Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator iii/iV

Cityoflakeside; Oregon (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Wastewater Treatment Operator to lead and maintain operations at a Level III facility. This role offers the chance to impact the community's health and safety while working in a collaborative environment. The successful candidate will manage a diverse team, ensure compliance with safety protocols, and maintain the integrity of wastewater systems. With a commitment to professional development and a healthy work-life balance, this position is perfect for those passionate about environmental stewardship and community service. Join a team that values innovation and inclusivity in a vibrant community.

Benefits

Medical Coverage

Dental Coverage

Vision Coverage

Paid Vacation

Sick Time

Employer-paid PERS Contribution

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee Wellness Program

Employee Assistance Program

Qualifications

• Must have a Grade III or IV Oregon Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification.
• Experience in wastewater collection system operations and safety protocols.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain wastewater treatment plant on assigned shift.
• Lead a team while performing routine maintenance and diagnostics.
• Ensure compliance with environmental standards.

Skills

Wastewater Treatment

Team Leadership

Equipment Maintenance

Safety Protocols

Mathematical Computations

Technical Comprehension

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Oregon Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification

Tools

Distributed Control Systems (DCS)

Job description

City of Lakeside

Job Description

Initial Posting Date: 3/17/2025

Application Deadline: May 17, 2025 or until Filled

Agency: City of Lakeside Public Works

Job Type: Full-Time Career

Job Summary

You must have a current Grade III or IV Oregon Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification or equivalent out-of-state license(s). If the successful candidate is from out-of-state, they must obtain an Oregon Grade III or IV Oregon Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification within six months of hire.

Make an Impact:

The City of Lakeside operates a Level III Wastewater Treatment Plant with a class II collection adjacent to Tenmile Creek. The plant processes approximately 1MGD of wastewater from over 1,600 residents and the Shutter Creek Correctional Institution. To treat incoming sewage, the facility utilizes two donut-style Activated Sludge Treatment Units, a tertiary filter, chlorine disinfection, and dechlorination. Treated water is either reclaimed or outsourced.

Approximately ¾ mile from the main site, the North Site Treatment area houses three anaerobic digesters, a reclaimed water storage tank, a sludge transfer station, a blower building, and a shop building. This site's reclaimed water irrigation system irrigates 26 acres at the Lakeside Airport with Level IV treated water. In contrast, the older 7-acre irrigation site around the WWTP plant receives either Level II or Level IV water. During non-irrigation seasons, all treated discharge is directed into Tenmile Creek.

Lakeside plans to build a new site with American Rescue Act dollars by September 2026.

Learn and grow:

The Public Works Department values employees and their professional development. If you take pride in being a good environmental and financial steward, we look forward to meeting you! The Department promotes a healthy work-life balance while maintaining the utmost dedication to our community's health, safety, and welfare, including our team!

What you will do:

We have a diverse team of tenured and newer employees who work 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 a day, swing, or night shift, as well as weekends and holidays.

This lead-level position is responsible for operating and routine maintenance of a wastewater treatment plant on an assigned shift and regularly being designated 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 consistent with Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade IV certification.

The successful candidate will be knowledgeable of and experienced with team leadership principles, wastewater treatment processes, equipment, distributed control systems (DCS), and wastewater treatment hazards and safety protocols.

Additional information on job responsibilities:

1. Effectively and independently lead a team.
2. Back-up for streets/building maintenance when needed.
3. Make accurate gauges and readings and maintain operational records.
4. Diagnose equipment and malfunctions and take corrective action.
5. Perform mathematical computations.
6. Comprehend technical written materials.
7. Explain plant operations both orally and in writing.
8. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other departments, employees, and the public.
9. Consistently adhere to work schedules.
10. Work in all weather conditions.
11. Respect, seek to understand, and value individual differences to foster and support a diverse and inclusive workplace.
12. Mentor and train less experienced personnel.
13. Collection of representative samples.
14. Treatment process control.
15. Plant operating data collection and evaluation.

Benefits:

Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.

Paid vacation and sick time in accordance with City policies.

Employer-paid PERS contribution of 6%.

Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.

Voluntary long-term care.

Employee wellness program.

Employee assistance program.

The schedule will vary biannually based on the results of a seniority-based work schedule. The successful candidate may work a day or night shift, as well as weekends and holidays.

The City of Lakeside 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?

1. High school diploma or GED; AND
2. Candidates with out-of-state licenses must obtain Oregon certification within six months of hire.
3. Must pass a pre-employment background check.

To qualify for this position, candidates must meet the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ) certification requirements, which typically include a high school diploma or GED, substantial experience in wastewater collection system operations, and successful completion of the DEQ-administered Grade III examination, or be willing to get one within 6 months of hire.

The role requires a comprehensive understanding of wastewater collection systems, including system design, equipment maintenance, repair procedures, lift stations, and safety protocols. Operators must also be adept at system testing, inspections, and rehabilitation techniques to maintain system integrity and compliance with environmental standards.

About us:

The City: Lakeside is a progressing tourism and recreation community, possessing Oregon’s top bass fishing lakes: North and South Ten Mile Lakes. The city is a small municipality of 1,905 citizens year-round and an estimated 4,000 residents in the summer months, with excellent access to the Spinreel Dunes, the Pacific Ocean, the Elliot State Forest, and plentiful local lakes for recreation. The City of Lakeside is governed by a seven-member city council with eight full-time employees, including the administration/Billing Department, Public Works Department, City Library, and Wastewater Department.

The Public Works Department values employees and their professional development. If you take 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 our community's health, safety, and welfare, including our team!

Where can I find out more about the position?

The City of Lakeside invites individuals from diverse communities and backgrounds to apply for our job opportunities as we strive to provide the best service to everyone. The City of Salem is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all and has a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that we can better serve the community by welcoming differences, encouraging new ideas and views, and listening to and learning from each other.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications as outlined above but are not selected for this position may be placed on an eligibility list, which is valid for six months. Candidates may be hired from the list.