Wastewater Treatment Operator -Senior Operator in Charge SOIC Technical Trainer (SDA)

King County; Renton (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

King County is seeking a Wastewater Treatment Operator - Senior Operator in Charge Trainer to lead the South-Section Training Team and elevate technical competence for East Section Operators. You will drive training programs, develop materials, and coordinate vendor instruction while aligning with regulatory licensing requirements.

As a key unit lead, you will collaborate with Ecology, update SOPs, and mentor operators to reduce overflows and meet high KC standards.

Qualifications

• WA State Driver’s License valid.
• WA State Group III Wastewater Operator certification or equivalent.
• CPR and first aid certification within six months.
• 5 years plant experience.
• 3 years in a training position.
• 2 years as a Senior Operator.

Responsibilities

• Perform the full scope of training responsibilities for WTD Operation’s South-Section Training Team.
• Train WTD staff and develop their professional growth.
• Create and edit training material.
• Coordinate vendor training programs.
• Collaborate with Ecology on operator licensing requirements.
• Update SOPs and monitor training effectiveness.

Skills

Training delivery

Technical instruction

Vendor coordination

Safety policy

Team leadership

Communication

Data interpretation

Job description

This 3-year Special Duty opportunity is open to current Wastewater Treatment Division Operators, Local SEIU 925 Members.

This recruitment aims to fill a Special Duty Assignment position for up to three (3) years in duration.

This is a great opportunity to be an integral part of operator development by providing ongoing training and resources to increase the technical competence and professionalism of WTD Operators.

This Special Duty Assignment will be paid in accordance with the S.E.I.U. Wastewater Local 925 contract as a Technical Trainer and will be paid the equivalent of a Senior Operator in Charge.

Wastewater Treatment Operator - Senior Operator in Charge Trainer

This is a great opportunity to be an integral part of operator development by providing ongoing training and resources to increase the technical competence and professionalism of East Section Operators.

About the Role:

The Wastewater Senior Operator in Charge (SOIC) Trainer role will serve as a key leader of a team of operators committed to reducing overflows and treating wastewater to meet the high King County standards demanded by the regulatory agencies. This person will have a crucial role in expanding and improving the King County CSO and collections systems, implementing state of the art treatment processes. The mission of directly affects the quality of life for King County residents and protects our watershed. Such an important role demands strong leadership and great teams.

About the Team:

The Training unit supports the overall Wastewater Treatment Division mission to protect public health and the environment by collecting and treating wastewater while recovering valuable resources for a thriving Puget Sound region. The training team is committed to delivering King County services with integrity building trust with the county and community leadership. We are also committed to delivering exceptional service with equity and accountability. The SOIC will help build empowered teams, founded on strong communication, innovation and environmental stewardship.

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 - Senior Operator in Charge Trainer, 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:

• Perform the full scope of training responsibilities for WTD Operation’s multi-disciplinary South-Section Training Team.
• Training WTD Staff.
• Creating/editing training material.
• Coordinating Vendor training.
• Working with the Department of Ecology on Operator licensing & Professional Growth requirements.
• Updating SOPs.
• Monitoring, Instructing and documenting Training.

Qualifications You Bring:

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated skill managing written and/or computerized information systems including logs, reports, laboratory and process data, trouble reports and work requests.
• Skills in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships, with diverse individuals in varying occupations, including the public and co-workers.
• Operator experience at a level that supports providing and teaching technical expertise.
• Demonstrated ability in the application of Safety policies.
• Experience with interpreting and applying technical information from plant drawings, technical data sheets, operations and maintenance manuals and laboratory test results.
• Advanced troubleshooting skills for complex wastewater treatment systems and processes.

Physical Requirement:

• Ability to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays if temporarily assigned to shift or during an emergency
• Ability to work during adverse and inclement weather conditions.
• Ability to regularly 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.

Workplace Exposures:

• Outdoors environment during wet weather, confined space and maybe exposure to hazardous chemicals and noxious odors.
• Regularly exposure to chemicals, noise, confined space, respirator use, and viral contaminants.

Competencies you bring:

• Tech Savvy: Anticipating and adopting innovations in business- building digital and technology applications.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Builds Effective Teams: Building strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy and enthusiasm.
• Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Situational Adaptability: Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.

Required Licenses:

• Valid unencumbered Washington State Driver’s License.
• 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
• CPR and first aid certification or ability to one within the first six months

It Would be Great if You Also Bring:

• 5 years plant experience
• At least three years in a training position
• 2 years as a Senior operator

Working Conditions:

• Work Location: South Treatment Plant - 1200 Monster Rd SW, Renton, WA 98057. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
• Work Schedule: 4/10 or 5/8 work schedule. This position is overtime eligible. This position requires the ability to work all shift schedules and to report to work during adverse and inclement weather conditions and be on a rotating call list. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by SEIU Local 925.

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.