Water Quality Sampling Intern Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $32.98 - $42.86 Hourly
Location : City of Yuma, AZ
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026-00161
Department: Utilities
Division: Agua Viva Water Treat Plant-45
Opening Date: 07/22/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Summary
**Open Until Filled with a first review date of August 3, 2026**
**This position is assigned to the Water Treatment Division ONLY and requires a Grade 3 Operator Certificate in the discipline of Water Treatment (W)**
Are you looking to join a team that values Professionalism, Accountability, Integrity, and Responsiveness? Do you want to be a part of a strong team dedicated to serving our community, building relationships, and creating opportunities? Then this might be the opportunity for you!
We are looking for someone to join Team Yuma as a Water Treatment Plant Operator III, working with the department of Utilities. The ideal candidate will oversee and perform tasks involving the operation and maintenance of the City's water treatment plant equipment and processes.
Under general supervision, this job classification performs mid to high journeyman-level operational tasks involved in the operation and maintenance of the City's water treatment plant equipment and processes. Provides daily leadership and direction for Water Treatment Plant Operator Apprentice, I and II. Acts as the On-Site Operator to verify compliance with State and Federal environmental regulations, and City policies, procedures and standards.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Oversees the operation of plant equipment and processes related to water treatment systems during an assigned shift in accordance with the strategies developed by the Operations Supervisor and Plant Superintendent, including the operation of ancillary facilities and equipment; duties may vary according to job assignment.
• Monitors Water operations to verify treatment plant performance is stable, and in compliance with State and Federal environmental and safety regulations, and City policies, procedures and standards.
• Inspects all treatment plant equipment, and assures equipment is functioning within technical parameters.
• Monitors and evaluates Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) process control systems information; monitors data and error reports, evaluates operational and maintenance issues, and makes functional adjustments to treatment components within scope of authority and training.
• Identifies and diagnoses operational problems, discusses scope and attributes of problems with staff and management, and recommends alterations, adjustments, and procedural changes to correct problems and maintain system stability.
• Oversees treatment chemical and their uses; including making chemical feed adjustments, how to unload, store and uses various chemicals, i.e. sulfuric acid, caustic soda, and chlorine .
• Acts as the treatment plant Onsite Operator as defined by Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), and coordinates the activities of lower level operations staff; responds to operational incidents, and takes command when appropriate
• Samples and analyzes influents/effluents, source water/product water, feed water and permeate to detect quality variations, interpret results, reading sheets, process test, computerized data and information trends to identify variations in flow and water quality and make appropriate changes.
• Uses a variety of standard testing procedures to determine problems and any adjustments needed in the treatment process.
• Records operational data, telemetry readings, work logs and other prescribed work documentation.
• Supports the relationship between the City and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff; promotes the City goals and priorities, vision, values and the "Yuma Way", and complies with all City policies and procedures.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education, Training and Experience Guidelines
High School Diploma or GED equivalent AND a minimum of three years of work experience in advanced and complex water treatment facilities.
Knowledge of:

• City policies and procedures.
• Tools and equipment used in the operation of water or wastewater treatment plants.
• State and Federal laws and regulations governing water or wastewater treatment plant operations.
• Protocols for industrial chemical usage and storage
• Advanced computerized systems utilized in water and/or wastewater treatment facilities.

Water

• Laboratory practices required to properly evaluate treatment processes, such as DO, pH, jar test, CL2 residual, turbidity, color, hardness, TSS, TDS, Chemical/physical processes used in water such as coagulation, flocculation, settling, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection.
• Operational practices and principles of conventional water treatment processes and knowledge of advanced water treatment processes such as membrane filtration plants.
• Experience in mechanical and electrical trouble shooting.
• OSHA guidelines related to large treatment facilities.
• Microsoft Windows Office products.

Skill in:

• Interpreting and applying technical standards and procedures, Federal and State rules and regulations, and City policies and procedures.
• Determine processing requirements; sample the influent and effluent at various stages of processing and identify problems and ensure proper and efficient operation of the treatment plant.
• Determine processing requirements; sample the influent and effluent at various stages of processing and identify problems and ensure proper and efficient operation of the treatment plant.
• Complete mathematical calculations and draw logical conclusions.
• Making routine operating adjustments and repairs to equipment.
• Following safe work practices, and verbal and written instructions.
• Inspecting and monitoring machinery and equipment to verify compliance with prescribed operating conditions and safety standards,
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
A valid Arizona State Driver's License is required. Must possess a Grade III operator certification from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality within the discipline of Water Treatment. Additional training and/or certifications may be required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed on location at City water treatment plants with moderate physical requirements, and strength sufficient to lift and move items weighing up to fifty pounds; may be exposed to safety hazards including extreme weather conditions i.e. excessive heat and cold, dangerous gases, dangerous chemicals, biological hazards, confined spaces and dangerous tools and equipment.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
This position may require working rotating shifts, rotating on-call schedule, including weekends and holidays.
The City of Yuma offers the following benefits to Full-time City employees:
*ARIZONA STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM (ASRS) - City employees are automatically enrolled in the Arizona State Retirement System. Employees contribute 11.87% (pre-tax) and the City contributes 11.87% of employee gross wages through automatic deduction. Should an employee terminate City employment, the ASRS funds may be withdrawn or remain until retirement. Contributions to the ASRS are in addition to FICA (Social Security taxes).
*LONG TERM DISABILITY (LTD) - Included through the Arizona State Retirement System. Employees contribute .11% and the City contributes .11% of employee gross wages. LTD contributions are in addition to FICA (Social Security taxes).
*SHORT TERM DISABILITY
The City provides short-term disability coverage at no cost to the employee. Short-term disability replaces part of your income if you can't work for a short time due to a covered disability.
*SOCIAL SECURITY & MEDICARE - Employees pay a contribution into the Social Security & Medicare System.
*WORKER'S COMP. - Insurance coverage for medical expenses and loss of income due to an on-the-job injury is provided by the City of Yuma for all employees.
*UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE - Employees are covered by Unemployment Insurance.
*MEDICAL, DENTAL, and VISION INSURANCE - The City of Yuma is proud to provide medical, dental and vision insurance for its employees which is administered by the Yuma Area Benefit Consortium. Employees may choose from two traditional PPO plans or a High Deductible Health Plan with a Health Savings Account. Dependent premiums are paid one month in advance and are pre-taxed (unless waived). Additional information regarding medical, dental and vision benefits may be requested from the City's Human Resources Department.
*LIFE INSURANCE - The City provides a life insurance policy for employees in an amount that is equal to your annual salary. An Accidental Death and Dismemberment rider is also included for an equal amount. Employees may elect, at their cost, additional life insurance for up to 5X their annual salary. Various voluntary insurance policies are available at your cost and may be set up as an automatic payroll deduction. Information is available from the City's Human Resources Department.
*FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT - The plan establishes a reimbursement account, which is designed to provide you with a means of paying for certain medical, dental, vision, and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars. The amount you designate is subtracted from your earnings before taxes and is deposited in your flexible spending account. As a new employee you have 30 days from your hire date to enroll.
*EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - Provides free counseling sessions for employees and family members, as well as a 24-hour crisis line for emergencies.
*COMPENSATORY LEAVE (COMP. TIME) - Paid leave that an employee has elected to accrue in lieu of overtime payment.
*GENERAL LEAVE - This leave is available for all regular full-time and regular part-time employees. General Leave is paid leave for an employee's personal time off. General Leave can normally be used 90 days after your hire date. General Leave accrual varies by the employee's years of service and employment status.

• 0 to 5 years = 6.14 hours per pay day or 153.5 hours annually
• 5 to 10 years = 7.74 hours per pay day or 193.5 hours annually
• 10 to 15 years = 8.06 hours per pay day or 201.5 hours annually
• 15 to 20 years = 8.7 hours per pay day or 217.5 hours annually
• 20+ years = 9.34 hours per pay day or 233.5 hours annually

*SICK LEAVE - Employees are eligible to utilize paid sick leave immediately following 90 calendar days from their date of hire. July 1 of each year, employees will have 40 hours of sick leave added to their sick leave bank. New employees will have 40 hours of sick leave added to their sick leave bank on their date of hire.
*PAID PARENTAL LEAVE
The City provides up to 4 weeks of paid parental leave to employees following the birth of an employee's child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption or foster care.
*HOLIDAYS - The City recognizes 12 holidays per year. Holiday pay is at eight hours per holiday.

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (third Monday in January)
• President's Day (third Monday in February)
• Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day (First Monday in September)
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Day After Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day
• Additional Day in conjunction with Christmas

*DEFERRED COMPENSATION - Employees may participate in a tax-sheltered Annuity Plan (457 Plan) through payroll deduction to provide additional retirement income.
*TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
The City provides eligible employees tuition reimbursement for undergraduate and graduate level courses. Eligible full-time employees may receive up to a maximum of $3,500 per calendar year.
*SMOKE-FREE WORK ENVIRONMENT - The City prohibits smoking in, and within a reasonable distance of, all buildings used by the City for the conduct of City business or buildings or facilities used or occupied as workspace by City employees. This includes City owned and operated vehicles. This policy applies to all City employees, volunteers, citizens, and other persons entering or using City owned or operated facilities and/or vehicles.
01
By marking "Yes", I understand that my answers to the supplemental questions must be verifiable in the education and/or work experience section of my job application.

• Yes
• No

02
Do you meet or exceed the minimum education requirement of possessing a High School Diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

03
Do you have a minimum of three (3) years' experience in advanced and complex water treatment facilities? (Must be listed in the Work Experience section of the application)

• Yes
• No

04
Do you