Treatment Plant Operator I/II

• Base salary to increase by 3% in July 2026.

DEFINITION

Under direct or general supervision, operates equipment, facilities and related appurtenances as found in a continuously-operating water and/or wastewater treatment plant on an assigned shift; assists with preventive maintenance and makes repairs to plant facilities and equipment; provides technical assistance to the Utilities Division; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direct or general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel and technical and functional direction from a Senior Treatment Plant Operator. May exercise technical and functional direction over assigned staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

Treatment Plant Operator I:

This is the entry-level class in the utility operations series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents with basic utility operations experience learn City water and wastewater treatment facilities and systems, use of tools and equipment, and a wide variety of practices and procedures. As experienced is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with greater independence. This class is alternately-staffed with Treatment Plant Operator II and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining the knowledge, skill, experience, licenses and certifications which meet the qualifications for and demonstrating the ability to perform the work of the higher-level class.

Treatment Plant Operator II:

This is the journey-level class in the utility operations series that performs the full range of duties required to ensure that water and wastewater treatment facilities and systems operate safely and effectively. Responsibilities include inspecting and attending to assigned areas in a timely manner, and performing a wide variety of tasks in water and/or wastewater treatment plant operations. This class is distinguished from the Senior Treatment Plant Operator in that the latter is responsible for technical and functional direction over lower-level utility operations staff and is capable of performing the most complex duties assigned to the division.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

(Illustrative Only) Management reserves the right 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. Interprets and may perform laboratory and process tests to optimize plant performance, checks the results, and makes appropriate changes. Performs proper usage and handling of chemicals according to industry standards, including monitoring the Digester Gas System, performing safety hook-up connections for chlorine and sulfur dioxide cylinders, and handling dry sodium fluorosilicate. Operates and assists in preventive maintenance on a variety of treatment plant equipment, such as electric motors, engines, gas and electric powered pumps, air compressors, emergency systems, power generation systems, chillers, pressure and flow regulators, analyzers, filters, chemical feed systems, digesters, bar screens, and blowers. Operates valves, pumps and automated controls to regulate the flow of water and/or wastewater through plants. Lubricates pumps, motors, chains, conveyors and other machinery and equipment. Makes minor repairs to equipment; assists plant maintenance staff with major repair work. Performs routine maintenance painting of machinery, structures, equipment and piping systems. May assist in collecting water, wastewater, sludge and other samples from various phases of the treatment process; performing standard chemical and physical tests on these samples to ensure that plants are operating effectively and that regulatory requirements are being met. Uses a variety of hand and power tools and testing equipment. Maintains accurate records, including calculating the daily use of energy and chemicals, and completing required monthly reports. Maintains accurate records of gauge and meter readings, chemical test results and work performed. Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Principles, practices, equipment, material and tools used in the operation, cleaning and preventive maintenance of water and/or wastewater treatment and distribution/disposal facilities and equipment. The operation and preventive maintenance of piping systems, including pipes, valves and related appurtenances. Standard chemical and physical tests of water, 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. Water/wastewater and shop mathematics. Safe work methods and safety practices pertaining to the work, including the handling and storage of hazardous chemicals. Basic computer software related to work. English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar and punctuation. Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to:

Operate, maintain and repair a variety of water and/or wastewater treatment and distribution/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 water, wastewater, sludge and related materials. Use and maintain the tools and equipment of the work skillfully and safely. 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. 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:

Treatment Plant Operator I/II:

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

Treatment Plant Operator I:

One (1) year of experience in the operations of water and/or wastewater treatment plants.

Treatment Plant Operator II:

In addition to the above, two (2) years of experience equivalent to Treatment Plant Operator I at the City of Eureka.

License:

Valid California class C driver's license with satisfactory driving record.

Treatment Plant Operator I:

Ability to obtain a Grade I Water and/or Wastewater Operator Certificate as issued by the California State Department of Health Services and/or the California State Water Resources Control Board within the second testing period following eligibility.

Treatment Plant Operator II:

Grade II Water and/or Wastewater Operator Certificate as issued by the California State Department of Health Services and/or the California State Water Resources Control Board. No other information will be accepted and resumes, cover letters or additional materials

WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. FMCSA

Clearinghouse Registration Notice to

Applicants:

This position is considered a safety sensitive position by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Effective January 6, 2020, any applicant who wishes to be considered for this position must be registered with the FMCSA Clearinghouse which is a secure, online database that contains real-time information about CDL drivers with drug or alcohol program violations in accordance with 49 CFR Part 382. Regulations require the City of Eureka to perform a full query of any individual prior to that person being hired into a safety sensitive position. Regulations also require applicants to provide consent for the full query. Consent for the full query can only be provided via the online Clearinghouse by individuals registered with the Clearinghouse. For more information on the Clearinghouse or to register, please visit: https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/ .

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in standard water and/or wastewater treatment plants 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 operate varied hand and power tools and equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; color vision to read gages 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 necessary to perform job functions.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

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

THE SELECTION PROCESS

All applications received are screened to determine which applicants most closely match the desired education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the position. Applicants will receive email notification of the results of the screening process. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not necessarily guaranteed advancement to the examination process, as only the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate. The most qualified applicants will be invited to an examination tentatively to be held in late April. The Department Head [and/or designee(s)] will interview the top six (6) candidates from the examination process. The eligible list created from this recruitment may be used to fill full-time, part-time, temporary, and grant positions. The City reserves the right to extend the final filing date as necessary.