Plant Operator Trainee

City of San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

City of San Diego seeks a Plant Operator Trainee to learn operation of water, potable reuse, or wastewater plants. You will gain state certification, operate control systems, calibrate instruments, and perform maintenance while recording logs and analyses.

Position requires a high school diploma or CHSPE/GED, a valid CA driver license, and willingness to work rotating shifts and overtime with 5% additional pay. Associate degree in water tech is highly desirable.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED/CHSPE required.
• Must be able to obtain state certification as Water/Wastewater Plant Operator.
• Valid California Class C Driver License required; show proof within two weeks of conditional offer.

Responsibilities

• Operate plant control processes using computer and manual controls.
• Calibrate and maintain monitoring instrumentation; perform maintenance and repairs.
• Keep logs, records, and documentation; perform chemical and biological analyses.
• Operate pumps, valves, filters, screens, boilers; drive company vehicles as needed.
• Work in shifts; respond to 24/7/365 staffing needs; comply with safety protocols.

Education

High school diploma or CHSPE/GED equivalent

Associate's Degree in Wastewater or Water Technology

Job description

See NOTE(S) below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.

Plant Operator Trainee positions may be utilized in water, wastewater, or potable reuse treatment plants. Employees will be required to obtain and maintain certification. For certification requirements, click on the following link: http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/operator_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.

NOTES:

• Employees in job classifications represented by AFSCME Local 127 are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:
  • 3.5% effective 7/1/27
  • 2% effective 7/1/28
  • 2% effective 7/1/29
• 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 5% 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.

You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.

AGE

18 years of age or older; except for high school graduates (or persons with GED equivalency) who are 17.

EDUCATION

Graduation from high school OR passage of the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) or General Education Development (GED) examination.

LICENSE

A valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of hire.

NOTE

• Candidates will generally be required to show proof of the driver license within about two weeks of receiving a conditional job offer.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE(S)

• 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.

Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met. Successful candidates will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next six months (180 days). For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, including a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All screening processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test result for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may constitute cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.