Wastewater Operator I/II

City of Ceres; Ceres (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Ceres is seeking a Wastewater Operator I/II to join the Utilities team in maintaining the city’s sewer system and wastewater treatment facility. The role covers a range of tasks from operating plant equipment to basic lab testing and emergency response.

Operators are expected to follow procedures, work under supervision (Operator I) or with limited supervision (Operator II), and obtain required licenses within specified timelines.

Qualifications

• Education: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
• Experience: Wastewater Operator I requires no experience; Operator II requires two years in a similar role.

Responsibilities

• Operate and adjust controls on wastewater treatment plant equipment (valves, pumps, motors).
• Read meters and gauges; regulate plant effluent and monitor lift stations.
• Repair, grease, clean, and inspect plant equipment; perform minor repairs as needed.
• Respond to emergencies; clear stoppages using sewer cleaning equipment.
• Collect samples and perform basic lab tests for process control.
• Enter and work in confined spaces; follow safety precautions and city policies.

Job description

Wastewater Operator I/II - August 2026 (20771188)

The City of Ceres is located in the Central San Joaquin Valley, 80 miles south of Sacramento and 95 miles east of San Francisco, in the heart of Stanislaus County. Ceres is in one of the Central Valley’s richest and most diverse agricultural areas and is the home of the new $14 million County Agriculture Center. Even the name "Ceres" originates from the Roman goddess of agriculture. The City enjoys a comfortable climate, with 12 inches of rainfall annually. The average low winter temperature is 38 degrees Fahrenheit, the average high temperature in spring and fall is 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average high in the Summer is 90 degrees. The Tuolumne River forms part of the northern boundary. Ceres is a growing community with a heartfelt commitment to retaining its small neighborhood personality. Businesses, organizations, and nonprofit community service groups band together for a number of activities throughout the year. Events such as the annual Downtown Street Fair in May, summertime concerts in the park, Halloween Fun Festival, and the Christmas Tree Lane opening are well attended by the community. City government: City Manager’s Office/Administration (City Clerk, City Attorney, Economic Development), Finance, Human Resources/Risk Management, Public Safety (Police, Fire), Engineering, Community Development (Planning, Building/Permits), Recreation, Public Works, Water, and Wastewater Utilities.

WE WILL NOT ACCEPT RESUMES IN LIEU OF APPLICATION WORK HISTORY

Incomplete or late applications will NOT be accepted.

You must enter all relevant work history in to this application system, resumes will NOT be considered in lieu of the required employment application information.

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under immediate supervision (Wastewater Operator I) or general supervision (Wastewater Operator II), performs a variety of skilled and semi-skilled tasks in the maintenance and operation of the City's sanitary sewer system and wastewater treatment plant.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Wastewater Operator I - This is the entry level class in the Wastewater Operator series. This class is distinguished from the Wastewater Operator II by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters related to established procedures and guidelines as are positions allocated to the II level. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience. Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Wastewater Operator II - This is the full journey level class within the Wastewater Operator series. This class is distinguished from the Wastewater Operator I by the assignment of the full range of duties assigned. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and they are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the I level.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1. Operate and adjust controls on treatment plant equipment and machinery, such as valves, pumps and motors.

2. Grease and clean plant equipment; read and interpret meters and gauges; regulate plant effluent.

3. Monitor, repair, and maintain wastewater system lift stations; remove debris; disassemble and clean pumps; perform minor repairs when necessary.

4. Respond to emergency calls as needed; locate problems and operate sewer cleaning equipment to clear stoppages.

5. Collect samples and perform various lab tests.

6. Inspect and make repairs to plant equipment.

7. Perform general plant maintenance work such as sweeping, cleaning, sanding and painting of equipment and facilities.

9. Perform general grounds maintenance work.

10. Rod sanitary sewers; install and repair sanitary sewer laterals and trunk lines.

11. Enter and work in permitted confined spaces and underground trenches.

12. Locate, mark and notify sewer lines per USA (underground service alert) requirements.

13. Observe and enforce safety precautions.

14. May temporarily be assigned to work with other City departments as needed.

15. Operate trucks, tractors and other motorized equipment of comparable size and complexity.

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of: Basic principles and practices of mechanical, electrical and hydraulic system. Occupational hazards and standard safety practices. Motor vehicle, generators, pumps, gauges, common hand and power tools, shovels, wrenches, detection devices, mobile radio, phone, calculator, and a variety of lab equipment. Operation and routine maintenance of wastewater treatment equipment and sanitary sewers. Wastewater sampling and routine process control tests. Mechanical, electrical and hydraulic principles related to the operation of wastewater treatment equipment.

Ability to: Perform wastewater treatment plant and sewer system maintenance duties. Operate trucks, tractors, and related equipment efficiently and safely. Understand and follow oral and written instructions. Recognize inefficient, unusual or dangerous operating conditions. Work independently in the absence of supervision. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Wastewater Operator I

Education/Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Experience: No experience is required. Municipal utility maintenance experience is desirable.

License or Certificate: Possession of a valid Class B driver’s license within one year of employment. Ability to obtain a Grade I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certificate from the California State Water Resources Control Board within 24 months of employment

Wastewater Operator II

Education/Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Experience: Two years experience performing duties at a level comparable to a Wastewater Operator I with the City of Ceres while in possession of a Grade I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certificate.

License or Certificate: Possession of a valid Class B driver’s license. Possession of a Grade I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certificate from the California State Water Resources Control Board.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Work is performed in an indoor plant and an outdoor field environment; travel from site to site; exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, noxious odors, gases, mechanical and electrical hazards, and all types of weather and temperature conditions; work in or around water; exposure to hazardous traffic conditions; work and/or walk on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain; work at heights; incumbents may be required to respond to emergency and public calls after hours including evenings and weekends.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a field environment; to walk, stand, and sit for prolonged periods of time; to frequently stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, reach, twist, grasp, and make repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties; to climb unusual heights on ladders; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull moderate to heavy amounts of weight; to operate assigned equipment and vehicles; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction

Desirable Qualifications:

Possession of wastewater certificated recognized by the CA State Water Resources Control Board

Verifiable wastewater coursework

Possession of a valid class C driver’s license

Municipal utility maintenance experience

Plumbing and/or sewer systems experience

Underground utility knowledge/experience

Direct construction and/or heavy equipment experience

Health: The City contributes toward the combined monthly premiums for medical, dental and vision a maximum of $810, $1,600or $2,250, dependent on level of medical coverage enrollment. One of the monthly plan premium options are currently atno cost to the employee only coverage! Any employee contributions to health premiums are taken as pre-tax deductions. Employees eligible to waive medical coverage receive $200 per month in additional taxable compensation. Carriers include: Two Sutter Health HMO's, Sutter Health HDHP HMO, Two Kaiser HMO's; DeltaDental and VSP Vision.

Retirement/Pension: The City offers a generous defined benefit plan pension (membership required) in the Stanislaus County Employees’ Retirement Association (StanCERA), as governed by County Employees’ Retirement Law of 1937 and Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA). “Classic members” (within the last six (6) months a member of StanCERAorareciprocal retirement plan, e.g. CalPERS) are enrolled in the City’s 2% @ 55 plan; final compensation at retirement is based on the single highest year. Non-classic or“new members”are enrolled in the 2% @ 62 plan, and employees are required to pay 100% of the normal contribution rate as prescribed by PEPRA, currently 9.57%, on a pre-tax basis; final compensation at retirement is based on the average of the three highest years.

Other Benefits:See the Memorandum of Understanding for your group - MOU

Voluntary Benefits & Leave: Employee Assistance Program, voluntary options for Deferred Compensation (457), Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Voluntary Life and AD&D coverage, 96 hours of sick leave accrued each year with unlimited accrual; vacation accrual based on years of service with maximum accrual of 480 hours and 14paid holidays (including one personal day) each year.

The City also participates in Social Security, which has a mandatory 7.65% contribution for Social Security and Medicare.

Special Instructions

RECRUITMENT OPEN UNTIL FILLED OR 100 APPLICANTS (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST)

SELECTION PROCESS

Those applicants whose strengths and qualifications most closely match the needs of the position will be invited to an interview and/or written exam. Applicants with a passing score from this phase will be established on a hiring eligibility list which will be valid for six months from the date of certification. Failure of one portion of the assessment process may be disqualifying from certification.

The top three candidates from the eligibility list will be forwarded to the Department for a selection interview.

HIRING PROCESS

Offers of employment may be subject to successful completion of a pre-employment background check, fingerprint clearance, and a physical examination, including a drug test. An additional condition of employment includes employment verification and authorization to work in the United States, by completing the I-9 verification form designated by Immigration and Naturalization Services.

ACCOMMODATIONS The City of Ceres will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are applicants or employees. If you need an accommodation, you must notify the Human Resources Department in writing prior to the final filing date for this recruitment.

PLEASE NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract or offer of employment expressed or implied.