Fixed Base Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $31.01 - $45.52 Hourly
Location : 495 Industrial Drive, Galt, CA
Job Type: Regular Full Time
Job Number: 2026-000103
Department: Public Works
Division: Wastewater
Opening Date: 06/04/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
ABOUT GALT
The City of Galt, located in the heart of California's Central Valley, offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and modern convenience. Known for its friendly community, excellent schools, and beautiful parks, Galt is an ideal place to live, work, and play. Conveniently situated along Highway 99, Galt provides easy access to both Sacramento and the Bay Area, making it a desirable location for families and professionals alike. The city hosts popular events such as the Galt Market, a vibrant open-air market that draws visitors from across the region. With a strong sense of community, affordable housing, and plenty of recreational opportunities, Galt is a growing city that still holds on to its welcoming, hometown feel. Join us in Galt - the Great American Little Town.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The City of Galt is now accepting applications for
Wastewater System Operator II/III.
**Please note, this recruitment may close without notice once we have received a sufficient number of applicants.
Base Pay Increases:
Effective July 1, 2026:
Wastewater System Operator II - $31.01 - $38.05
Wastewater System Operator III - $37.09 - $45.52
Effective July 1, 2027:
Wastewater System Operator II - $32.73 - $40.17
Wastewater System Operator III - $39.15 - $48.05
ADDITIONAL PAY (UPON ASSIGNMENT AND ELIGIBILITY):

• Longevity Pay - beginning at 15 years of service, 5%; 20 years of service, 7.5%.
• Bilingual Pay - $100 per month.
• Medical-in-lieu - Employees who waive the City's medical coverage shall receive $200 per month for employee only, $350 per month for employee plus one, and $500 per month for family.
• Incentives- up to 2.5% - 10%
• On Call Pay- Two hours for every normal workday and four hours for every holiday weekend.
• Standby Pay- Two hours for each standby shift of 8 hours or less.

BENEFITS:

• Home Buying Program - $25,000 interest-free loan to assist with the purchase of a home in Galt city limits.
• Tuition Reimbursement - Up to $4,000 per fiscal year.
• Holiday Pay - 14 holidays; thirteen (13) paid holidays and one (1) floating holiday. Thirteen (13) fixed holidays observed: New Year's Day, MLK Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Cesar Chavez Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
• Vacation Leave- 80 hours per year; after 4 years- 120 hours; after 10 years- 160 hours; after 15 years- 200 hours, and after 22 years- 220 hours.
• Vacation Credit - Those with 4+ years of prior public agency experience may request to accrue at a rate of 120 hours.
• Vacation Cash Out- Cash out up to forty (40) hours of vacation per year.
• Sick Leave- 96 hours per year.
• Heath Insurance- City pays a generous portion of the CalPERS medical premium (9 options), City pays 100% for dental and vision premiums.
• Life Insurance- City paid $50,000 policy and $1,500 policy for dependents.
• Long Term Disability - City-paid policy benefit is up to 60% of base salary.
• EAP- Confidential employee assistance plan.

IUOE/REPRESENTED POSITION
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt/Hourly
DEFINITION:
Wastewater System Operator II: Under direct and general supervision, learns, operates, and performs maintenance on equipment, facilities, and related appurtenances found in a secondary, activated sludge wastewater treatment plant and related collection and disposal facilities; takes periodic samples and performs standardized tests to ensure proper operation within established guidelines; assists with preventive maintenance and makes minor repairs to plant facilities and equipment; and performs related work as required.
Wastewater System Operator III: Under direction, leads, trains, oversees, and participates in the more complex and difficult operation and maintenance on equipment, facilities, and related appurtenances as found in a secondary, activated sludge wastewater treatment plant and related collection and disposal facilities; takes periodic samples and performs standardized tests to ensure proper operation within established guidelines; sets priorities and directs the work of assigned staff on a project or day-to-day basis; provides technical and specialized assistance to the Wastewater Plant Supervisor; and performs related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Wastewater Operator II: Receives general supervision from the Wastewater Plant Supervisor. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.
Wastewater Operator III: Receives direction from the Wastewater Plant Supervisor. Exercises technical and functional direction over and provides training to lower-level staff.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
Wastewater System Operator II: This is the journey-level class in the Wastewater System Operator series. Incumbents are expected to perform a variety of wastewater operator duties without constant instruction and/or supervision. Incumbents are expected to identify maintenance deficiencies and make necessary corrections. Positions at this level are distinguished from the I level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions 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.
Wastewater System Operator III: This is the advanced journey-lead level in the Wastewater System Operator class series. Incumbents perform the most complex wastewater operator duties and/or tasks without constant instruction and/or supervision. Incumbents are expected to act independently and keep supervisors apprised of their work needs as well as the time and materials needed to complete the tasks in most efficient and timely manner. In addition, incumbents are expected to lead work crews and to provide on-the-job orientation and training to new, full-time, temporary, seasonal, and part-time employees assigned with the incumbents to assist in the completion of assigned functions, tasks, and duties. Incumbents may help staff plan for future assignments and supply needs and are expected to identify maintenance deficiencies and make necessary corrections.
Example of Duties
EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
Wastewater System Operator II:

• Monitors plant operations equipment and processes to ensure compliance with environmental and public health standards, including monitoring and making adjustments as needed to optimize efficiency, making chemical dosage changes, changing pumping rates, and monitoring all equipment daily.
• Inspects plant operational equipment and facilities on a regularly scheduled basis; reads and records readings of pumps, chemical feed, and other treatment, influent, and effluent equipment.
• Reviews and analyzes operational information and revises equipment settings as appropriate; notifies supervisor of unusual situations and makes inspections or corrects system problems as instructed.
• Operates and performs maintenance and repairs on collection and disposal lines and appurtenances, including lift stations.
• Operates and performs preventive maintenance on a variety of treatment plant equipment, such as pumps, chlorinators, filters, chemical valves, sludge lagoon, bar screens, and agitators.
• Operates valves, pumps, and automated controls to regulate the flow of wastewater through the plant; operates valves to dispose of plant effluent.
• Removes screenings and grit; cleans clarifiers and primary, secondary, and other wastewater equipment and facilities.
• Reads, records, and calculates readings of meters and gauges; interprets information into operational characteristics; changes flow meter charts; makes process adjustments according to information gathered, samples collected, readings, and records.
• Lubricates pumps, motors, chains, conveyors, and other machinery and equipment; performs preventive maintenance, makes minor repairs to equipment, and reports the need for major repairs.
• Maintains facilities and equipment in a clean and orderly condition; performs routine maintenance, painting of machinery, structures, equipment, and piping systems.
• Collects wastewater, sludge, and other samples from various phases of the treatment process; performs basic chemical and physical tests on these samples to ensure the plant is operating effectively and that regulatory requirements are being met.
• May assist in preventative maintenance, services equipment and inspects facilities and equipment to determine the need for maintenance or repair.
• Confers with maintenance staff to determine equipment problems; suggests methods of resolving problems in an operational setting.
• Uses a variety of hand and power tools and testing equipment.
• Changes recording charts; ensures that chemical feeders have a constant supply of chlorine and other treatment chemicals.
• Observes appropriate safety procedures, including those related to the safe handling of chlorine and other treatment chemicals.
• Attends training and safety sessions as assigned.
• May perform general public works maintenance work on streets, storm drains, and other City infrastructure on a relief or as-needed basis.
• Observes safe work methods and makes appropriate use of related safety equipment as required.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Wastewater System Operator III:

• Provides technical and functional supervision to assigned wastewater treatment plant operations staff; reviews and controls quality of work; participates in performing routine to complex and specialized wastewater treatment operations and maintenance work.
• Plans, schedules, prioritizes, and assigns operations and maintenance work in consultation with the Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor; communicates status of operations to appropriate personnel, working cooperatively to schedule assignments in accordance with established and special operational priorities.
• Trains employees in work methods, use of tools and equipment, and relevant safety precautions.
• Estimates costs of maintenance work, supplies, equipment, and materials; orders supplies and equipment for work projects; maintains records of purchase orders; assists in developing budget figures for the division; monitors expenditures.
• Inspects and evaluates work in progress and upon completion to assure that operations, maintenance, and project activities are performed in accordance with City standards and specifications.
• Inspects plant operational equipment and facilities on a regularly scheduled basis; reads and records readings of pumps, chemical feed, and other treatment, influent, and effluent equipment.
• Reviews and analyzes operational information and revises equipment settings as appropriate; notifies supervisor of unusual situations and makes inspections or corrects system problems as instructed.
• Operates and performs maintenance and repair on collection and disposal lines and appurtenances, including lift stations.
• Operates and performs preventive maintenance on a variety of treatment plant equipment, such as pumps, chlorinators, filters, chemical valves, sludge lagoon, bar screens, and agitators.
• Operates valves, pumps, and automated controls to regulate the flow of wastewater through the plant; operates valves to dispose of plant effluent.
• Removes screenings and grit; cleans clarifiers, and primary, secondary, and other wastewater equipment and facilities.
• Lubricates pumps, motors, chains, conveyors, and other machinery and equipment; performs preventive maintenance, makes minor repairs to equipment, and reports the need for major repairs.
• Maintains facilities and equipment in a clean and orderly condition; performs routine maintenance, painting of machinery, structures, equipment, and piping systems.
• Collects wastewater, sludge, and other samples from various phases of the treatment process; performs basic chemical and physical tests on these samples to ensure that the plant is operating effectively and that regulatory requirements are being met.
• Performs basic adjustments and troubleshooting for electrical motors and controls.
• Changes recording charts; ensures that chemical feeders have a constant supply of chlorine and other treatment chemicals.
• Maintains accurate records of gauge and meter readings, chemical test results, and work performed.
• Observes appropriate safety procedures, including those related to the safe handling of chlorine and other treatment chemicals.
• Responds to complaints and answers questions from public, or escalates to supervisor as necessary.
• Responds to operations, maintenance, and repair emergencies as required.
• Maintains records and logs of daily activities; prepares reports as necessary.
• Observes safe work methods and makes appropriate use of related safety equipment as required.
• Operate a standard vehicle to multiple locations in order to perform assigned tasks; transporting equipment as needed, and performing assigned tasks at each worksite.
• Performs related duties as assigned.