Plants Operator In Training, Plants Operator I, II, III

City of Bellingham; Bellingham (WA); On-site; Full time

Job summary

The City of Bellingham is seeking dedicated individuals for the role of Plants Operator in Training. The position involves monitoring and maintaining water and wastewater facilities, ensuring compliance with safety standards while offering competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance and retirement plans. Applicants without certifications will start as Operators-in-Training, with ample room for advancement through structured training programs.

Benefits

10 hours of vacation leave per month

12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Life insurance and long-term disability coverage

Washington State Retirement plan

Optional 457 deferred compensation plan

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required upon entry.
• One year of related training using hand and power tools required.
• Associates or bachelor's degree in relevant fields preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitors and controls operations of water treatment and wastewater systems.
• Performs operational duties and preventative maintenance for plant equipment.
• Handles emergency response for public works and maintains records.

Skills

Manual dexterity

Problem-solving

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associates degree in process technology or related field

Bachelor's degree in science, engineering, or mathematics

Job description

The City of Bellingham is looking for a hardworking, self-motivated individual to join the highly knowledgeable team of Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators! Apply today!

At the City of Bellingham, Plants Operators In Training, I, II, III perform progressively responsible wastewater and water duties, computer console operations, process control, troubleshooting functions, minor maintenance to equipment, facilities and grounds to ensure proper operation of incinerators, advanced secondary wastewater treatment plant systems, water distribution, wastewater collection, and water treatment plant. Duties are performed on a rotating shift basis and include weekend, graveyard, swing shift, and after-hours public works dispatch responsibilities. Error or negligence in performance could result in equipment damage, violation of air and water quality standards, and have serious consequences for the City's water supply and/or wastewater treatment system.

This series is designed as a promotional opportunity based on years of experience and completion of City approved maintenance classes outlined in the job classification requirements below.

• Plants Operator In Training: Starting hourly rate- $30.54 for full-time positions. Current full salary range- $30.54-$37.39/hour.
• Plants Operator 1: Starting hourly rate- $30.96 for full-time positions. Current full salary range- $34.20-$41.87/hour.
• Plants Operator 2: Starting hourly rate- $38.36 for full-time positions. Current full salary range- $38.36-$46.99/hour.
• Plants Operator 3: Starting hourly rate- $36.98 for full-time positions. Current full salary range- $40.64-$49.83/hour.
  

Candidates that do not already have valid State of Washington Incinerator Operator, Water Treatment Plant Operator, and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certifications should expect to start as Operator-in-Training at a salary grade 10, level 1 (currently $30.54/hr). All three certifications are required for placement at higher salary grades.

Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy. Placement into the Plants Operator series is based on the experience and training requirements for each position.For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here’s a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.

• 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 8 hours sick leave accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

C losing Date/Time: Mon. 06/16/25 4:30 PM Pacific Time

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - Plants Operator in Training, Plants Operator I, II, III :

Monitors and controls operations on shift of the (1) water treatment plant; (2) water distribution system; (3) wastewater collection system; and (4) advanced secondary wastewater treatment plant using computer terminals. Responds to system operations, emergencies, and alarms by such methods as adjusting pumping rates, increasing production rates, backwashing filters, checking remote sites, or calling out help for assistance by phone or radio.

Performs operational duties required of assigned shift such as (1) operating a variety of advanced secondary treatment plant systems: including solids handling and incineration, air scrubbing, and other complex equipment; (2) visual inspection of water filtration plant; (3) performing process control tests to optimize operations; (4) hooking up chlorine; (5) adjusting chemical and pumping feed rates and controls; (6) scum removal; (7) ash removal; (8) dewatering equipment belts; (9) water distribution reservoirs.

Performs preventative maintenance such as inspection; lubrication; checking tolerances; and exercising pumps, motors, and compressors.Inspects instrumentation, telemetering, chemical metering equipment, and water and wastewater equipment. Diagnoses process and equipment problems and takes corrective action or contacts appropriate personnel.

Performs a variety of handwritten, e-mail, and computer record-keeping functions: logs and records, tabulates, computes, files, writes brief reports, etc. Responsible for shift change communications and reports.

Performs public works dispatch duties for all shifts such as receiving and responding to after-hours emergency calls for the Public Works Department. Assesses situation and contacts appropriate individuals for response and/or call out.

Regulates a variety of chemicals in the treatment process such as soda ash, alum, polymers, activated carbon, chlorine, sodium bisulfite, and sodium hydroxide.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED - ALL :

Performs routine building and equipment maintenance such as equipment lubrication, painting, equipment wash down, mopping floors, and other related duties.

Completes on-the-job training, education, and certification-related assignments.

Assists supervisors or other plant operators on projects and day-to-day activities.

Fills in as incinerator operator; performing startup, operation, and monitoring functions of the plant incinerator and solids handling processes as needed.

Performs relief Operator shift duties and monitors and controls the (1) Water Treatment Plant; (2) water distribution system; (3) Wastewater Treatment Plant; (4) wastewater collection system; and (5) incinerator by computer system and manual checks

Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT :
Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions in an industrial plant environment at the water and wastewater plants, pump stations, and other facilities of water distribution and sewage collection system. Work is performed in an atmosphere that may include loud noises for prolonged periods, fumes, wet and slippery surfaces, and the need to climb ladders or move in restricted spaces as circumstances require. Employees are required to use appropriate safety equipment, wear protective clothing and follow standard safety practices.

Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job including:

• Correctable vision suitable for color comparisons, fine detail work, and viewing computer monitors for extended periods of time.
• Adequate hearing for phone and radio communication in an extremely noisy environment.
• Manual dexterity and eye/hand coordination suitable for computer use and operating tasks.
• Ability to both walk and sit for extended periods on shift.
• Ability to infrequently stoop, bend, climb ladders, work from heights and in confined spaces.
• Ability to lift and carry bulky, heavy objects of approximately 50 pounds. Heavier objects are lifted with mechanical or other assistance.
• Ability to use respirator and self-contained breathing apparatus.

Plants Operator in Training

• High school diploma or GED required upon entry.
• One year of experience or related training using hand and power tools and motorized equipment to perform manual labor required upon entry.
• Associates in applied science degree in process technology, instrumentation and control technology, water supply technology, wastewater technology, or related field preferred;
  OR Associates of science degree or bachelor's degree in science, engineering, or mathematics is preferred.
• Department of Ecology certification as an Incinerator Operator obtained within 1 year from date of hire.

Must advance to Plant Operator I within two years of hire as a Plant Operator in Training.

Plants Operator I

• Department of Ecology Solid Waste Incinerator Operator certification.
• Department of Ecology Wastewater Operator Group I certification.
• Department of Health Waterworks Operator Level I certification

Must advance to Plant Operator II within three years of promotion or hire as a Plant Operator I.

Plants Operator II

• Department of Ecology Solid Waste Incinerator Operator certification.
• Department of Ecology Wastewater Operator Group II certification.
• Department of Health Waterworks Operator Level II certification.

Must advance to Plants Operator III within six years of promotion or hire as a Plants Operator II.

Plants Operator III

• Department of Ecology Solid Waste Incinerator Operator certification.
• Department of Ecology Wastewater Operator Group III certification.
• Department of Health Waterworks Operator Level III certification.

• Valid Washington State driver's license and good driving record. Candidate considered for hire must submit an abstract of his/her driving records for the past three years.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule involving shift rotation, call-back for relief shifts, overtime and emergency situations which may include evenings, weekends or holidays.
• Employment contingent on passing a criminal background check (See Fair Hiring Practices).
• Must secure and maintain the required certifications to progress in the classification series within established time limits.
• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire.

Failure to secure and maintain required certifications will result in dismissal.

NOTE: Washington certification substitutions for education and training requirements are available as outlined in Water Certification – Washington Administrative Code 246-292-060, January 29, 2001; Waterworks Operator Certification Program Guideline, October 2008; Certification of Operators of Wastewater Treatment Plants – Washington Administrative Code 173-230-061, December 1, 1999.

**You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along**

Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and supplemental questions). Application materials should comprehensively document your experience and skills related to the position responsibilities and experience/training requirements. As part of the City’s commitment to reducing bias in the hiring process, Human Resources redacts personally identifiable information for reviewers. Only the documents listed as required will be reviewed.

Application Review Process:

Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must provide specific, detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position. Applicant status will be updated on or around June 18, 2025.

Experience and Training Review: Applicants that meet minimum qualifications will go through an Experience and Training Review. Relevancy of your experience and training, together with composition, grammar, spelling and punctuation will be considered when evaluating responses. Applicant status will be updated on or around July 1, 2025.

The top twenty (20) scoring applicants from the Experience and Training Review will be invited to participate in an Oral Board Interview, tentatively scheduled for the week of July 14, 2025.

Applicants will be notified via email of Final Scores & Ranks. The final ranking of the register will be based on total scores for the following: Experience and Training Review (30%) and Oral Board Interview (70%). Candidates scoring a 60% or higher on the Oral Board Interview will be placed on the eligibility list.

Final candidates will be referred to the department for additional examination, assessment, or test.

This recruitment process will create a Civil Service eligibility register that will be used to fill current and future vacancies as they become available. There are currently 2 full-time vacancies in Public Works. This position is represented by a union.

If you wish to claim Veterans’ Preference Points, please complete the Veterans Scoring Criteria Declaration Form and upload it to your application with your DD214.

Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.

Equal Opportunity:
Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

Fair Hiring Practices

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.