Apprentice Power Plant Operator Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $20.13 - $26.15 Hourly
Location : City of Yuma, AZ
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026-00174
Department: Utilities
Division: Wastewater Treatment-51
Opening Date: 08/13/2026
Closing Date: 8/16/2026 11:59 PM Arizona
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Summary
**This position is assigned to the Wastewater Treatment Division**
Are you looking to join a team that values Professionalism, Accountability, Integrity, and Responsiveness? Do you want to be a part of a strong team dedicated to serving our community, building relationships, and creating opportunities? Then this might be the opportunity for you!
We are looking for someone to join Team Yuma as a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Apprentice working with the Department of Utilities- Wastewater Division. The ideal candidate will perform basic maintenance work as an apprentice in the Utilities Department training program, under the immediate direction of experienced Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Supervisors.
Under close supervision, this apprenticeship job classification performs basic maintenance work under the immediate direction of experienced Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I, II or III or supervisory personnel. This position is an entry level apprenticeship classification in the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator job series. This apprenticeship program is intended as a maximum two year training program within the Utilities Department. Upon satisfactory completion of the program the successful candidate will be fully qualified as a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Under immediate supervision of experienced operations personnel learns how to maintain and operate plant equipment and processes related to wastewater treatment systems on an assigned shift.
• Assists with basic inspection and maintenance of equipment and components in the operation of the water or wastewater treatment facilities; performs work in accordance with all quality standards, safety regulations and procedures; duties will vary according to job assignment and skill level.
• Assists in the basic wastewater treatment plant chemical protocols and uses; including making chemical feed adjustments, how to unload, store and uses various chemicals, i.e. sulfuric acid, caustic soda, and chlorine.
• Assists with basic preventive maintenance tasks; assists in the installation, inspection and repair a variety of wastewater treatment plant equipment and components.
• Learn how to sample and analyze influents/effluents, source water/product water, feed water and permeate to detect quality variations, interpret results, reading sheets, process test, computerized data and information trends to identify variations in flow and water quality and make appropriate changes.
• Learn how to observe variations in operating conditions, and how to interpret meters and gauge readings; reports operating anomalies to supervisor. Learn how to assists technicians and mechanics to resolve operational problems.
• Cleans and maintains plant work areas, tools and equipment; collects samples as directed.
• Supports the relationship between the City and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff; promotes the City goals and priorities, vision, values and the "Yuma Way", and complies with all City policies and procedures.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education, Training and Experience Guidelines
High School Diploma or GED equivalent; AND laborer or customer service experience is preferred.
Knowledge of:

• City policies and procedures.
• Tools and equipment used in the operation of wastewater treatment plants.
• State and Federal laws and regulations governing wastewater treatment plant operations.

Wastewater

• Chemical/physical and biological processes used in wastewater treatment processes, such as coagulation, flocculation, settling, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection and activated sludge.
• Experience in mechanical and electrical trouble shooting.
• OSHA guidelines related to large treatment facilities.
• Microsoft Windows Office products.
• Laboratory practices required to properly evaluate treatment processes, such as BOD, DO, pH, jar test, CL2 residual, turbidity, COD, color, TSS, TDS, fecal coliforms and total coliforms.

Skill in:

• Using and maintaining tools and equipment to perform maintenance and repair work.
• Making routine operating adjustments and repairs to equipment.
• Following safe work practices, and verbal and written instructions.
• Inspecting and monitoring machinery and equipment to verify compliance with prescribed operating conditions and safety standards,
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
A valid Arizona State Driver's License is required. Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's Grade 2 certification from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is required within two years of appointment.
Must meet all requirements of the Utilities Department Apprenticeship Program within 24 months of appointment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed on location at City water or wastewater treatment plants with moderate physical requirements, and strength sufficient to lift and move items weighing up to fifty pounds; may be exposed to safety hazards including extreme weather conditions i.e. excessive heat and cold, dangerous gases, dangerous chemicals, biological hazards, confined spaces and dangerous tools and equipment.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
This position may require working rotating shifts, rotating on-call schedule, including weekends and holidays.
The City of Yuma offers the following benefits to Full-time City employees:
*ARIZONA STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM (ASRS) - City employees are automatically enrolled in the Arizona State Retirement System. Employees contribute 11.87% (pre-tax) and the City contributes 11.87% of employee gross wages through automatic deduction. Should an employee terminate City employment, the ASRS funds may be withdrawn or remain until retirement. Contributions to the ASRS are in addition to FICA (Social Security taxes).
*LONG TERM DISABILITY (LTD) - Included through the Arizona State Retirement System. Employees contribute .11% and the City contributes .11% of employee gross wages. LTD contributions are in addition to FICA (Social Security taxes).
*SHORT TERM DISABILITY
The City provides short-term disability coverage at no cost to the employee. Short-term disability replaces part of your income if you can't work for a short time due to a covered disability.
*SOCIAL SECURITY & MEDICARE - Employees pay a contribution into the Social Security & Medicare System.
*WORKER'S COMP. - Insurance coverage for medical expenses and loss of income due to an on-the-job injury is provided by the City of Yuma for all employees.
*UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE - Employees are covered by Unemployment Insurance.
*MEDICAL, DENTAL, and VISION INSURANCE - The City of Yuma is proud to provide medical, dental and vision insurance for its employees which is administered by the Yuma Area Benefit Consortium. Employees may choose from two traditional PPO plans or a High Deductible Health Plan with a Health Savings Account. Dependent premiums are paid one month in advance and are pre-taxed (unless waived). Additional information regarding medical, dental and vision benefits may be requested from the City's Human Resources Department.
*LIFE INSURANCE - The City provides a life insurance policy for employees in an amount that is equal to your annual salary. An Accidental Death and Dismemberment rider is also included for an equal amount. Employees may elect, at their cost, additional life insurance for up to 5X their annual salary. Various voluntary insurance policies are available at your cost and may be set up as an automatic payroll deduction. Information is available from the City's Human Resources Department.
*FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT - The plan establishes a reimbursement account, which is designed to provide you with a means of paying for certain medical, dental, vision, and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars. The amount you designate is subtracted from your earnings before taxes and is deposited in your flexible spending account. As a new employee you have 30 days from your hire date to enroll.
*EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - Provides free counseling sessions for employees and family members, as well as a 24-hour crisis line for emergencies.
*COMPENSATORY LEAVE (COMP. TIME) - Paid leave that an employee has elected to accrue in lieu of overtime payment.
*GENERAL LEAVE - This leave is available for all regular full-time and regular part-time employees. General Leave is paid leave for an employee's personal time off. General Leave can normally be used 90 days after your hire date. General Leave accrual varies by the employee's years of service and employment status.

• 0 to 5 years = 6.14 hours per pay day or 153.5 hours annually
• 5 to 10 years = 7.74 hours per pay day or 193.5 hours annually
• 10 to 15 years = 8.06 hours per pay day or 201.5 hours annually
• 15 to 20 years = 8.7 hours per pay day or 217.5 hours annually
• 20+ years = 9.34 hours per pay day or 233.5 hours annually

*SICK LEAVE - Employees are eligible to utilize paid sick leave immediately following 90 calendar days from their date of hire. July 1 of each year, employees will have 40 hours of sick leave added to their sick leave bank. New employees will have 40 hours of sick leave added to their sick leave bank on their date of hire.
*PAID PARENTAL LEAVE
The City provides up to 4 weeks of paid parental leave to employees following the birth of an employee's child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption or foster care.
*HOLIDAYS - The City recognizes 12 holidays per year. Holiday pay is at eight hours per holiday.

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (third Monday in January)
• President's Day (third Monday in February)
• Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day (First Monday in September)
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Day After Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day
• Additional Day in conjunction with Christmas

*DEFERRED COMPENSATION - Employees may participate in a tax-sheltered Annuity Plan (457 Plan) through payroll deduction to provide additional retirement income.
*TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
The City provides eligible employees tuition reimbursement for undergraduate and graduate level courses. Eligible full-time employees may receive up to a maximum of $3,500 per calendar year.
*SMOKE-FREE WORK ENVIRONMENT - The City prohibits smoking in, and within a reasonable distance of, all buildings used by the City for the conduct of City business or buildings or facilities used or occupied as workspace by City employees. This includes City owned and operated vehicles. This policy applies to all City employees, volunteers, citizens, and other persons entering or using City owned or operated facilities and/or vehicles.
01
By marking "Yes", I understand that my answers to the supplemental questions must be verifiable in the education and/or work experience section of my job application.

• Yes
• No

02
Do you meet or exceed the minimum education requirement of possessing a High School Diploma or GED equivalent?

• Yes
• No

03
Laborer or customer service experience is preferred. Do you have general labor or customer service experience? (Must be listed in the work experience section of the application)

• Yes
• No

04
A valid Arizona Driver's License is required. Do you possess a valid Driver's License or are you able to obtain one?

• Yes, I possess a valid Arizona State Driver's License.
• Yes, I possess a valid Driver's License from a state other than Arizona AND I agree to obtain a valid Arizona Driver's License as required.
• No, I do not have a valid Driver's License and/or I'm unable to obtain one as required.

05
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's Grade I certification from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is required within one (1) year of appointment. Do you agree to these terms?

• Yes
• No

06
Must meet all requirements of the Utilities Department Apprenticeship Program within 24 months of appointment. Do you agree to these terms?

• Yes
• No

07
This position may require working rotating shifts, rotating on-call schedule, including weekends and holidays. Do you agree to these terms?

• Yes
• No

Required Question