Water Treatment Operator Trainee Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Albany, OR
Job Type: Full-Time Non-Exempt
Job Number: 00984
Department: Public Works
Division: Operations/ES
Opening Date: 08/21/2026
Closing Date: 9/11/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: 1000
General Description
The City of Albany's Public Works Department is currently seeking candidates to join our Water Treatment Team! In this role, you'll operate, monitor, and maintain equipment and systems used to treat and deliver safe drinking water to the residents of Albany. Join us and play a vital role in providing reliable, high-quality water to our community!
Hourly Rate Ranges:

• Water Treatment Operator I: $27.18 - $34.59
• Water Treatment Operator II: $29.12 - $37.11
• Water Treatment Operator III: $31.75 - $40.52

Benefits include:

• Excellent medical, vision and dental benefit package for the employee and qualified family members with low monthly out-of-pocket Employee-paid premium is approximately $59 per month for employee-only coverage up to a maximum of $170 per month for family coverage.
• City-paid contribution to a VEBA Trust account for out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Currently, the annual contribution is $1,000 for employee-only and $2,000 for employee plus dependent(s).
• Paid time off including:
  • 8 hours of vacation leave per month, with progressive increases
  • 8 hours of sick leave per month
  • 10 paid holidays per year
  • 24 hours of floating holiday per year

• Excellent retirement benefits including:
  • City-paid participation in the Oregon Public Employee Retirement System (OPSRP and City pays 6% IAP contribution)
  • City-paid 0.5% contribution into pre-tax deferred compensation plan
• In addition, other benefits such as job-related college tuition and book reimbursement, employee assistance program, basic life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, and flexible spending accounts for healthcare and childcare expenses.

To learn more about our organization, our community, and our benefits, click
Essential Functions/Duties & Responsibilities
Performs a variety of basic, semi-skilled and skilled technical and maintenance work in the operation and maintenance of water treatment facilities and related systems with emphasis on preventative maintenance and routine repair tasks; and performs related work as required.
The duties listed are intended only as illustrative examples of the various types of work that may be performed by individuals in this classification. Any of the following duties may be performed. These examples are not necessarily performed by all incumbents and do not include all specific essential functions and responsibilities the incumbent may be expected to perform.

1. Assists with the operation, inspection, repair, and maintenance of specialized equipment and instruments used in the sampling, analysis, and processing of potable water, including but not limited to lab equipment, samplers, pumps, and other conveyance equipment.
2. Inspects, monitors, and adjusts plant process equipment and instruments; assists with preventive maintenance and minor repairs; may assist with major repairs, modifications, and installation and start-up of a variety of process equipment.
3. Uses computerized control SCADA system to perform monitoring and control of plant processes, equipment, and instrument activities for the treatment plant operations, including reservoir pump stations, as applicable.
4. Assists operators in monitoring, inspecting, and operating treatment and distribution facilities. This includes daily plant operational checks and laboratory testing.
5. Collects and tests samples of surface water, potable water, groundwater; may include collection and testing of materials containing hazardous constituents. Evaluates operational data and information and effect necessary process control changes using a variety of manual and automation control systems.
6. Uses computer applications to prepare reports, keep daily records, utilize spreadsheets, and submit equipment maintenance requests. Maintains accurate and detailed maintenance records for all equipment and activities performed as directed and required.
7. Responds to alarms, emergencies, and potential issues involving power outages or mechanical failures, evaluates situations to make initial assessment of potential problems. Conveys necessary information about the alarm or situation to the appropriate supervisor or certified on-call operator.
8. Represents the City of Albany by responding to the public, citizens, its employees, and others in a prompt, professional, and courteous manner while continuously maintaining a positive customer service demeanor. Regards everyone, internal and external, as a customer and deliver the best service possible in a respectful and patient manner.
9. Works to create a high-performance work culture by demonstrating a positive attitude and modeling the City's mission, vision, and values. Conducts self with high integrity, proactive in conserving City resources, and seeks and incorporates customer feedback for ongoing performance improvement. Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality customer service.
10. Serves as a member of various City committees as assigned.
11. Assists other staff in the performance of their duties as assigned; and may provide training and orientation to new assigned personnel.
12. Maintains regular job attendance and adherence to working hours.
13. Adheres to appropriate attire, grooming, and hygiene standards established for the position.
14. Operates a motor vehicle safely and legally.

1. Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

The following duties of this classification are intended only as illustrative examples of the various types of work that may be performed by individuals in this position.
Water Treatment Operator II
Includes all the aforementioned duties as wells as the following additional duties:

1. Must work a rotating weekly on-call shift for emergency call-back.
2. Regularly monitors treatment plants, reservoirs, and pump stations and independently makes process changes and adjustments.
3. Independently perform inspections, preventative maintenance, repairs and other tasks.
4. Regularly adjusts reservoir levels and distribution pumps according to operational goals.
5. Performs quarterly, semi-annual, annual, or other infrequent sample collection for laboratory analysis.
6. Assist in the training of co-workers to increase their skills in water treatment operations.
7. May lead tours for the public, schools, and city staff as necessary.

Water Treatment Operator III
Includes all the aforementioned duties as wells as the following additional duties:

1. Assists with completing regulatory reports and may be eligible to review, sign, and submit monthly or annual reporting during the absence of the Treatment Supervisor.
2. Eligible to take on AIC responsibilities in the absence of the Treatment Supervisor.
3. Able to purchase/order bulk treatment chemical deliveries.
4. Communicate and troubleshoot SCADA programming and/or equipment needs with the Technical Services and Automation work group.
5. May be assigned more complex or technical tasks. For example: lowering system-wide distribution reservoir levels and/or pressures, assisting with engineering and regulatory tours, providing feedback of capital project plans, etc.
6. Lead the training of co-workers and "train the trainer", as assigned.

Supervision/Lead Work Exercised
Works under the day-to-day guidance of the Treatment Plant Supervisor, and/or Water Superintendent.
This is a non-supervisory position. Lead work and coordination of work of others is not a typical function assigned to this position. Incumbents in this position may provide training and orientation to newly assigned personnel.
Qualifications & Requirements
Education and Experience
Water Treatment Operator I
A high school diploma or its equivalent; or associate degree preferred in water/wastewater technology, engineering, biology, environmental science, or closely related field; and 0-2 years of experience in operation and maintenance of a Class III or higher drinking water treatment facility; or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Water Treatment Operator II
A high school diploma or its equivalent; or associate degree preferred in water/wastewater technology, engineering, biology, environmental science, or closely related field; and a minimum of 3 years of experience in operation and maintenance of a Class III or higher drinking water treatment facility; or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Water Treatment Operator III
A high school diploma or its equivalent; or associate degree preferred in water/wastewater technology, engineering, biology, environmental science, or closely related field; and a minimum of 5 years of experience in operation and maintenance of a Class III or higher drinking water treatment facility; or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Special Requirements
For all levels within this series

• The individual shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of themselves or others.
• Possession of a valid Oregon driver's license and a driving record that meets City standards at the time of job placement.
• In accordance with Human Resources substance abuse policies, incumbents in this position are subject to the City's Drug & Alcohol testing program.

Water Treatment Operator I

• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon Water Treatment Level I within one year of job placement.

Water Treatment Operator II

• Possession of a valid Oregon Water Treatment Level II at the time of job placement.

Water Treatment Operator III

• Possession of a valid Oregon Water Treatment Level III at the time of job placement.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of:equipment, facilities, materials, methods, and procedures related to the operation and maintenance of a conventional water filtration plant; and procedures and regulations pertaining to workplace safety, confined space work, and working in hazardous and potentially hazardous locations; how to evaluate and troubleshoot mechanical components to determine existing operating condition; standard practices, materials, and modern methods used in the safe repair and maintenance of water treatment equipment; repairing pumps and all treatment facility equipment; OSHA industrial required safety procedures.
Skill in:operation of listed tools and equipment used in the operation and maintenance of a complex coagulation/flocculation/filtration water treatment facilities, and related systems, including control computers.
Ability to:perform basic process control calculations; work safely; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other departments, and the public; and understand and carry out written and oral instructions.
Work Environment
The work environment is frequently near moving mechanical parts and is exposed to extreme cold, wet and/or humid conditions, and to toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. Travel is normally limited to various city work sites. May be required to be on-call and to work weekends, holidays, and evenings.
Physical Demands
The factors described herein are representative of, but not all-inclusive of, those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Detailed information may be available in a supplemental Job Task Analysis document.
The work is medium work which requires exerting up to 75 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Balancing: sufficient to maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. The amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Climbing: sufficient to ascend or descend ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized.
• Crawling: sufficient to move about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
• Crouching: sufficient to bend the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Feeling: sufficient to perceive attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
• Fingering: sufficient to pick, pinch, type, or otherwise work, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Grasping: sufficient to apply pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Handling: sufficient to pick, hold, or otherwise work, primarily with the whole hand.
• Hearing: sufficient to perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make