Treatment Plant Operator (II, I, or OIT)

Mission:

Fort Bragg is a small town nestled between the coast and the redwoods with a strong sense of community that seeks to preserve its environment while providing resilient public facilities and infrastructure and supporting a safe and vibrant economic, multi-cultural, and recreational experience for both locals and visitors alike.

Vision:

Fort Bragg, a California coastal destination with rich natural resources and rugged beauty, is transforming our future by weaving together our people, ecosystems, and economy to create community prosperity. We are making our mark in the 21st Century by creating climate-ready water and energy independence, housing and economic opportunities, accessible health care, community public safety, and education for all. We are guided by the following

Core Values:

Innovation:

We highly encourage creativity and forward-thinking solutions to meet the evolving needs of our city.

Honesty & Integrity:

We believe in transparent, honest, and ethical interactions with our community and stakeholders.

Service-Oriented:

We are responsive to the public and to each other to demonstrate our genuine commitment to creating a Fort Bragg that Serves us today and readies us for a successful tomorrow.

Fair & Ethical:

principles and practices, Fort Bragg promotes an inclusive community culture of unity and equality that openly invites everyone to enjoy our unique coastal enclave.

Collaboration:

nourishes civic pride and celebrates the diversity of our city and the meaningful municipal services that our residents and businesses rely on.

POSITION SUMMARY

Operates and maintains the Surface Water Treatment Plant (SWTP) and Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) facilities and associated equipment, including the Distribution Booster station and six Wastewater lift stations. Performs inspections, repair work, and various reports and operation logs. Collects and analyzes samples for water quality and regulatory requirements. The position will be filled at a level commensurate with the applicant's current certifications and experience. Applicants without water/wastewater certifications may start as Operator-in-Training, while those who meet the full certification requirements may be hired as Operator II. As an incumbent obtains the required certifications, they will progress through the Treatment Plant Operator job family. The ideal candidate will have all required certifications and will be hired as Treatment Plant Operator II. The City will provide the necessary resources to allow incumbents to obtain the required certifications. Employees will have the opportunity to receive a merit increase after six months of service, based on successful job performance. The stated salary range does not reflect a negotiated 5% cost-of-living adjustment, effective in July 2026, for the Fort Bragg Employee Organization (FBEO) bargaining unit. Treatment Plant Operator classifications are part of the FBEO bargaining unit.

TYPICAL DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Physical requirements: Ability to lift items of up to 50 pounds to level of waist; small motor skills; sense of feel, smell; ability to hear and give oral instructions and hear equipment sounds; frequent walking on hard, uneven and or slippery surfaces; bending, kneeling, squatting working on ladders and scaffolding; climbing ladder of up to 40 feet in height; frequent bending, squatting and kneeling; ability to speak, read and write English, read instructions and write information on reports. Constant exposure to sun; working in low temperatures and high humidity environment; exposure to objectionable odors loud noise and vibration; exposure to airborne dust; use of senses of vision, hearing and smell to diagnose problems; work in confined space or cramped body position; use of a full face respirator.

Employee must:

Be sufficiently adaptable to accept and perform in a timely and effective manner work assignments that are outside the normal day-to-day routine. Maintain courteous, professional and effective working relationships with other City employees and members of the public.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Monitor and adjust the operation of water and wastewater treatment plant fluid and chemical pumps, motors and other associated equipment. Read gauges, dials and other instruments that provide data for recording. Service, maintain, and repair a variety of plant equipment, including pumps, valves, motors, filters, meters, and related plant equipment. Inspect treatment plant equipment and facilities to locate needed maintenance and repairs, and schedule repairs to various plant equipment as required. Participate in confined space entries and prepare required documentation in compliance with federal and state regulations. Inspect and maintain water booster stations and lift stations, water sources, and storage tanks. Assist in the training of other water/wastewater treatment plant personnel. Collect samples and conduct a variety of chemical and physical water/wastewater analysis. Maintain logs and records; prepare necessary reports, and assist with regulatory agency reports. Review and analyze technical information, log regulatory requirements, Operation and Maintenance manuals, test results, and determine and implement appropriate adjustments and respond as necessary to assume treatment plant operation optimization. Perform general plant maintenance work such as sweeping, cleaning, painting, and landscaping. Operate a front-end loader and other vehicles. Respond to emergencies and alarms at water and wastewater facilities during non-business hours and holidays as needed. Respond to customer complaints and take the necessary evaluation and action. Provide a reasonable explanation and response for corrections. Be responsible for the SWTP and WWTP with minimal supervision as described in the operating permits. Supervise and train Operator-in-Training staff. Order chemicals, reagents, and replacement parts, etc. Perform other related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Physical requirements: Ability to lift items of up to 50 pounds to level of waist; small motor skills; sense of feel, smell; ability to hear and give oral instructions and hear equipment sounds; frequent walking on hard, uneven and or slippery surfaces; bending, kneeling, squatting working on ladders and scaffolding; climbing ladder of up to 40 feet in height; frequent bending, squatting and kneeling; ability to speak, read and write English, read instructions and write information on reports. Constant exposure to sun; working in low temperatures and high humidity environment; exposure to objectionable odors loud noise and vibration; exposure to airborne dust; use of senses of vision, hearing and smell to diagnose problems; work in confined space or cramped body position; use of a full face respirator.

Employee must:

Be sufficiently adaptable to accept and perform in a timely and effective manner work assignments that are outside the normal day-to-day routine. Maintain courteous, professional and effective working relationships with other City employees and members of the public.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Monitor and adjust the operation of water and wastewater treatment plant fluid and chemical pumps, motors and other associated equipment. Read gauges, dials and other instruments that provide data for recording. Service, maintain, and repair a variety of plant equipment, including pumps, valves, motors, filters, meters, and related plant equipment. Inspect treatment plant equipment and facilities to locate needed maintenance and repairs, and schedule repairs to various plant equipment as required. Participate in confined space entries and prepare required documentation in compliance with federal and state regulations. Inspect and maintain water booster stations and lift stations, water sources, and storage tanks. Assist in the training of other water/wastewater treatment plant personnel. Collect samples and conduct a variety of chemical and physical water/wastewater analysis. Maintain logs and records; prepare necessary reports, and assist with regulatory agency reports. Review and analyze technical information, log regulatory requirements, Operation and Maintenance manuals, test results, and determine and implement appropriate adjustments and respond as necessary to assume treatment plant operation optimization. Perform general plant maintenance work such as sweeping, cleaning, painting, and landscaping. Operate a front-end loader and other vehicles. Respond to emergencies and alarms at water and wastewater facilities during non-business hours and holidays as needed. Respond to customer complaints and take the necessary evaluation and action. Provide a reasonable explanation and response for corrections. Be responsible for the SWTP and WWTP with minimal supervision as described in the operating permits. Supervise and train Operator-in-Training staff. Order chemicals, reagents, and replacement parts, etc. Perform other related duties as required.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, AND TOOLS

Electrical testing equipment, grinders, torches, hammers, pneumatic chipping tools, landscape loader, motor vehicles, face shields, gloves, goggles, laboratory meters and equipment, shovels, rakes, wrenches, personnel hoist, personal computer, adding machine, chain saw, calculator, compressors, valve wrenches, hand tools, drills and drill press, chop saw, welding, gauging, soldiering equipment, PVC, copper and steel piping, generator, measuring tools, and other related equipment.