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Plant Operator Trainee Jobs in Carson, CA (NOW HIRING)

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Plant Operator Trainee information

See Carson, CA salary details

$31.9K

$55.3K

$89.3K

How much do plant operator trainee jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for plant operator trainee in Carson, CA is $55,310.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,900.00 and $62,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a plant operator trainee?

Plant Operator Trainees are entry-level employees who learn to operate, monitor, and maintain machinery and equipment at facilities such as power plants, water treatment plants, or manufacturing sites. They receive on-the-job training to understand safety procedures, equipment operation, and facility protocols under the supervision of experienced operators. Their goal is to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to eventually become fully qualified Plant Operators. This role typically involves a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a plant operator trainee?

To thrive as a Plant Operator Trainee, you need a basic understanding of mechanical and electrical systems, a high school diploma or equivalent, and a willingness to learn plant operations. Familiarity with SCADA systems, safety protocols, and basic hand tools is often required, and some employers may prefer candidates with relevant certifications like OSHA or confined space entry. Attention to detail, teamwork, and strong communication skills help trainees adapt quickly and contribute to safe, efficient plant operations. These skills are crucial for ensuring safety, minimizing downtime, and supporting the smooth functioning of the facility.

What are some common challenges faced by plant operator trainees during their initial training period?

Plant Operator Trainees often encounter challenges such as adapting to rotating shift schedules, learning to monitor complex machinery, and quickly troubleshooting minor operational issues. Trainees must also become familiar with strict safety protocols and environmental regulations, which can be overwhelming at first. However, with mentorship from experienced operators and structured hands-on training, most trainees are able to develop the necessary confidence and skills to handle these responsibilities effectively.

What is the difference between Plant Operator Trainee vs Plant Operator?

AspectPlant Operator TraineePlant Operator
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some certifications may be preferredTypically requires relevant certifications or licenses, such as a state-issued operator license
Work EnvironmentTraining environment, supervised, learning on the jobFull responsibility for operating equipment, more autonomous
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting and learning under supervisionOperating machinery, monitoring systems, troubleshooting

In summary, a Plant Operator Trainee is in a learning phase, gaining skills and certifications needed to become a fully qualified Plant Operator. The trainee role involves supervision and assistance, while the Plant Operator role involves independent operation and responsibility.

How to get hired as a plant operator trainee?

To get hired as a plant operator trainee, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, relevant technical training or certification, and sometimes a valid driver's license. Employers often look for basic mechanical skills, the ability to follow safety procedures, and willingness to learn on the job. Prior experience in related roles or with operating machinery can be advantageous.

Is it hard to become a plant operator trainee?

Becoming a plant operator trainee typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent, technical training, and sometimes a relevant certification. The process involves passing written exams and gaining on-the-job experience, making it moderately challenging but achievable with proper preparation and training. Skills in mechanical systems, safety procedures, and attention to detail are important for success in this role.

What degree do I need to become a plant operator trainee?

A plant operator trainee typically needs a high school diploma or equivalent; some positions may require post-secondary education such as an associate degree in engineering, environmental science, or a related field. Relevant skills include understanding of mechanical systems and safety procedures, and obtaining certifications like a commercial driver's license or plant-specific training can be beneficial.

What are popular job titles related to Plant Operator Trainee jobs in Carson, CA?

For Plant Operator Trainee jobs in Carson, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Carson, CA are hiring for Plant Operator Trainee jobs?

Cities near Carson, CA with the most Plant Operator Trainee job openings:

Plant Operator Trainee jobs near you
Infographic showing various Plant Operator Trainee job openings in Carson, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $55,310 per year, or $26.6 per hour.

WATER TREATMENT OPERATOR 5885 B (Revised 05-05-26)

City of Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$81K - $142K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Salary: $81,703.00 - $142,025.00 Annually
Location : CITY OF LOS ANGELES, CA
Job Type: FULL-TIME
Job Number: 5885 O 2022/03/11 C
Department: DWP - Joint
Opening Date: 05/08/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
DUTIES
ANNUAL SALARY
$81,703 to $101,497; $122,252 to $129,059; $124,883 to $131,836; $133,026 to $140,438; $134,529 to $142,025
NOTES:
  1. Candidates from the eligible list are normally appointed to vacancies in the lower pay grade positions.
  2. Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.
  3. For information regarding reciprocity between the City of Los Angeles departments and LADWP, go to

A Water Treatment Operator does skilled work in the operation, regulation, maintenance and repair of equipment used in the treatment of potable water.
NOTE:
Entry-level positions are trainee positions. A Water Treatment Operator in a training position must obtain a T3 (or higher) Water Treatment Operator license and be assigned to a permanent position within three years. A Water Treatment Operator in a trainee position receives extensive on-the-job training, which must be completed prior to assignment to a permanent position. Assignment to the highest pay grade may require higher-grade certification.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
A Water Treatment Operator may be assigned to a night shift or continuous shift requiring 10 consecutive days on shift and 4 days off. Routine assignments will be made to either the Los Angeles Aqueduct Filtration Plant or the field operations section of the Water Operations Division. Work locations include the greater Los Angeles and Owens Valley areas.
Water Treatment Operators will be required to work with hazardous chemicals. Cal/OSHA Regulations require that all employees engaged in such work must wear a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). Therefore, all Water Treatment Operators will be medically evaluated to certify that they are physically able to wear the SCBA and must be free of any facial hair that would impair a good SCBA mask-to-face seal.
REQUIREMENT(S)/MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S)
A valid T2 (or higher) Water Treatment Operator license and a D1 (or higher) Water Distribution Operator License issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board are required at the time of filing.
PROCESS NOTES
  1. A copy of the current Water Treatment Operator and Water Distribution Operator licenses must be submitted with the application and maintained during the course of employment.
  2. Applicants must attach a copy of their Water Treatment Operator and Water Distribution Operator License to the on-line application before the application is submitted. If the Licenses are attached after the on-line application has been submitted, they will not be available to the City and the applicants will not be credited with having submitted the Licenses. Applicants who fail to submit the Licenses at the time of filing by attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered further in this examination.
  3. As a condition of employment, a valid Class C driver's license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is required at the time of appointment. Applicants will be disqualified or deemed ineligible for hire if their DMV record reflects three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation within the last 36 months in any state or jurisdiction. The City of Los Angeles reserves the right to issue a notice of disqualification or ineligibility at any time before a final job offer is extended.

WHERE TO APPLY & APPLICATION DEADLINE
Applications will only be accepted on-line. When you are viewing the on-line job bulletin of your choice, simply scroll to the top of the page and select the "Apply" icon. On-line job bulletins are also available at .
NOTES:
  1. Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure you have time to resolve any technical issues you may encounter.
  2. All application materials must be complete at the time of filing for you to be considered a candidate in this examination.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Applications will only be accepted on-line on the dates listed below:
From FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2026 to THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2026
In accordance with Civil Service Rule 4.2, all applicants who apply may not be tested in this examination. To meet anticipated hiring needs, only a limited number of qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the selection process in the following order: 1) Applicants currently employed by the City of Los Angeles who meet the minimum requirements, or are on a reserve list. 2) Remaining applicants who meet the minimum requirements in sufficient numbers to meet hiring needs based on a random sampling of those qualified candidates. Applicants not selected to be tested may re-apply in a subsequent filing period in order to be considered for that period's selection process.
SELECTION PROCESS
Examination Weight: Multiple-Choice Test - 100%
The examination will consist entirely of a multiple-choice test administered and proctored on-line. In the on-line multiple-choice test, candidates may be tested for knowledge of: the function and operation of water treatment materials and equipment sufficient to note abnormalities and or malfunctions, make repairs, replace equipment, and/or to report need for repair; variations in process flow; basic chemistry and biology associated with water treatment; basic water treatment terms, methods, and practices; procedures used for chemical testing, "jar tests" and water samples for residual chlorine, ozone, and pH; appropriate residual and treatment levels of chlorine and other chemicals used in water treatment; arithmetic and algebra sufficient to calculate unit conversions and perform calculations such as flow rates, weights, and volumes; scales, instruments, and units for measurements related to water treatment such as pressure, temperature, weight, volume, oxygen, ozone and nitrogen purity, and concentration of solutions; OSHA and other general safety regulations, procedures, and practices related to water treatment, including Federal, State, and local laws and regulations; and the ability to: read and interpret material sufficient to apply the information to specific situations; read line graphs, bar charts, and other types of graphs and in adjusting rapidly to changes in scale; use gauges and other standardized equipment to adjust equipment used in water treatment; use and care for hand tools and powered hand tools; use computer terminals sufficient to retrieve and enter data or control processes of water treatment; relate to the public pleasantly and courteously; mechanical aptitude sufficient to perform safely and correctly such tasks as using tools based on levers and working with or near equipment with moving parts; and other necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities.
The multiple-choice test will be proctored and administered on-line during a single session. Candidates invited to participate in the on-line multiple-choice test will be able to take the test from a remote location (i.e., their home) using a computer with a webcam and a reliable internet connection. Candidates will receive an e-mail from the City of Los Angeles outlining the dates and specific steps on how to take the multiple-choice test on-line. Candidates who do not complete and submit the remote proctored multiple-choice test on-line using a computer by the specified date and time will not be considered further in this examination.
For candidates who apply between FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2026 and THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2026, it is anticipated that the on-line multiple-choice test will be administered between TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2026 and MONDAY, JULY 27, 2026.
FAQs for on-line testing are available at Candidates who do not have the required equipment may have the option to take the multiple-choice test onsite at a City facility.
NOTES:
  1. This examination is based on a validation study, and as provided by Civil Service Commission Rule 4.20, the multiple-choice test will not be subject to candidate inspection.
  2. You may take the Water Treatment Operator multiple-choice test only once every 24 months under this bulletin. If you have taken the Water Treatment Operator multiple-choice test during an open filing period in the Personnel Department within the last 24 months, you may not file for this examination at this time.
  3. As a covered entity under the Fair Employment and Housing Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. To request a disability accommodation, please complete the Disability Accommodation Form within 14 calendar days of the submittal of the City application. The Disability Accommodation Form can be obtained at
  4. Applications are accepted subject to review to ensure that minimum qualifications are met. Candidates may be disqualified at any time if it is determined that they do not possess the minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin.
  5. A final average score of 70% or higher is required to be placed on the eligible list.
  6. Your rank on the employment list may change as scores of candidates from other administrations of the examination are merged onto one list.
  7. Based on City policy, you may be required to undergo mandatory drug and alcohol testing prior to and during employment in this class.
  8. In accordance with Civil Service Rule, Sec. 4.24, review periods may be combined. Candidates in the examination process may file protests as provided in Sec. 4.20, 4.22 and 4.23 as applicable and within the required time frame; however, the Personnel Department may respond to and resolve protests prior to the establishment of the eligible list.

Notice:
If you receive and accept an offer of employment to a regular position with the City of Los Angeles, your employee benefit coverage (including health and dental coverage as well as life insurance) will commence approximately six weeks after your original regular appointment. Not all positions in the City receive benefit coverage; you should inquire regarding the availability of employee benefits prior to accepting a position. All City employees are required to be Disaster Service Workers.
THIS EXAMINATION IS TO BE GIVEN
ONLY ON AN OPEN COMPETITIVE BASIS
The City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, creed, color, ancestry, medical condition (cancer), or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
For additional information and FAQs regarding the City's hiring process, please go to:
There are many things to consider in a new employer. Visit the following webpage to view benefits the City of Los Angeles offers its employees:
01
To be PROPERLY AND PROMPTLY notified of the status of my application, I UNDERSTAND that I MUST provide on my City application, the following information:
-Working E-mail address
-Telephone Number
-Official social security number
I UNDERSTAND that I MUST provide a working email address on my application where I will receive notifications regarding the status of my application and the selection process.
I UNDERSTAND that important information regarding the status of my application and the selection process will only be sent via E-MAIL to the email address I provided.
I UNDERSTAND that it is MY RESPONSIBILITY to ensure that the email address I provided is a working email and that I will check my email regularly to ensure I receive any communication as it relates to the examination promptly.
I UNDERSTAND that the City of Los Angeles Personnel Department is NOT RESPONSIBLE for any lost or redirected emails and that it is MY RESPONSIBILITY to add info@governmentjobs.com to my email contact list to avoid email notifications related to this examination from being classified as "spam" or "junk" mail.
  • I have read these statements to their fullest and will provide a working e-mail address on my application in order to receive status of my application regarding this examination.

02
I UNDERSTAND that I am required to describe, IN DETAIL, my appropriate qualifying experience in the Work Experience Section of my application.
I UNDERSTAND that, if qualifying with my City experience, that I MUST indicate my appropriate job classification in my work history and NOT ANY WORKING TITLE that I believe is designated to me.
I UNDERSTAND that if I attach a resume and/or cover letter IN LIEU of completing the Work Experience Section, my application is INCOMPLETE and WILL NOT be considered for this examination, and my application WILL NOT be further processed.
In addition to including my qualifying experience, I UNDERSTAND that I should list ALL jobs, regardless of duration, including part-time jobs, military service and any periods of unemployment during my entire work history.
  • I have read these statements to their entirety and understand them completely and to their fullest.

03
I am currently:
  • A City of Los Angeles employee having received a regular appointment.
  • An exempt or emergency City of Los Angeles employee, but have civil service status.
  • An exempt or emergency City of Los Angeles employee without receiving civil service status.
  • A City of Los Angeles employee in a temporary training position.
  • A City of Los Angeles employee on a part-time basis.
  • On

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