Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator in Training bei City of Santa Barbara, CA

About the Department

ABOUT US

At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about building trust and high regard with the community by providing quality services. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive.

Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here. 

THE POSITION

The City of Santa Barbara is seeking motivated Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator in Training (OIT) applicants looking to begin a career in Wastewater Treatment with the Public Works Department. This position performs a variety of semi-skilled technical labor duties in the operation, repair and maintenance of the City's wastewater treatment plant; and perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the entry-level class in the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator series. This class is distinguished from the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II/III by the performance of less complex operational duties, including performing more routine tasks and activities.  Since this class is typically an entry-level class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.

Position Duties

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles of biology, chemistry, and mathematics.
• Basic principles of pumps and motors.
• Safe work practices.
• Data collection and interpretation.

Ability to:

• Learn basic entry-level operational characteristics of laboratory and plant operations procedures. 
• Assist in and learn the operation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment plant.
• Logically solve routine problems.
• Perform heavy manual labor.
• Maintain routine records and compile data into reports.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities
• Understand and follow safety rules and protocols including confined space entry and chemical handling.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

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

Experience:

No experience is required.

Education and/or Training:

Possession of a high school diploma or GED is required.   Additional training the natural sciences and/or treatment plant operations is desirable.

License, Certificate and/or Other Requirements:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California Class C driver's license by time of appointment. 

Ability to obtain a Grade 1 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certificate from the California Water Resources Control Board within eighteen months of appointment.

Minimum Qualifications

It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed, and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as “See application”, “Extensive Experience”, or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.  

The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.

There is currently one (1) vacancy within the Public Works Department.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

Other Qualifications

CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2025.