Wastewater Operator II

City of Boise; Idaho; On-site; USD 62,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension: PERSI lifetime

Paid time off: vacation/sick/holidays

Parental leave eligibility

Student loan forgiveness eligibility

Wellness incentives

Job summary

City of Boise is hiring Wastewater Operators II to join the water renewal team. You will operate, monitor, and maintain advanced wastewater treatment systems at Lander Street and West Boise facilities, with four 10-hour shifts per week.

Requirements include a high school diploma and 2 years of relevant experience, plus a valid driver's license and an ability to obtain an Idaho Class I or OIT license within six months. The role involves hazardous materials handling and safety-sensitive duties.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• License requirements and pursuit of class I/OIT license within six months are needed.
• Ability to obtain continuing education credits for license renewal.

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, and maintain advanced wastewater treatment systems.
• Review historic data to identify trends and optimize processes.
• Perform routine inspections and troubleshoot equipment failures.
• Collect and analyze process samples and regulate lab equipment.
• Maintain records to ensure regulatory compliance and safety.
• Respond to public inquiries and support facility operations.

Skills

English communication

Driving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate's or Bachelor's degree (preferred)

Job description

The City of Boise is hiring Wastewater Operators II to join our water renewal team. We're hiring for both our Lander Street and West Boise Water Renewal Facilities. In this role, you’ll operate, monitor, and maintain advanced wastewater treatment systems to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operations. The work is performed with some independence and supports other utility functions as needed. This position works four 10-hour shifts per week.

Required Knowledge, Experience, And Training

• High school diploma or equivalent and
• 2 years of relevant experience.

Licensing And Other Requirements

• Valid state-issued driver’s license.
• Ability to obtain a valid Idaho Wastewater Treatment Operator Class I or Operator in Training (OIT) license within six months of appointment.
• Ability to obtain and comply with annual continuing education requirements for license renewal.

Special Requirements

Applicants must be able to pass:

• City of Boise background check processes which includes a criminal history check and reference checks in accordance with the City of Boise Hiring Process Regulation
• Driving Record Check
• Drug Free Workplace: In accordance with the City of Boise Drug Free Workplace Regulation, this position is designated as safety sensitive and is subject to testing requirements including Post Offer Applicant Testing, Random Testing, Reasonable Suspicion, Post - Accident, etc. Applicants will be required to submit to screening for illegal drug use prior to hire. Appointment to this position is contingent upon a negative pre-employment drug test.

This position is required to handle hazardous materials that if mishandled, place the general public at risk of serious injury.

This is meaningful work that supports essential city services and comes with outstanding benefits.

Why Work Here?

• Zero-premium healthcare for you and your family

• Lifetime pension through PERSI

• Generous time off: 3 weeks' vacation, 96 hours sick, 12 holidays

• Paid parental leave, student loan forgiveness eligibility, wellness incentives, and more

If you’re looking for a stable, hands-on role where your skills make a difference, this could be it.

Disclaimer:

This job posting may close earlier than the listed closing date. If this occurs, a minimum of 24 hours’ notice will be provided prior to closing.

Applications received for this recruitment may be used to fill similar vacancies within the City of Boise as they occur.

Operates and adjusts complex industrial equipment and processes used in advanced wastewater treatment and nutrient recovery systems. Utilizes complex automated computer control systems to remotely monitor and adjust equipment and processes. Reviews historical data to identify trends and optimize processes.

Conducts routine inspections and troubleshoots equipment failures to identify maintenance needs. Initiates corrective work orders and coordinates with maintenance staff on repairs and maintenance procedures. Performs minor repairs of equipment as necessary. Keeps accurate records of maintenance activity to ensure regulatory compliance.

Collects and analyzes process and compliance samples utilizing established laboratory procedures. Records operational data and laboratory test results. Adjusts and calibrates automated sampling and laboratory test equipment. Isolates and de-energizes various hydraulic, pneumatic and electrified lines, pipes and pits. Monitors conditions for various hazardous atmospheres.

Monitors chemical deliveries and loading and unloading of products and supplies. Operates light, medium and heavy equipment to load and unload products and supplies and transport supplies within the facility site.

Attends and completes assigned training as required to ensure compliance with city policy, and state and federal regulations. Maintains professional licensing and certification. Conducts tours of facilities and responds to public inquiries. Maintains a safe, clean and orderly work environment and monitors site security.

Performs other duties as assigned. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.

Additional Required Knowledge, Experience, And Training

Knowledge of:

• hydraulic flows based on resistance pathways and the influence of head pressures or competing sources of pressure;
• electrical currents and capacitance storage;
• potential energy sources such as air-actuated valves and head pressures when isolating equipment for repairs;
• operation of heavy machinery;
• monitoring of gauges, dials, computer screens, automated alarm systems or other indicators;
• parameters in a supervisory control and data acquisition program (SCADA);
• calculation of organic and hydraulic loading of aeration basins, clarifiers and digesters, mathematical calculations and data interpretation; and
• computer usage, including related software.

Ability to:

• safely perform all routine operator functions, including work that may take place in confined spaces;
• conduct tests to ensure equipment, software or processes are operational;
• make minor repairs for basic mechanical and electrical problems and devise workarounds for mechanical issues and malfunctions of tools or equipment;
• prioritize schedule and work tasks and complete work within specified time periods and deadlines;
• communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance; and
• perform all essential functions as assigned by an authorized employee, supervisor and/or manager with or without reasonable accommodation.

Individuals must be capable of operating vehicles safely and have an acceptable driving record.

Preferred Knowledge, Experience, And Training

• Associate's or Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering, chemical or biological sciences, math or related field and
• previous experience operating or maintaining an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant.
• Experience with advanced computerized systems utilized in wastewater treatment facilities and experience in mechanical and electrical troubleshooting.
• Class II Wastewater Operator license.

The physical effort characteristics and working environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Efforts

While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds. Also, the employee is frequently pushing/pulling up to 50 pounds. The noise level is frequently moderate. Work includes sensory ability to talk, hear, smell and touch. Work in this position also includes close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception. Employees will sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, grasp, climb and balance. Position requires hand/finger dexterity.

Working Environment

The work environment will include inside conditions, outdoor weather conditions, extreme temperatures, in wet and humid conditions, areas of dust, odors, mist and gases or other airborne matter. Employees are exposed to mechanical and electrical hazards, work in/at heights and confined spaces. Employees will also drive a vehicle as part of this position. Work includes protected exposure to infectious bacteria, bodily fluids and chemicals. Employees work in industrial areas and are exposed to mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic and vehicle hazards. Employees work on stairs, in open tanks and near ditches and are subject to slip hazards caused from ice/snow in winter, wet floors, uneven and undeveloped work surfaces In case of emergencies, these employees will be secondary responders. Work may be performed/ assigned at any of the city’s public works utilities and may work at remote or isolated facilities a considerable distance from supporting resources.

This position works: Shift work, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Rotating on-call schedule