Wastewater Operator Trainee

Job Description:

Wastewater Operator Trainee

Description

 THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA'S WATER DEPARTMENT IS SEEKING ENERGETIC, SELF-MOTIVATED, AND DETAIL ORIENTED INDIVIDUALS TO JOIN OUR DYNAMIC TEAM!


The City of Santa Rosa is committed to building a workforce reflective of our community and establishing a lasting culture of equity and belonging within our organization. Our collective talents and expertise contribute to high-quality public services that support a vibrant, resilient, inclusive City for our community and visitors. We celebrate a diverse workforce and welcome all qualified candidates to apply.  
THE BENEFITS OF CITY EMPLOYEMENT:
In addition to offering a challenging, rewarding work environment and excellent salary, the City of Santa Rosa provides a generous suite of benefits, including retirement through CalPERS, a competitive leave accrual package, your choice between two health plans, a Retiree Health Savings plan, and top of the line employer paid (FREE) vision and dental coverage.

Additional benefits include:

• 12 paid holidays annually, plus 2 to 3 "floating holidays per year depending on years of service"
• $500 Annual wellness bonus
• The City is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) Employer
• A competitive total compensation package!

ABOUT THE POSITION:
This is the entry level in the Wastewater Operator series. Positions in this class are assigned to work under general supervision in either the Laguna Plant Treatment or Wastewater Reclamation sections of the Water Department performing the full range of wastewater treatment and/or wastewater distribution and irrigation system operations and preventive maintenance tasks.

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE:
Although an entry level position, the ideal candidate:

• Has completed wastewater related coursework;
• While passing the SWRCB Grade 1 or Grade 2 wastewater operator exam is preferred, it is not required. Although some applicants may hold an Operator in Training (OIT) certificate through the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) from prior employment, this is neither expected nor required for consideration. 
• Is detail oriented, self-motivated, and thorough in regard to follow-through in all tasks;
• Exercises good judgment, is hard-working, and capable of working autonomously, both independently and in groups; 
• Is capable of receiving instruction from supervisors and seeing to it that all tasks, both routine and unusual, are completed; 
• Will be a “team-player” and will establish and maintain effective working relationships with their co-workers, peers, and management; 
• Considers safety important and will perform their duties in a safe and responsible manner following established policies and procedures.
• Is willing and able to work all shifts (day, swing, grave, relief), weekends, and holidays on a rotating schedule.
• Will aspire and endeavor to achieve the level of qualification needed for Acting Senior Wastewater Plant Operator.

SANTA ROSA - A WONDERFUL CITY TO CALL HOME
The City of Santa Rosa is located just 55 miles north of San Francisco and 30 miles east of the Pacific Ocean with a population of approximately 180,000. Santa Rosa is the seat of Sonoma County and the center of trade, government, commerce, and medical facilities for the North Bay. The surrounding area is home to over a hundred wineries and vineyards and many beautiful parks and recreational facilities, including golf courses. Santa Rosa is in the center of a nationally recognized cycling area. We boast many attractions associated with large cities, including a symphony, performing arts center, theater productions and internationally recognized restaurants, yet still retain the warmth and small town feel of decades past. Santa Rosa has been named one of the 50 greenest cities in the United States with one of the top five mid-sized downtowns in California.  

HOW TO APPLY: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/srcity/jobs/5162848/wastewater-operator-trainee
Please complete a thoughtful, thorough Supplemental Questionnaire submission. As part of the selection process, your responses to these questions will be scored using criteria specific to this position. Incomplete responses, or responses such as "See Resume" can result in disqualification from the selection process.  

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. 

THE SELECTION PROCESS:
The selection process will include a minimum qualifications assessment, and may also include an application and supplemental questionnaire review, followed by department selection interviews.   

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties:The following duties are considered essential for this job classification:

• Monitor and operate wastewater treatment plant or wastewater disposal and irrigation system equipment such as pumps, valves, motors, blowers, and/or sludge dewatering equipment; 
• adjust and make minor repairs to wastewater treatment plant or disposal and distribution system equipment; 
• collect samples of sewage, sludge, and/or reclaimed and receiving water; 
• and keep records.

For positions assigned to the Laguna Treatment Plant section, the following duties are also considered essential for this job classification:

• Adjust or alter chemical treatment of plant processes as required; 
• respond to and control accidental releases of hazardous liquids and gases; 
• perform confined space entries as required; 
• and haul materials on plant premises.

For positions assigned to the Wastewater Reclamation section, the following duties are also considered essential for this job classification:

• Monitor discharge, irrigation, river flows, and reclamation system reservoir levels; 
• assist and communicate effectively with irrigation system users; 
• and inspect irrigated property for appropriate irrigation practices.

Additional Duties:In addition to the duties listed in the Essential Duties section, each employee in this classification may perform the following duties. Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed below, nor do the examples cover all duties which may be assigned.

• Perform daily and weekly field analyses; 
• oil, grease, and clean equipment; 
• perform physical materials inventories; 
• perform heavy manual labor and grounds maintenance work; 
• haul materials; 
• deliver or collect samples from remote areas; 
• read and interpret maps, aerial photos and blueprints; 
• perform related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Knowledge of: Operation and maintenance of equipment commonly found in a wastewater treatment plant or in a wastewater disposal and irrigation system; safe work practices. Positions assigned to the Laguna Plant Treatment section must also have knowledge of the operation of activated sludge, anaerobic digestion, and sludge dewatering processes; proper sewage and sludge sampling techniques; chemical treatment processes used in wastewater treatment plants; and emergency chemical spill response procedures. Positions assigned to the Wastewater Reclamation section must also have knowledge of proper reclaimed water, river, and stream sampling techniques.

Ability to: Operate the full range of equipment used in a wastewater treatment plant or a wastewater disposal and irrigation system; communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing; conduct field analyses; learn through oral instruction in an on-the-job setting; comprehend and make inferences from written material and instructions; monitor and interpret gauges, digital displays, and recording devices to ensure compliance with prescribed safety or operational guidelines; respond to deviations from operational objectives according to prescribed guidelines. Positions assigned to the Wastewater Reclamation section must also have the ability to apply laws, rules, and regulations relevant to wastewater disposal and irrigation; and interpret maps, blueprints, and aerial photos.
Experience and Education: Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: -Experience - Any combination equivalent to experi­ence and education that could likely provide the required knowl­edge and abilities would be qualifying. -Education - Equivalent to completion of the 12th grade.

Additional Information

Employees in this classification will be required to work on a shift schedule, including evenings (swing shift), nights (graveyard shift), weekends and/or holidays, and outdoors in a variety of extreme weather conditions. Observation of pump and motor operation and other routine monitoring of equipment requires climbing of steps and stairs, repeated bending and stooping, and observation of dials and digital displays. Regular daily sampling involves carrying full sample bottles weighing up to 42 pounds. Occasionally, in response to emergency situations, operators will carry portable pumps and hoses weighing more than 50 pounds for long distances and across rough terrain. Personal safety and chemical spill response requires that operators be able to hear sirens, gas detector alarms, and other auditory devices. Daily record-keeping entails writing concise and proper entries into a logbook. 
For positions assigned to the Laguna Plant operators may climb ladders to inspect equipment on roof-tops or to operate overhead valves. Operating computer controls of plant equipment requires an operator to make fine adjustments to dial, button, and stick controllers. 
For positions assigned to the Wastewater Reclamation section, operators communicate with clients and the public orally face-to-face and using a telephone. While monitoring the irrigation or disposal system, operators drive pick-up trucks, walk over uneven ground, and climb steps and ladders. Daily record-keeping involves writing in a notebook and entering data into a computer. Reclamation operators use mowers, tractors, shovels and other hand tools while performing a broad range of maintenance duties such as fence mending and weed control.
The City of Santa Rosa is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

The City does not discriminate on the basis of disability in employment. Requests for reasonable accommodations needed to participate in the recruitment process may be made by submitting a Request for Reasonable Accommodation Form within five (5) business days of being noticed that an event requiring accommodation is occurring.

Salary:

$67,189.00 - $89,734.00