Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator (Senior Utility Operator*SCBA)

City of Phoenix; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 47,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Traditional pension

401(a) plan

457 plan

City bus pass

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off: holidays, vacation, and

Parental leave

Job summary

The City of Phoenix Water Services Department is seeking multiple Senior Water Treatment Plant Operators to operate and maintain water treatment processes at the Val Vista Water Treatment Plant (Mesa, AZ). This Senior Utility Operator role leads teams and handles complex operation and maintenance issues, requiring ADEQ Grade 3 certification.

Applicants must have three years of relevant experience, be able to work irregular hours, and maintain SCBA certification, with strong safety discipline and

Qualifications

• Three years of skilled experience in operations and maintenance of a water/wastewater treatment plant, facility, or system including the repair of pumps, valves, and motors in an industrial setting.
• ADEQ Water Treatment Grade 3 certification at time of application.
• Must obtain and maintain annual SCBA certification.
• Willingness to work outside in varying environmental conditions and potentially irregular hours including second/third shifts, weekends, holidays, and evenings.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain water treatment processes and equipment to control flow and water quality.
• Lead teams and work independently with minimal instruction.
• Provide routine maintenance in support of system needs.

Tools

CMMS

SAP

MS Word

MS Excel

MS Access

Job description

About This Position

The City of Phoenix Water Services Department (WSD), one of the nation's largest potable water utilities, treats and delivers safe, reliable drinking water to 1.5 million customers across approximately 540 square miles. Phoenix Water Services also manages the sewer collection system and treats wastewater for 2.5 million residents in metropolitan Phoenix.

About This Position

The City of Phoenix Water Services Department (WSD), one of the nation's largest potable water utilities, treats and delivers safe, reliable drinking water to 1.5 million customers across approximately 540 square miles. Phoenix Water Services also manages the sewer collection system and treats wastewater for 2.5 million residents in metropolitan Phoenix. WSD's Water Production Division is currently hiring multiple Senior Water Treatment Plant Operators (Senior Utility Operators). Senior Water Treatment Plant Operators operate and maintain water treatment processes and equipment to control flow, process water, and maintain water effluent quality. The job involves potable water treatment plant operation and/or providing routine maintenance in support of the system needs. This position serves as a lead role responsible for handling complex operation and maintenance issues. Senior Water Treatment Plant Operators have the ability to lead teams and work independently with minimal instruction. ADEQ Treatment Grade III Certification is required. Position Location: Val Vista Water Treatment Plant (3200 E McDowell Rd. Mesa, Arizona)

SALARY

Pay Range: $34.08 to $47.95 per hour.

Hiring Range: $34.08 to $41.42 per hour.

Pay Range Explanation

• Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.
• Hiring range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.

Benefits

• Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, click here for more details: Pension Information.
• 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions.
• Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans.
• Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan.
• Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually.
• Dental, vision, and life insurance options.
• Employer paid long-term disability.
• Free Bus/light rail pass.
• Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year.
• Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days.
• Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period.
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi.

For more details, visit: Unit 002 Benefits

Minimum Qualifications

• Three years of skilled experience in operations and maintenance of a water/wastewater treatment plant, facility, or system including the repair of pumps, valves, and motors in an industrial setting.
• Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
• Possession of an Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Water Treatment Grade 3 certification at the time of application.
  • Appropriate certification must be maintained as a condition of employment in this classification.
  • If you possess certification from another state or jurisdiction, please contact the ADEQ (http://www.azdeq.gov) for Arizona Request for Operator Certification Reciprocity procedures and certification equivalency.
• Required to obtain and maintain annual SCBA certification through training and annual physical examination per Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards.
• Required to respond to chemical emergency alarms wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as respirators and SCBA.
• Working Conditions:
  • Requires working outside in a variety of environmental extremes such as heat, cold, rain, air pollution, and dust.
  • Requires walking for prolonged periods which may include walking over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces.
  • Moving heavy objects (50 pounds or more) long distances may be required.
  • Working irregular hours, second and/or third shifts, weekends, holidays, and evenings may be required.
• All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
• These positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions, click here.
• The City job description can be found here.

Preferred Qualifications

The minimum qualifications listed above, plus:

Experience In/with

• Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access.
• Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
• SAP, including purchasing, invoicing, and budget monitoring.
• Gas chlorination and other means of disinfection.
• Ordering goods and services internally and from outside vendors.
• Compiling accurate and legible reports.
• Working with EHS Standards as established by Federal, State, County and City Laws, Ordinances and Regulations.

RECRUITMENT DATES

Recruitment closes November 2, 2026. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.

This is a position-based recruitment and will not result in any ongoing eligibility list. This recruitment and any selection processes resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill other related vacancies within the organization now or in the near future.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP

• Job interviews may be held by video or audio conference.
• If you are in need of computer resources, click here for free options.
• Arizona at Work has frequent classes to help with resume writing, interviewing skills, and general career guidance. Click here for more information.
• Explore other Employment Opportunities with the City of Phoenix.
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• If you require assistance at any stage of the application process due to an accessibility issue, please contact the Human Resources Department by phone at [phone] or by text at [phone]. You may also fill out and submit a Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.

REFERENCE

Senior Utility Operator*SCBA, JC:50341, ID#63294,10/19/2026, USM, RG, Benefits:002

Building the Phoenix of tomorrow.

City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.