Wastewater Treatment Operator - CA Grade 2 or 3

Woodard & Curran Inc.; Victorville (CA); On-site; USD 55,104 - 61,992; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-call stipend

Sign-on bonus

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Woodard & Curran Inc. is hiring a Wastewater Treatment Operator (Grade 2/3) for our Victorville, California project. The role involves operating and maintaining a wastewater treatment facility, with a focus on compliance, safety, and efficiency. Training for Grade 3 is available if not yet obtained.

Four 10-hour shifts (6am–4pm, Sun-Wed) with on-call standby, weekend rotations, and a $2,500 sign-on bonus. Earn $40–$45 per hour depending on licensure and experience.

Qualifications

• California Wastewater Operator certification required or eligible for Grade 2 training
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in water/wastewater operation preferred
• Proficiency with SCADA, Word, Excel and maintenance management software
• Valid CA Class C Driver’s License required
• Ability to lift 40 pounds on a regular basis
• Pre-employment background check, drug screen and physical required

Responsibilities

• Operate valves, pumps and automated controls to regulate wastewater flow
• Monitor influent and effluent flows and perform process control changes
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on plant equipment
• Assist with basic laboratory testing and sample collection
• Maintain accurate records and perform monthly inspections
• Provide direction and training to less experienced staff
• Participate in emergency response and drills
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

SCADA

MS Word

Excel

Maintenance systems

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Tools

CA SWRCB Grade 3 Certification

Job description

Woodard & Curran is a national engineering, science and operations firm with a simple vision for clean water, a safe environment, healthy communities and happy people. As an employee-owned company, we strive to cultivate teams that encourage collaboration in an inclusive culture. We seek talented individuals from all backgrounds to help us address a broad range of water and environmental issues. We prioritize our people, offering opportunities for professional growth, ownership and flexibility. This commitment enables us to make a meaningful impact on our clients, communities and the planet.

Woodard & Curran draws on the experience of hundreds of certified operators across the country, backed by the knowledge and skills of hundreds more engineers, scientists, and regulatory experts, to quickly tackle the most challenging operational issues and keep treatment plants running efficiently and in full compliance. Woodard & Curran also aids employees in earning, upgrading, and keeping their certifications within the industry.

We have an immediate opening for a minimum of a Grade 2 or 3 Wastewater Treatment Operator in Victorville, California. This position is based at a state-of-the-art project combining both industrial and sanitary wastewater treatment for the Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA) facility. The diversity of this project presents unique and on-going opportunities for learning, development, and growth. If you enjoy working outdoors protecting nature’s precious resource, water, then this position is for you! Woodard & Curran is dedicated to our employee’s growth and development and wants to help you on your career path.

THIS FACILITY REQUIRES A GRADE 3 STATE OF CALIFORNIA WASTEWATER TREATMENT LICENSE IN ORDER TO OPERATE INDEPENDENTALLY, HOWEVER, WE ARE OPEN TO TRAINING A GRADE 2 CALIFORNIA WASTEWATER OPERATOR TO HELP THEM OBTAIN THEIR GRADE 3.

In this role, you will work under the direct or general supervision of the Lead Operator and Plant Manager. The applicant will learn and perform a variety of operational duties to control the processing of wastewater and effluent. Regulating influent and effluent flows within the system; monitoring the operation of a variety of wastewater treatment plant equipment, assisting with basic laboratory testing, sample collection and performing other related duties, as assigned. You will also perform preventative/corrective maintenance in support of the wastewater treatment plant.

SCHEDULE: Four, 10hr. shifts (6am to 4pm/Sun-Wed) after onboarding and training. Required to work rotating standby/on call, including weekends. A $200 stipend will be provided for on-call time. This position is eligible for a $2,500.00 sign-on bonus.

What you will be doing at Woodard & Curran

• Minimum Grade 2 or 3 State of California Wastewater Treatment License.
• Ensure permit compliance with environmental and public health & safety standards. This includes monitoring plant conditions and executing process control changes, as needed, to optimize treatment efficiency.
• Operate valves, pumps, and automated controls to regulate the flow of wastewater throughout the treatment plant.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on a variety of treatment plant equipment, such as electric motors, electric powered pumps, air compressors, emergency systems, pressure and flow regulators, analyzers, chemical feed systems, and aeration blowers. MBR & UV disinfection systems experience is a plus.
• Monitor, observe, and interpret operating conditions and performance and initiate corrective action.
• Review and analyze automated information and control system data.
• Perform laboratory and process tests and interpret results to optimize plant performance and makes appropriate process control changes.
• Maintain accurate records, including calculating flow rates and the daily use of chemicals, gauge and meter readings, and completing required monthly inspections.
• Use a variety of hand and power tools and laboratory testing equipment.
• Perform a variety of custodial and housekeeping duties.
• Provide direction and training to less experienced staff related to plant operations.
• Participate in emergency response.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What you will need to succeed

• A self-motivated, positive, can-do attitude!
• Possess and maintain, as a minimum, a valid California Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator’s Certification (grade 3 or higher) by the California SWRCB.
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in the operation and maintenance of a water or wastewater treatment facility is desired.
• Proficiency with computers and mobile devices, including an ability to work with: SCADA, Microsoft Word, Excel, Maintenance Management Programs, and other site‑specific systems.
• High School Diploma or Equivalent.
• Applicant must possess a valid CA Class C Driver’s License.
• Ability to lift 40 pounds on a regular basis.
• Successful candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment background check, drug screen, and physical upon accepting an offer.

$40 - $45 an hour

Depending on experience and licensure.

Mutual Dispute Resolution (MDR)

As part of our commitment to a fair and respectful workplace, Woodard & Curran uses a Mutual Dispute Resolution (MDR) to help resolve most employment-related concerns efficiently and consistently.

What this means:

• MDR applies to both you and the Company
• Most workplace-related disputes are resolved through binding arbitration, rather than court proceedings
• Certain exceptions are outlined in the full agreement

If you are offered a position with Woodard & Curran, you will be asked to review and sign the MDR as part of your offer packet.

Employee Support & Benefits

Retirement Savings:

• 401(k) Pre-tax or Roth Contributions: The company matches 100% of the first 3% of salary contributed

Time away from work:

• Observed holidays: Choose up to 8 holidays to observe annually
• Vacation: Accrued based on years of experience and calculated on hours worked
• Sick time: Paid sick time for non-work-related illness or injury.
• Parental leave: Up to 80 hours of Paid Parental Leave for child bonding

Coverage and support for your needs and well-being:

• Disability: Paid short- and long-term disability
• Health: Medical plan options; plus dental and vision plans.
• Life: Basic employee group life insurance and AD&D benefits; additional voluntary life insurance for employees and families is available through Sun Life.
• Wellbeing: DarioMind assistance program combined with personalized mental health and wellbeing resources.

Workplace Information

E-Verify Participation

Woodard & Curran participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify program to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. As part of this process, we display the required Notice of E-Verify Participation and Right to Work posters.

Equal Employment Opportunity & Accessibility

Woodard & Curran is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to non-discrimination and make employment decisions based on job-related factors. Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact Beth Sweitzer.

Inclusion & Belonging

We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and believe diverse perspectives strengthen our ability to serve clients and communities.

As an employee‑owned company, we are committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment where employees can grow, contribute fully, and deliver meaningful impact.

Recruitment Agency Policy

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. Submissions without a signed agreement in place will be considered unsolicited and not eligible for referral fees.

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