Wastewater Treatment Operator/Senior Operator - Brightwater

King County Water and Land Resources Division -WA; Woodinville (WA); On-site; USD 57,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

King County's Brightwater Treatment Plant is seeking a Wastewater Treatment Operator/Senior Operator to join the 24/7 team. The role covers operating, monitoring, and maintaining biological, chemical, mechanical, and hydraulic processes, with emphasis on safety and regulatory compliance.

The Senior Operator will lead and mentor other staff, plan maintenance, and serve as a technical resource during alarms or emergencies.

Qualifications

• Washington State Group I Wastewater Certification or equivalent converted to Washington certification.
• Current valid Driver's License.
• Thorough knowledge of wastewater treatment processes and permits.
• Ability to lead, mentor and train staff on facility operations.
• Experience with on-call and rotating shift schedules.

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, and maintain biological, chemical, mechanical, and hydraulic processes.
• Troubleshoot equipment and control systems; respond to alarms and emergencies.
• Provide on-the-job training and lead other staff in safe practices.
• Plan maintenance and coordinate with supervisors and teams.

Skills

Wastewater knowledge

Troubleshooting

Operations leadership

On-call readiness

Education

Washington State Certification: Group I

Driver's License

Tools

SCADA/Control systems

Job description

Wastewater Treatment Operator/Senior Operator - Brightwater

Salary: $41.21 - $57.43 Hourly

Location: Brightwater Treatment Plant - 22505 State Route 9 SE, Woodinville, WA

Job Type: Career Service (Exec)

Job Number: 2026-27711

Department: DNRP-Natural Resources & Parks

Division: Wastewater Treatment

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit: A2 : SEIU L925-Wastewater

Full- or Part-Time: Full Time

Hours/Week: 40 hours/week

Summary: This is a competitive posting, and the position is open to all qualified candidates.

This recruitment will hire for (1) position. In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Wastewater Treatment Operators for the Brightwater Treatment plant location within the Wastewater Treatment Division over the next 6 months.

King County protects water quality and public health in the central Puget Sound region by providing high quality and effective treatment to wastewater collected from our local sewer agencies. King County's wastewater operators not only help prevent the spread of many contagious diseases but help the environment and the communities they reside.

About the Role

The candidate will be a part of a flexible and dynamic team responsible for operating and maintaining the Brightwater treatment plant and recycled water system. They will be providing expertise and support to maintain continuous effective wastewater operations. The candidate will aid other plant staff, other King County staff, contractors and consultants as needed or required. A successful candidate will maintain and strive toward intra-team. and cross-team support and cooperation daily

The candidate will develop a high level of knowledge in the membrane processes, solids streams, dewatering, digestion, and odor control specific to Brightwater.

About the Team

The wastewater treatment division carries out essential work that protects the environment and all members of the public. We are comprised of a group of professionals that strive to deliver outstanding services through a collaborative effort both at our treatment plants and offsite collection facilities. The Operations Team are a critical component within the wastewater treatment division, helping to fulfill the county’s mission to protect the region’s water, air, land, and natural habitats.

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. As a Wastewater Treatment Operator, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

Job Duties

What You Will Be Doing

• Operate, monitor, and maintain biological, chemical, mechanical, and hydraulic processes at wastewater treatment plants, collection system pump and regulator stations and associated facilities
• Operate, monitor, and control wastewater equipment and systems with complex computer systems
• Optimize wastewater plant performance by sampling, testing analyzing wastewater and recommending changes to process which meet federal, and Washington State permits and regulations
• Perform maintenance on offsite facilities and associated structures, including buildings equipment, and grounds. Duties include cleaning, servicing operating equipment, and performing housekeeping tasks
• Operate, monitor, troubleshoot and maintain systems and processes in pump stations and Stormwater facilities
• Train others in site-specific areas or through on-the-job training
• Provide troubleshooting, problem-solving, coordination and decision-making when performing duties, and be able to respond to unusual and/or emergency situations. Be on call after hours for such situations

Wastewater Treatment Senior Operator

Performs the duties and responsibilities of a Wastewater Treatment Operator and the following:

• Serve in a lead capacity to operate, monitor, troubleshoot, and maintain wastewater treatment facilities, odor control equipment, biological, chemical, mechanical and hydraulic processes. Provide advanced level troubleshooting, problem-solving, coordination and decision-making when performing duties, particularly in on-site, unusual and/or emergency situations. Be on call after hours for such situations. Recommend and/or determine changes to wastewater process to meet federal and Washington State permits and regulations and to optimize plant performance. Provide broad, in-depth on-the-job training to other wastewater operations staff. Assist the supervisor in performance feedback and evaluation of staff.
• Plan, schedule, coordinate and perform maintenance for assigned wastewater facilities, systems and processes. Coordinate and perform on-site response to unusual occurrences and emergencies.
• Serve as technical resource to the other staff, the general public and external agencies.
• Operate, monitor and control wastewater equipment and systems with complex computer systems.
• Assume the full operational responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor in the absence of the Wastewater Treatment Supervisor.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring

• Washington State Group 1 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification from the Washington State Department of Ecology or out-of-state equivalency which must be converted to a Washington certification
• Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, including preliminary, primary, secondary, digestion, gas handling systems, sludge handling and plant-wide air, water, electrical and hydraulic support systems
• Knowledge of collection systems, including pump stations, regulator stations and miscellaneous structures, and of disinfecting methods
• Knowledge of wastewater terminology and process control
• Knowledge of and skill in applying sampling, testing and laboratory procedures
• Skill in the interpretation and application of technical information from plant drawings, operations and maintenance manuals and lab tests
• Skill in manually starting and stopping equipment, systems, and processes
• Skill in establishing and maintaining work relationships with diverse occupational groups

Wastewater Treatment Senior Operator (all the above plus)

• Advanced knowledge and skill in plant-wide gas, disinfection and chemical feed systems, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, odor control, electrical, water, air and hydraulic systems
• Advanced knowledge and skill in major components, causes for alarms, remote monitoring and control system for the equipment and systems in the preliminary, primary and secondary solids handling, odor control and collection /conveyance systems
• Skill in providing in-depth training to staff on facility equipment and systems
• Knowledge and skills in operating complex computer control systems and in managing written and/or computerized information systems including logs, reports, laboratory and process data, work requests and timekeeping responsibilities.
• Knowledge of leadership techniques and principles.
• Skill in creating a positive, professional team environment, including the business planning process, the establishment of standards and feedback, communication, conflict resolution, effective team meetings, problem-solving, decision-making and facilitation
• Advanced skill in the application of safety policies, procedures and practices
• Skill in interpreting and applying technical information from plant drawings, technical data sheets, operations and maintenance manuals and laboratory test results
• Skill in operating specialized portable and stationary equipment such as boom trucks, forklifts, generator trucks, steam cleaners, mobile pumping units and overhead cranes
• Ability to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays and demonstrate predictable, reliable and timely attendance
• Ability to work during adverse and inclement weather conditions
• Ability to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds
• Ability to work in confined spaces, climb in and out of tanks using ladders, and work around noxious odors, heat and high noise levels
• Ability to effectively engage in and sustain relationships with people from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds
• Ability to work independently and as a team member
• Demonstrated proficiency with business applications, such as Microsoft Office suite

Competencies You Bring

• Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Self-Development: Actively seeking new ways to grow and be challenged using both formal and informal development channels.

Required Licenses for a Wastewater Treatment Operator

• Washington State Group I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification from the Washington State Department of Ecology or out-of-state equivalency which must be converted to a Washington certification
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License.

Licensing, Certification and Other Requirements (Senior Operator)

• Washington State Group III, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification from the Washington State Department of Ecology or out-of-state equivalency which must be converted to a Washington certification within one year of employment
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License
• CPR and First Aid certification

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions

• Work Location: Brightwater Treatment Plant - 22505 WA-9, Woodinville, WA 98072
• Work Schedule: This is a full-time position, you must be available to work, nights, weekends and holidays. This position works a rotating shift schedule. The treatment plants are operated 24/7. Applicants must be available to work any and all assigned shift schedules.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by S.E.I.U. 925 (Wastewater Treatment Division).
• Physical Requirement: Incumbents perform field work at a wastewater treatment plant and associated facilities and are required to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, use ladders, and there is exposure to hazardous chemicals and noxious odors. A pre-employment physical, review of driving record and reference checks will be conducted prior to any final job offer.