Entry Level Public Works Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $69,972.00 - $85,092.00 Annually
Location : Water Quality Control Plant 5950 Acorn Street, Riverside, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-4126-01
Department: Public Works
Division: Public Works-Sewer-Treatment
Opening Date: 08/06/2026
Closing Date: 8/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
The Position
The City of Riverside is accepting applications for the position of Wastewater Operations Dispatcher to fill one (1) vacancy in the Sewer Treatment Division of the Public Works DepartmentThe eligibility list established may be used to fill the current and/or upcoming vacancies within this classification for up to six (6) months.
The Riverside Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) is located at 5950 Acorn Street, Riverside, CA 92504. The RWQCP was recently expanded and retrofitted to meet the needs of future generations. The plant expansion introduced several new technologies designed to produce high quality effluent water and increase the plant's efficiency. The plant is currently rated with a capacity of 46 million gallons per day (MGD).
The Wastewater Operations Dispatcher operates radio-telephone transmitting and receiving equipment; monitors Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer alarm system; dispatches operators and other City personnel as required during routine or emergency situations; notifies regulatory agencies during emergency or spill events; provides central communication with 311 call activities for sewer and other divisions within Public Works; and does related work as required.
Work Performed
Typical duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Receive incoming telephone and voice radio calls; operate radio-telephone transmitting and receiving equipment; gather information, determine appropriate actions, and dispatch services as needed or required; remain calm and collected in emergency or stressful situations.
• Monitor Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer alarm system.
• Communicate and dispatch operators and other City staff as required during routine or emergency situations; notify and communicate with regulatory agencies during emergencies or spill events.
• Maintain, monitor, and participate in operations section safety documentation; manage and monitor operator log entries.
• Provide a variety of public information to public inquiries for assistance.
• Provide central communication with 311 call activities for Sewer Division and other divisions within the Public Works Department.
• Perform accounting duties including work orders and purchase requisitions for the Operations Division; order and requisition necessary office supplies.
• Assist, support, and participate in the development and implementation of systems and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Recruitment Guidelines:
Education: High School graduation or satisfactory equivalent (GED).
Experience: 1 year of experience in communication with the public through telephone and radio dispatching.
Necessary Special Requirements:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid, appropriate California Class "C" Motor Vehicle Operator's License.
Ability to obtain proof of completion of entry level (Volume 1) of Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants Program course work from the California State University, Sacramento, within 12 months from date of appointment.
Highly Desirable Qualifications:
Current proof of completion of entry level (Volume 1) of Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants Program course work from the California State University, Sacramento.
Experience with monitoring computer alarm systems.
Experience with working in a customer call center.
Experience performing accounting functions, including creating work orders and purchase requisitions.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions: Work is done inside a plant or standard office environment. May be exposed to inclement weather, hazards, chemicals, equipment, construction materials, wastewater, and fumes. Employees may interact with staff and/or public and private representatives and will provide professional customer service.
Selection Process
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION:
1) Completed Employment Application
2) Completed Supplemental Questionnaire
PLEASE NOTE: FOR DIRECTIONS ON ATTACHING A DOCUMENT TO AN ON-LINE APPLICATION, OR GENERAL INFORMATION ON COMPLETING YOUR ON-LINE APPLICATION, CLICK HERE: (Application Guide).
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON SCHEDULING ASSESSMENTS:
If you are selected to move forward in the assessment process, you may be required to self-schedule your appointment. You will be notified via email of your status and provided with self-scheduling instructions. Please check your email regularly following the closing date of this recruitment.
The selection process will begin with an employment application package screening, with the best qualified candidates being invited to participate further in the assessment process. This process may include any combination of written, performance, and oral assessments to evaluate job-related education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Those who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on the eligibility list for this classification.
It is the responsibility of candidates with a disability requiring accommodation in the assessment process to contact the Human Resources Department in writing to request such accommodation prior to the closing date of this recruitment.
Appointment may be subject to the successful completion of a pre-employment background investigation, drug screen, and/or medical/physical examination.
NOTE: The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards. Candidates may reapply when there is a posting to establish an eligibility list.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Proof of education listed in your application will be requested at the time of conditional offer. Acceptable documentation consists of transcripts or degree, if applicable, by the accredited U.S. college or university.
Education obtained outside the United States (US) require one of the following options:

1. An equivalency statement from an evaluation company certified by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) at or the Association of International Credential Evaluators Inc. (AICE) at
2. An advanced-level degree from an accredited US college or university.

All applicants will be notified via e-mail or telephone of their application status and the assessment dates/times/locations after the closing date of this announcement.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) - General Unit
The City offers an attractive benefits package, the central provisions of which are as follows:

• Retirement for Classic Members - For employees hired after 1/1/2013 who are CLASSIC MEMBERS of California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12 and have not been separated from service from such agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2.7 % @ age 55; 3-year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 8%. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Retirement for New Members - For employees hired 1/1/2013 or later and who ARE NOT a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12, or those who have been separated from a public agency which contracts with CalPERS or a reciprocal agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2% at age 62; 3 year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 50% of the normal cost and is subject to change per CalPERS every fiscal year. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Health Insurance - The City offers six health insurance plans and contributes up to $1,687 per month for HMO plans (family coverage).
• Dental Insurance - The City provides three dental insurance plans and contributes up to $85 per month.
• Vision Insurance - The City provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for employees and their dependents that are enrolled in medical coverage.
• Life Insurance - The City provides and pays for term life insurance equal to $100,000. Additional Life Insurance is available and voluntary for employees and eligible dependents (up to $300k).
• Deferred Compensation - The City contributes $50 a month with a minimum employee contribution of $12.50 per check. Participation in the deferred compensation plan is optional.
• Leave Benefits - Includes vacation leave, sick leave, bereavement leave, and holiday benefits. Please refer to the SEIU MOU for specific details.
• Flexible Spending Account - The City offers a Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Plan for optional participation.
• State Disability Insurance - Automatic coverage administered by the Employee Development Department (EDD) of the State of California
• Vacation Accrual - 0-4 yrs. = 80hrs, 5-9 yrs. = 120hrs, 10+ yrs. = 160 hrs.

For other special compensation, refer to the
For additional benefits information, please visit the following website:
For part-time, benefitted positions the insurance and other benefits (leave accruals, holidays, etc.) are pro-rated based on ½ or ¾ time status.
01
Instructions: The information on the application and your responses to the following supplemental questions will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum and/or highly desirable qualifications for the position in which you are applying. Detailed responses must be provided for each question in order to ensure qualifications are properly considered.
(*Do not refer to a resume in lieu of completing the supplemental questions).
Employers listed on this questionnaire must also be listed and fully detailed in the work experience section of your application.

• I understand.

02
Please indicate the highest level of education that you have completed.

• Less than a High School Diploma or GED
• High School diploma or GED
• Some college (up to 59 semester units or 89 quarter units)
• Associate's degree or equivalent (60 semester or 90 quarter units)
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent (120 semester or 180 quarter units)
• Master's degree
• PhD

03
Do you posses a minimum of one (1) year of experience in communication with the public through telephone and radio dispatching?

• Yes
• No

04
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please indicate the following regarding your experience:
Employer:
Job Title:
Years of Experience:
Examples of Duties:
If you answered "No", please list "N/A".
05
Do you currently possess proof of completion of entry level (Volume 1) of Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants Program course work from the California State University, Sacramento? (please attach transcripts to this application)

• Yes
• No

06
If you answered "no" to the previous question, do you understand that you must have the ability to obtain proof of completion of entry level (Volume 1) of Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants Program course work from the California State University, Sacramento, within 12 months from date of appointment? (if you answered "yes", you may skip this question)

• Yes
• No

07
Please indicate from the following where you possess experience:(check all that apply)

• Experience with monitoring computer alarm systems
• Experience with working in a customer call center
• Experience performing accounting functions, including creating work orders and purchase requisitions
• None of the above

08
I understand work is done inside a plant or standard office environment. May be exposed to inclement weather, hazards, chemicals, equipment, construction materials, wastewater, and fumes. Employees may interact with staff and/or public and private representatives and will provide professional customer service.

• Yes
• No

09
Certification: I understand that I cannot update my application once it has been submitted. Therefore, I have fully completed ALL sections, provided full descriptions of my duties and responsibilities for each employer, and have fully answered ALL questions on the Supplemental Questionnaire. Do not refer to a resume or other documentation, as it will not be reviewed in lieu of completing the Supplemental Questionnaire. Note: Employers and/or experience noted on the Supplemental Questionnaire must also be included and fully detailed on the Application.

• I understand.

Required Question