prolonged sitting, standing walking, reaching, twisting, turning, pushing, pulling, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine motor coordination when using a computer keyboard or mobile data terminal. Near vision is required when writing reports and other documents, and far vision is required when in the field. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The need to lift, carry and push tools and supplies weighing up to 55 pounds is also required. The job duties will expose the employee to the outdoors, confined spaces, elevated structures, chemicals, biohazards, high voltage and electronic equipment. This may include exposure to inclement weather conditions, machinery noise, fumes, dust, and air contaminants. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.

The Recruitment & Selection Process

• Applications are due by 5:00 P.M. on Friday, January 17, 2025. Applicants must submit a completed City of Vallejo online application, including all responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire (Resume/Cover Letter Optional), by the posted deadline in order to be considered.

NOTE: If you have problems creating a user account, obtaining your already created account information, or submitting your online application, please contact governmentjobs.com
applicant support directly at 855-524-5627. City of Vallejo staff are unable to assist with these issues.

• Applications will be screened for overall qualifications the week of January 20, 2025.

• 
  Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their supplemental responses scored by subject matter experts the week of January 20, 2025. The most qualified applicants from the scoring of the supplemental questions will be invited for an Oral Panel Interview.
  

• Oral Panel Interviews are tentatively scheduled to take place the week of February 3, 2025. Oral Panel Interviews are weighted at 100% of the candidates' score. Candidates must achieve a minimum passing score of 70%. Those achieving 70% or higher will be placed on the Register of Eligibles (eligible list) and may be considered to fill positions for up to one year.
  
  The City reserves the right to limit the number of candidates to those determined to be best qualified based upon all requested application materials, including training and experience, current resume, and responses to supplemental questions.

• Candidates placed on the Register of Eligibles (eligible list) will be referred to the department for final interviews based on their performance in the exam. The number of candidates referred for a hiring interview is at the discretion of the hiring department.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
The City of Vallejo is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application, assessment or selection process may contact the Human Resources Department to request an accommodation. Please contact Sukari Dixon at (707) 648-4398 or send an email to: sukari.dixon@cityofvallejo.net no later than January 17, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

PRIOR TO HIRE
The selected candidate will be required to: 1) Submit to reference checks 2) Submit to and successfully pass a pre-employment background check, including fingerprint check. 3) Successfully complete a job-related pre-placement medical exam. 4) Provide proof of legal right to work in the United States.

Disaster Service Workers - All City of Vallejo ("City") employees are designated Disaster Service Workers ("DSW") by state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all DSW-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Veteran's Preference - Veteran's preference points will be applied in accordance with Civil Service Rule 24. A copy of the DD 214 form must be filed at time of application.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) - The City of Vallejo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Vallejo to provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.

Note: The provisions in this bulletin do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.
Closing Date/Time: 1/17/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$101,013.95 - $122,783.23 Annually