Wastewater Treatment Operator/Senior Operator - South Plant A Crew

King County Water and Land Resources Division -WA; Renton (WA); On-site; USD 86,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

King County's Wastewater Treatment Division seeks an Operator/Senior Operator for the South Plant to manage day-to-day operations, monitor and troubleshoot processes, and ensure environmental protection at a level 4 regional facility.

The role includes lead responsibilities, on-call duties after hours, and collaboration with a highly skilled O&M team undergoing ongoing capital improvements over the next decade in Renton, WA. 40 hours/week, full-time permanent position.

Qualifications

• Washington State Group I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification or equivalent.
• Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes and plant support systems.
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, nights, weekends and holidays.
• Strong leadership and training skills for on-site staff.

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, and maintain wastewater treatment processes and equipment.
• Lead and train wastewater operations staff and coordinate on-site responses.
• Respond to unusual or emergency situations and be on call after hours.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state permits and regulations.
• Plan and perform maintenance for assigned facilities.

Skills

Operate and monitor complex wastewater

Troubleshooting and problem-solving

Leadership and training

On-call after hours

Communication with diverse teams

Education

Washington State Group I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification

Valid Washington State Driver’s License

CPR and First Aid certification

Washington State Group III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification

Job description

Wastewater Treatment Operator/Senior Operator - South Plant A Crew

Salary
$85,712.02 - $108,644.85 Annually

Location
South Treatment Plant - 1200 Monster Road SW, Renton, WA

Job Type
Career Service (Exec)

Job Number
2026-27909

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

This is a transfer opportunity, and first consideration is given to qualified transfer-eligible employees in the same classification.

If no qualified transfer-eligible candidate is selected, external applicants will be considered.

This recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Wastewater Treatment Operator/Senior Operator Career Service vacancies at the South Treatment Plant within the Wastewater Treatment Division over the next 6 months.

About the Role:

As an Operator/Sr. Operator, you will help carry out and facilitate the day-to-day operational tasks at a level 4 regional wastewater treatment plant. Daily tasks of the shift crew include monitoring, troubleshooting, and controlling wastewater equipment to help prevent the spread of contagious diseases and protect the environment.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

The responsibility of this classification includes operating, monitoring, and maintaining wastewater treatment and odor control equipment, systems and processes in wastewater (primary and secondary) treatment facility and/or the collection and conveyance systems. Responsibilities may also include coordinating, training, and providing technical expertise to other wastewater treatment operations staff and coordinating on-site responses to unusual occurrences and emergencies.

Wastewater Treatment Senior Operator The responsibilities of this classification include serving in a lead capacity in a work group responsible for operating, monitoring, troubleshooting, and maintaining equipment, systems, and processes in wastewater facilities. Responsibilities include coordinating, training, and providing technical expertise to other wastewater treatment operations staff and coordinating on-site responses to unusual occurrences and emergencies and may fill in for the Wastewater Treatment Supervisor.

About the Team:

The South Plant operations team is a highly collaborative team that prides itself on communications, dedicated staff, and solution-minded work. The O&M facilities are currently undergoing major capital improvements expected to continue over the next 10 years. The candidate will be a part of a flexible and dynamic team responsible for providing expertise and support to maintain continuous effective wastewater operations. King County's wastewater operations staff provides the expertise and dedication required to operate and maintain wastewater treatment and collection facilities to ensure protection of the environment and the health of all King County communities.

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:

Wastewater Treatment Operator

• 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

• 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

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

Work Location: South Treatment Plant - 1200 Monster Rd SW, Renton, WA 98057
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.