April 15, 2026
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Water Treatment Certified Operator
City of The Dalles
First Review of Applications: April 29, 2026
Help Protect the Community's Most Essential Resource - Join Us as a Water Treatment Operator
Pay: $60,113.40 - $84,524.25- depending on skills, experience, and certification level
Department: Public Works Department - Wicks Water Treatment Plant
Status: Full-time, Union eligible position
*This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies*
Make A Real Impact Every Day
As a Water Treatment Certified Operator, you'll play a key role in the safety, sustainability, and resilience of our water system. Clean, dependable water touches every home, business, and visitor. In this handson, problemsolving role, your work has a direct daily impact. If you meet the minimum qualifications, we're ready to invest in your growth with paid onthejob training and support you towards required certifications. This position offers a path for advancement up to Level IV (4) certification. Applicants who already hold higherlevel certifications are encouraged to apply.
What We Offer
- Competitive wages
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits
- FSA and HRAVEBA
- Longterm disability, AD&D, and Employee Assistance Program
- Citypaid retirement contributions (13.5% after one year of service)
- Paid training opportunities and support toward required certifications
What Does A Water Treatment Certified Operator Do?
Laboratory and Water Quality
Conduct laboratory analyses using standard instruments and methods.
Perform chemical, mathematical, and hydraulic calculations to support treatment processes.
Interpret laboratory data and maintain accurate logs, reports, and documentation.
Operations and Equipment Maintenance
Operate and maintain plant equipment, including pumps, motors, feeders, meters, instrumentation, telemetry, and chemical feed systems.
Perform routine inspections, adjustments, calibrations, cleaning, and general preventive maintenance.
Manage water treatment chemicals by filling hoppers, preparing solutions, and monitoring chemical systems.
Facility and Safety Support
Complete facility upkeep, grounds maintenance, and inventory of supplies and chemicals.
Participate in City-wide and site safety activities and follow all department policies, including the beardless requirements of the Respiratory Protection Program.
Operate City vehicles and equipment such as forklifts, tractors, and pressurepumping equipment and use vehicles to reach treatment facilities during inclement or hazardous weather conditions.
Additional Responsibilities
Provide instruction and guidance to trainees and new employees.
Complete special projects of an investigatory nature in water quality control and/or laboratory analyses in the Municipal Watershed, Treatment Processes, and the Water Distribution System.
Perform other related duties as needed.
Your Working Environment
You'll divide your time between office work and on-site inspection outdoors at the Wicks Water Treatment Plant during all four annual seasons. The City provides all necessary personal protective equipment. This position supports a 24/7 operation and includes a combination of 8 and 12hour shifts, including some holidays and weekends. Shifts may be assigned during daytime, evening, or overnight hours.
The position is not oncall, but overtime opportunities may arise -and may be voluntary or assigned- to support coverage for sick leave, vacations, or open shifts.
What You Bring:
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Work independently with minimal supervision in both field and plant environments.
- Apply sound judgment in operational decisionmaking to ensure compliance with all regulatory and water quality standards.
- Strong reportwriting skills for documenting operations, water quality findings, and regulatory compliance activities.
- Follow established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and contribute to continuous improvement of processes.
- Demonstrate strong problemsolving and troubleshooting skills related to equipment, processes, and water quality issues.
Water Treatment & Analytical Knowledge
- Applied mathematics (algebra) for hydraulic calculations, chemical dosing, flow characteristics, and interpreting laboratory data.
- Water and solutions chemistry, including wet chemistry techniques, colorimetric testing, and spectrophotometric methods.
- Operation, calibration, and routine maintenance of laboratory, field, and online instrumentation, including QA/QC practices.
- Understanding of mechanical and hydraulic systems, including pumps, valves, meters, chemical feed systems, plumbing, and piping.
- Proficiency with spreadsheets and documentation tools
Regulatory and Safety Knowledge
- Understanding of State/Federal water treatment regulations
- Ability to meet OSHA physical requirements for respirator use.
- Ascend and descend stairs and ladders safely.
- Lift and carry up to 80 pounds safely
Minimum Qualifications:
- High School diploma or equivalent.
- At least one (1) year of experience in operational decisionmaking, water operations, laboratory testing, wastewater services, water system maintenance, or related field.
- At least one (1) year of experience using Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheetbased software for data entry, analysis, or reporting
- At least one (1) year of experience producing clear written and verbal communication in a workplace or organizational setting and following written and verbal instructions accurately.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across departments.
Preferred (but not required) Qualifications:
Associate degree in math, science, chemistry, or a related field-or equivalent coursework in Water Treatment Technology, Chemistry, Biology, or environmental fields
- Oregon Level I Water Treatment certification
Oregon Level II, III, or IV Water Treatment Operator certification, or reciprocal equivalents
- Additional training in mechanical operations and maintenance of pumps and other equipment used in water treatment
Required Licenses & Certifications
- Valid Driver's License
- Must obtain Oregon Class I Water Treatment Operator certification within eighteen (18) months of hire.
- Must obtain Oregon Class II Water Treatment Operator certification within thirty-seven (37) months of hire.
About The Dalles:
- Join a Welcoming Community - Experience the warmth of a small-town spirit where local events, farmers' markets, and festivals bring people together and create lasting connections.
- Thrive in a Growing Economy - Be part of a diverse and stable economy fueled by agriculture, technology, healthcare, government, and tourism. Your career can grow here.
- Embrace the Outdoors - With over 300 days of sunshine, enjoy easy access to the Columbia River Gorge for hiking, biking, fishing, and water sports - plus winter adventures are just an hour away at Mt. Hood.
- Balance Work and Life - Live surrounded by stunning riverfront parks, scenic trails, and a city that values thoughtful growth and a strong industrial and technology presence.
- Affordable and Accessible - Benefit from affordable housing, quality schools, and healthcare - all just 80 miles from Portland, combining small-town charm with metropolitan convenience.
- Be Part of Something Bigger - Join close-knit neighborhoods where community support is real and your contributions matter'
The City of The Dalles is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Veterans and Spanish-speaking candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
EEO/AA EMPLOYER