Remote Plant Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Summary
You will serve as a Water Treatment Plant Operator with the National Park Service at Lassen Volcanic National Park.
The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the "operator in charge" of a water treatment plant or facility where the water requires both non-filtration and filtration processes to change the taste, odor, physical, chemical, or bacteriological content of the water.
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Duties
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This position serves as a Water Treatment Plant Operator within a specific park unit of the National Park Service (NPS). The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the "operator in charge" of a water treatment plant or facility where the water requires both nonfiltration and filtration processes to change the taste, odor, physical, chemical, or bacteriological content of the water. The water treatment plant/facility to which the incumbent is assigned is geographically remote from the supervisor or is a plant/facility that requires the incumbent to take on shift responsibility and decision-making authority regarding plant operations.
Major Duties:
- Independently operates and evaluates complex public drinking water treatment systems, ensuring continuous production and distribution of potable water while maintaining compliance with Federal and State drinking water regulations;
- Performs preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, calibration, and adjustment of treatment equipment to minimize downtime, ensure continuous potable water service, and support regulatory compliance;
- Serves as the designated Operator in Charge and is responsible for making independent operational decisions that directly affect drinking water quality, regulatory compliance, public health, system reliability, and visitor safety;
- Ensures the accuracy of drinking water treatment operations, regulatory compliance, laboratory sampling, operational monitoring, and documentation;
- Maintains water quality, complies with Federal and California drinking water regulations, and protects public health;
Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs or more regularly.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continuation of employment advances the public interest.
This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/17/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience.
To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:

• Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
• Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading)
• Dexterity and Safety
• Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc.
• Operation of Job Family Specify Equipment, Machinery, etc.
• Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)
• Use of Measuring Instruments

If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. Your resume must support your response to the assessment questionnaire, and if it does not, your application will be marked as not eligible. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors. You must meet at least 2 points on the screen-out element(s) and obtain an average of at least 2 points on all of the job elements to be considered qualified for this position.
Selective Placement Factors: This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. If you do not provide evidence that you possess the following selective factor(s), you will be rated not qualified.

• Must possess and maintain a current D2/T2 Water Treatment Operators Certificate.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
There is no substitution of education for experience for Federal Wage System (FWS) positions.
Additional information
Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.
All DOI employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, DOI Ethics Prohibitions | U.S. Department of the Interior.
Physical Demands: Duties require the incumbent to sit, stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, crawl, work in uncomfortable positions, and walk over rough, uneven terrain. The incumbent wears protective clothing, gloves, face shields, and/or respirator that may be uncomfortable; and the incumbent works from ladders, scaffolds, and elevated platforms. The incumbent may be occasionally expected to lift and/or carry items up to and exceeding 50 pounds in weight.
Working Conditions: Work is both indoors and outdoors. Work outside may be subject to extreme weather conditions, with wind, rain, snow, and ice, in temperatures ranging from below 0 to over 100 degrees. Depending on the geography of the park unit assigned, work may take place at elevations ranging from sea level up to 10,000 feet. The incumbent is exposed to dust, noise, vibration, cuts, and abrasions from the use of tools and equipment, and may occasionally be exposed to hazardous chemicals that can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation and burns, as well as microbiological organisms and potentially hazardous wildlife. The incumbent is expected to wear personnel protective equipment as required and comply with all safety and occupational health requirements.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.