Wastewater Treatment Operator

King County; Maple Valley (WA); On-site; Full time

Job description

This recruitment will be used to fill two (2) Career Service vacant positions and may be used to create a list of competitive candidates to fill possible future Wastewater Treatment Operator vacancies within the next 6 months.

King County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks – Solid Waste Division is seeking a Wastewater Treatment Operator who’s ready to make a meaningful difference. In this role, you’ll help protect our region’s environment by supporting the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of wastewater systems that keep our landfill sites running responsibly. Your work will contribute directly to environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance, and the reliability of essential infrastructure across the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill and other remote sites. If you’re motivated by work that truly matters and want to help safeguard our community’s natural resources, we would be excited for you to join our team!

About this Role

Working under the direction of the Wastewater Treatment Operator- SeniorIn Charge, this position plays a key role in the operation, maintenance, and repair of pumps, conveyance systems, and wastewater processes at the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill and other Solid Waste Division sites. The role includes monitoring water levels and pump performance, troubleshooting equipment, preparing daily control data sheets and reports, and responding to unusual or emergency situations. This is primarily outdoor work that requires proper preparation for all weather conditions, occasional overnight shifts, and support for Vactor Truck operations. You’ll perform hands-on tasks essential to keeping landfill wastewater systems operating safely, efficiently, and in compliance with environmental standards.

About the Team

The Operations Section of the Solid Waste Division runs a countywide transfer and disposal system that keeps waste moving efficiently from local transfer facilities to the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill, where a network of environmental controls manages the by-products of decomposition. It’s a dynamic, high-energy environment centered on teamwork, where skilled professionals in transportation, maintenance, landfill operations, landfill gas, and wastewater work together to deliver reliable, responsible service for the community. In this collaborative setting, you’ll be supported by a knowledgeable supervisor, communicate frequently, and apply your interpersonal skills while working both independently and as part of a team dedicated to operational excellence. To learn more about SWD visit https://kingcounty.gov/depts/dnrp/solid-waste.aspx.

Commitment to Equity, Racial, and Social Justice:

King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. In this position, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

What You Will be Doing:

• Performing control tests to determine if landfill conveyance systems are operating correctly and effectively, such as measuring water flow and leachate/contaminated storm water extraction efficiency.
• Operating, servicing, and maintaining a variety of equipment, including pumps, valves, motors, meters, computerized motor controls, and related equipment.
• Performing periodic testing of conveyance pump stations, pressure, temperature, water flow, and leachate levels at key locations.
• Inspecting landfill water conveyance equipment and facilities to locate and perform needed repairs.
• Preparing daily control data sheet and compiling other reports and inputting data into computer system.

Qualifications You Bring:

• Demonstrated experience working directly with landfill wastewater conveyance facilities and systems with one (1) year experience working on a landfill performing manual labor OR any equivalent combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the work.
• Experience operating pumps, computerized motors, motors, meters, valves, and related landfill wastewater conveyance equipment.
• Experience performing repairs on landfill wastewater conveyance systems related equipment.
• Troubleshooting skills for complex wastewater systems and processes and complex odor control systems.
• Skill in operating specialized equipment such as forklifts, Vactor trucks, portable pumps, cranes, generators, and safety equipment.
• Skill in the application of safety policies, procedures, and practices for working around landfill gas and untreated wastewater, confined-space entry, fall protection, hazard communication, recognition and control, hazardous energy control, emergency response.
• Demonstrated basic computer skills, including data entry and use of common software programs for reporting and recordkeeping (one year preferred).

Necessary Special Requirements:

• Washington State Driver's License or out of state equivalent
• Successful candidates will be required to complete professional reference checks and pass a physical examination.

Workplace Exposures:

This position involves work at active and closed municipal solid waste facilities, which may pose environmental, chemical, and physical hazards including, but not limited to, odor, noise, dust and traffic.

Competencies You Bring:

• Resourcefulness – Securing and deploying resources effectively and efficiently.
• Communicates effectively – Ability to adapt approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.
• Values Differences – Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
• Interpersonal savvy – Relates openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
• Situational Adaptability – Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.

It Would Be Great If You Also Bring:

• Ability to perform mathematical calculations associated with wastewater monitoring and testing
• Knowledge of basic electrical, mechanical, and plumbing trades
• Skill of basic hand and power tools and specialized equipment

Working Conditions:

• Work Location: Primary work location is Cedar Hills Regional Landfill located at 16645 228th Ave SE, Maple Valley, WA 98038 with various locations throughout King County, WA.
• Work Schedule: This position works a 40-hour workweek, is non-exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible. This position will likely work a 5/8 schedule Monday through Friday 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. or 4/10 schedule 6 a.m. - 4:30 a.m. In addition, this position may be assigned to be on stand-by on off-shift times and emergency call-out, and must be available for weekends, holidays and on call status which is optional. Solid Waste Division facilities are open seven days a week.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 302.
• Physical Environment: The incumbents perform field work at Cedar Hills Regional Landfill and associated facilities and must be able to walk long distances and may need to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. The candidate must have the ability to work in confined spaces, climb in and out of tanks using ladders, work inside/outside in heat/cold, wet/humid, inclement weather while on uneven slopes, surfaces, grades and terrain and other adverse conditions such as odor, high volume noise, dust, and heavy traffic. This is primarily an outdoor duty assignment; dressing properly for all weather conditions needs to be considered.

Application and Selection Process:

We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives, and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness, and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Susan Ng at [e-mail].

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.