What are the responsibilities and job description for the Wastewater Plant Operator position at County of Santa Barbara, CA?
Salary : $70,803.20 - $84,826.56 Annually
Location : Santa Maria, CA
Job Type : Full-time
Job Number : 25-7631-01 (O / PW)
Department : Public Works
Opening Date : 01 / 31 / 2025
Closing Date : 2 / 14 / 2025 5 : 00 PM Pacific
Description
SALARY :
Wastewater Plant Operator, Trainee : $61,375.94 - $73,312.18 Annually
Wastewater Plant Operator I : $71,045.56 - $85,116.93 Annually
Wastewater Plant Operator II : $76,689.14 - $92,002.34 Annually
Wastewater Plant Operator III : $85,897.51 - $103,243.57 Annually
We are accepting applications to hire one (1) full-time Wastewater Plant Operator at the Laguna County Sanitation District (LCSD) wastewater treatment plant facility in Santa Maria. The department may choose to hire at the Wastewater Plant Operator Trainee, I, II, or III level. If hired at the I, II, or III level, possession of a valid Grade I, II or III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's certificate issued by the State of California, respectively, and a valid California Class B Driver's License is required at the time of appointment.
BENEFITS OVERVIEW!
- Vacation : 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment.
- Holidays : 13 days per year.
- Sick Leave : 12 days sick leave per year. Unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement.
- Health Plan : Choice of medical and dental plans (with vision care). County contributes toward the employee's premium.
- On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria : Provides ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents over age 15.
or the Benefits Tab on the job bulletin for more information on County benefits.
In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for :
THE POSITION : Under close supervision, operates and maintains Laguna County Sanitation District (LCSD) wastewater treatment plant facilities, including collection systems, such as pump stations, conveyance lines, and manholes; treatment systems, such as pumps, gauges, tanks, and automatic switches; and disposal systems, such as effluent irrigation piping, pumps, valves, and storage facilities; and performs related duties as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS : The LCSD wastewater treatment plant is a Class IV tertiary plant. Incumbents in this technician series may flex from the Trainee through III classes upon meeting established experience requirements and obtaining the appropriate grade certification issued by the State Water Resources Control Board, and also upon obtaining appropriate licensing from the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
NOTE : The Public Works Department operates a wastewater reclamation plant and sewer collection system that serves the Orcutt and unincorporated Santa Maria area through its Laguna County Sanitation District. The District currently has one opening for a Wastewater Plant Operator at any level in the Wastewater Plant Operator series (levels I - III) with appropriate experience and education / training :
Wastewater Plant Operator, Trainee is the trainee-level class in this series. Incumbents receive on-the-job training and are not required to have previous experience or certification. Incumbents are expected to apply for a State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Operator in Training certification within thirty days of employment. Incumbents are also expected to pass the SWRCB's exam for Grade I certification after one year but before the completion of two years of experience.
Wastewater Plant Operator I is the entry-level class in the series and requires possession of a Grade I operator certificate. Incumbents must work under the direction of a Grade III (or higher) certified operator. Incumbents are expected / encouraged to obtain Grade II certification and flex to WPO II after eighteen months of experience at this level.
Wastewater Plant Operator II is the journey-level class in the series and requires possession of a Grade II operator certificate. Incumbents at this level may work independently are expected / encouraged to obtain Grade III certification and flex to WPO III after three years of experience at this level.
Wastewater Plant Operator III is the advanced journey-level class in the series and requires possession of a Grade III operator certificate. Incumbents at this level may act as lead workers for Operator Trainees, I's, II's, and III's. Incumbents may also act as shift supervisors in the absence of Wastewater Plant Operator, Supervisor and Wastewater Plant Operator, Chief.
The IDEAL CANDIDATE will have :
The Public Works Department The County's Public Works Department employees are committed to efficiently providing, operating and maintaining public works infrastructure, facilities and services to make everyday life as safe and convenient as possible for the public we serve. The Department is comprised of five Divisions : Administration, Resource Recovery & Waste Management, Surveyor's Office, Transportation, and Water Resources. To learn more about the Public Works Department, please visit :
Examples of Duties
Employment Standards
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS : Graduation from high school or equivalent and six (6) educational points in wastewater treatment courses or science courses per the State of California Water Resources Control Board; AND
A combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities
Additional Qualifications :
Knowledge of : general maintenance practices, tools, and equipment used in wastewater treatment, such as pumps, valves, motors, and filters; basic safety practices, including lifting and use of hand and power tools; pre-trip inspection checks and basic arithmetic, including percentages, and using computers as tools to access and input data.
Ability to : read and interpret maps, gauges, and recording devices reflecting plant operations; operate and maintain a variety of hand and power tools; make repairs and adjustments to equipment; learn to use various heavy equipment; understand and follow detailed oral and written instructions; perform basic arithmetical calculations; learn and perform wastewater-related laboratory tests; learn record keeping related to wastewater treatment; follow safety precautions and procedures; keep accurate records; use a computer and related software; perform painting, cleaning, and maintenance to structures, and establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties.
Appointees to those positions requiring a Class B license will be subject to mandatory testing for drugs prior to beginning work; once on the job, incumbents will be subject to mandatory testing for drugs and / or alcohol on a random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, and follow-up basis.
Supplemental Information
Performing the essential functions of this classification requires various types of physical exertion including regularly lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds. In addition, incumbents in this series must be willing to work different shifts, weekends, and in emergency situations.
A Grade III Operator will be required to be fit for duty when on standby during non-working hours and be able to respond to the plant. All operators must be able to respond to the plant within 30 to 40 minutes of notification.
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS :
Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s) and exact duration of the employment list.
Conditional Job Offer : Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination.
The appointee must satisfactorily complete a twelve (12) month probationary period.
Recruiters will correspond with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.
Disaster Service Workers : Pursuant to Governmental code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS : The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.
Statement of Commitment
The County of Santa Barbara is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining an environment that exhibits equity and inclusion everywhere, and at all levels of our organization. The County believes equity is a fundamental principle that must be imbedded in policies, institutional practices and systems. The County recognizes the negative impacts of systemic racism and is committed to eliminating the barriers affecting our Black, Latino, Indigenous, and Asian community members, as well as people of other diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. We envision a world where society and its systems (e.g. education, criminal justice, and health care, housing the economy) are just, fair, and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential.
We celebrate community and employee diversity, strive for inclusion and belonging, and promote empowered participation. We aspire to build a workforce that is reflective of these values and the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will resolutely uphold federal, California state law and / or Santa Barbara County ordinances.
We believe equity and inclusion are vital to fulfill the County's mission and to embody a culture of "One County, One Future." Expanding the full range of employee talent allows the County to deliver our best to all our community members.
We believe in the dignity and humanity of all people. We strive for a healthy and prosperous society that promotes all people having equitable access and opportunity.
APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE : February 14, 2025 by 4 : 59 p.m. PST . Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at .
Kim Clark, Public Works Human Resources Coordinator, kiclark@countyofsb.org
Retirement Plans
Health Benefits
Paid Time Off
Miscellaneous Benefits
Compensation Summary
I acknowledge that it is my responsibility as an applicant to provide sufficient information on my application to demonstrate that my education and experience meets the employment standards (minimum qualifications) for this position as detailed in the job bulletin. I further acknowledge that if the County determines that I do not meet the employment standards there will be no opportunity for me to provide additional information regarding my application after the closing date listed on the job bulletin.Therefore, I understand that before submitting a job application, it is important that I review the job bulletin thoroughly and ensure that my application clearly reflects how my education and experience meets the employment standards at the time I submit my application.
As part of the application process, a completed supplemental questionnaire must be submitted along with the standard application form. Resumes will be accepted, but NOT in lieu of a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.
To be considered for this position your application must CLEARLY state how you meet each of the requirements under EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS on the Job Bulletin or you will not be considered for this position. If you are unsure, go back and review your application before continuing.
Graduation from high school or equivalent is part of the requirement for this position. Have you graduated from high school or equivalent? Please be sure that this is listed in the education section of your application.
I understand that the following additional qualifications will be upheld as noted on the job bulletin.
In addition to the above requirement, you are also required to have six (6) educational points in wastewater treatment courses or science courses per the State of California Water Resources Control Board. If you have completed courses that are related to wastewater treatment or science, please provide the following information : You must include the name of the course, the name of the organization where you completed the course, and how many units earned. EXAMPLE : Intermediate Accounting I ECONX420A, 4 quarter units, UC Santa Barbara. Science courses would be in mathematics, physics, engineering, chemistry, or biology. If you have no courses, please type in "N / A".NOTE : If you don't have any completed courses as stated above; you do not qualify for this position. Please do not submit your application.
I understand that the position is only located in Santa Maria.
I understand that this facility is open 7 days a week and I will work a 4 / 10 schedule 4 days at 10 hours days. My work days will either be Monday to Thursday or Thursday to Sunday and those schedules rotate. Standby work may be required.
I understand that I will be required to wear the uniform that will be provided to me and any safety gear.
A Grade III Operator will be required to be fit for duty when on standby during non-working hours and be able to respond to the plant. All operators must be able to respond to the plant within 30 to 40 minutes of notification.
I understand that I may be considered for a higher-level position based on my current qualifications and with the discretion of the hiring department needs.
I understand my responses to the following supplemental questions will be used as a weighed, scored selection device that will determine my ranking on the employment list for this job. For information on protest procedures for the supplemental questionnaire, please see Civil Service Rules 612 and 613 : http : / / cosb.countyofsb.org / hr / csrules.aspx.I
Please select which valid Grade Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's certificate issued by the State of California you have.
Describe in detail how your skills, knowledge and experience that makes you uniquely qualified for this position of Wastewater Plant Operator, Trainee. This is your opportunity to identify any training, education and / or experience that you have completed; or other distinctive experience and skills that you possess that elevates your candidacy above the other applicants.
Required Question
Salary : $61,376 - $73,312
