Water Plant Operator I/II/III

THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. 

The Water Utilities Department is currently conducting a salary and compensation study to maintain standing as a regionally competitive water and wastewater employer. The results of this study may impact compensation rates during fiscal year 2024/25.

Monthly Salary Ranges:

Water Plant Operator I: $5,061 – $6,788

Water Plant Operator II: $5,522 – $7,405

Water Plant Operator III: $6,171 – $8,273

About Oceanside’s Water Utilities Department & Our Water Treatment Plants

The City of Oceanside is accepting applications for the position of Water Plant Operator I/II/II in the Water Treatment Plants Division which is responsible for the efficient production and delivery of safe drinking water to all Oceanside residents. This recruitment is intended to fill two current vacancies in Water Treatment Division. This division operates two water treatment plants:

• Robert A. Weese Filtration Plant – our connection to imported water sources from throughout California and the Colorado River
• Mission Basin Groundwater Purification Facility – our reverse osmosis connection to Oceanside’s freshwater aquifer!

The Oceanside Water Utilities Department is an innovative and forward-looking organization whose goal it is to ensure ongoing access to safe, affordable drinking water & reliable wastewater collection & treatment services by maintaining top talent, resource resiliency, dependability, and system efficiency.

About the position & operator grades

Under direct supervision, a Plant Operator Grade I will carry out the daily duties required to operate and maintain the City’s water treatment plants. Under minimal supervision, a Plant Operator Grade II will operate the plant with a detailed understanding of plant processes, and working with heightened independence on daily duties. Under direction a Plant Operator Grade III will act in a mostly independent capacity relying on personal initiative and judgement to decide and conduct daily and higher-level plant operations and analyses. All grades of Water Operator professionals are essential to ensuring our dependable water treatment system.

You should be excited about this opportunity because you will…

• Apply various levels of training and experience to become an integral part of our water treatment system.
• Leverage and refine your treatment knowledge working among the best operators.
• Be progressively relied on to operate and manage each aspect of our water treatment plants.
• Collaborate with operation and maintenance staff to improve processes and protect our capital assets.
• Utilize a modernized SCADA system to remotely control processes in addition to manually reading and operating the system.

Who we are looking for…

The ideal candidate for this position will be confident in water treatment processes and will be able to make decisions that ensure safe, efficient and reliable production of drinking water for Oceanside’s residents, businesses and tourists.

If this sounds like you, keep reading! 

This recruitment aims to establish eligibility lists for: (1) Water Plant Operator I, (2) Water Plant Operator II, and (3) Water Plant Operator III. The eligibility lists established as a result of this recruitment will be for a duration of six (6) months.

Examples of Duties

Water Plant Operator I: This is the entry level class within the Water Plant Operator series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Water Plant Operator II by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties involved in the operation and upkeep of plant equipment and facilities. Employees are required to possess a State Water Resources Control Board Grade I Water Treatment Operator Certificate and, as mandated by the State, must operate the plant under supervision of a higher certified operator.

 Water Plant Operator II: This is the journey level class within the Water Plant Operator series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Water Plant Operator I by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned in the operation and upkeep of plant equipment and facilities. Employees at this level may function independently and exercise individual judgment. The minimum certification requirement for the II-level is a State Water Resources Control Board Grade II Water Treatment Operator Certificate. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Positions in this series are flexibly staffed and may be filled by advancement from the I level, or when filled from the outside, require prior experience. Advancement is not based on time in grade but solely at the discretion of the Water Utilities Director and the organizational needs of the department.

Water Plant Operator III: This is the advanced journey-level class within the Water Plant Operator series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Water Plant Operator II by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned including scheduling of preventive maintenance to equipment and accomplishing standard and special tests in the chemical and bacteriological analysis of samples taken for treatment purposes. Employees at this level function independently and exercise individual judgment. The minimum certification level of a Water Plant Operator III is a State of California Grade III Water Treatment Operator Certificate. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility. Positions in this series are flexibly staffed and may be filled by advancement from the II level, or when filled from the outside, require prior experience. Advancement is not based on time in grade but solely at the discretion of the Water Utilities Director and the organizational needs of the department.

The Water Plant Operator performs a variety of skilled or semi-skilled maintenance duties involved in the operation and upkeep of plant equipment and facilities; reads meters, gauges and charts; regulates water flows in accordance with established procedures; adjusts and calibrates feed machinery for a variety of chemicals to keep treatment at prescribed standards; collects and labels water samples for chemical testing purposes; adjusts pump settings and chemical feed settings; maintains operating logs and records; operates and inspects plant equipment including pumps, valves, electric motors, switch gear, compressors, blowers, chemical mixers, engines and generators; cleans, oils and greases equipment; maintains buildings; makes minor repairs; paints inside and outside of buildings; reports malfunctioning equipment; calls for maintenance assistance in the event of serious breakdowns; operates pumps and other allied equipment; inspects equipment to determine operating condition and makes necessary adjustment; performs general maintenance and repair of equipment utilized in and around the plant; records instrument readings and changes charts; changes chemical tanks and cylinders; performs all necessary control tests and calculations to maintain efficient operations; records results of test and other measurements and plots data on graphs; may assist in training subordinates; and performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Water Plant Operator I

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles of water treatment plant operations.
• Basic tools and equipment used in the operation and maintenance of motors, engines, pumps and other water treatment plant equipment.
• Operational and safety regulations pertaining to water treatment plant operations and vehicle and equipment usage.
• Principles of water sampling and testing.
• Methods and techniques of preventive maintenance.
• Operational characteristics of water treatment plant equipment and tools.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.

Ability to:

• Perform a variety of maintenance duties.
• Perform inspections of treatment plant equipment.
• Monitor and adjusts plant processes.
• Learn principles and procedures of water treatment plant operations.
• Learn to operate distribution system using SCADA controls.
• Learn to collect a variety of samples and conduct appropriate tests.
• Learn to operate a variety of water treatment plant equipment in a safe and effective manner.
• Learn operational and safety regulations pertaining to water treatment plant operations and vehicle and equipment usage.
• Learn methods, equipment, chemicals and materials used in the treatment, storage and distribution of water.
• Learn pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.
• Maintain and update accurate records.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Experience and Training

Experience: One year experience in a capacity performing functions relative to the operation and maintenance of a water treatment facility.

• Six (6) months of experience may be substituted for with an Associate’s Degree (or above) in a related field OR a Certificate of Achievement in Water Technology Education.

 Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by training in Water Treatment Operations or a related field.

License/Certificate:

• Possession of a Grade I Water Treatment Operator certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board. As mandated by the State of California, specialized and continuing education/training is mandatory for renewal of the certificate.
• Possession of or ability to obtain an appropriate, valid driver’s license.

Water Plant Operator II

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services and activities of a water treatment plant.
• Principles and procedures of water treatment plant operations.
• Tools and equipment used in the operation and maintenance of motors, engines, pumps and other water treatment plant equipment.
• Methods, equipment, chemicals and materials used in the treatment, storage and distribution of water.
• Chemical and biological reactions in the treatment process.
• Basic laboratory practices and techniques.

Ability to:

• Operate and maintain water treatment plant facilities.
• Operate distribution system using SCADA controls.
• Ensure drinking water is in compliance with State and Federal guidelines and regulations.
• Collect a variety of water samples and conduct appropriate tests.
• Operate plant equipment and appropriate vehicles.
• Operate office equipment including computers.
• Operate a variety of water treatment plant equipment in a safe and effective manner.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.

Experience and Training

Experience: Two years experience in a capacity performing functions relative to the operation and maintenance of a water treatment facility.

Up to one (1) year of experience may be substituted with any of the following:

• One (1) year of experience may be substituted for with an Associate’s Degree (or above) in a related field OR a Certificate of Achievement in Water Technology Education.
• Experience gained as a certified wastewater treatment operator may be used to substitute up to one (1) year of experience. Wastewater Treatment Operator experience is credited on a two-for-one basis (I.e., 2 months in wastewater = 1 month in drinking water).

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by training in Water Treatment Operations or a related field.

License/Certificate:

• Possession of, at a minimum, a Grade II Water Treatment Plant Operator certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board. As mandated by the State, specialized and continuing education/training is mandatory for renewal of the certificate. Additional certification(s) may be required to operate some treatment facilities.
•  Possession of or the ability to obtain an appropriate, valid driver’s license.

Water Plant Operator III

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services and activities of a surface water direct filtration water treatment or reverse osmosis facility.
• Principles and procedures of water treatment plant operations.
• Principles and processes of production wells, reverse membrane trains, iron and manganese and granulated active carbon (GAC) systems.
• Tools and equipment used in the operation and maintenance of motors, engines, pumps and other water treatment plant equipment.
• Methods, equipment, chemicals and materials used in the treatment, storage and distribution of water.
• Operational and safety regulations pertaining to water treatment plant operations and vehicle and equipment usage.
• Operational characteristics of water treatment plant equipment and tools.
• Principles of water sampling and testing.
• Chemical and biological reactions in the treatment process.
• Laboratory practices and techniques.
• Methods and techniques of preventive maintenance.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.

Ability to:

• Perform a variety of skilled maintenance duties.
• Operate and maintain water treatment plant facilities.
• Operate production wells, reverse membrane trains, iron and manganese and granulated active carbon (GAC) systems.
• Operate distribution system using SCADA controls.
• Collect a variety of water samples and conduct appropriate tests.
• Operate plant equipment and appropriate vehicles.
• Operate office equipment including computers.
• Operate a variety of water treatment plant equipment in a safe and effective manner.
• Monitor and adjusts plant processes.
• Ensure drinking water is in compliance with State and Federal guidelines and regulations.
• Perform inspections of treatment plant equipment.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Maintain and update accurate records.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Experience and Training

Experience: Three years experience in a capacity performing functions relative to the operation and maintenance of a water treatment facility.

Up to one and a half (1.5) years of experience may be substituted with any combination of the following:

• One (1) year of experience may be substituted for with an Associate’s Degree in a related field OR a Certificate of Achievement in Water Technology Education.
• One and a half (1.5) years of experience may be substituted for with a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.
• Experience gained as a certified wastewater treatment operator may be used to substitute up to one (1) year of experience. Wastewater Treatment Operator experience is credited on a two-for-one basis (i.e., 2 months in wastewater = 1 month in drinking water).

 Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by training in Water Treatment Operations or a related field.

License/Certificate:

• Possession of, at a minimum, a Grade III Water Treatment Operator certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board. Additional certification may be required to operate some treatment facilities. As mandated by the State, specialized and continuing education/training is mandatory for renewal of the certificate.
• Possession of an appropriate, valid driver’s license.

Working Conditions and Selection Process

Environmental Conditions: Water treatment plant environment; exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases, electrical energy, radiant energy, toxic materials, and inclement weather conditions; work in or with water.

Physical Conditions: Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for standing, walking or bending for prolonged periods of time; heavy, moderate or light lifting; operating motorized equipment and vehicles; shift work.

Selection Process: All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Failure to provide all required application materials will result in disqualification from the selection process. The process may include any combination of a written exam, oral board exam, and/or skills assessment to further assess job-related qualifications. Candidates who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on the Eligibility List for a minimum of six months.

RESUMES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS, BUT MAY BE ATTACHED.

CANDIDATES WHO REQUIRE A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION IN THE SELECTION PROCESS SHOULD STATE THEIR NEEDS IN WRITING WHEN SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION PACKAGE.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.