Water Treatment Operator I/II/III/IV/V

2% Salary Increase in July 2025

Under direction to perform a variety of skilled technical duties in the operation and maintenance of the City’s water treatment plants, water production equipment, and reservoirs.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

These are the journey levels in the class series. Positions at these levels perform the full range of duties as assigned, working independently and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at these levels receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Positions in this class series are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from lower levels by meeting the minimum requirements, successful performance, budget availability, and management recommendation. When filled from the outside, the employee is required to have prior related experience which allows the employee to meet the qualification standards for the position level.

Examples of Duties

Examples of duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Controls water treatment plant facilities including potable and non-potable systems in accordance with all established regulations, standards, and procedures;
• Operates water treatment plant equipment to maintain adequate water flow and proper plant functions including monitoring, sampling, and testing to prevent substandard water from entering system;
• Monitors chemical levels in water; calculates chemical dosages and calibrates chemical feeder rates to ensure proper dosage; 
• Collects samples for chemical analysis to determine the chemical composition of water, to control quality, and to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations; 
• Operates computerized and/or manual pumps, motors, and other equipment to adjust for volume, change treatment process, or make other necessary changes; 
• Monitors gauges, meters, and charts to ensure proper plant operations; maintains logs/records of plant operations, meter/gauge readings, test results, and other data;
• Performs general cleaning/maintenance tasks necessary to keep plant facilities, equipment, and tools in operable condition which may include inspecting and calibrating equipment, performing minor repairs, cleaning work areas and reports faulty equipment to management;
• May assist with the providing direction to and training of new personnel; and
• Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of a water treatment plant and water production including operation and maintenance of equipment and facilities;
• Basic principles of biology, chemistry, and mathematics;
• Pertinent State and Federal regulations and standards for potable water;
• Basic laboratory and sampling procedures;
• Operational and safety regulations pertaining to water treatment and production;
• Basic principles of hydraulics and plumbing;
• Safe driving principles and practices; and 
• Computer equipment, including HMI, and SCADA. Software programs: Wonderware, Excel, Word, and Access.

Skill to:

• Use safety equipment, including SCBA, fall protection, and air/gas sensor;
• Use hand tools, manual and power equipment, including forklifts, overhead hoists, and jack hammers;
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment; and 
• Operate a motor vehicle safely.

Ability to:

• Perform difficult duties related to water treatment and production without direct supervision;
• Maintain records and compile data into written and computer reports;
• Assist in training personnel;
• Logically solve problems;
• Perform minor, and assist in major maintenance of plant equipment including pumps, valves, process control equipment, sensors, and telemetry;
• Work according to safety standards under potentially hazardous conditions;
• Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs;
• Interact effectively and sensitively with individuals from diverse backgrounds;
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; and 
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Qualifications

Experience

For Water Treatment Operator I:

• One year of water utility experience performing maintenance and routine operation duties in a water treatment plant or water distribution system.

For Water Treatment Operator II:

• Two years of water utility experience performing maintenance and routine operation duties in a water treatment plant. 

For Water Treatment Operator III:

• Three years of water utility experience performing maintenance and routine operation duties in a water treatment plant.

For Water Treatment Operator IV:

• Four years of water utility experience performing maintenance and routine operation duties in a water treatment plant.

For Water Treatment Operator V:

• Five years of water utility experience performing maintenance and routine operation duties in a water treatment plant.

Education

For Water Treatment Operator I/II/III/IV/V:

• Equivalent to a high school diploma. Additional college level course work in water treatment and distribution systems, chemistry, biology, or a related field is desirable.

Licenses and Certificates

For Water Treatment Operator I:

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License at the time of appointment.
• Possession of a Grade T1 Water Treatment Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.
• Possession of a Grade D1 Water Distribution Operator Certificate within one year.

For Water Treatment Operator II:

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License at the time of appointment.
• Possession of a Grade T2 Water Treatment Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.
• Possession of a Grade D2 Water Distribution Operator Certificate.

For Water Treatment Operator III:

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License at the time of appointment.
• Possession of a Grade T3 Water Treatment Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.
• Possession of a Grade D3 Water Distribution Operator Certificate.

For Water Treatment Operator IV:

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License at the time of appointment.
• Possession of a Grade T4 Water Treatment Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.
• Possession of a Grade D3 Water Distribution Operator Certificate.

For Water Treatment Operator V:

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License at the time of appointment.
• Possession of a Grade T5 Water Treatment Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.
• Possession of a Grade D4 Water Distribution Operator Certificate.

Special Requirements:

Essential functions and duties require the following physical abilities and work environment:

• Regularly sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb, and lift up to 50 lbs.;
• Regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate and reach with hands and arms;
• Regularly exposed to heat, noise, outdoors, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, explosive materials, mechanical hazards, and electrical hazards, toxic substances, foul odors, wastewater, sludge, effluents, bacteria, viruses, and traffic hazards;
• Regularly travel to different sites and locations;
• Must be able to communicate with other and to exchange information accurately;
• Must be available for standby/on call duty.