Process Operator Trainee Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Summary/Class Characteristics Water Recycling Plant Operator Trainee/I/II/III We currently have one vacancy that we are looking to fill at the Water Recycling Plant Operator Trainee, I, II or III level depending on the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate. Operators typically work a 4/10 schedule which includes one weekend day, but may be assigned to work a 5/8 schedule. Must be available to work overtime and off-shift hours, including weekends, and/or holidays.

Must be available to work standby and be on call. The Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility treats the community's wastewater. This facility uses an innovative blend of mechanical and natural treatment processes, supported by a highly sophisticated computerized control system and a 14,000 square foot operations and maintenance building.

Located in a rural setting near the Petaluma River, this 6.7 mgd ADWF facility presents a uniquely pleasant working environment. SALARY AND BENEFITS PACKAGE SALARY RANGE: Water Recycling Plant Operator in Training: $74,256.00 - $90,251.20 Water Recycling Plant Operator I: $85,924.80 - $104,457.60 Water Recycling Plant Operator II: $93,995.20 - $114,233.60 Water Recycling Plant Operator III: $103,376.00 - $125,736.00 FOR YOUR HEALTH AND WELL BEING: MEDICAL INSURANCE: Choice of a variety of CalPERS Health Plans. City pays ~95% of the Bay Area Kaiser premium for employee & eligible dependents; or alternative option to receive Medical Cash Back (if you have medical coverage elsewhere)

Please see the 2026 Health Plan Contribution Memo. DENTAL & VISION INSURANCE: Coverage for employees & eligible family members, paid for by the City. LIFE INSURANCE: Competitive life insurance & Long-Term Disability benefits.

Option to purchase additional life insurance. EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Support and benefits, for you & eligible family members, paid for by the City. WELLNESS BENEFIT: $500 annual allowance (subject to the annual budget approval process and may change in the future) FOR YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE: CALPERS RETIREMENT PACKAGE 2% at 60 for Classic CalPERS members 2% at 62 for PEPRA CalPERS members DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: voluntary participation in your choice of three plan offerings.

FOR YOUR WORK / LIFE BALANCE (annual amounts): Vacation: 80 Hours, increasing with years of service Sick Leave: 96 hours Holidays: 12 fixed days Personal Leave: 8 hours Other Exceptional Benefits: Paid Parental Leave - up to 8 weeks of paid time for qualifying family bonding Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Employer For more information regarding the benefits associated with this position, please visit our website and look at the Unit 2 Memorandum of Understanding and Employee Benefits. Summary Perform a variety of routine and/or non-routine tasks pertaining to the operation and maintenance of the City's water recycling plant and related facilities. Class Characteristics Water Recycling Plant Operator Trainee This is the entry/trainee level class in the Water Recycling Plant Operator series.

An incumbent in this class works under the immediate supervision of a higher-level Operator and/or a higher- level supervisor or manager. At this level, an incumbent learns how to perform a variety of duties associated with operating and maintaining the City's Water Recycling Plant and provides assistance to more experienced Operators. Although specific water recycling experience is not required to qualify for the class, incumbents must obtain a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator-in-Training certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) within 30 days of employment as required by law.

This class can be distinguished from the higher-level class of Water Recycling Plant Operator I because incumbents in the latter class must have a Grade I certificate and are expected to perform duties that require a higher level of skill and independent judgment. Incumbents at the Trainee level can reasonably expect to promote to the Operator I class when they meet the requirements of the higher-level class and have demonstrated sufficient proficiency at that level. Water Recycling Plant Operator I This is the first working level class in the Water Recycling Plant Operator series.

An incumbent in this class works under the general supervision of a higher-level Operator and/or a higher-level supervisor or manager. At this level, an incumbent independently performs the more routine duties associated with operating and maintaining the City's Water Recycling Plant, while still receiving direction and supervision as needed from a more experienced Operator. To qualify for this class, applicants must possess a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade I certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).

This class can be distinguished from the lower-level class of Water Recycling Plant Operator Trainee because incumbents in the latter class must possess an Operator-in-Training certificate and are trained to perform the most routine plant operations and maintenance activities. This class can also be distinguished from the higher-level class of Water Recycling Plant Operator II because incumbents in the latter class must possess a Grade II certificate and are expected to perform duties that require a higher level of skill and independent judgment. Incumbents at the Operator I level can reasonably expect to promote to the Operator II class when they meet the requirements of the higher-level class and have demonstrated sufficient proficiency at that level.

Water Recycling Plant Operator II This is the second working level class in the Water Recycling Plant Operator series. An incumbent in this class works under the general supervision of a higher-level Operator and/or a higher-level supervisor or manager. At this level, an incumbent independently performs a wide variety of duties associated with operating and maintaining the City's Water Recycling Plant while still receiving direction and supervision as needed from a more experienced Operator.

To qualify for this class, applicants must possess a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade II certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). This class can be distinguished from the lower-level class of Water Recycling Plant Operator I because incumbents in the latter class must possess an Operator I certificate and generally perform more routine plant operations and maintenance activities. This class can also be distinguished from the higher-level class of Water Recycling Plant Operator III because incumbents in the latter class must possess a Grade III certificate and are expected to perform the full range of journey level Operator duties with a high level of skill and independent judgment.

Incumbents at the Operator II level can reasonably expect to promote to the Operator III class when they meet the requirements of the higher-level class and have demonstrated sufficient proficiency at that level. Water Recycling Plant Operator III This is the full journey level class in the Water Recycling Plant Operator series. An incumbent in this class works under the direction of a higher-level supervisor or manager.

At this level, an incumbent independently performs the full range of journey level duties associated with operating and maintaining the City's Water Recycling Plant and is fully certified and competent to serve as the designated Operator-In-Charge on an occasional basis. To qualify for this class, applicants must possess a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade III certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). This class can be distinguished from the lower-level class of Water Recycling Plant Operator II because incumbents in the latter class must possess a Grade II certificate and generally perform less complex plant operations and maintenance activities with a greater amount of direct supervision.

This class can also be distinguished from the higher-level class of Lead Operator because an incumbent in the latter class serves as a regular shift supervisor on an ongoing basis and serves as a lead worker over subordinate employees, and must possess an SWRCB Grade IV certificate. Duties Water Recycling Plant Operator in Training/I/II Monitor, operate, and adjust controls at the City's water recycling plant and related facilities, including but not limited to high-strength waste receiving stations and compressed natural gas processing and fueling facilities. Control the operation of treatment, pumping, and recycling facilities to regulate the flow of wastewater through the system as well as achieve proper processing of wastewater and the re-use of bio-solids and recycled water within mandated operation requirements.

Perform plant rounds and inspections and to read and record gauge and instrument information to evaluate the function of pumps, chemical feed, and other equipment. Monitor and adjust the plant Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to maintain proper operating conditions. Collect wastewater, sludge, and other samples from various phases of the water recycling and/or treatment process; perform basic chemical and physical tests on these samples to ensure that the plant is operating effectively and that regulatory requirements are being met.

Review and analyze operational information and test results, and revise equipment settings as appropriate. Respond to and control accidental releases of hazardous liquids and gases. Perform preventive maintenance and cleaning for a variety of plant equipment such as pumps, chlorinators, filters, chemical valves, bar screens, sludge lagoons, agitators and electric motors; remove screenings and grit; clean clarifiers and other treatment-related equipment.

Perform adjustments and troubleshooting for electrical motors and controls. Change recording charts and ensure that chemical feeders have a constant supply of treatment chemicals. Notify supervisor of unusual situations and/or significant changes in process or equipment conditions; suggest an appropriate solution to the observed problem.

Receive and store chemicals and supplies; monitor and report on inventory needs as assigned. Deliver samples to the laboratory for testing as required; conduct regulatory testing as required on the off-shift days when the lab is not staffed. Maintain accurate records of work performed; make logbook entries and laboratory tracking entries.

Help maintain facilities and grounds in a clean and orderly condition by doing things such as sweeping, mopping, cleaning, sanding, painting, and grounds keeping. Participate in appropriate safety procedures, including those related to working in confined spaces, the safe handling of chemicals, and lock-out-tag-out procedures. Assist in the investigation and resolution of customer complaints regarding recycling plant- related matters.

Operate and maintain the natural treatment processes of the facility, including oxidation ponds and wetlands. Attend and participate in meetings, trainings, and safety sessions; participate on team projects and task forces as required. May provide training and direction to less experienced employees.

Perform related duties as assigned. Water Recycling Plant Operator III Perform the full range of journey level duties pertaining to monitoring, operating, and adjusting controls at the City's water recycling plant and related facilities including but not limited to high-strength waste receiving stations and compressed natural gas processing and fueling facilities. Control the operation of treatment, pumping, and recycling facilities to regulate the flow of wastewater through the system as well as achieve proper processing of wastewater and the re-use of bio-solids and recycled water within mandated operation requirements.

Perform plant rounds and inspections and to read and record gauge and instrument information to evaluate the function of pumps, chemical feed, and other equipment. Operate and maintain the City's sewage pump stations and the production and distribution of recycled water. Operate and maintain the City's waste receiving station, storage facilities, co-digestion process, and high-strength waste receiving stations and compressed natural gas processing and fueling facilities.

Monitor and adjust the plant Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to maintain proper operating conditions. Populate the appropriate operator actions in the alarm descriptions and evaluate automatic actions to assure proper computer and manual responses. Collect wastewater, sludge, and other samples from various phases of the water recycling and/or treatment process; perform basic chemical and physical tests on these samples to ensure that the plant is operating effectively and that regulatory requirements are being met.

Review and analyze operational information and test results, and revise equipment settings as appropriate. Respond to and control accidental releases of hazardous liquids and gases. Perform preventive maintenance and cleaning for a variety of plant equipment such as pumps, chlorinators, filters, chemical valves, bar screens, sludge lagoons, agitators, and electric motors; remove screenings and grit; clean clarifiers, oxidation ditches, and other treatment-related equipment.

Perform adjustments and troubleshooting for electrical motors and controls. Ensure that chemical feeders have a constant supply of treatment chemicals. Assist with chemical inventory use, control, and ordering.

Identify unusual situations and/or significant changes in process or equipment conditions as well as the potential cause of the problem; develop and implement an appropriate solution. Receive and store chemicals and supplies; monitor and report on inventory needs as assigned. Understand and the follow all regulatory requirements for discharge to waters of the state and recycled water programs (tertiary and secondary).

Deliver samples to the laboratory for testing as required. Conduct regulatory testing as required on the off shift days when the lab is not staffed. Maintain accurate records of work performed.

Make proper log book entries and proper laboratory tracking entries. Help maintain facilities and grounds in a clean and orderly condition by doing things such as sweeping, mopping, cleaning, sanding, painting, and grounds keeping. Participate in appropriate safety procedures, including those related to working in confined spaces and the safe handling of treatment chemicals, and proper lock-out-tag-out procedures.

Investigate and resolve customer complaints regarding recycling plant-related matters as assigned. Operate and maintain natural treatment systems, includin...