Vactor Operator Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $50,780.04 - $69,496.08 Annually
Location : 536 SE Mill Street, Dallas, OR
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 18-00193
Department: Public Works
Division: Sewer
Opening Date: 07/01/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
General Statement of Duties
For best consideration, apply by July 27, 2026; applications received after this date are not guaranteed a review.
Performs a variety of unskilled to skilled maintenance work, and operates a variety of equipment in the construction, operation, repair, maintenance, and replacement of City wastewater, street maintenance, and storm drainage, buildings and grounds facilities, and other utility systems.

• Maintains a variety of records relating to inspections, maintenance activities, system cleaning etc.
• Inspects pumping stations, meters, streets, drainage systems and sewer system at frequent intervals to ensure that all aspects of the systems are functioning properly.
• Responds to complaints regarding wastewater plugs or spills, sewer odor, plugged catch basins and storm drainage, high water, grounds or facility problems, street hazards, etc.; evaluates situations and explains findings to Lead Worker, Foreman, Public Works Operations Supervisor or Water Utility Supervisor.
• Contacts residents and business owners in areas affected by maintenance activities where service will be interrupted and explains when service will be shut off and how soon it will be turned back on.
• Determines the location of gas, telephone, power, television, water, wastewater and stormwater lines from the appropriate sources (call for locates, 811) prior to excavation. Locates City owned/operated underground utility lines and facilities including wastewater, stormwater and water lines.
• Ensures the proper maintenance of equipment and tools by cleaning and checking equipment and tools after use.
• Drives trucks of various sizes and weights in the loading, hauling and unloading of various equipment, gravel and sand. Operates street sweeper, backhoe/loader, vactor, tractors, mowers and loaders as assigned.
• Performs routine inspection and preventive maintenance on assigned equipment and refer defects or needed repairs to the Supervisor; clean and check equipment and tools after use.
• Performs all duties in conformance with appropriate safety and security standards.
• Performs required labor involved in construction and maintenance of projects as part of a crew, in maintenance, repair and construction of the street, wastewater, stormwater, and facility systems.
• Performs required activities including pavement cutting and removal, asphalt installation and repair, concrete pouring and finishing, utility ditch digging and cleaning, construction of manholes and catch basins, cleaning of wastewater, stormwater and water mains, manhole cleaning and repair, wastewater and stormwater main and pipe repair, laying and back-filling.
• Operates equipment of the Public Works Department, including dump trucks, backhoe, tractor, mower, tiller, sewer machine etc. in performing a variety of tasks in the street and sewer division of the Public Works Department.
• Performs maintenance and repair work on all City buildings. Duties include, plumbing work, mechanical work, carpentry work, cement work, painting and janitorial work, etc.
• Assists in the maintenance and repair work at the sewage lift stations.
• Assists in the training of employees to increase their skill in the areas of maintenance, construction and repair.
• Maintains assigned tools and equipment.
• As a Utility Worker in the Public Works Maintenance Department, employee is considered a "First Responder" which is considered essential personnel. This means in the event City offices close due to inclement weather, etc., employee is still required to report to work for scheduled shift, as well as any overtime or extra hours required.
• Must be available for occasional on-call duty to respond to Public Works emergency calls.
• Employee may be required to work overtime at the discretion of the Public Works Operations Supervisor.
• Employee may assist in the construction, operation, repair, maintenance, and replacement of City water distribution and water treatment facilities and systems and may perform routine clerical and semi-skilled utility work in the reading and operation of utility meters.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Reasonable knowledge of equipment, facilities, materials, methods, and procedures used in maintenance, construction, and repair activities.
2. Skill in operation of some of the listed tools and equipment.
3. Ability to perform heavy manual tasks for extended periods; ability to work safely; ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other departments and the public; ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions.
4. Ability to perform and record arithmetic computations accurately and quickly; ability to accurately read and record data from various types of meter dials; ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; ability to work in inclement weather; ability to establish successful working relationships; ability to work with angry or difficult customers.

Minimum Qualifications
Utility Worker I:

1. Graduation from high school or GED equivalent, and
2. Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Utility Worker II:

1. Graduation from high school education or GED equivalent, and
2. Two (2) years of experience working with a water or wastewater system, general construction and maintenance, or experience in performing a variety of building maintenance functions including plumbing, carpentry, electrical and painting work.
3. Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Qualifications
Required Special Qualifications
Utility Worker I:

1. Must possess or be able to obtain by time of employment a valid Oregon Driver License with an acceptable driving record;
2. Commercial Driver License (Class B) required within 12 months of hire;
3. Wastewater Collection Systems Operator 1 or higher required within 6 months of hire
4. Salary range for this position is $4,231.67 - $5,148.48/mo. depending on experience and qualifications (plus a cost of living adjustment which will be determined once a successor union contract is signed).

Utility Worker II:

1. Must possess or be able to obtain by time of employment a valid Oregon Driver License with an acceptable driving record;
2. Commercial Driver License (Class B) required within 12 months of employment.
3. Certification from the State of Oregon as a Wastewater Collection System Operator II.
4. Additionally, the Utility Worker II position is eligible for a certification incentive for possession of a Wastewater Collection System III Certification from the State of Oregon.
5. Salary range for this position is $4,760.06 - $5,791.34/mo. depending on experience and qualifications (plus a cost of living adjustment which will be determined once a successor union contract is signed).

The City of Dallas offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including: health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, PERS, paid holiday, vacation, and sick leave, deferred compensation plans.
To learn more details, visit our
01
Do you possess, or are you able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver license with an acceptable driving record?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you possess a Commercial Driver License, or are you able to obtain one within 12 month of employment?

• Class A CDL
• Class B CDL
• Able to obtain CDL within 12 months
• No CDL and I am unable to obtain

03
Do you have experience operating a backhoe?

• Yes
• No

04
Have you had formal forklift training?

• Yes
• No

05
Do you have experience laying sewer or water pipe?

• Yes
• No

06
Do you have experience operating a vac-truck or a sewer jetter truck?

• Yes
• No

07
Do you possess a valid State of Oregon Wastewater Collection I or higher certification?

• Yes
• No

Required Question