WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR - Emergency Appointment Fire

County of Los Angeles; California; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Los Angeles seeks an Emergency Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator to support the Department of Beaches and Harbors during a natural disaster response. The role includes operating, inspecting, and maintaining wastewater treatment equipment and related systems, recording data, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

Initial appointments may be up to 90 days with potential for permanent employment; applicants must meet state operator certification and license

Qualifications

• Valid California Class C Driver License required.

Responsibilities

• Inspects, operates, and maintains wastewater treatment equipment and processes.
• Records tests and measurements and ensures proper treatment of sewage.
• Coordinates with contractors and vendors as needed.
• Drives to work sites and performs field tasks as required.

Skills

Wastewater operations

Education

Wastewater Operator Certificate (Grade II+)

Job description

Position/Program Information

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT: OPEN COMPETITIVE - EMERGENCY

THIS ANNOUCEMENT IS BEING REPOSTED TO EXTEND THE FILING PERIOD

Applications will be accepted from Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 8:00 am- until the needs of the department are met.

EXAM NUMBER: I7224A-FR

The LA County Board of Supervisors has unanimously ratified a Proclamation of Local Emergency in response to the windstorms and wildfires, including the Palisades and Eaton Fires, that have devastated communities across the County. We are looking for qualified and passionate individuals to assist the County in mobilizing resources and support needed to help our residents recover and rebuild. If you are looking for a new career that will directly benefit the population of LA County, this may be the opportunity for you.

The Department of Beaches and Harbors is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator vacancies related to this unprecedented natural disaster.

Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment.

During your initial work period, you will be assessed on your work performance. This assessment will be weighted 100%. Those who successfully pass the assessment will be considered for permanent appointment to Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator.

Essential Job Functions

• Inspects, operates, and maintains pumps, sedimentation tanks, bio-filters, clarifiers, digesters, chlorinators, extended aeration and activated sludge processers, and other related equipment used to treat raw sewage.
• Inspects sewage at various processing stages, conducting chemical tests and flow measurements, and making such operating adjustments as required to ensure complete treatment of sewage.
• Isolates causes of plant malfunctions, making necessary adjustments and minor repairs to motors and pumps and ordering major repairs.
• Tests and analyzes final liquid effluent for purity and chlorine content before effluent is directed through final settling processes and discharge.
• Draws digested sludge from digesters to drying beds or vacuum truck.
• Inspects and cleans grease traps, filters, and sewer lines.
• Keeps records of weather, temperature, tests made, and volume of sewage treated.
• Analyzes water samples from treatment plants to determine chemical, biological, and bacterial contents.
• Operates water softeners and backwashing, brining, and regenerating equipment. Performs general maintenance of wastewater facility grounds and buildings.
• Operates, maintains, and programs various electronic data collection systems, electronic logic controllers, on-line meters, and autosamplers.
• May inspect swimming pool equipment for proper operation, perform chemical tests, and add chemicals as required.
• May treat domestic water using chlorinators and filters and perform related chemical tests.
• May be assigned work with outside contractors and verify work is satisfactory completed.
• May be assigned to request quotes from vendors for equipment, parts, tools, or service and generate purchase orders or purchase small needed parts.
• May supervise Assistant Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators, inmates, County wards or others in the performance of routine sewage plant activities.
• Drives automotive equipment to work sites.

Requirements

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

A valid Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's Certificate, Grade II or higher, issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.

LICENSE

A valid California Class C Driver License is required to perform job-related essential functions.

PHYSICAL CLASS III - MODERATE

This class requires that the incumbent stand or walk most of the time with bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, reaching, working on irregular surfaces, occasional lifting of objects weighing over 25 pounds and frequent lifting of 10-25 pounds.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• A valid California Class A or B Driver License
• Water Treatment Operator Certification issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board
• Distribution Operator Certification issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION

To get credit for your valid California Class (A, B, C) Driver License, Certificates, and or Licenses, you must attach a copy to your application at the time of filling or email a copy to [e-mail] within seven (7) calendar days. We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.

EXAM CONTENT

During your initial work period, the appointing department will evaluate your performance. Those who achieve a passing score on this evaluation will be considered for permanent appointment.

COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES:

For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County. Check the website for updated information at: https://lacountylibrary.org/library-locator/.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:

Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.

NO SHARING OF USER ID, EMAIL, AND PASSWORD:

All applicants must file their application online using their OWN user ID and password. Using a family member or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.

FAIR CHANCE EMPLOYER:

The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except for a very limited number of positions, you will not be asked to provide information about a conviction history unless you receive a contingent offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and consider potential mitigating factors, including, but not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about a conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed.

ANTI-RACISM, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION (ARDI):

The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The Department of Human Resources is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the in equalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

Employment Information

Any language contained in the job posting supersedes any language contained below. This document is intended to provide general information about the recruitment process of the County of Los Angeles. Applicants with questions about a specific job posting should contact the exam analyst listed on the posting.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Non-Discrimination Statement:

The County of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to non-discrimination in the County workforce, regardless of age (40 and over); ancestry; color; ethnicity; religious creed; protected family or medical leave status; disability; marital status; medical condition; genetic information; military and veteran status; national origin; race ; sex; gender; sexual orientation; or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. For more information, please visit: https://employee.hr.lacounty.gov/eeo-programs/

Testing Accommodations For Applicants:

The County of Los Angeles complies with all federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact the testing accommodation coordinator listed on the job posting. Hearing impaired applicants with telephone teletype equipment may leave messages by calling the teletype phone number on the job posting. For more information on accommodations, please visit: https://hr.lacounty.gov/accessibility/

Fair Chance:

The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except as otherwise permissible under applicable laws, you will not be asked to provide information about conviction history unless you receive a conditional offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct and adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and will also consider potential mitigating factors, which may include, but is not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with County Fair Chance Policies and the Fair Chance Act (Gov. Code Section 12952).

Employment Eligibility:

Final appointment is contingent upon verification of U.S. citizenship or the right to work in the United States.

Career PathFinder:

Resources to help current and prospective employees plan a career with Los Angeles County are available. To explore career paths to and from nearly all job titles, please visit our interactive Career PathFinder application at http://career-pathfinder.hr.lacounty.gov.

Veteran’s Credit:

Pursuant to the County Charter and County policy, in all open competitive examinations (i.e., examinations open to everyone), the County of Los Angeles will add a credit of 10 percent of the total credits specified for such examination to the final passing score of an honorably discharged veteran, as well as the spouse of a deceased or disabled veteran, who served in the Armed Forces of the United States under specific conditions.

For more information on veteran’s credit, please visit: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/205102_PPG_115.pdf

Revised September 2025

CANDIDATE COMMUNICATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

We will send notifications to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address. If you choose to unsubscribe or opt out from receiving our emails, it is possible to view notices by logging into governmentjobs.com and checking the profile inbox. It is every applicant's responsibility to take steps to view correspondence, and we will not consider claims of missing notices to be a valid reason for re-scheduling an exam part. Register the below domains as provided senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk mail.

• [e-mail]
• [e-mail]
• [e-mail]
• [e-mail]
• [e-mail]

New email addresses need to be verified. This only needs to be done once per email address and can be done at any time by logging in to governmentjobs.com and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of the online application and to prevent incorrectly entered email addresses.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

The information you provide on this supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and used to determine your eligibility.

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS CAREFULLY.

Any mistakes you make and/or any incomplete responses you provide in completing these questions will be used to disqualify your application even if you possess the qualifying experience or education. Be specific as possible and include all information requested.

Comments such as "see resume or application" will not be considered as a response.

All information is subject to verification at any time in the application and hiring process. Falsification of any information may result in disqualification or dismissal.

• I understand the above information and instructions.