Alameda County Water District

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Fremont, CA
Job Type: Regular, Full-Time
Job Number: 26-4
Department: Operations and Maintenance
Division: Water Production
Opening Date: 05/19/2026
Closing Date: 6/12/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
The Alameda County Water District, located in Fremont, California, is a large water utility with state-of-the-art technology, is recruiting for a Water Treatment Plant Operator to inspect, operate, and maintain District water treatment plants and related facilities to supply, treat, store and distribute water for a large urban potable water distribution system; operates all equipment needed to regulate water flow through the hydro-electric power and water treatment plant processes.
Water Treatment Operator is the journey level classification in this series. Individuals in the classification are fully qualified Water Treatment Plant Operators and are responsible for the efficient operation and general maintenance of a water treatment plant and distribution system on an assigned shift.
SALARY: $119,439- $145,179, and a 3.5% cost of living increase on July 1, 2026, plus excellent benefits and applicable shift differentials.
Examples of Duties
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF DUTIES MAY INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:

• Operates all equipment needed to regulate water flow through the hydropower and water treatment plant processes, including equipment related to conventional treatment (with ozone disinfection) and management of residuals generated from such processes in order to meet production requirements and drinking water quality standards.

• Monitors and controls the water supply, transmission and storage systems through a plant supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, and analyzes and acts accordingly to control flow through various transmission and distribution facilities or to take other actions as required.

• Computes chemical dosages and adjusts chemical feeders.

• Monitors operation of membrane treatment facilities, shuts down such facilities as necessary, and notifies Treatment Facilities Operators of membrane facility alarms and actions taken.

• Prepares and maintains detailed logs, records and reports on a variety of functions including; plant operations, test results, maintenance work performed, unusual operating conditions and the results of periodic inspections conducted; uses a computer to maintain data base files and generate reports.

• Performs a variety of laboratory tests to determine plant process performance and compliance with water quality regulations; maintains laboratory equipment in clean condition.

• Takes regular inventories of chemicals and other supplies used during the operation of water facilities; orders operating supplies and chemicals as needed; and assists with the safe unloading and storage of chemicals.

• Works with hazardous chemicals related to water treatment; receives training and responds to hazardous chemical spill events at District facilities.

• Makes equipment adjustments, lubrications and minor repairs and participates in major plant repairs.

• As assigned, operates the plant communications during off hours, on weekends and holidays; receives calls from customers, dispatches personnel if needed; maintains telephone and radio communications with field employees, security forces and others, including lock out/tag out programs, confined space program and emergency operations plan.

• Learns and receives training on a variety of issues including: advanced operational and technological developments in the water industry and safety and environmental compliance requirements.

• Maintains plant, operating equipment and facilities in a clean and orderly condition; performs routine housekeeping chores inside and outside the plant and conducts regular site safety inspections.

• With proper training, may perform the assigned responsibilities of a Solids Handling Operator on an as-needed basis.

• Operators may instruct Trainees and new journey-level operators.

• May conduct tours for individuals or groups, as requested.

• May operate a motor vehicle, fork lift or front-end loader incidentally in the performance of work.

• Performs other related work as required.

Typical Qualifications
High school diploma or its equivalent plus specialized training (recent acceptable formal courses of instruction) in water treatment and plant operations; and
Possession of State Water Resources Control Board - Division of Drinking Water (SWRCB-DDW), Water Treatment Operator Certificate, Grade T-3, and three (3) years' experience operating a water treatment plant as an operator in charge of a shift, or two years of experience as a Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee with the District.
Additional Requirements: - Must possess a valid California driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record
Knowledge of: basic mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic principles; arithmetic; identification, use and safe operations of standard hand and power tools and equipment; safe work practices and pertinent safety regulations.
Skill and Ability to: perform routine maintenance and cleaning on machinery, structures, equipment and piping; learn the practices, procedures, techniques, regulations, and laws pertaining to a water treatment plant and distribution system; understand and follow written and verbal instructions; learn to operate, clean, and perform minor maintenance on water treatment plant equipment and facilities; read and interpret a variety of meters, gauges, and recording equipment; learn to read and interpret mechanical system and piping diagrams; learn to observe and accurately record operating conditions and make verbal or written reports; learn to recognize unusual, inefficient, or dangerous operating conditions and exercise independent judgment within established guidelines; perform assigned activities with decreasing supervision while accepting increasing responsibility; learn the operation and routine servicing of computerized instrumentation and plant operational equipment; establish and maintain effective working relationships; and perform essential duties of the job without causing harm to self or others.
Selection Procedure

1. Application materials are obtained and submitted through the online application system at: www.acwd.org. Candidates must complete an application and a Supplemental Questionnaire.
2. Completed application materials must be submitted online no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, June 12, 2026.
3. Application materials will be evaluated, and candidates who present the best job-related qualifications will be invited to a qualification appraisal interview panel.
4. Candidates passing the qualifications appraisal process will be ranked on an employment list for further consideration. Top-ranking candidates will be invited to a personal interview with the hiring Supervisor.
5. Employment offers are normally made following conduct of reference checks and are always contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment physical exam, and security background checks. Employment is made contingent upon verification of identity and legal right to work in the U.S.A. pursuant to federal law, and the signing of a loyalty oath, pursuant to state law.
6. Represented employee applications receive promotional consideration consistent with the provisions of the MOU.

Health Insurance: Coverage is provided through the PERS Health program. Under the Cafeteria Plan, employees will receive a flex dollar allowance to purchase healthcare coverage, and qualifying voluntary products. The employee medical deductions shall not occur in the paycheck in which Union dues are withdrawn.
Dental and Vision: Coverage for the employee and eligible dependents is fully paid by the District.
Retirement: California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) benefit depends on whether the employee is a "new" member or "classic" member under state law.
Classic member: Employee who is a member of PERS or reciprocal agency within six months of hire at ACWD. 2.5% @ 55 with 8% employee contribution. $5000 Retired Death Benefit, 3% Annual Cost-of-Living Allowance Increase, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance to Continue After Remarriage, Pre-Retirement Death Benefits to Continue After Remarriage of Survivor, Additional Opportunity to Elect 1959 Survivor Benefits, 1959 Survivor Benefit Level 4, Unused Sick Leave Credit, Public Service Credit for Peace Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA, or AmeriCorps Service, Military Service Credit as Public Service, Final Compensation 1 Year, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, Prior Service. The District picks up 2.5% of the CalPERS retirement contribution.
New member: Employees hired after 12/31/12 who were not members of PERS or a reciprocal agency within the last six months of hire at ACWD. 2% @ 62 with 7% employee contribution. Effective 7/1/23 PEPRA employee contributions will increase to 7.75%. $5000 Retired Death Benefit, 1959 Survivor Benefit Level 4, 3% Annual Cost-of-Living Allowance Increase, Additional Opportunity to Elect 1959 Survivor Benefits, Final Compensation 3 Years, Military Service Credit as Public Service, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance to Continue After Remarriage, Pre-Retirement Death Benefits to Continue After Remarriage of Survivor, Pre-Retirement Option 2W Death Benefit, Prior Service, Public Service Credit for Peace Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA, or AmeriCorps Service, Unused Sick Leave Credit.
Social Security/Medicare: The District does not participate in Social Security, but provides a 1.45% matching Medicare contribution.
Retiree Health Benefits: Coverage is provided through the CalPERS Health program. The District's contribution for retiree coverage shall be the PEMHCA minimum contribution as determined by CalPERS on an annual basis. Please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for various eligibility and plan details.
Employees hired on or after January 1, 2019 will receive a defined-contribution benefit into a retiree health savings account.
Life Insurance: The District provides Basic Life Insurance and Basic AD&D Insurance of one times your annual salary to a maximum of $150,000. There is no cost to the employee for this insurance.
Long Term Disability: The District provides you with Long Term Disability Income Insurance of 66 2/3% of monthly earnings with a maximum monthly benefit up to $7,000.
Short Term Disability: Coverage is provided through the District for employees working a minimum of 20 hours per week at 66 2/3% of base weekly earnings for the first 12 weeks up to a weekly benefit maximum of $1,650.
Deferred Compensation: Optional deferred income plans allowing tax sheltering of current income and payment later as supplemental retirement income.
Vacation: 10 days first year, increasing to 25 days after 20 years.
Holidays: 12 days per year, plus 4 Floating Holidays per fiscal year
Sick Leave: 12 days per year plus 30 hours/year Medical Appointment Leave.
Employee Assistance Program: Up to 6 sessions for employees and family members for professional consultation and short-term counseling for personal problems.
Tuition Reimbursement: The District will reimburse 100% of the total tuition and textbook costs incurred in taking courses outside of normal working hours related to District employment up to an annual maximum of $5,250.
01
Do you have Water Treatment experience?

• Yes
• No

02
What level of water treatment certification do you process?

• None
• T-1
• T-2
• T-3
• T-4 or above

03
What level of distribution certificate do you process?

• D-1
• D-2
• D-3 or above

04
What is the highest level of water treatment plant you have worked in?

• T-1 -T-2
• T-3 - T-4
• T-5

05
How many years of experience do you have in a direct customer contact role?

• Less than three (2) years
• At least three (2) years but less than (5) years
• Five (5) or more years

06
How many years of experience do you have in a membrane filtration plant?

• Less than one (1) year
• At least one (1) year but less than two (2) years
• At least two (2) years but less than five (5) years
• Five (5) or more years

07
How many years of experience do you have at a reverse Osmosis (RO) plant?

• Less than one (1) year
• At least one (1) year but less than two (2) years
• At least two (2) years but less than five (5) years
• Five (5) or more years

08
How many years of experience do you have at a conventional surface water treatment plant (coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration processes)?

• Less than one (1) year
• At least one (1) year but less than two (2) years
• At least two (2) years but less than five (5) years
• Five (5) or more years

09
Explain the process of nitrification in a drinking water distribution system. What are some problems associated with this process, and what are some methods of controlling it?
10
Describe three advantages of using chloramines rather than free chlorine as a residual disinfectant in your distribution system?
11
Describe the purpose of Corrosion Control in the finished water of a treatment plant? What parameters must be measured?
12
Please describe the benefits and drawbacks of using ozone to treat surface water.
Required Question