Wastewater Plant Operator

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.

Click here 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:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

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:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Dedication and team loyalty
• Good judgment and be solution-oriented
• Experience using Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Experience creating Daily Work Reports on a mobile device
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain sound working relationships with diverse people and personalities
• Customer service-oriented skills and experience
• Ability to lead and effectively manage multiple situations occurring simultaneously
• A current valid California Class B Driver's License without Air Brake or Automatic Transmission restriction

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: https://www.countyofsb.org/184/Public-Works.

1. Operates and maintains wastewater treatment plant pumps, valves, electric motors, and filters; changes flowmeter charts; takes readings of gauges and temperatures and records readings; reads meters and gauges and regulates flow of wastewater; and packs, greases, and oils pumps and equipment regularly.
2. Drives pick-up trucks, vans, dump trucks, and flushing trucks in order to haul equipment and materials to work sites; operates backhoes, cranes, forklifts, and other heavy equipment utilized by the department; and operates sewer cleaning equipment such as hydro-flushers, root cutters, and sewer videotaping equipment to perform collection system maintenance.
3. Reviews sewer maps to locate underground sewer utilities; marks sewer lines above ground; contacts utilities to provide underground service alerts; washes and cleans bar screens and clarifier troughs; installs, maintains, and repairs sewer main lines; and makes other plumbing repairs as needed.
4. Performs laboratory testing of wastewater in various stages of process; performs arithmetic calculations to determine necessary changes in chemical dosage and treatment processes; and adjusts chemical dosages and treatment processes as necessary.
5. Cleans, paints, and maintains wastewater plant equipment and lift stations; and performs building, grounds, and property maintenance using hand tools and equipment such as drills, welding equipment, and mowers.
6. Completes forms for maintenance records, spill reports, requisitions, purchases, and questionnaires; prepares written reports for regulatory compliance including data collection for monthly, quarterly, semiannual and annual reporting; and inputs data and maintains facility maintenance databases using a personal computer.

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:  

• A valid California Class C Driver’s License at the time of appointment. 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.
• A valid California Class B Driver’s License with no air brake restrictions and tanker endorsement must be obtained within the first twelve months of employment.

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.

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:

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
2. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking: Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.

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 www.sbcountyjobs.com.

Kim Clark, Public Works Human Resources Coordinator, kiclark@countyofsb.org

Salary : $61,376 - $73,312