Wastewater Plant Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $76,128.00 - $92,788.80 Annually
Location : City of Pasco, WA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 2025.04
Department: Public Works
Division: PW Operations
Opening Date: 05/06/2025
Closing Date: 9/30/2026 9:00 AM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
SUMMARY OF POSITION
LOCATION: City of Pasco, WA - On-site
JOB TYPE: Regular / Full-Time
UNION STATUS: IUOE
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
CLOSING DATE: Open until filled - candidates will be reviewed in the order they are received.
The City of Pasco is currently seeking qualified Wastewater Plant Operators who are certified as Level 2, 3, or 4 Operators. This is an exciting opportunity to join a skilled and dedicated team responsible for the operation, maintenance, and control of the City's Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The City's Wastewater Treatment Plant is an extended aeration-return activated sludge plant that includes anaerobic digestion, screening, clarification, solids thickening, and UV disinfection. Operators work under Washington State regulations and procedures for wastewater treatment, as well as City policies and procedures.
The City of Pasco has created a Certified Operator Program with different levels of qualifications and experience for each certification level. Below are the pay ranges for each certification level:
Wastewater Plant Operator 4: $41.22 - $45.51/hour, plus benefits
Wastewater Plant Operator 3: $39.61 - $43.74/hour, plus benefits
Wastewater Plant Operator 2: $38.08 - $42.04/hour, plus benefits
ADDITIONAL WASTEWATER OPERATOR INCENTIVES:
In addition to the base wage range and comprehensive benefits package, eligible Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators may qualify for additional compensation incentives.
On-Call Compensation:
Employees assigned to on-call status are paid $350.00 for each consecutive seven-day on-call period, or $50.00 per day of on-call completed within a seven-day period, not to exceed $350.00.
Longevity Pay:
Eligible Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators may receive longevity pay based on years of continuous service as a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator:
After 5 years: 1% of base salary
After 10 years: 1.5% of base salary
After 15 years: 3% of base salary
After 20 years: 3.5% of base salary
After 25 years: 4% of base salary
Certification Pay:
To support professional development and advancement, eligible Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators who obtain advanced wastewater operator licenses and are promoted into higher-level classifications may receive certification pay as follows:
Level III Certification: Employees who obtain a Level III Wastewater Operator license and are promoted into the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III classification shall receive a 4% premium added to their base hourly rate.
Level IV Certification: Employees who obtain a Level IV Wastewater Operator license and are promoted into the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator IV or Chief Wastewater Plant Operator classification shall receive a 6% premium added to their base hourly rate.
Join us and become part of a team dedicated to excellence, innovation, and hands-on experience that you won't find anywhere else in the Tri-Cities area. Click here to apply today!
THE ROLE:
As a Wastewater Plant Operator, you will play a critical role in operating, maintaining, and controlling various components of the City of Pasco's Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The ideal candidate will have increasingly responsible experience in plant operations with process control, the ability to maintain accurate records and logs, and experience performing preventative maintenance and repairs of plant systems. This position requires technical skill, sound judgment, attention to detail, and a commitment to safe and reliable wastewater treatment operations. A background check and drug screen are required upon acceptance of a conditional offer.
To review the full job description,
REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job.

• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Valid Washington State driver license.
• Valid First Aid/CPR certificate.

Wastewater Plant Operator 2:

• Certified Level 2 Operator upon hire or an OIT 3 certification.
• Minimum one year of plant operation experience with process control experience as a certified plant operator.

Wastewater Plant Operator 3:

• Certified Level 3 Operator upon hire or an OIT 4 certification.
• Minimum two years of plant operation experience with process control experience as a certified plant operator.

Wastewater Plant Operator 4:

• Certified Level 4 Operator upon hire.
• Minimum two years of plant operation experience with process control experience as a certified plant operator.

COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS PACKAGE: The City offers a full benefits package for the employee and all eligible dependents covered at low premiums, including:

• Medical coverage is available at tiered monthly rates based on plan selection and coverage level. Dental coverage is available at $11.59/month and vision coverage at $6.54/month.
• Basic life insurance paid for by the City and employee-sponsored supplemental life insurance.
• 12 days of vacation during the first year of employment and 12 days of sick leave, which are available for use upon accrual.
• 10 holidays, plus each employee receives 2 floating holiday each year.
• Washington State Department of Retirement Systems retirement benefits, which offer a guaranteed monthly benefit once vesting criteria have been met.
• In addition to DRS, employees may also contribute to a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, which offers a pre-tax contribution of 3% from the City.
• Other benefits offered: Comprehensive Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Assistance, Flexible Spending Plan, Long-Term Disability, Aflac, and Flexible Schedule, per department approval.

SAFETY / WORK CONDITIONS:

• Duties are primarily performed in the wastewater treatment plant and may require working in confined spaces.
• Physical Requirements: Some heavy lifting up to 50 pounds, standing, walking, bending, and climbing.
• Hazards: Exposure to dust, hazardous materials, chemicals, fumes, and noise. Wastewater Plant Operators are subject to working overtime and 24-hour per day call back for emergency situations.

If you are seeking a fulfilling career that allows you to contribute to a thriving community and grow both personally and professionally, the City of Pasco is the place for you.
Join us in shaping the future and making a real difference - This position is open until filled.
Please call or text HR at (509) 545-3408 or email HR@pasco.gov with questions regarding employment opportunities with the City of Pasco.
The City of Pasco is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to recruiting and retaining a highly qualified and diverse workforce.
All applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the application and selection process upon request. Individuals who require accommodation must notify the Human Resources Department at the time of application and prior to the closing date by calling 509-545-3408.
**The City of Pasco is committed to supporting diversity and creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
**If your experience does not exactly match each and every qualification, apply anyway! You may be exactly what we are looking for!
The City offers a full benefits package with affordable options for full family coverage for medical, dental, vision and life insurance. Maintaining a positive work life balance is important, to help aid this balance, employees receive great vacation, sick, and paid holiday benefits.
01
How many years of professional wastewater experience do you have?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year of experience
• 1 year but less than 2 years of experience
• 2 years but less than 3 years experience
• 3 or more years of experience

02
Do you have a Washington State Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator License or WA Ecology approved reciprocal equivalent license/certification?

• Yes
• No

03
Are you familiar with performing routine operations and maintenance at a SCADA controlled wastewater treatment plant?

• Yes
• No

04
What level of Wastewater certification do you currently possess?

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• None

Required Question