Plant Operator Trainee

City of San Diego • San Diego, CA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Plant Operator Trainee positions may be utilized in water, wastewater, or potable reuse treatment plants. Employees will be required to obtain and maintain certification. Plant Operator Trainee positions participate in a training program that teaches the operation of either a water treatment plant, potable reuse treatment plant, or wastewater treatment plant; obtain experience, skills, and knowledge necessary to qualify for State of California certification as a Water Plant Operator, or Wastewater Plant Operator; carry out plant control processes using both computer and manual controls; operate mechanical equipment such as pumps, valves, filters, screens, and boilers; calibrate and maintain monitoring instrumentation; perform maintenance and repair; keep logs, records, and documentation; perform chemical and biological analyses; drive pick-up trucks and other vehicles; operate forklifts, utility carts, and small tractors; and perform other duties as assigned. Employees in job classifications represented by AFSCME Local 127 are scheduled to receive general wage increases. Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS). Plant Operator Trainee employees may be required to work overtime, including nights, weekends, holidays, and/or rotating shifts for which they may receive additional pay. Water, Wastewater, and Potable Reuse treatment plants are staffed 24/7/365. Shifts may include overnight and weekends to meet the 24/7/365 staffing. This job typically requires the performance of physically demanding tasks. Plant Operator Trainee employees must be able to stoop, twist, turn, bend, squat, sit, and stand for long periods of time; lift items weighing up to 50 pounds; climb to heights of 25 feet; and enter confined spaces and chlorine environments. Plant Operator Trainee employees will be required to perform work that may involve exposure to all weather conditions typical of the outside environment; hazardous chemicals; electrical and mechanical hazards; respiratory hazards; noise hazards; eye/face hazards; uneven terrain/walking hazards; blood-borne pathogen biohazards; water/wastewater substances such as scum, screenings, grit, sludge; and enter confined spaces. For positions in the Water Production and Pure Water Operations Divisions, Plant Operator Trainee employees will be given respirator training and must be able to pass a Respirator Fit-Test for entry into confined spaces and chlorine environments. Employees must also agree to remain clean-shaven in order to safely use a self-contained breathing apparatus or on-line air system.

Requirements

• 18 years of age or older; except for high school graduates (or persons with GED equivalency) who are 17
• Graduation from high school OR passage of the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) or General Education Development (GED) examination
• Grade T2 Water Treatment Operator Certificate issued from the California State Water Resources Control Board is required within two years from the date of hire; and a Grade T3 within three years from the date of hire (for Water Production Division)
• Operator-in-Training Certificate issued from the California State Water Resources Control Board is required within 60 days from date of hire; and a Grade II Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate within two years from date of hire (for Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Division)
• Operator-in-Training Certificate issued from the California State Water Resources Control Board is required within 60 days from the date of hire; and a Grade II Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate within two years from the date of hire (for Pure Water Operations Division)
• A valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of hire
• Must be able to stoop, twist, turn, bend, squat, sit, and stand for long periods of time
• Must be able to lift items weighing up to 50 pounds
• Must be able to climb to heights of 25 feet
• Must be able to enter confined spaces and chlorine environments
• Must agree to remain clean-shaven in order to safely use a self-contained breathing apparatus or on-line air system

Nice To Haves

• Associate's Degree in Wastewater or Water Technology or in a closely related field
• Completion of an Internship program at a water, wastewater, or potable reuse treatment plant
• Experience working on pumps, motors, and other related equipment used in an industrial setting or wastewater, water, or potable reuse treatment processes

Responsibilities

• Teach the operation of either a water treatment plant, potable reuse treatment plant, or wastewater treatment plant
• Obtain experience, skills, and knowledge necessary to qualify for State of California certification as a Water Plant Operator, or Wastewater Plant Operator
• Carry out plant control processes using both computer and manual controls
• Operate mechanical equipment such as pumps, valves, filters, screens, and boilers
• Calibrate and maintain monitoring instrumentation
• Perform maintenance and repair
• Keep logs, records, and documentation
• Perform chemical and biological analyses
• Drive pick-up trucks and other vehicles
• Operate forklifts, utility carts, and small tractors
• Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities
• Automatic enrollment in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS) for eligible employees hired on or after July 10, 2021
• 5% additional pay for overtime, including nights, weekends, holidays, and/or rotating shifts

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED