Wastewater Operator in Training
City of Oxnard
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
The City of Oxnard is seeking a Wastewater Operator in Training to join the Wastewater Division. You will work with Operations, Maintenance, Collections and Laboratory staff under supervision to gain entry‑level experience in plant operations and testing.
The role offers $29.00 per hour during training, with advancement to Operator I at $35.00 per hour after passing the Grade I certification. Benefits per IUOE MOUs apply; regular, supervised shifts with full-time hours.
Qualifications
- Requires ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
- Desirable coursework in math, science, or wastewater.
- Must obtain Grade I Wastewater Operator certification within 12 months of hire.
Responsibilities
- Learn to monitor plant and field processes, alarms, gauges, and meters for process control.
- Learn to keep operation logs and records, including meter readings.
- Learn to collect samples and perform routine tests and prepare samples for central laboratory analyses.
- Perform general plant, building, and grounds preventative maintenance with supervision.
Skills
Education
Job description
This employment opportunity is open to all qualified candidates. Only the first 100 qualified applicants will be considered for this employment opportunity. The advertised salary is for this position only.
is seeking a Wastewater Operator in Training to work with team members within the Operations group as well as the Maintenance, Collections, and Laboratory staff. Under general supervision, the Wastewater Operator-in-Training performs various entry-level work characterized by a routine and often repetitive nature. Work is closely supervised, and changes or deviations are explained in detail.
- Wastewater Operator in Training: $29.00 hourly
- Wastewater Operator I: $35.00 hourly
Eligible for advancement to Wastewater Operator I upon successfully passing the Grade I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification exam.
- Learn to monitor plant and field processes, including solids processing; monitor computer alarm instruments, gauges, and meters for process control.
- Learn to keep operation logs and records, including meter and gauge readings.
- Learn to collect samples and perform routine biological and chemical tests/analyses, record sampling and test results, and prepare samples for testing in the central laboratory as needed.
- Perform general plant, building, and grounds preventative maintenance throughout the facility.
- Educational Incentive: The City offers an educational incentive award program for all employees, except classifications requiring a Bachelor’s Degree, that complete 30 work-related college semester units above the minimum education requirements for the position. The educational incentive is a 2.5 % increase in base wages.
- Tuition Reimbursement: Full-time employees receive reimbursement of educational expenses including the costs of tuition, registration fees, laboratory fees, and books at a rate of 50 % for work related coursework. The maximum benefit is $500.00 per fiscal year.
- Certification Pay: The City will pay one hundred dollars ($100) per pay period differential to employees who receive a Treatment Certificate T3, T4, TS, a Distribution Operator Certificate, D3, D4, D5, or a Wastewater Operator Certificate Grade III, IV, V, or a Collections Systems Maintenance Certification Grade III that is at least one (1) level above the minimum requirement of the classification they are occupying. When an employee promotes into the next classification, the differential will be considered a component of base salary when computing the promotional pay rate. If an employee promotes and possesses a certification more than one (1) level above that required for their classification prior to promotion, the differential will not be computed into base salary. Once promoted, the employee will continue to be eligible for the certification pay pursuant to this section.
Plant Operator Trainee
This classification is distinguished from the Plant Operator in that it functions in a training capacity prior to obtaining a Grade I Operator certification and performs minor, preventative equipment maintenance tasks.
Receives close supervision and specific direction regarding assignments and deadlines.
The Oxnard Wastewater Treatment Plant is staffed 24/7, 365 days per year, including weekends and holidays. The Operations group works a 5/40 schedule. Individuals may be assigned to any of the following shifts: Day 7:30 am to 3:30 pm; Swing 3:30 pm to 11:30 pm; or Grave 11:30 pm to 7:30 am. Days off may not necessarily fall on a traditional weekend, Saturday/Sunday. Depending on the work assignment, staff may be assigned to a shift that is outside the standard work hours. In addition, this position may be required to be available to work additional hours in response to peaks in workloads and changes in department needs. Employees may be required to work rotational stand‑by assignments outside of normal working hours and report to work on a callback basis, as needed, within a designated response time. Standby assignments are at the discretion of the Division Head.
- Performs routine tasks related to plant operations and works in a training capacity to gain skills required; learns to operate and perform minor preventative maintenance and lubrication of wastewater treatment plant equipment which may include: electric motors, filters, engines, commuting devices and other related equipment and processes.
- Receives training in the collection of samples and basic laboratory testing for process control procedures; receives training in the changing of chlorine cylinders.
- Learns to maintain operation logs and records, including obtaining and documenting meter and gauge readings.
- Performs general plant, building and ground preventative maintenance and cleaning; performs housekeeping duties and receives training in the cleaning of clarifiers, aeration basins and wet wells.
- Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.
The following are the minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the classification.
- High School Diploma or GED
- Desirable: A three-unit college semester course in math, science, or Wastewater.
- NOTE: The California State Water Resources Control Board requires OIT candidates to meet certain education requirements. For more information, please click the following link: OIT Certification Program
- One (1) year of maintenance experience, preferably in an industrial/manufacturing environment
- Desirable: Experience in the operation and maintenance of pumps, motors, and engines typically used in wastewater treatment.
- Valid California Class C Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record
- Obtain a valid California State Water Resources Control Board Grade I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate within 12 months of hire
- Must be able to effectively communicate in English, both orally and in writing.
Positions in this classification are represented by the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE).
For most positions, the City of Oxnard relies on office automation (Microsoft Office/Google) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all positions.
Employees are required to participate in the City's direct deposit plan and are paid on a bi-weekly basis.
This position requires a 12 month probationary period.
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100, all public employees are required to serve as disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them.
If a candidate accepts a conditional job offer with the City of Oxnard, any and all pending applications for active recruitments with the City of Oxnard will be withdrawn and no longer considered.
This position is governed by the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime pay.
The City of Oxnard is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all qualified applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition, disability or sexual orientation.
The City of Oxnard makes reasonable accommodation for individuals/people with disabilities. If you believe you require special arrangements to participate in the testing process, you must inform the Human Resources Department in writing no later than the filing date. Applicants who request such accommodation must document their request with an explanation of the type and extent of accommodation required.
On the first day of employment, new employees must provide proof of citizenship or documentation of legal right to work in the United States in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, as amended. The City participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, please contact DHS. 888-897-7781 dhs.gov/e-verify
New members (as defined by PEPRA), 2% @ 62; "Classic" members 2% @ 55. The employee will be required to pay a portion of their annual earnings toward their retirement. The City of Oxnard does not participate in social security.
Full time employees accrue vacation time at a rate of 4.39 - 8.08 hours per pay period based on years of service.
Full time employees accrue sick time at a rate of 3.70 hours per pay period.
A regular full time employee may receive bilingual pay at the rate of $50.00-$125.00 bi-weekly depending on the level the employee is required to provide bilingual services as determined by the City Manager or designee.
For positions that do not require a Bachelor's Degree, the City offers an educational incentive award of 2.5% for employees that complete 30 work-related college semester units above the minimum education requirements for the position.
Employees can choose from a variety of medical plans provided by the City. The City's contribution to medical coverage is outlined below:
Level One - For employees hired before January 1, 2023, the City contributes $1,543.00 per month toward medical insurance premiums and an additional $74.21 per month toward dental insurance premiums. Employees will receive cash back if the medical plan they choose is less than the City’s monthly contribution of $1,543.00 per month. Employees who waive medical insurance will receive cash back in the amount $1,243.00 per month provided they provide proof of other qualifying coverage. Any unused dental premium monies are paid to the employee. If employees hired prior to January 1, 2023 make any changes to their health plan, they will be placed in level two.
Level Two - For employees hired on or after January 1, 2023, the City will contribute $2,054.00 towards medical insurance premiums with no cash back. Employees who waive medical insurance will receive $500.00 per month cash back provided they show proof of other qualifying coverage. The City will provide $66.80 per month towards dental insurance.
City employees receive Basic Life Coverage and have the option to purchase additional insurance.
The City contributes 1% to a deferred compensation program.
Full-time employees receive reimbursement of educational expenses including the costs of tuition, registration fees, laboratory fees, and books at a rate of 50 % for work related coursework up to a maximum of $500 per fiscal year.
The City observes 12 holidays per year.
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Raul Almanza at raul.almanza@oxnard.org.
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