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Water Department Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

Wastewater Operator I/II

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$93K - $125K/yr

The Wastewater Plant Operator is assigned to the Laguna Treatment Plant or Water Reuse sections of the Department and assists in the operation and maintenance of either system depending on assignment ...

Wastewater Operator I/II

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$93K - $125K/yr

The Wastewater Plant Operator is assigned to the Laguna Treatment Plant or Water Reuse sections of the Department and assists in the operation and maintenance of either system depending on assignment ...

Water Supervisor

Sonoma, CA · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

Within the Water section of the Public Works Department; to coordinate assigned activities with other divisions; and to perform a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned area of ...

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Water Department information

See Santa Rosa, CA salary details

$15

$24

$37

How much do water department jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for water department in Santa Rosa, CA is $24.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.48 and $28.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does the Water Department do?

The Water Department is responsible for providing clean and safe drinking water to residents and businesses, maintaining water infrastructure, and ensuring water quality meets regulatory standards. They manage water treatment plants, repair water main breaks, monitor water usage, and handle billing for water services. The department also implements water conservation programs and responds to customer inquiries about water service. Their work is essential for public health, environmental protection, and community well-being.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a Water Department position, and why are they important?

To thrive in a Water Department role, you generally need knowledge of water systems, plumbing, and environmental regulations, often supported by relevant certifications or a background in utilities or engineering. Familiarity with SCADA systems, GIS mapping software, and water quality testing equipment is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are important soft skills for this position. These skills ensure the safe and efficient delivery of water services, regulatory compliance, and prompt resolution of system issues.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in a Water Department, and how can these be managed?

Professionals in a Water Department often encounter challenges such as responding to emergency water main breaks, managing aging infrastructure, and ensuring compliance with strict safety and environmental regulations. These challenges require strong problem-solving skills, the ability to work well under pressure, and effective communication with both team members and the public. Staying current with training and best practices, as well as fostering a collaborative environment, helps teams manage these issues efficiently and provide reliable water services to the community.

What is the difference between Water Department vs Water Treatment Plant Operator?

AspectWater DepartmentWater Treatment Plant Operator
CredentialsVaries; may include certifications in water systemsTypically requires a state certification/license in water treatment
Work EnvironmentMunicipal or public water systems, fieldwork, office tasksWater treatment facilities, plant operations, equipment monitoring
Industry UsagePublic utilities, municipal agenciesWater treatment facilities, public utilities
Common Search/ComparisonBroader role overseeing water servicesSpecific role focused on water treatment processes

The Water Department generally oversees water services and infrastructure, while a Water Treatment Plant Operator specifically manages the operation of water treatment facilities. Both roles are essential in ensuring safe and reliable water supply, often working closely within the same industry and requiring similar certifications.

What are popular job titles related to Water Department jobs in Santa Rosa, CA?

For Water Department jobs in Santa Rosa, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Water Department jobs in Santa Rosa, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Water Department jobs in Santa Rosa, CA are:

What cities near Santa Rosa, CA are hiring for Water Department jobs?

Cities near Santa Rosa, CA with the most Water Department job openings:

Infographic showing various Water Department job openings in Santa Rosa, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,617 per year, or $24.8 per hour.

Environmental Compliance Inspector III

City of Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa, CA • On-site

$101K - $122K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago


City Of Santa Rosa rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

519th of 856 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Job Description: The City of Santa Rosa announces an exciting opportunity to serve City residents and make a difference in the community as an Environmental Compliance Inspector III. The City of Santa Rosa is committed to building a workforce reflective of our community and establishing a lasting culture of equity and belonging within our organization. Our collective talents and expertise contribute to high-quality public services that support a vibrant, resilient, inclusive City for our community and visitors. We celebrate a diverse workforce and welcome all qualified candidates to apply. THE BENEFITS OF CITY EMPLOYMENT: In addition to offering a rewarding work environment, opportunity for career growth, and excellent salary, the City of Santa Rosa provides a generous suite of benefits, including retirement through CalPERS, a competitive leave accrual package, your choice of three health plans, and top of the line employer paid vision and dental coverage. A flexible work schedule: 5/8 or 9/8012 paid holidays annually, plus 1 to 3 'floating holidays' per year, depending on start date and years of service$500 annually for wellness WORKING FOR SANTA ROSA WATER - MAKING A DIFFERENCE:Santa Rosa Water protects public health and the environment by providing a safe and reliable water supply, wastewater collection and treatment, beneficial reuse of recycled water and biosolids, and storm water management. By providing these critical water, sewer, and storm water services to households, businesses, schools, hospitals, and others, Santa Rosa Water is achieving its overarching mission. For more information about the City of Santa Rosa Water Department, it's divisions, projects, and commitment to the local community, please visit Water's website at: SR CITY WATER ABOUT THE POSITION: The City of Santa Rosa is seeking to fill one Environmental Compliance Inspector III vacancy within the Environmental Compliance Section of the Water Department. This is the advanced journey level position in the Environmental Compliance Inspector classification series, specializing in industrial wastewater pretreatment and source control programs. Under general supervision, the Environmental Compliance Inspector III enforces local, state, and federal pretreatment regulations governing discharges to the wastewater collection system. Responsibilities include conducting inspections of industrial wastewater dischargers, evaluating building plans for pretreatment equipment, obtaining industrial wastewater samples, evaluating compliance with wastewater discharge permits and determining applicable federal and state pretreatment requirements. This class is distinguished from the Environmental Compliance Inspector II in the complexity of inspections and the emphasis on industrial wastewater pretreatment compliance. This class is distinguished from the Environmental Compliance Supervisor in that the latter has supervisory and administrative responsibilities for the Environmental Compliance Section. THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:Demonstrated experience in an industrial wastewater pretreatment program, including evaluating and implementing new local, state, and federal regulations to anticipate the impacts on the Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) and regulated industrial dischargers. This includes experience with industrial wastewater discharge permit development, modification, and compliance monitoring.An aptitude for being detail oriented, self-motivated, exercising good judgement, and is thorough in regard to follow through on inspections, investigations, sampling, reporting, and enforcement activities.Experience delivering effective presentations, performing complex industrial compliance monitoring projects with minimal supervision, and interpreting industrial processes, wastewater discharge characteristics, and related technical documents. A proven track record of establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with industrial or commercial dischargers, internal staff, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders.The ability to be proactive in conflict resolution, communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing; and demonstrate characteristics of a team player, leader, and mentor to co-workers. The ability to review and interpret building plans to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal pretreatment regulations.Working knowledge of wastewater collection system and treatment plant fundamentals with a strong understanding of the EPA Pretreatment Program, including Significant Industrial User inspections, categorical standards, and source control principles. Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience performing commercial and/or industrial inspection and monitoring of discharges to wastewater treatment systems. HOW TO APPLY: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/srcity/jobs/5401877/environmental-compliance-inspector-iiiPlease complete a thoughtful, thorough Supplemental Questionnaire submission. As part of the selection process, your responses to these questions will be scored using criteria specific to this position. Incomplete responses, or responses such as "See Resume" can result in disqualification from the selection process. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. Selection Process: Applicants possessing the MOST DESIRABLE qualifications based on a screening of the application materials and supplemental questionnaire will be invited to continue in a selection process that may consist solely of an application screening, or may include an oral appraisal interview, assessment center, or another activity selected by the Human Resources Department. An eligible list will be established as a result of this selection process and may be used to fill future vacancies. Examples of Duties and Responsibilities Essential Duties: The following duties are considered essential for this job classification:Interpret and implement Title 15 of the Santa Rosa City Code (Sewers) and the sewer codes of the sub-regional system partners;evaluate industrial sewer discharges to classify and prepare permits for industrial or commercial discharger;inspect industrial and commercial facilities to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, ordinances, standards and laws;develop and implement Pollution Prevention Programs to ensure legally defensible data and actions;keep inspection records and documents current;plan non-compliance enforcement actions;respond to spills that involve the sanitary sewer and storm water collection systems;respond to complaints and meet with industrial and commercial dischargers regarding industrial waste problems;reviews development plans and blueprints for new and tenant improvements from other departments and public entities for appropriateness with wastewater containment and discharge into the sanitary sewer and storm water systems;conduct a variety of required sampling programs and chemical and biological laboratory and field tests;conduct investigations to provide support for legal action in response to permit non-compliance;track industrial and commercial user discharge volumes and loadings for billing and data collection. Additional Duties: In addition to the duties listed in the Essential Duties Section, each employee in this classification may perform the following duties. Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed below, nor do the examples cover all duties which may be assigned.Prepare technical reports for the State Water Quality Control Board and the Environmental Protection Agency;prepare compliance letters to industrial waste dischargers;maintain and update Industrial Questionnaire and Permit file;prepare and conduct presentations to industrial users and the general public;collaborate with other City Departments implementing various programs;and perform related duties as assigned. Required Qualifications Knowledge of: Applicable local, state, and federal ordinances, standards and laws; chemistry and biology as they relate to environmental compliance enforcement; principles of the operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment facilities; chemicals and their safe use; laboratory equipment and procedures; industrial waste flow and sampling techniques. Ability to: Effectively communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing; maintain harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of business; work effectively in a team based organization; prepare and maintain correspondence and reports; apply wastewater control principles and techniques to the solution of difficult environmental problems; conducting sanitary and environmental studies; analyzing complex environmental situations; understand basic hydraulic and environmental engineering concepts; read engineering drawings; interpret rules, regulations and laws relating to environmental compliance; comprehend and make inferences from written material; enter data into a computer terminal or PC device; conduct required sampling programs and laboratory tests; enforce regulations with tact, firmness and consistency. Experience and Education: Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Experience - Sufficient experience in environmental compliance inspection or related field to demonstrate possession of the above knowledge and abilities; Education: Equivalent to four year degree of Environmental studies or related field including course work in chemistry, biology, wastewater treatment, or related course work. Completion of Sacramento State Pretreatment Facility Inspection course or other course work approved by the Utilities Department within two years of employment.License or Certificate: This classification requires the use of a personal or City vehicle while conducting City business. In order to drive, individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely and must possess a valid class C California motor vehicle operator's license. An Environmental Compliance Inspector III Certificate issued by the California Water Environment Association is highly desirable. Additional Information Working Conditions:Incumbents assigned to this classification communicate with industrial and commercial users orally, face to face and using a telephone. Work is performed indoors in an office setting and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. In the office, incumbents enter data or information into and retrieve it from a computer terminal, PC or other keyboard device when performing such tasks as tracking laboratory data and updating quarterly EPA reports. During site visits, incumbents walk over uneven or rough surfaces while setting sampling equipment, and lift and carry a full sampler weighing up to 75 pounds unassisted for short distances. Analysis of discharges can require differentiating between colors on a strip chart or in solution. During site inspections, inspectors may use and draw maps, graphic schematics, or blueprints of site layouts; inspectors also examine written records in order to determine compliance with regulations. SANTA ROSA - A WONDERFUL CITY TO CALL HOME: The City of Santa Rosa is nestled in the center of famous Sonoma Wine Country, located just 55 miles north of San Francisco and 30 miles east of the Pacific Ocean with a population of approximately 180,000. Santa Rosa serves as the County seat and the center of trade, government, commerce, and medical facilities for the North Bay. The surrounding area is home to over a hundred wineries and vineyards and many beautiful parks and recreational facilities, including golf courses. Santa Rosa is in the center of a nationally recognized cycling area. We boast many attractions associated with large cities, including a symphony, performing arts center, theater productions and internationally recognized restaurants, yet still retain the warmth and small town feel of decades past. Santa Rosa has been named one of the 50 greenest cities in the United States with one of the top five mid-sized downtowns in California. The City of Santa Rosa is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. The City does not discriminate on the basis of disability in employment. Requests for reasonable accommodations needed to participate in the recruitment process may be made by submitting a Request for Reasonable Accommodation Form within five (5) business days of being noticed that an event requiring accommodation is occurring. Company Description: The City of Santa Rosa, a charter city incorporated in 1868, is the county seat of Sonoma County, one of California's premier wine growing regions, and it is the gateway to tourist destinations in the redwoods and on the coast. Santa Rosa is the 26th largest city in the state. it occupies 41 square miles and serves a population of 170,236. The City of Santa Rosa provides a full range of services including police and fire protection; construction and maintenance of streets and other infrastructure; water, storm water, and wastewater utilities; housing services through its Housing Authority; economic development; transit; parking; and recreation, parks, and cultural services, including a municipal golf course. The City of Santa Rosa's residents work in a well balanced mix of management, professional, manufacturing, sales, tourism, transportation, construction, and service jobs. The City also plays an important role in supporting the agriculture and tourism industries of California's north coast. THE CITY: Just 55 miles north of San Francisco, you will find a vibrant City overflowing with all there is to love about California. Welcome to Santa Rosa where everything comes together: Wine country, farm country, redwood forests and rivers, lakes and the ocean. In the center of all that is a thriving downtown lined with intriguing shops and restaurants that delight casual diners and epicurean alike. A charter city incorporated in 1868, Santa Rosa is the county seat of Sonoma County, one of California's premier wine growing regions and is the gateway to tourist destinations in the redwoods and on the coast. Santa Rosa occupies 41 square miles and serves a population of 170,000. The City has a historic preservation program and has environmental diversity.

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