Junior Plant Operator (Water Production)

City of Sacramento; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Sacramento is hiring a Junior Plant Operator for the Water Division. This entry-level role supports two surface water treatment plants and related facilities, performing routine maintenance, meter readings, and sampling under supervision.

Ideal candidates will be curious, safety-conscious, and able to communicate well with team members. The position includes shift flexibility and potential rotation based on operational needs.

Qualifications

• Six months experience in the water, wastewater or swimming pool field or related preventive maintenance work.
• Completion of a course of instruction related to water/wastewater treatment operations; e.g., Aquatic Facility Operator or related tech.
• Proof of education such as transcripts and degrees will be required at appointment.

Responsibilities

• Make scheduled and preventive maintenance checks on pumps, motors, and equipment.
• Lubricate bearings and valves, change oil as required.
• Load/unload chemicals using appropriate equipment and ensure proper connections.
• Read meters and gauges to adjust flow and dosages; record readings.
• Assist in collecting water samples and performing routine lab tests.
• Perform janitorial and grounds maintenance as needed.
• Operate heavy equipment like pumps, generators, and hoists.
• Work in confined spaces and wear protective equipment as required.

Skills

Water treatment basics

Pumps and motors

SCADA systems

English proficiency

Education

Aquatic Facility Operator

Certified Pool & Spa Operator

Mechanical or electrical tech

Job description

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.

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.

Knowledge of

• Basic principles of drinking water, wastewater, strom drainage, or swimming pool watertreatment.
• 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.

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.

Please note

The City of Sacramento's preferred method of communication with applicants is via e‑mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e‑mail address on your application, and check your e‑mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e‑mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.