Lead Wastewater Plant Operator

Fairfield-Suisun Sewer District•Fairfield, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Fairfield-Suisun Sewer District (FSSD) is currently seeking a candidate to fill a full-time position as a Wastewater Plant Operator Lead. If you are an experienced operator looking to work in a great team environment with opportunities to learn and grow, this is a great opportunity for you. We are looking for someone with wastewater plant operations experience that can take on more advanced level work and responsibility. The Ideal Candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills in order to work in an effective manner with all levels of employees. The desirable knowledge, skills and competencies include, but not limited to: Knowledge of water or wastewater utilities systems. Work independently as well as part of a team depending on assignments. Willingness to work outside of normal work hours to support various projects or assignments. Willingness to work off-shift, weekend, and shift coverage schedules. Over several decades, the District has evolved from a technical engineering entity to a valuable resource manager, partner in local economic development, and active member of the watershed community. The District has taken numerous actions to shift conventional thinking about the way wastewater utilities are run. We are an award-winning facility, including winner of the 2024 Water Environment Federation Utility of the Future Award, 2022 California Water Environmental Association (CWEA) California Plant of the Year Award and the 2022 National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) Platinum Peak Performance Award. Over the years many of our employees have been recognized as operator of the year, laboratory person of the year, and mechanical technician of the year (to name a few). We are always looking for innovative solutions and often participate in various research pilots, which offers unique opportunities for our staff. We strive to obtain as much energy as possible from waste product and renewable energy through solar power, wind turbines, and cogeneration engines. We have a history of creative partnerships to address the issues we face, such as our partnership with Lystek International, who constructed a biosolids-to-fertilizer processing plant at our wastewater treatment facility. At the Fairfield-Suisun Sewer District, we work together and break down barriers to accomplish major projects and facilitate successful daily operations of the facility. The District is a highly collaborative organization. By fostering a relatively flat organizational structure, minimizing bureaucracy, and promoting employee empowerment, the District achieves a high degree of cooperation and partnership between departments to seek out the best overall solutions to shared challenges. At the heart of the District’s progress is an organizational culture that continues to embrace positive change. We have a leadership team that supports the growth and needs of the employees and encourages ongoing feedback to make the District an employer of choice. Here at the District, we are dedicated to providing what we believe to be an excellent work environment. We strive to maintain good wages and benefits, open communications and opportunities for creativity, ownership and fun. Apply today!

Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalent
Four (4) years of experience in a Class 1, 2, or 3 wastewater treatment plant including two (2) years in a journey equivalent position, or two (2) years of experience in a Class 4 or 5 wastewater treatment plant.
Possession of a Grade III California Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certificate is required.
Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license and safe driving record is required.
Frequent stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling (i.e., sense of touch), and repetitive motion.
Lifting, Carrying, Pushing and Pulling: Employees in this class will be exerting up to 75 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
Close visual acuity, with or without correction, to prepare and analyze data and figures, transcribe, view a computer terminal, read, etc.
Depth perception to operate a motor vehicle.
Perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction and have the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication.
Express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word.
Background check and reference check may be conducted.
Incumbents are required to travel independently, for example, to perform work at other work sites, to attend meetings with other District employees, to attend meetings with community organizations, etc.

Nice To Haves

Associates degree or higher is desirable.
Knowledge of BNR, UV, and anaerobic digestion is preferred.
Possession of a CWEA Mechanical Technologist, Electrical & Instrumentation Technologist, Lab Analyst, Collection System Maintenance, or other relevant certificate is desirable.

Responsibilities

Operates, inspects, and maintains the District’s wastewater collection system and treatment plant including biological nutrient removal (BNR), anaerobic digestion, and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection processes.
Leads the shift operations in ensuring completion of daily duties and proper operation and maintenance of treatment processes.
Implements optimization efforts.
Maintains discharge compliancy.
Provides management with potential improvements and/or solutions to issues.
Provides field training to less experienced staff.
Performs the full range of duties of a Wastewater Plant Operator.
Troubleshoots complex failures.