II - Wastewater

City of Modesto•Modesto, CA

About The Position

The City of Modesto is recruiting for Utilities Plant Operators in the Wastewater division of the Utilities Department. The role performs skilled and semi-skilled technical duties in operating and maintaining the City’s wastewater production and treatment plants. Hiring may be at the Trainee, I, or II level, with qualifications and certification requirements varying by level. Salary offered depends on the candidate’s experience. A 2.5% education incentive is available for a bachelor’s degree and a 5% incentive for a master’s degree. Applicants must complete the City application, including the Supplemental Questionnaire. Applicants are assessed based on the information provided in their application; resumes are not used to determine who advances to testing. The anticipated in-person written examination is the week of 11/16/26. The City does not sponsor H-1B visas and is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusion. The work includes monitoring plant operations, operating and maintaining treatment equipment and control systems, conducting sampling and routine laboratory tests, keeping operational records, responding to public concerns, and performing general plant maintenance. Work takes place in an outdoor environment throughout the year and may involve remote locations, loud machinery, chemicals, fumes, and other environmental substances. Some positions may require occasional overtime or weekend work, irregular hours during emergencies, and scheduled standby/on-call duty.

Requirements

Trainee: qualifying combinations of experience, education, and training may be considered; experience in a water or wastewater treatment/production plant is desirable.
Trainee, Wastewater assignment: high school diploma or equivalent plus six educational units (CEUs) at appointment; CEUs may be earned through accredited college or university courses.
Trainee, Wastewater assignment: obtain a California State Operator-in-Training (OIT) certificate within 30 working days; the department Director may grant an extension for State-level delays.
Possess or be able to obtain an appropriate, valid California driver’s license.
May be required to pass the CalOSHA Respirator Medical Screening evaluation and fit test.
Trainee: knowledge of basic construction, maintenance, and repair tools and equipment; basic arithmetic; safe work practices; office procedures and equipment; and applicable computer software such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
Trainee: ability to perform skilled and semi-skilled maintenance, construction, and repair; handle contaminated materials and equipment; identify tools and materials needed for projects; perform heavy manual labor; follow oral and written instructions; work in confined areas; safely use hand, mechanical, and power tools and other required equipment; read basic maps and blueprints; communicate effectively orally and in writing; operate office equipment and applications; and maintain effective working relationships.
Operator I: meet the qualifications for Operator Trainee and have one year of increasingly responsible experience in water or wastewater treatment, production, or distribution.
Operator I: high school diploma or GED equivalency.
Operator I: knowledge of treatment/production plant principles and practices; valves, pumps, and motors; natural science principles including chemistry and biology; safe practices for confined spaces and treatment work; laboratory analysis techniques and standards; safe handling of treatment materials and equipment; applicable operational and safety regulations; sampling methods; basic plumbing and electrical principles; relevant laws and regulations; and SCADA computerized pump-control systems.
Operator I: ability to analyze and compile technical and statistical information and prepare reports; respond to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and emergencies; make appropriate decisions; and identify malfunctions involving pumping capacities, pneumatic controls, and computerized controls.
Operator I, Wastewater assignment: meet the Trainee Wastewater education and OIT requirements, including six CEUs at appointment and an OIT certificate within 30 working days, subject to the stated extension provision.
Operator II: meet the qualifications for Operator I and have two years of increasingly responsible experience in water or wastewater treatment, production, or distribution.
Operator II: high school diploma or GED equivalency.
Operator II: knowledge of water disinfection and chemical dosage requirements; ability to perform assigned standby duty, complete complex work with minimal supervision, and troubleshoot and diagnose pumping, pneumatic-control, and computerized-control malfunctions.
Operator II, Wastewater assignment: possess a California Grade III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certificate at appointment.
Operator II: may be required to pass the CalOSHA Respirator Medical Screening evaluation and fit test.
At least 18 years of age at time of application.
May be required to attend and successfully complete training courses needed for assigned duties, including First Aid and CPR.
Physical requirements include frequent heavy manual labor, prolonged standing, bending and squatting; frequent lifting up to 50 pounds and occasional lifting up to 75 pounds; constant overall vision; frequent grasping, holding, reaching, hearing, and in-person talking. Ear protection may be required, or work may involve noisy conditions.
Work involves frequent coworker contact and occasional working alone, as well as frequent exposure to loud noise, chemicals, fumes, and other environmental substances.
Positions may require occasional overtime or weekend work, irregular hours in emergency situations, and scheduled standby/on-call duties.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a water or wastewater treatment/production plant is desirable.
A bachelor’s degree qualifies for a 2.5% education incentive.
A master’s degree qualifies for a 5% education incentive.

Responsibilities

Conduct assigned plant rounds; inspect, monitor, and document operations using equipment gauges, dials, graphs, and other instrumentation.
Operate, troubleshoot, and adjust plant flows, pumps, motors, feeders, and specialized equipment to maintain appropriate operations.
Operate and maintain lift stations and pump stations.
Operate forklifts, lifts, and overhead cranes.
Maintain, repair, and service plant machinery and equipment, including pumps, valves, motors, meters, tanks, and reservoirs.
Check SCADA parameters through onsite and remote interfaces; monitor and operate systems, identify maintenance needs, maintain and repair SCADA systems, and enter data at remote sites.
Collect liquid samples and conduct routine water and wastewater process laboratory tests; record and monitor results.
Maintain accurate records of plant activities, record operational calculations, compile data, and prepare reports on plant operations, distribution systems, and chemical use.
Respond to and investigate public concerns regarding water or wastewater quality problems.
Perform general plant maintenance, including cleaning, painting, and repairing facilities.
Maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, City employees, and the public using good customer service principles.
Maintain a safe working environment in accordance with established safety programs and procedures.
Perform related duties as assigned.
At the Operator II level, perform standby duty as assigned, complete complex work with minimal supervision, and troubleshoot and diagnose control or pumping malfunctions to determine corrective action.