Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator-in-Training/Operator I/Operator II (20553546) Continuous

City of San Mateo; California (MO); On-site; USD 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team dedicated to serving the community as a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator. This role involves operating and maintaining essential wastewater treatment processes to ensure environmental safety and compliance. You'll be part of a collaborative and innovative department focused on upgrading treatment facilities and enhancing community services. With a strong emphasis on work-life balance through flexible shift schedules, this position offers an excellent opportunity for professional growth and development in a supportive work environment. If you're passionate about public service and environmental stewardship, this is the perfect role for you.

Benefits

Comprehensive Benefits Package

CalPERS Retirement

Deferred Compensation

Free Fitness Classes

Employee Assistance Program

Credit Union Membership

Bilingual Differential

Hiring Referral Bonus

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school and experience with mechanical equipment required.
• WWTP Operator II needs a Grade II Certificate and one year of experience.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor wastewater treatment facilities and processes.
• Perform routine maintenance and laboratory tests as needed.

Skills

Mechanical Equipment Handling

Data-Driven Technology Monitoring

Laboratory Testing

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Six Educational Units of Math or Science

Tools

SCADA System

PCS System

Job description

San Mateo is a city of more than 100,000 residents located in San Mateo County, California, on the San Francisco Peninsula. One of the City’s strengths is its diversity, both in the ethnic makeup and the physical development of the community. San Mateo has a vibrant business and retail environment with national and international businesses, two major shopping centers and an active downtown.

You would be joining over 500 people whose mission it is to serve the San Mateo community with a collaborative, innovative and professional spirit. We are looking for someone who embodies our shared values of respect, creativity, inclusivity, transparency, and integrity in their words and actions.

The City of San Mateo Public Works Department is looking for

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators-in-Training and Operators I and II

Why Join our Department?

The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is a 15.7 MGD sub-regional facility that serves a population of more than 140,000 with an annual operating budget in excess of $10 million and has a staff of 28 professional and technical personnel.

The City of San Mateo is building a cross-functional team tasked with upgrading the City’s 15.7 MGD conventional activated sludge plant with new liquids treatment process facilities, including headworks, primary treatment, five-stage biological nutrient removal/membrane bioreactor (BNR/MBR) process, biological and chemically enhanced treatment (BioACTIFLO) process, and other general plant upgrades, including odor control to serve the new facilities. Key players on this team are the WWTP Operators.

• Operate wastewater treatment facilities to control flow and processing of wastewater, sludge and effluent; monitor gauges, meters and control panels; observe variation in operating conditions, interpreting meter and gauge readings and test results to determine processing requirements.
• Operate valves and gates, start and stop pumps, engines and electric motors to control and adjust flow and treatment processes, operate and maintain boilers, perform routine maintenance work on valves, tanks, related equipment and facilities.
• Monitor, adjust and troubleshoot as needed plant operational processes utilizing data-driven technology, such as the SCADA or PCS system.
• Fully utilize the computerized work systems in accordance with work flow processes.
• Operate treatment plant vehicles and stationary machinery as required.
• Collect samples and perform routine laboratory tests and analyses.

These positions require shift work, nights, weekends, holidays with on-call emergency response 24 hours per day. However, along with this challenge is the benefit of working a 12-hour shift that results in a very favorable work/life balance and requires the minimum commuting days as compared to other standard 8-hour shifts.

Who You Are

The WWTP Operator in Training:

• You have graduated from high school or equivalent, and have six educational units of math or science course work, and six months experience in handling mechanical equipment and tools.
• You have up to 18 months to obtain a Grade I WWTP Certificate to promote to WWTP Operator I.

The WWTP Operator I:

• You have graduated from high school or equivalent and have six months experience in handling mechanical equipment tools.
• You possess a Grade I WWTP Certificate and work under direct supervision of the WWTP Shift Supervisor or WWTP Operator II and perform more routine operation work.
• You may be promoted to WWTP Operator II upon obtaining a Grade II WWTP Certificate and completing qualifying training.

The WWTP Operator II

• You possess a Grade II Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate issued by the State of California.
• You have graduated from High school or equivalent and a minimum of one year of experience in the operation of a wastewater treatment plant.

• Comprehensive benefits package including generous paid leave and health benefits.
• CalPERS retirement (2% @ 55 for classic members; 2% @ 62 for new members). Classic employees contribute 8.34% to CalPERS and New members contribute 7.50% to CalPERS effective 7/6/2024.
• Participation in the Social Security Program.
• Deferred Compensation: City will contribute 1.0% and will match an additional 0.5% of base salary.
• City contribution of 0.75% of base salary to Retirement Health Savings Account.
• Free Fitness classes through City of San Mateo Parks and Recreation, Employee Assistance Program and Credit Union Membership.
• Bilingual Diff: $195 monthly (if applicable).
• For more information, please refer to the SEIU Maintenance Unit benefit summary document.
• This classification is represented by the SEIU Unit.

What We Offer

• Comprehensive benefits package including generous paid leave and health benefits.
• CalPERS retirement (2% @ 55 for classic members; 2% @ 62 for new members). Classic employees contribute 8.34% to CalPERS and New members contribute 7.50% to CalPERS effective 7/6/2024.
• Participation in the Social Security Program.
• Deferred Compensation: City will contribute 1.0% and will match an additional 0.5% of base salary.
• City contribution of 0.75% of base salary to Retirement Health Savings Account.
• Free Fitness classes through City of San Mateo Parks and Recreation, Employee Assistance Program and Credit Union Membership.
• Bilingual Diff: $195 monthly (if applicable).
• For more information, please refer to the SEIU Maintenance Unit benefit summary document.
• This classification is represented by the SEIU Unit.

HIRING REFERRAL BONUS:

Candidates hired from this recruitment for a merit position will receive a signing bonus of $1,500.00 upon successful completion of probation. If an eligible merit City employee refers a candidate who is subsequently hired from this recruitment, he/she shall receive a $1,500.00 referral award in accordance with the City’s Targeted Recruitment Program Policy. The candidate must note the referring employee’s name on the City’s official employment application at the time he/ she submits it.

Special Instructions

Are You Ready? Apply.

Submit an online application and supplemental questionnaire at www.calopps.org or to the Human Resources Department, City of San Mateo, 330 W. 20th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403, [phone].

Application Deadline:

This is a continuous recruitment.

Interview Process:

All applications, resumes, and answers to the supplemental questions received will be reviewed for minimum qualifications.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list. The employment list will be updated continuously as applicants meet the minimum qualifications. When a position needs to be filled, the hiring manager will refer to the employment list for further screening. Once placed on an employment list, and at the time a vacancy occurs, eligible candidates on the employment list may be contacted by the hiring department and scheduled for a department interview.

Date Posted

October 11, 2024

Note: The City of San Mateo reserves the right, at its discretion, to limit the number of qualified candidates invited to the selection process.

Fine Print

Prior to hire, candidates will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, including a driving record review, reference check, and a Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprint background checks. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose a conviction will result in disqualification from the recruitment process.

Candidates with a disability who may require special assistance in any phase of the application or testing process should contact Lourdes Coles, Sr. Human Resources Analyst at [e-mail] or [phone]. Do not upload any documents related to your request for accommodation in CalOpps.

The policy of the City of San Mateo is to grant equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion, ancestry, physical or mental disability, sexual preference, marital status or national origin. It is the intent and desire of the City of San Mateo that equal employment opportunity will be provided in recruiting, hiring, training, promoting, wages, benefits, and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment. The City of San Mateo is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).