Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator 3

City of Salem; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 59,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid vacation and sick time

Employer-paid PERS contribution

Health care and dependent care FSAs

Long-term care option

Wellness program

Employee assistance program

Job summary

The City of Salem is seeking a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator 3 to lead operations at Willow Lake and support the River Road Peak facility on a rotating schedule. You will supervise a team, monitor gauges, diagnose equipment issues, perform calculations, and maintain records per certification and safety protocols.

You’ll work day, swing, or night shifts, weekends, and holidays as scheduled, with a strong focus on teamwork, process control, and public health.

Job description

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator 3### Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator 3Apply: Full time: Posted 3 Days Ago: End Date: November 16, 2026 (17 days left to apply): JR260117**Original Job Posting Date:**2026-10-26Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator 3Salary Range: $42.93 - $50.23**Make an impact:**Willow Lake is the primary treatment facility for the City with a dry weather secondary treatment capacity of 65 million gallons per day (mgd), a wet weather secondary treatment capacity of 105 mgd, and a peak wet weather capacity of 155 mgd. The River Road Peak Wet Weather Treatment Facility is a high rate, physical chemical ballasted flocculation facility with ultra-violet disinfection. This facility is operated only when flows at the Willow Lake Facility are above 95 mgd. Operation of this remote facility is permitted for use to prevent sanitary sewer overflows associated with wet weather. The facility staff of 53 employees provide Operations, Maintenance, Laboratory, Biosolids, and Administrative Services for both facilities. **Learn and grow:**The Public Works Department values employees and their professional development. If you are someone that takes pride in collaborating on innovative ideas, proactively responding to community needs, and being a good environmental and financial steward, we look forward to meeting you! The Public Works Department promotes a healthy work life balance, while maintaining the utmost dedication to the health, safety and welfare of our community, including our team! **What you will do:**We have a diverse team of tenured and newer employees working together to support each other and our community. The successful candidate’s work schedule will vary biannually depending on the results of a seniority-based work schedule bidding system. The successful candidate may work day, swing, or night shift, as well as weekends and holidays. This is a lead level position responsible for the operation and routine maintenance of a wastewater treatment plant on an assigned shift as well as being assigned regularly as a shift lead worker. The successful candidate will alternatively serve as a team member and a team leader. Work is performed independently and is performed consistent with Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade III certification. The successful candidate will be knowledgeable of and experienced with team leadership principles; wastewater treatment processes; wastewater treatment equipment; use of distributed control systems (DCS); and wastewater treatment hazards and safety protocols. **Additional information on job responsibilities:*** Effectively and independently lead a team.* Make accurate gauge and meter readings and maintain operational records.* Diagnose equipment and malfunctions and take corrective action.* Perform mathematical computations.* Comprehend technical written materials.* Explain plant operations both orally and in writing.* Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other departments, employees, and the public.* Meet City driving standards.* Consistently adhere to work schedules set by the supervisor.* Work in all weather conditions.* Respect, seek to understand, and value individual differences to foster and support a diverse and inclusive workplace.* Mentor and train less experienced personnel.* Collection of representative samples.* Treatment process control.* Plant operating data collection and evaluation. **What can we offer you for all your hard work?*** Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.* Paid vacation and sick time in accordance with City policies.* Competitive pay.* Employer-paid PERS contribution of 6%.* Opportunity for voluntary pre-tax contributions to a 457b account.* Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.* Voluntary long-term care.* Employee wellness program.* Employee assistance program.* Employee health clinic.* The schedule will vary biannually based on the results of a seniority-based work schedule bidding system. The successful candidate may workday, swing, or night shift, as well as weekends and holidays.* The City of Salem offers a comprehensive and equitable base salary within the listed range based on your experience, skills, and education. We encourage you to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Learn more about Equal Pay.**What are the minimum qualifications?*** High school diploma or GED, AND* Must have an Oregon Driver’s license, or the ability to obtain an Oregon license within 30 days of residency and meet the City of Salem’s driving standards.* Current Oregon Class C Driver's License and meet the City of Salem's driving standards.* Grade III or IV Oregon Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification.* Candidates with out-of-state licenses will be required to obtain Oregon certification within six months of hire.* Must pass pre-employment background check.* Hiring managers do not have access to view resumes as part of the application review process, please make sure to give detailed information in your application that includes your experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as requested in the supplemental questions and job advertisement. **Where can I find out more about the position?**Go to the menu option for Class Specifications and search for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator 3 or view by clicking here.**Work Shift:****Benefits Information:**For benefits information, please, go to: https://www.cityofsalem.net/government/jobs/employment-information/afscme-general-service-employee-benefits*Hiring managers do not have access to view resumes as part of the application review process, so please make sure to give detailed information in your application that includes your experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as requested in the supplemental questions and job application.****In some cases, if we are unable to hire a qualified candidate for this classification, we may also consider candidates for related classifications.******If applicable for this posting, other job classifications that may be considered are listed below:***Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator 3***As applicable for this posting, the pay range(s) below include the combined hourly and/or salary ranges for all classifications listed above. The exact pay range will depend on the specific classification for which you are hired.***