Wastewater Treatment Operator/Senior Operator - South Plant D Crew

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

Job summary

King County Water and Land Resources Division -WA is seeking an Operator/Senior Operator for the South Plant D-Crew in Renton. You will operate, monitor, and maintain wastewater treatment processes to produce high-quality effluent while coordinating with supervisors and supporting safety and compliance.

The role offers on-call duties, leadership development, and opportunities to contribute to capital projects within the Wastewater Treatment Division.

Qualifications

• WA State Group 1 wastewater certification or equivalent converted to WA certification.
• Experience operating, monitoring, and maintaining wastewater plant processes.
• Knowledge of federal and WA state permits and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, and maintain wastewater treatment processes and equipment.
• Lead on-shift activities and coordinate with supervisors.
• Train and support other staff during routine and emergency tasks.
• Be on call after hours for incidents and equipment failures.

Skills

Lead capacity

On-call after hours

Team collaboration

Education

WA State Group 1 WWTP Operator certification

Tools

SCADA systems

Job description

Wastewater Treatment Operator/Senior Operator - South Plant D 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
2026-27911

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 South Treatment plant location within the Wastewater Treatment Division over the next 6 months.

Are you interested in advancing your career, being part of a team that is passionate about protecting the environment? If so, the role of Operator/Sr. Operator at South Plant WWTP is the position for you. As an Operator/Sr. Operator on D-Crew (South Plant) you will play a critical part in WTD’s efforts in protecting the water quality and public health in the central Puget Sound region. As an Operator/Sr. Operator, you will work closely with operation supervisors in the planning, scheduling, and operating of critical infrastructure that will produce high quality treatment to wastewater collected from local sewer agencies. In this role you will gain valuable leadership skills leading a crew and will gain knowledge and exposure to the design and construction processes used for capital projects within the division. The skills and knowledge you gain from this position will help prepare you for future opportunities within WTD.

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

Qualifications You Bring:

Wastewater Treatment Operator

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.