Entry Level Water Resource Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Description/Duties The current recruitment will be used to fill current vacancies in the Water Reclamation Plant Assignment at either the Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist I or Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist II level. Employees may progress through the full salary range, subject to their successful performance and annual budget approval. The first review of applications will be on Monday, April 6, 2026 and weekly thereafter as needed.

Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist I ($55,831.75 - $76,472.85 annually) A Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist I is a one-year assignment where incumbents function as a trainee and are responsible for learning how to and begin to maintain the City of Mesa's water reclamation or water treatment plants (depending on assignment). An employee in this class accompanies and observes a lead person, specifically the Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist II and/or III class, thus performing daily activities and assisting in performing entry-level work. As the incumbent demonstrates the ability to perform the full range of the proposed Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist I duties, the complexity and difficulty of assignments will increase

During this one-year assignment the incumbent must meet requirements and expectations outlined in the criteria-based promotion document. In addition, the incumbent must complete these requirements and proceed to the Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist II classification within the one-year time frame. This class performs related duties as required.

Water Reclamation Plant Assignment: Incumbents may be assigned to either the Southeast, Northwest, or Greenfield Water Reclamation Plants. Entry-level work will consist of plant maintenance work. Some examples of duties learned and performed include: installing, maintaining, and repairing equipment and facilities including, but not limited to: bar screens, compactors, degritters, mixers, pumps, compressors, pipes, blowers, odor control devices, centrifuges, ultraviolet (UV) equipment, chemical metering pumps, sludge hoppers, conveyor systems, boilers, biogas systems, waste gas flares, valves, gear boxes, and tanks.

Incumbents also learn the basics of plant operations involving primary treatment, secondary treatment, activated sludge processes, filtration, disinfection, sludge dewatering, and digestion. This class is distinguished from the Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist II class by its responsibility for performing entry-level plant maintenance duties while learning to perform journey-level plant maintenance. This class is provided guidance by either the Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist II, Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist III, or Water Resources Plant Supervisor.

On-site observation of work in progress, finished projects, and meetings to discuss strategy and other challenges while performing routine duties. An employee in this class is required to use appropriate safety equipment and follow safety procedures in performing assignments. Job hazards may include a variety of weather conditions, ferrous chloride, raw sewage, toxic chemicals, high-voltage lines, and confined spaces.

This class may be subject to emergency callout, stand-by and must be willing to work overtime as required. Employees in this class may progress to the Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist II class by noncompetitive, criteria-based promotion after successful completion of required coursework, on-the-job training, and achievement of satisfactory performance appraisals. This class is FLSA nonexempt.

Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist II ($64,664.91 - $88,572.85 annually) The Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist II is responsible for performing specialized, journey-level work that involves installing, maintaining, and repairing water treatment or water reclamation equipment (depending on assignment). An employee in this class accompanies and observes a lead person, the Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist III, performing daily activities and assisting in performing treatment plant maintenance activities. Assigned tasks increase in scope and difficulty as the incumbent demonstrates the ability to perform the full-range of duties respective of the journey-level Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist II class

Water Reclamation Plant Assignment: Incumbents may be assigned to the Southeast, Northwest, or Greenfield Wastewater Treatment Plants. Some examples of duties required and performed include: installing, maintaining, and repairing bar screens, compactors, degritters, mixers, blowers, odor control devices, centrifuges, conveyor systems, ultraviolet (UV) equipment, chemical metering pumps, filtration equipment, sludge hoppers, boilers, biogas systems, and waste gas flares. Although the primary responsibilities of this position are maintenance related, the Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist II may also be responsible for performing operational duties at the reclamation plant under the supervision of the Water Resources Plant Supervisor.

Duties include analyzing trends and data, monitoring equipment, optimizing plant processes, collecting and analyzing process samples, and making data entry. This class performs related duties as required. The Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist II class is distinguished from the Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist III class by the former class having responsibility for performing journey-level water treatment or water reclamation maintenance duties, but not having lead responsibilities.

This class is provided lead direction by the Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist III with supervisory responsibility provided by the Water Resources Plant Supervisor. Job performance is monitored and evaluated by the on-site observation of work in progress, finished projects, and meetings to discuss strategy and other challenges while performing routine duties. Job hazards may include frequent exposure to a variety of weather conditions, chlorine gas, fluoride, ferrous chloride, raw sewage, toxic chemicals, bleach, caustic, rotating equipment, biogas, noise, low oxygen, explosive environments and high-voltage lines, and equipment.

An employee in this class is required to use appropriate safety equipment and follow safety procedures in performing assignments. This class may be subject to emergency call-out and must be willing to work overtime and scheduled stand-by as required. Employees may progress to this class by noncompetitive promotion upon meeting the required coursework, on-the-job training, acquisition of required certification, and achievement of satisfactory performance appraisals.

This class is FLSA nonexempt. Please refer to the links below for the full job descriptions and additional information regarding assignments, preferred qualifications, and essential functions. Qualifications & Requirements Employee Values: All employees of the City of Mesa are expected to uphold and exhibit the City's shared employee values of Knowledge, Respect, and Integrity.

Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist I: Minimum Qualifications Required. Any combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to graduation from high school or GED. One year of experience in performing repairs or maintenance of pumps, water treatment or wastewater equipment, or other mechanical or manufacturing equipment maintenance.

Special Requirements. Must obtain forklift operator certification within six months of hire date. Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver's License by hire or promotion date.

Must meet the qualifications to wear a tight-fitting respirator by passing a medical evaluation in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.134 by hire or promotion date and must maintain certification. The incumbent must also obtain a 40-hour HazWoper Certification as per the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and must attend an eight-hour HazWoper refresher course annually to maintain certification. Substance Abuse Testing

Due to safety/security sensitive nature of this classification, individuals shall be subject to pre-employment/pre-placement and random alcohol, drug and/or controlled substance testing as outlined in City policy and procedures. Preferred/Desirable Qualifications. Grade I (or higher) Water Treatment System Operator or Wastewater Treatment System Operator certification from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) or equivalent certification from another state through reciprocity with Arizona by application date.

Minimum six months of successful performance in the City of Mesa Water Resources Department Intern program, and familiarity with City of Mesa treatment facilities. Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist II: Minimum Qualifications Required. Any combination of education, training, and experience equivalent to graduation from high school or GED.

Considerable (3 - 5 years) work experience in performing journey-level repair or maintenance of pumps, water treatment or wastewater equipment, or other mechanical or manufacturing equipment maintenance. Special Requirements. Must obtain forklift operator certification within six months of hire date.

Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver's License by hire or promotion date. Must meet the qualifications to wear a tight-fitting respirator by passing a medical evaluation in accordance with CFR 1910.134 by hire or promotion date and must maintain certification. This class shall be responsible for acquiring a minimum of 30 professional development hours (PDHs) every three years to maintain their ADEQ certification

The incumbent must also obtain a 40-hour HazWoper Certification as per OSHA and must attend an eight-hour HazWoper refresher course annually to maintain certification. Water Reclamation Plant Assignment: Must obtain a Grade I (or higher) Wastewater Treatment System Operator certification from the ADEQ within one year of hire or promotion date. Certification through reciprocity must be obtained within three months of hire or promotion date.

Substance Abuse Testing. Due to the safety and/or security sensitive nature of this classification, individuals shall be subject to pre-employment or pre-placement alcohol, drug and/or controlled substance testing as outlined in City policy and procedures. Link to Job Description Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist I: http://apps.mesaaz.gov/jobdescriptions/Documents/JobDescriptions/cs4003.pdf Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist II: http://apps.mesaaz.gov/JobDescriptions/Documents/JobDescriptions/cs4303.pdf