Water Plant Operator I,II,III

American Water Works Association; Willits (CA); On-site; USD 44,830 - 70,472; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement: CalPERS

Medical insurance

Dental

Vision

Employee Assistance Program

Long-Term & Short-Term Disability

Vacation

Holidays

Sick Leave

Life Insurance & AD&D

Premium Pay

Job summary

City of Willits is actively seeking a collaborative Water Plant Operator I–III to operate and maintain the city’s water system facilities.

Ideal candidates have or can obtain Grade I–III SWRCB certificates, a valid CA driver’s license, and strong teamwork and record-keeping skills. This full-time role includes on-call duties weekends and holidays and offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• License and SWRCB certificates required or obtainable within timeframes.
• Valid California driver’s license (Class C or higher) required.
• Ability to perform basic algebra, recordkeeping, and safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain City of Willits water system facilities and equipment.
• Inspect facilities, perform repairs, and monitor water sources and storage tanks.
• Maintain accurate daily records of operations, dams, reservoirs, and watersheds, including on-call duties.

Skills

Teamwork

On-call flexibility

Basic math

Mechanical aptitude

Education

Grade I Water Treatment Operator Certificate (SWRCB)

Grade II Water Plant Certificate (SWRCB)

Grade III Water Plant Certificate (SWRCB)

California driver’s license (Class C or higher)

Job description

THE CITY OF WILLITS IS ACTIVELY SEEKING A COLLABORATIVE PROFESSIONAL

WATER PLANT OPERATOR I, II, III

Pay Ranges

Water Plant Operator I

$44,830 - $54,491 Annually

Water Plant Operator II

$48,196 - $58,583 Annually

Water Plant Operator III

$57,978 - $70,472 Annually

Plus a great benefits package

Deadline to apply: Monday, August 17, 2026, at 11:59 PM

THE POSITION:

The City of Willits is seeking a skilled, reliable, and good-natured person to join the water operations team. The Water Plant Operator will operate and maintain the facilities of the City of Willits water system. They inspect and perform repair work on water facilities and equipment. In addition, the position monitors and maintains water sources and storage tanks and keeps various records pertaining to water system operations, dams, reservoirs, and watersheds. If you are comfortable with basic math and fractions, enjoy maintaining pumps, machinery, and equipment, are willing to serve on-call weekends and holidays, and work well on a team, this is your time to apply!

The department may hire at either the I, II, or III level, depending on the education, experience, and certifications held by candidates in the pool of qualified applicants. This recruitment is intended to fill one full-time vacancy and create a qualified list for each level to fill future vacancies as needed. This is an external, open, and competitive recruitment process.

IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Possess or have the ability to possess within the first six months a Grade II or higher Water Plant Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.


• Possess or have the ability to possess within eighteen months, a Grade II Water Distribution Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.


• Understand and carry out appropriate safety procedures.


• Demonstrate exceptional organization, time management, communication, and interpersonal skills.


• Comfortable with basic algebra, mechanically inclined, a skilled technician and problem solver, and a sound decision-maker.


• Maintain accurate and legible daily records of operations.


• Show initiative, be ethical, self-motivated, creative, affable, adaptable, organized, and comfortable working in a dynamic and team-oriented environment.


• Exercise sound judgment, tact, discretion, impartiality, joyful demeanor, and professionalism when providing exemplary customer service to all encountered.


• Be reliable and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.


• Work well on a team to reach common goals.


• Show compassion and integrity to fellow employees and the community.


• Be able to climb a ladder of up to 48 feet in height.


• Have sufficient strength and the ability to lift items found in a modern water plant.


• Live within 30 minutes driving time of the plant.


• Be available on-call for emergencies that may fall on nights, weekends, or holidays.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Water Plant Operator I:

License and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid Class C or higher California driver’s license.


• Persons employed in the classification will be required to possess a Grade I Water Treatment Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.

Water Plant Operator II:

License and Certificates:

• Possession of a valid Class C or higher California driver’s license.


• Persons employed in the classification will be required to possess a Grade II Water Plant Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.

Water Plant Operator III:

License and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid Class C or higher California driver’s license.


• Persons employed in the classification will be required to possess a Grade III Water Plant certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.

*If employee is in possession of a letter issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) validating the employee successfully passed the Grade I, II, or III Water Treatment Operator test and has fulfilled all other requirements of the SWRCB, the employee may be promoted to a Water Plant Operator II or III on the first pay period following the date the employee provides the City with the letter. Employees promoted as such shall be subject to a six (6) month probationary period.

Failure to successfully complete the six (6) month probation period will result in the employee’s demotion to a Water Plant Operator I or II until the employee has fulfilled all of the requirements, including meeting performance expectations, and is in possession of a Grade II or III Water Treatment Plant Operator Certificate and at the discretion of the Department Head and/or City Manager.

BENEFITS OVERVIEW:

Retirement: The City participates in CalPERS. For new employees covered under PEPRA, the retirement formula is 2% at 62.

Medical Insurance: The City offers a choice of EPO, PPO, or HDP plans. The City contributes 100% of the high-deductible health plan premium cost/HRA based on the category of coverage.

Dental: City paid for employee and dependents.

Vision: City paid for employee and dependents.

Employee Assistant Program: City-offered.

Long-Term & Short-Term Disability: City paid

Vacation: Earned at 3.08 hours per pay period (10 days).

Holidays: 11 paid holidays per year.

Sick Leave: Earned at 3.69 hours per pay period.

Life Insurance and AD&D: City paid

Premium Pay: Employees in possession of a valid Class B or higher California driver’s license will be compensated at 5 percent above their current rate.

SELECTION PROCESS:

Application materials will be reviewed in detail to identify the most qualified candidates to interview. The most qualified will be invited to an exam to demonstrate skills and aptitude for the position. Those who score the highest on the exam will be advanced to department interviews.

Candidates with a disability who may require special assistance in any phase of the recruitment process or additional inquiries about the position may be directed to Human Resources at [e-mail]

THE CITY OF WILLITS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER