Regional Water Quality Control Plant Operator (Various Positions)

Job Description:

Regional Water Quality Control Plant Operator (Various Positions)

Description

Description

The City of Palo Alto’s Public Works Department, Environmental Services Division, is seeking qualified candidates to join the operations team at the Regional Water Quality Control Plant, where about 20 million gallons of wastewater are processed daily. The facility serves as a regional treatment plant for multiple partner agencies and operates continuously to serve more than 236,000 residents and businesses across the Peninsula. Major upgrades are currently underway at the facility to modernize treatment and reduce nutrient discharge to the Bay, providing operators the opportunity to work with evolving systems and new infrastructure.

The operations team works in a hands-on environment where operators rely on practical skills, teamwork, and attention to detail to keep the plant operating reliably.

Depending on qualifications, this recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies at the Operator Trainee, Operator I, Operator II, or Senior Operator level. Hourly salary ranges vary by classification level and currently range from $41.63 to $74.25 per hour, depending on qualifications and certification level. Candidates may be considered for placement at the level that best aligns with their experience, certifications, and the City’s operational needs. Please see the full job description links below for additional details.

Candidates at all experience levels are welcome, and operators with State Water Resources Control Board wastewater treatment certifications are also encouraged to apply. Placement at a specific classification level will be determined based on qualifications and City requirements. Please see the Minimum Qualifications section for additional information.

Ideal Candidate

Candidates should be dependable, safety-minded, and comfortable working in a wastewater treatment plant environment. The work requires attention to detail, awareness of changing plant conditions, and the ability to work effectively as part of a shift team.

Strong candidates typically demonstrate:

• Interest in or familiarity with wastewater treatment processes and plant operations
• Willingness and ability to learn to operate pumps, valves, blowers, and other treatment equipment
• Understanding of, or willingness to learn, safe work practices related to plant operations, equipment, and chemical handling
• Ability to observe plant conditions and respond to operational changes as needed
• Ability to maintain operational records such as logs and equipment readings, or willingness to learn these tasks
• Clear communication and effective teamwork during plant operations
• Reliability and willingness to work shift assignments, including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed

Essential Duties

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Monitor treatment processes and plant systems to ensure proper operation.
• Operate pumps, valves, blowers, compressors, and other wastewater treatment equipment.
• Inspect equipment and facilities to identify operational or mechanical issues.
• Make adjustments to treatment processes and equipment as conditions change.
• Collect samples and perform routine process checks as required.
• Record operational data including meter readings, equipment status, and process conditions.
• Maintain operational logs and basic records related to plant operations and maintenance activities.
• Report equipment issues, unusual conditions, or safety concerns to supervisory staff.
• Follow established safety procedures and work practices related to plant operations and chemical handling.

To review the full Job description, click below:

WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT OPERATOR TRAINEE ($41.63 - $50.85 Hourly)

WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT OPERATOR I ($47.10 - $57.57 Hourly)

WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT OPERATOR II ($53.66 - $65.61 Hourly)
SENIOR OPERATOR WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT ($60.70 - $74.25 Hourly)

Minimum Qualifications

WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT OPERATOR TRAINEE

Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid California driver's license
• Ability to obtain an "Operating-in-Training: Certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board at the time of hire
• Must obtain a Grade I Wastewater Plant Operator certificate before the employee’s SWRCB-issued wastewater treatment plant operator-in-training certificate expires. Ability to work shifts, on-call, weekends and holidays as assigned or as required
• Must be able to perform the critical and important duties of the class
• Must be able to wear and perform emergency response duties in a level A full-body protection suit and S.C.B.A. weighing 32 pounds, and must maintain a face seal while using the self-contained breathing equipment.

WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT OPERATOR I

Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade

and

• Experience of one year in a related field
• Possession of a Grade I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board.

Special Requirements:
Possession of a valid California Driver's licenseAbility to work shifts, on-call, weekends and holidays as assigned or as requiredWill be required to meet Division of Clean Water Programs continuing education credits to maintain required certificationMust be able to wear and perform emergency response duties in a level A full-body protection suit and S.C.B.A. weighing 32 pounds, and must maintain a face seal while using the self-contained breathing equipment.
WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT OPERATOR II

Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade

and

• Two years experience in a related field
• Possession of a Grade II Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board

Special Requirements:

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License
• Will be required to meet Division of Clean Water Programs continuing education credits to maintain required certification.
• Satisfactory completion of an internal written and/or practical examination demonstrating working knowledge of the Palo Alto Water Quality Control Plant and Water Reclamation Plant
• Must be able to wear and perform emergency response duties in a level A full-body protection suit and S.C.B.A. weighing 32 pounds, and must maintain a face seal while using the self-contained breathing equipment.
• Ability to work shifts, on-call, weekends and holidays as assigned or as required

SENIOR OPERATOR WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT

Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade

and

• Possession of a Grade III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board.
• Three years experience in a related field
• Possession of a valid California Driver's license

Special Requirements:

• Ability to work shifts, on-call, weekends and holidays as assigned or as required
• Will be required to meet Division of Clean Water Programs continuing education credits to maintain required certification
• Must be able to hear and perform emergency response duties in a level A full-body protection suit and S.C.B.A. weighing 32 pounds, and must maintain a face seal while using the self-contained breathing equipment.

Supplemental Information

The Selection Process:

• Recruitment status notifications will be sent via email or text message (please enroll in text alerts when applying). Updates can also be viewed in your governmentjobs.com account.
• Applicants will be screened throughout the posting process, and qualified candidates may be invited to interview.
• The selection process may include one or more interviews, which may consist of panel interviews and/or interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.

An eligibility list may be established from this recruitment to fill future vacancies at the City’s discretion.

Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.

This position is represented by Service Employee International Union (SEIU).

Compensation (SEIU): Comprehensive compensation plan, to learn more click HERE.

The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

See our Benefits at a Glance Bookletfor more details.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking HERE.

Closing Date/Time: 4/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

See Position Description