Water Reclamation Plant Operator

Reno; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Reno is seeking a Water Reclamation Plant Operator to join the Utility Services Department at the Reno-Stead Water Reclamation Facility (RSWRF). You will monitor and adjust treatment processes, operate and maintain plant equipment, collect samples, and perform routine lab tests to ensure compliance with water quality standards.

The role requires two years of wastewater operations experience, a high school diploma with specialized training, and a valid driver’s license plus Grade III

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in wastewater plant operations and maintenance.
• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in wastewater or sewage treatment plant operations or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Operate wastewater treatment, sludge processing, and disposal equipment, adjust valves and gates, start/stop pumps and generators, and level sludge beds.
• Read gauges, dials, graphs and other instrumentation to monitor plant operations.
• Inspect and maintain motors and pumps; lubricate, overhaul and install new bearings; perform repairs as needed.
• Collect liquid samples and perform routine water quality laboratory tests; ensure proper treatment of sewage and purification of water.
• Operate vehicles and equipment to maintain the water reclamation plant system and equipment.
• Perform carpentry, electrical, plumbing, pipe fitting, soldering, and welding as required.
• Maintain plant logs and perform calculations related to operations.
• General plant maintenance including cleaning, painting, grounds upkeep, and weed abatement.

Education

High school diploma with specialized training in wastewater/sewage treatment

Job description

The City of Reno is seeking a Water Reclamation Plant Operator to join the Utility Services Department at the Reno-Stead Water Reclamation Facility (RSWRF), a modern wastewater treatment and water reclamation facility.

This hands-on position supports the operation and maintenance of the City’s wastewater treatment system through monitoring and adjusting treatment processes, operating and maintaining plant equipment, collecting samples and performing routine laboratory testing, and responding to changing operating conditions. Operators work as part of a team to help ensure safe, reliable facility operations and compliance with applicable water quality standards.

Work Location: Reno-Stead Water Reclamation Facility, 4250 Norton Drive, Reno, NV 89506

There is currently one vacancy in the Utility Services Department, with hiring anticipated to begin immediately following the close of this recruitment. This recruitment will also establish an eligible list that may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.

This is both an internal and external recruitment to provide a promotional opportunity for all qualified current classified City of Reno employees and an open competitive opportunity for all other qualified applicants.

The City of Reno is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to everyone. This commitment is an integral part of our efforts to ensure that we have a diverse and representative workforce that serves the community of Reno.

• Operate wastewater treatment, sludge processing and disposal equipment, and lift stations; adjust valves and gates and start and stop pumps, engines, and generators to regulate the flow through filtering, settling, aeration, and sludge digestion processes; clean and level sludge beds.
• Observe variations in operating conditions; inspect, monitor, and document plant operations by reading plant equipment gauges, dials, graphs, and other instrumentation.
• Inspect and maintain electric motors and pumps for proper operation; lubricate, overhaul, and install new and rebuilt motors and pumps; replace worn bearings; perform mechanical adjustments and repairs to ensure efficient operation of equipment.
• Collect liquid samples and perform a variety of routine water quality laboratory tests; ensure proper treatment of sewage and purification of water.
• Operate a variety of vehicles, tools, and equipment necessary to maintain the water reclamation plant system and equipment.
• Perform a variety of carpentry, electrical, concrete, plumbing, pipe fitting, soldering, and welding functions as required.
• Maintain, compile, and update plant operations logs and reports; perform and record mathematical calculations related to plant operational activities.
• Perform general plant facility maintenance such as cleaning, painting, and repairing plant facilities, various grounds maintenance duties, and weed abatement.
• Perform related duties as required.

The following minimum qualifications are required to be met at the time of application.*

Education/Training:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in wastewater or sewage treatment plant operations or a related field.*

Additional relevant work experience beyond the two year experience requirement will substitute for the required specialized training.

Experience:

Two years of experience in wastewater plant operations and maintenance.

License or Certificate:

• Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid Grade III Treatment Plant Operator Certificate issued by the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection.

Requirements of the Position:

This position participates in an on-call rotation and may require evening, night, and weekend work. The position requires the ability to perform essential duties in a wastewater treatment plant and field environment, including prolonged standing and walking, climbing, bending, kneeling, crouching, and lifting or carrying moderate to heavy amounts of weight.

**Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.**

Application Deadline: October 18, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Application Preparation: A complete application is required, including detailed work experience and education. Résumés may be submitted as supplemental information but will not be reviewed when determining minimum qualifications.

Examination Process: Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications, receive a passing score on the scored examination component, and complete all required informational assessments to be eligible for hire. The examination process consists of the following:

• Training & Experience Evaluation (T&E) = 100% of the examination score
• Cognitive Abilities Test = Informational purposes only; does not contribute to the examination score
• Employee Personality Profile = Informational purposes only; does not contribute to the examination score

Online Assessment Details: Qualified applicants will be invited to complete the Cognitive Abilities Test and Employee Personality Profile after the recruitment closes. These assessments will be self-administered with no proctor, which means candidates will be able to complete them online at their convenience during the designated testing window.

The instructions and guidelines will be emailed to qualified applicants after the recruitment closes on October 18, 2026. Please make sure to check for emails around this time, including your spam folder so that you do not miss this testing opportunity. All assessments must be completed within the designated testing window to move forward in the hiring process.

Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E) Details: The T&E examination consists of a Supplemental Questionnaire. The questions may be viewed online under the tab marked "QUESTIONS" on the job announcement page. The T&E must be submitted online at the time of application.

• Responses to your T&E questions should be consistent with the information given in your application details. Answers are subject to verification.
• Failure to complete all of the questions or incomplete responses will result in a lower score; therefore, it is advantageous for you to provide a full and complete response to each supplemental question.
• In order to receive credit for education or training, you must attach copies of your transcripts, diploma, or relevant certificates to your online application.
• Resumes or questionnaires uploaded as attachments to the application will not be accepted in lieu of completing each question online.
• "See Resume" or "See above," etc., are not qualifying responses and will not be considered.
• Changes or corrections to your responses cannot be made once your application packet has been submitted.
• TIP: It may be more efficient to develop your responses in a word processing document and then paste them into the online questionnaire to be submitted.

Notification: Applicants are notified by email of their examination results. Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications will also be notified within two weeks of the job posting closing.

Applicants may opt in to receive text message notifications regarding application updates, next steps, and interviews. If you have not previously selected a text messaging preference, the option will appear before you submit your application. Your preference may also be updated at any time through the account settings in your GovernmentJobs profile.

Testing Accommodation: We strive to ensure equal access for all individuals. If you require an accommodation due to a disability, you must inform the Chief Examiner by completing the Accommodation Request Form by the closing date of this announcement. All requests will be handled with confidentiality and respect.

Contact Information: Reports (Rule XV, Section 2) Applicants are responsible for keeping the Reno Civil Service Commission informed of their current contact information, including phone number, email, and mailing address.

Employee/Veteran Preference in the Event of Tie Scores: Open Competitive Examination (Rule VII, Section 7): In the event of tie scores, candidates will be provided a rank preference in the following order:

1. City of Reno classified employees who are veterans
2. City of Reno classified employees who are not veterans
3. City of Reno non-classified employees and external candidates who are veterans

This preference is only used to break ties. Proof of honorable discharge must be submitted with the application.

Promotional Examinations (Rule VIII, Section 7): If two or more employees earn the same final score (including seniority points), veterans’ preference will be applied if any of the tied employees have submitted proof of an honorable military discharge. This preference is only used to break ties. If a tie still remains, it will be broken based on seniority in the current classification. Proof of honorable discharge must be submitted with the application.

Seniority Points: Seniority Credit (Rule VIII, Section 9): Classified employees of the City of Reno shall receive seniority credit computed by adding to a passing score as follows: The final ranking will include the applicable seniority points added to the overall grade of the examination process. For each full year of continuous service completed, 0.2 points will be added up to a maximum of ten (10) years... 2 points will be the maximum.

Appointment and Certification: Appointments to positions in the City's Civil Service system are made on the basis of examination. Scores resulting from a competitive examination are used in determining a person's rank on an eligible register. The department may hire any of the persons referred. The names of those persons not hired may be considered when the next vacancy occurs, for as long as that register is viable.

Probationary Period: Certification of Eligibles, Appointments, and Probation (Rule VII, Section 12) Classified employees who are newly hired, promoted, reclassified, transferred, or who voluntarily demote to a lower position are subject to a probation period. The only exception is if an employee chooses to voluntarily demote back to the exact job they previously held within 24 months of being promoted.

Questions and Updates: Questions about the information on this announcement and updates to application information should be directed to Civil Service at [phone] or [e-mail].

The City of Reno is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment, hiring, assignment, training, compensation, promotion, retention, and disciplinary decisions will be made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, political affiliation, membership in an employee association, or any other protected class status applicable under federal or state law or City Charter.