Wastewater Operator I/II/III-Environmental Services Department

About the Department

The Environmental Services Department (ESD) is a national leader in pollution prevention, watershed protection, utility service provision, and climate action. Together, ESD employees positively impact every resident and business in San Jose. 

Our department is an exceptional place to start or grow your career. We have a supportive leadership team, numerous professional growth opportunities, and an inclusive workplace culture that is welcoming of your talents! We offer an array of meaningful career paths and value flexibility – offering hybrid work and alternative work schedules in select roles. Additionally, the City offers excellent health and pension benefits, as well as 15 paid holidays! 

To learn more about ESD, follow @sjenvironment on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and San Jose Environmental Services on LinkedIn. 

About the Division

The San José – Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF) is one of the largest advanced wastewater treatment facilities in the nation and treats water from homes and businesses in the cities of San José, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Campbell, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Saratoga, and unincorporated areas within Santa Clara County. The RWF serves a population of over 1.4 million people and has the capacity to treat 167 million gallons of wastewater per day. For more information visit our website at https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/environmental-services/water-utilities.

Position Duties

The Environmental Services Department is currently seeking to fill two (2) full-time Wastewater Operator I/II/III vacancies at the San José – Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF).

Job Classification Overview- Wastewater Operator I/II/III

Under general supervision, performs a variety of work of routine difficulty involved in operation of the San José/Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility. 

Typical duties include but are not limited to:

• Inspects, operates, adjusts and maintains equipment in one or more areas of the wastewater treatment plant sections.
• Operates pumps, valves, motors, blowers, internal combustion engines, vehicles, and other related wastewater treatment process equipment.
• Reads and interprets SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system, gauges, dials and other process instruments; recognizes and diagnoses alarms and other warning indicators and makes necessary process and equipment adjustments to maintain process integrity.
• Maintains records of instrument readings and performs process computations and graphing as required.
• Performs routine laboratory tests used in sewage treatment process; takes samples and performs various simple tests for process control.
• Removes solids, pollutants, and harmful bacteria from wastewater to make it less objectionable and more stable.
• Reviews and provides improvements to wastewater facility SOP and processes.
• Accurately completes work orders for use in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
• Other duties as assigned.

Assignments may be made to any shift in an around-the-clock operation, and incumbents must also be available for work on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Salary Ranges

Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience. Salary ranges for these classifications are:

• Wastewater Operator I: $88,296.00-$109,969.60
• Wastewater Operator II: $93,662.40 -$116,979.20
• Wastewater Operator III: $99,153.60 -$123,884.80

Minimum Qualifications

Wastewater Operator I

Education: Successful completion of high school, General Educational Development (G.E.D.) Certificate, or California Proficiency Certificate.

Experience: One (1) year experience as a Wastewater Operator Trainee with the City of San José or one (1) year experience at a Wastewater treatment facility with similar processes.

Licensing/Certifications:

• Possession of a valid State of California Class C driver’s license.
• Possession of a valid California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Operator Grade I or higher Certificate

Wastewater Operator II

Education: Successful completion of high school, General Educational Development (G.E.D.) Certificate, or California Proficiency Certificate.

Experience: One (1) year experience as a Wastewater Operator I with the City of San José or one (1) year experience at a Wastewater treatment facility with similar processes while holding a valid SWRCB Wastewater Grade I or higher license.

Licensing/Certifications:

• Possession of a valid State of California Class C driver’s license.
• Possession of a valid California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Operator Grade II or higher Certificate

Wastewater Operator III

Education: Successful completion of high school, General Educational Development (G.E.D.) Certificate, or California Proficiency Certificate.

Experience: One (1) year experience as a Wastewater Operator II with the City of San José or two (2) years’ experience at a Wastewater treatment facility with similar processes while holding a valid SWRCB Wastewater Grade II or higher license.

Licensing/Certifications:

• Possession of a valid State of California Class C driver’s license.
• Possession of a valid California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Operator Grade III or higher Certificate.

Physical Requirement: This classification requires a pre-employment respiratory physical exam.

For the complete physical/environmental elements, please go to the classification specifications here: Wastewater Operator I/II/III

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

Job Expertise– Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

• Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes.
• Knowledge of the use and purpose, and the ability to use common hand tools and mechanical equipment.
• Knowledge of general procedures to be used for emergencies and malfunctions.
• Knowledge of, and ability to, operate pumps and other equipment in response to system demands.
• Knowledge of city, state, and federal environmental quality standards.
• Knowledge of general lock out tag out principles.
• Ability to perform a variety of operation duties and operate a variety of wastewater treatment facility equipment.

Communication Skills – Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts.

Computer Skills – Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel.

Flexibility – Makes effective decisions and achieves desired results in the midst of major changes in responsibilities, work processes, timeframes, performance expectations, organizational culture, or work environment.

Initiative – Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance

Problem Solving – Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

Reliability – Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.

Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills – Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant’s training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Adrienne.Pea@sanjoseca.gov.

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility:  Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.  

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.  Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application.  If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided.  IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.