Water Plant Operator Helper Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $87,568.00 - $129,688.00 Annually
Location : Fairfield, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-00023
Department: PUBLIC WORKS
Opening Date: 08/31/2026
Closing Date: 9/21/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: FEA
Description
Would you like to be part of a team that provides essential services to your community? The City Of Fairfield Public Works Department is seeking a skilled Water Plant Operator to join the water treatment team!
Are you an experienced water treatment professional looking to make a direct impact on the health and vitality of a thriving community? The City of Fairfield is seeking a dedicated, skilled, and safety-minded individual to join our Public Works team as a Water Plant Operator II, III, or IV. Operating and maintaining state-of-the-art water treatment facilities, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the continuous delivery of safe, clean, and reliable drinking water to the city's residents and businesses. Whether you are stepping up into a journey-level role or bringing advanced supervisory-level technical mastery to our operations, Fairfield offers competitive compensation and a collaborative work environment committed to professional growth and operational excellence.
This classification is represented by the Fairfield Employees' Association ("FEA") and offers an excellent benefits package, including:

• CalPERS Pension Eligibility
• Tuition Reimbursement - up to $6,000/Year
• Generous contributions towards Medical, Dental, Vision, and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA)
• City-paid Life Insurance
• 50 hours of Personal Leave/year; up to 40 hours eligible for cashout
• Generous Vacation and Sick Leave accrual rates)
• 14 paid holidays
• Employer contribution to 457(b) deferred compensation; employee contribution optional

The posted salary range spans the Water Plant Operator II/III/IV series. Please refer to the specific job descriptions for the individual salary ranges, examples of duties, and knowledge and abilities.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Working environments vary and may include office settings, water treatment plants, pump stations, reservoirs, valve vaults, confined spaces, and rooftops. Outdoor assignments may include exposure to noise, heights and all types of weather conditions. Must be able to adjust to peak workload periods and work in a team setting with all members of the plant staff including, maintenance, laboratory, and administrative personnel. Employees will work with and around hazardous chemicals and processes typically found in potable water treatment operations.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Work may include prolonged standing as well as light to moderate lifting (up to 50 pounds), reaching, pulling, and pushing and crawling. Physical agility is required; must be able to climb stairs and ladders, work from ladders, and enter underground valve vaults (25' deep) for extended periods. This position may require the ability to apply correct use of personal protective equipment in an industrial or field setting. Manual dexterity, clear speech, visual and hearing acuity are also required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Water Plant Operator II - Employees in this classification are considered to be on training status until the necessary certification experience requirement for an advanced operator position is met. Incumbents are required to advance to the minimum shift operator certification required to independently operate either water treatment plant (Grade T-3) within two years of their date of hire. An individual may advance to Water Plant Operator III after obtaining the required state certification, gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency that meets the qualifications of the higher level class. An operator may remain in the class Water Plant Operator II beyond two years, subject to management approval.
Water Plant Operator III - This is the journey level class in which incumbents can independently operate either water treatment plant on an assigned shift without direct supervision. Employees have demonstrated a full understanding of all treatment processes, mechanical and electrical systems at both plants, and operations of reservoirs and various pump stations throughout the City's distribution system.
Water Plant Operator IV - This is the advanced journey level class in which incumbents take on a lead role in water treatment operations and provide training to less experienced personnel. Employees may typically be required to complete special assignments and studies. This classification is distinguished from the next lower classification by the greater complexity of assignments and exercise of higher degree of independent action.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Water Plant Operator II - Receives direct supervision from a Water Treatment Supervisor. May receive direction and assistance from higher level plant operators.
Water Plant Operator III & IV - Receives general supervision from a Water Treatment Supervisor; does not exercise supervision, but may provide direction and assist in the training of new plant operators.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience:

• Water Plant Operator II - One (1) year of experience as a Water Plant Operator with a SWRCB Water Treatment Certificate Grade T-1 or above is desirable.
• Water Plant Operator III - Two (2) years of experience as a Water Plant Operator II or higher and a SWRCB Water Treatment Certificate Grade T-3 or above is required.
• Water Plant Operator IV - Two (2) years of experience as a Water Plant Operator III or higher and a SWRCB Water Treatment Certificate Grade T-4 or above is required.

Education:

• All classifications - Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade is required. Course work in chemistry is desirable.

LICENSES AND / OR CERTIFICATES

• All classifications - Possession of a valid a California Class "C" driver's license is required; Class "A" license is desirable, but not required. Possession of an AWWA Water Quality Analyst and or State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Distribution System Operator certificate is desirable, but not required
• Water Plant Operator II - Possession of a State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Water Treatment Certificate Grade T-2 is required.
• Water Plant Operator III - Possession of a State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Water Treatment Certificate Grade T-3 is required.
• Water Plant Operator IV - Possession of a State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Water Treatment Certificate Grade T-4 is required.

Examples of Duties
For the complete job descriptions please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/fairfield/classspecs
THE SELECTION PROCESS:
Based on the information provided in the application documents, the best-qualified applicants will be invited for further examination. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Depending upon the number of applications received, the examination may consist of an application screening, written and/or practical exam, oral interview, or any combination.
HOW TO APPLY:
Candidates must submit an online application via NeoGov/Governmentjobs.com by 5:00 p.m. of the closing date. If you have any difficulties submitting your online application, please call NeoGov'sApplicant Support Line at (855) 524-5627.
Mac users please note: To ensure compatibility, please use Google Chrome and ensure iOS settings are up-to-date.
If you feel you will need a reasonable accommodation for any portion of the testing/interview process, please contact Human Resources at (707) 428-7394 at least 1 week prior to the application deadline or examination date.
REFERENCE CHECKS:
The City utilizes an electronic reference check process to gather references of candidates once mutual interest is established.Please note that if you include your current supervisor in the "References" section of your application, they may be contacted once you have accepted a conditional job offer from the City.
Candidates are encouraged to notify anyone they list in the "References" section to help ensure a timely response. When listing references, please identify persons who can assess your professional qualifications in the context of the workplace. Examples include former colleagues/supervisors, mentors, etc. If you have limited or no work experience, you may identify personal references familiar with your qualifications that correlate to workplace experiences. Examples include teachers, volunteer coordinators, mentors, etc.
The City of Fairfield is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and professionalism.
FULL-TIME/PRO-RATA POSITIONS - The City of Fairfield offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes City contribution toward the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) and deferred savings; medical, dental and vision; life insurance; paid holidays, vacation, personal leave and sick leave. For a more detailed overview of the benefit package, please click on the following link: FEA Employee Benefits.*
PART-TIME POSITIONS - For benefits associated with part-time positions, please see the *
*Benefits, terms and conditions of employment may be amended or modified through the collective bargaining process.
01
I understand that my responses to the following supplemental questions will be used by the City of Fairfield to assess my application and determine advancement in the recruitment process.NOTE: We encourage applicants to provide detailed and thoughtful answers, as responses to the supplemental questions are reviewed during the initial screening process. Responses such as "see application" or "refer to resume" will not be accepted as this does not adequately answer the specific question or demonstrate your qualifications.

• Yes, I understand.

02
Do you have a valid Class C California Driver's License or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

03
Do you possess a high school diploma or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

04
Do you have an SWRCB Water Treatment Certificate? If yes, you MUST attach a copy of your certificate.

• I do not have an SWRCB Water Treatment Certificate
• I have a SWRCB Water Treatment Certificate Grade T-2
• I have a SWRCB Water Treatment Certificate Grade T-3 or above

05
Do you have an SWRCB Distribution Operator Certificate?

• I do not have an SWRCB Distribution Operator Certificate
• I have a SWRCB Distribution Operator Certificate D-1
• I have a SWRCB Distribution Operator Certificate D-2 or higher

06
Please describe the water plant(s) you have operated including type, different treatment process, chemicals used and size of plant(s), and the time period spent operating (dates). If you do not have any experiences, please state, "I do not have any experience".
07
Do you have any additional experience in a water related field (waste water, water distribution, water quality and/or maintenance)? If so, please describe. If you do not have any experience, please state, "I do not have any experience".
Required Question