Junior Plant Operator (Water Production)

Water Otter Job Board; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bilingual Pay

Job summary

City of Sacramento is seeking a Junior Plant Operator to join the Water Division, supporting two surface water treatment plants. You will assist in operating treatment processes, monitoring gauges, and performing routine lab tests to ensure safe drinking water.

The role requires flexibility for day, swing, or graveyard shifts and potential 5-5 or 5-4 schedules based on operational needs. Training and safety are emphasized.

Qualifications

• Six months experience in water, wastewater, or swimming pool operations or maintenance work on pumps, motors, or related equipment.
• Education in water/wastewater treatment operations or mechanical/electrical technology with relevant coursework.

Responsibilities

• Perform scheduled and preventive maintenance on pumps, motors, air compressors, and related equipment.
• Lubricate bearings, valves, and perform oil changes as needed.
• Move chemicals using approved equipment and set up transfer connections.
• Clean tanks, basins, reservoirs, and filtration equipment.
• Read meters and gauges to adjust flow, pressure, and chemical dosages; record readings.
• Collect water samples and conduct routine laboratory tests.
• Assist in filter testing and overall plant surveillance.
• Perform janitorial and grounds maintenance tasks.
• Operate heavy equipment as required.
• Work in confined spaces and wear respiratory protection when required.

Skills

Basic water treatment knowledge

Mechanical and electrical basics

Mathematics and chemistry basics

SCADA system understanding

CMMS understanding

English communication

Reading gauges/meters

Education

Water/Wastewater treatment operations course

Aquatic Facility Operator or CPPO certification

Mechanical or electrical technology program

Tools

SCADA systems

CMMS systems

Forklifts/heavy equipment operation

Job description

Job Description

THE POSITION

THIS POSITION IS IN THE WATER DIVISION

Positions in the Junior Plant Operator classification in the Water Division may be required to work swing or graveyard shifts

IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT

The Junior Plant Operator is an entry-level position and will be assigned to work at both surface water treatment plants. This position will support the successful operation of two T5 rated, multi-barrier conventional surface water treatment plants, with complex chemical treatment systems providing safe and reliable drinking water to a population of more than 500,000 people. This position may be required to support dewatering, groundwater, surface water, and/or reservoir teams. This position works a 5-5 schedule and is assigned to day shift. However, based on operational needs this position may be rotated to a 5-4 schedule and assigned to day, swing, or graveyard shifts. The ideal candidate should be ambitious, curious and motivated to learn all aspects of water treatment and tasks related to maintaining a water treatment facility. They will prioritize safety, have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, and be able to communicate well with others.

To perform skilled and semi-skilled work in the operation of the City's drinking water treatment plants, wells, reservoirs, distribution system, or swimming pools and fountains; combined wastewater control system, primary wastewater treatment plants and pumping stations; and to assist in monitoring and directing the pumping of storm water, wastewater, and potable water.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Junior Plant Operator is the entry-level classification in the Plant Operator series. Incumbents perform the routine inspection, lubrication, servicing, maintenance, and cleaning of equipment and facilities, and assist in operating plant equipment and performing the more routine water quality laboratory tests.

This class is distinguished from the next higher class of Plant Operator in that the latter is the journey-level operator classification that works independently in operating plant equipment and conducting water quality laboratory tests.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Direct supervision is provided by the Supervising Plant Operator; indirect supervision and lead direction is provided by the Senior Plant Operator. Technical directions may be provided by the Plant Operator.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Make scheduled and preventive maintenance checks on facility equipment such as pumps, motors, and air compressors. Perform routine servicing and adjustments to equipment and paint equipment.
• Lubricate equipment, including bearings and valves, and change oil as required.
• Load and unload chlorine cylinders or containers, alum, lime, and other materials used in the treatment of potable and nonpotable water using an electric hoist, forklift, crane, and other heavy equipment, and make necessary connections for the transfer of chemicals.
• Clean tanks, sedimentation basins, chemical feeders, reservoirs, filter basins, lime slakers, and sumps.
• Assist in operating treatment plant or pool equipment by reading meters and gauges, operating valves, pumps, and other controls to adjust water flow, pressure, and chemical dosages. Make calculations and record readings.
• Assist in collecting water samples and performing routine water quality laboratory tests.
• Assist in performing various filter tests as part of the filter surveillance program.
• Perform janitorial work and grounds maintenance.
• Perform preventive maintenance duties including painting equipment and cleaning trash screens and filters.
• Operate equipment such as engine driven pumps, generators, compressors, hoists, forklifts, cranes and other heavy equipment.
• Work in confined spaces, on temporary scaffolding, and on high structures; using a self-contained breathing apparatus and/or Level I Hazmat suits.
• Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual holding this classification.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles of drinking water, wastewater, strom drainage, or swimming pool water treatment.
• Principles, operation and maintenance requirements of pumps, motors, compressors, generators, valves and internal combustion engines.
• Basic principles and methods used generally in the mechanical and electrical fields.
• Basic principles of mathematics, algebra, and chemistry.
• Safe and efficient work practices as they are related to mechanical and electrical equipment.
• Operating principles of power-driven equipment such as forklifts, electric hoists, and trucks.

Ability to:

• Perform a variety of physically demanding tasks on a regular basis.
• Work any shift (e.g., swing, relief, night), weekends, holidays, and standby that is mandatory for some assignments.
• Perform mathematical and algebraic calculations, interpret basic word problems related to water, wastewater treatment, or swimming pool water, and keep accurate records.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Understand basic water and wastewater treatment processes and analytical tests including interpreting gauges, meters, and recorders.
• Understand the location, function, operation, preventive maintenance and basic troubleshooting procedures for pumps, motors, chlorinators, alum, polymer and fluoride feeders, lime slakers and other associated equipment and machinery.
• Understand basic personal computer programs including inter/intranet access, word processing, spreadsheets and databases.
• Understand basic Supervising Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system operation for some assignments.
• Understand basic Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) operations for some assignments.
• Read, write, and speak English at a level necessary for satisfactory job performance.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Experience:

Six months experience in performing operations in the water, wastewater or swimming pool field; or performing preventive maintenance-type work on pumps, motors, or related mechanical/electrical equipment.

OR

Education:

Completion of a course of instruction related to water, wastewater plant, or swimming pool (Aquatic Facility Operator or Certified Pool and Spa Operator) operations; or mechanical or electrical technology; assignments in drinking water treatment require one 90 contact hour (9 semester units) course in Water/Wastewater Treatment Operations.

PROOF OF EDUCATION

Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable. An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Driver License:

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of appointment. Ability to obtain a valid California Class A or B Driver License with endorsements as required or Class C Driver License with Hazmat endorsement during the probationary period is required for some assignments. Loss of the license is cause for discipline. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Certificate:

Assignments in drinking water treatment require a T‑1 or higher certificate from the California State Water Resources Control Board at the time of appointment; For assignments in wastewater treatment, possession of a T‑1 or higher certificate is desirable; For assignments in aquatics, an Aquatic Facility Operator or Certified Pool and Spa Operator certification is required within 6 months of appointment.

PROOF OF CERTIFICATION

Proof of the required certificate and/or license should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

Assessment:

If considered for appointment, candidates must pass a pre‑employment drug test for some assignments.

Respiratory Protective Equipment:

Work in this class may require wearing respiratory protective equipment at times. When assigned to such assignments, individuals must act in accordance with the regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:

Employees must complete twelve (12) months of probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status.

Bilingual Pay

Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? That's right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.

Pension Reform Act

The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employee's Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicant's eligibility and/or selection for open vacancies at the City of Sacramento.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Sacramento is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Additional Information

• Civil Service Rules: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/CivilServiceBoardRules62012.pdf
• Union Contracts: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/labor-agreements.html
• Salary Schedule: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/SalarySchedule.pdf

Closing Date/Time:

10/20/2026 11:59 PM Pacific