Water Reclamation Operator II - Public Works

City of Bend, OR; Bend (OR); On-site; USD 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental coverage

Retirement benefits

Robust paid leave program

Job summary

The City of Bend, OR is seeking a Water Reclamation Operator II to maintain and optimize wastewater treatment plants in the Water Reclamation division of the Water Services Department. This on-site, full-time position involves monitoring processes, operating equipment, and ensuring regulatory compliance to protect public health and the environment.

Ideal candidates will have advanced wastewater operations knowledge, hands-on equipment experience, and strong problem-solving skills.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized or technical training beyond high school in water quality and wastewater treatment.
• At least three years of experience as an Operator I.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential duties.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor wastewater treatment equipment, pumps, valves, meters, gauges, and control systems.
• Evaluate plant performance and adjust processes based on operating conditions and lab results.
• Perform routine wastewater laboratory testing and document results.
• Conduct plant cleaning, preventive maintenance, and minor repairs to equipment, buildings, and grounds.
• Operate City vehicles and heavy equipment as needed.
• Maintain operational logs and data for regulatory reporting.
• Respond to after-hours callouts and emergency situations as required.
• Identify and troubleshoot equipment or process issues and communicate findings.

Skills

Wastewater treatment operations

Activated sludge processes

Laboratory procedures

Heavy equipment operation

Equipment maintenance

Job description

The City of Bend is accepting applications for one (1) regular, full-time Water Reclamation Operator II in the Water Reclamation division of the Water Services Department. This is an hourly, non-exempt (overtime eligible) position represented by the City of Bend Employee Association (COBEA). The City may use this recruitment to establish an eligibility list for future hiring purposes. Please review the entire job posting, including the application requirements at the end.

The Water Reclamation Operator II helps keep Bend's wastewater treatment system running safely, efficiently, and reliably every day. This role is responsible for monitoring treatment processes, operating plant equipment, collecting and reviewing laboratory data, performing maintenance activities, and responding to operational needs that support essential public services. The work is hands‑on, collaborative, and critical to protecting public health and the environment.

A typical day may include monitoring gauges and control systems, adjusting treatment processes based on plant conditions and laboratory results, troubleshooting equipment issues, completing maintenance tasks, documenting operational data, and coordinating with fellow operators to ensure treatment systems are functioning at their best. Operators work both indoors and outdoors and play an important role in maintaining regulatory compliance and operational excellence.

This is a fully experienced operator position ideal for someone who enjoys problem‑solving, working with complex equipment, and contributing to a high‑performing team. In addition to operating plant systems, the Operator II helps train and guide less experienced staff and may serve as a crew lead when needed. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the community while continuing to grow your expertise in a complex utility environment.

Classification Framework

Water Reclamation Operator II - Public Works

The following duties are a sample of major duties performed in this role and are not intended to be an exhaustive list.

• Operate and monitor wastewater treatment equipment, pumps, valves, meters, gauges, and control systems.
• Evaluate plant performance and make process adjustments based on operating conditions, laboratory results, and established procedures.
• Perform routine wastewater laboratory testing and accurately document results.
• Conduct plant cleaning, preventive maintenance, and minor repairs to equipment, buildings, and grounds.
• Operate City vehicles and heavy equipment, including loaders and backhoes.
• Maintain operational logs, records, and data used for regulatory and operational reporting.
• Respond to after‑hours callouts, on‑call assignments, and emergency situations as required.
• Identify, troubleshoot, and communicate equipment or process issues in a timely manner.
• Support and train less experienced operators and assist with crew leadership responsibilities when assigned.

We're looking for someone who is dependable, safety‑minded, and comfortable working in an active wastewater treatment environment. The successful candidate takes ownership of their work, communicates effectively with coworkers and supervisors, pays close attention to operational details, and remains calm and effective when plant conditions change. They understand the importance of reliable wastewater treatment services and take pride in supporting the team and the community. The ideal candidate is also comfortable working independently during on‑call assignments, responding to operational issues after hours when needed, and supporting weekend operations as part of a team that provides essential services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Highly qualified candidates will have working knowledge of wastewater treatment operations, activated sludge processes, laboratory procedures, safe work practices, heavy equipment operation, and equipment maintenance. They will bring strong troubleshooting skills, the ability to recognize and respond to changing process conditions, experience maintaining accurate records, and proficiency using computers and operational software systems.

Candidates who meet the listed minimum qualifications, including an equivalent combination of education and experience, will be considered for an interview. Please ensure your application includes information about your education, relevant paid and unpaid work experience, and applicable licenses and certifications. Avoid referencing your resume in the job duties section of the application.

Minimum Qualifications

• One year of specialized or technical training beyond high school in water quality and wastewater treatment and,
• At least three years of experience as an Operator I; or,
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Required Licenses & Certifications

• Oregon Level II Wastewater Operator Certificate;
• Valid Oregon commercial driver's license within six months of hire.

Desired (But Not Required) Attributes

• Demonstrated experience with wastewater process control, including troubleshooting settling trends and making process adjustments.
• Experience independently responding to operational issues, equipment failures, alarms, on‑call events, or emergency situations.
• Experience training, mentoring, or providing work guidance to less experienced operators.
• Experience working in an activated sludge treatment facility.
• Additional wastewater treatment certifications beyond minimum requirements.

Application Deadline

Applications must be received by August 26, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) Pacific Time to be considered for review.

Application Requirements

To be considered for an interview, applicants must complete an online application and attach:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Failure to include required attachments may result in disqualification.

Veterans' Preference

Applicants seeking Veterans' Preference as a qualified veteran or disabled veteran must attach appropriate documentation to their application. For more information, please visit the City's Veterans' Preference information page.

Equity Statement

The City of Bend remains committed to building a workforce that advances diversity and inclusion within our community and all we do. We recognize that not everyone starts from the same place, and that gender, race, ability, sexual orientation, and other identities face different barriers. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are dedicated to creating an inclusive, safe, and respectful workplace where employees can thrive without these barriers. A more extended version of the City of Bend's Organizational Equity Statement is available upon request.

Benefits

The City of Bend offers an excellent competitive benefits package for employees and eligible dependents, including health and dental coverage, retirement benefits, and a robust paid leave program. Details are available on the Benefits tab of the job posting.

Starting Compensation

Starting compensation is determined based on a pay equity analysis considering the candidate's education, applicable work experience, and internal equity. Please include all relevant information on your application.