Water Treatment Operator II/III/IV (Multiple Vacancies) presso City of Santa Cruz, CA

About the Department

The current full-time vacancies are for Water Treatment Operator II/III/IV in the Water Production Division of the Water Department. The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Water Treatment Operator II/III/IV vacancies during the life of the list. The eligibility list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.

• Water Treatment Operator-in-Training (OIT) pay range is $31.9615 - $44.9769 hourly.
• Water Treatment Operator II pay range is $35.4635 - $49.9038 hourly. (current vacancy)
• Water Treatment Operator III pay range is $41.7115 - $58.7135 hourly. (current vacancy)
• Water Treatment Operator IV pay range is $43.8231 - $61.6731 hourly. (current vacancy)

Recruitment #26-015

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

• On Thursday, 09/18/25 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit: 

1. Application- online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely.  Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
2. Response to supplemental questions- will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application. 

• Week of 09/22 and 09/29/25: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment by 10/10/25.
• Week 10/13 and/or 10/20/25: Interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exercise.

Position Duties

The duties below are representative of what is expected from the Water Treatment Operator series. Some duties are performed at all levels of the series, with the more complex tasks, non-standard assignments and emergencies, lead duties, and stand-alone shift operator responsibilities performed by the III and IV classes. 

• Monitors, reads, and calculates the flow of water through the plant by meters, gauges, and visual inspection; operates pumps and valves to regulate flow and adjust chemical feeding according to established standards. This includes the operation of the Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant, the Beltz Treatment Plants and other facilities as assigned.  
• Collects samples and makes routine chemical and physical tests monitoring for changing conditions and chemical feed requirements.
• Logs test results, meter  readings, flow rates, chemical feed rates, maintenance activities and other data; prepares daily and periodic reports on plant operations.
• Inspects pumps, motors, chemical feeders, level controls and other equipment to ensure proper operations; performs general preventative maintenance on plant equipment such as greasing, changing oil and replacing parts; makes adjustments and emergency repairs on plant equipment as needed; works closely with maintenance and technical personnel to correct equipment problems.  May perform some of the above duties using a computerized plant monitoring and operation system (SCADA).
• Utilizes MS Word and MS Excel to enter daily laboratory reads and operational data.
• Performs routine plant cleaning and maintenance such as backwashing filters; cleaning lines; hosing filters and basins; disposing of sludge; cleaning sludge tanks; painting structures, equipment and piping and performing light carpentry and plumbing.
• Performs routine laboratory tests to determine water quality along with jar and filterability tests to optimize plant performance. 
• Loads, unloads and stores materials and supplies some of which may be classified as hazardous materials. 
• May answer phone calls from customers regarding service problems and questions; may serve as central communications, taking and relaying information to and from department personnel; may direct field personnel during operations in the absence of a supervisor.  May utilize radio during an emergency to relay information to other City staff.
• Applies treatment chemicals to raw, partially treated and finished water.
• Participate in activities intended to optimize and maintain the quality of raw water sources; activities could include applying chemical and physical control methods to control nuisance algae and/or invasive species, or treatment process modifications and improvements.
• Participates in skills and safety training programs; learns and implements safety rules, regulations and emergency procedures.
• May conduct tours of treatment facilities.
• May be called on during off-hours to assist with emergencies related to plant operations.
• In the rare occurrence of a major hazardous material spill, provides initial emergency response per Department safety procedures and provides proper cleaning up and disposing of small spills.
• May be required to perform duties related to confined space entry and rescue.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

 
Water Treatment Operator III/IV

• May provide lead for assigned staff on shifts.

 
Water Treatment Operator IV[1]

• Will be assigned to special projects, such as serving as liaison with Water Department engineers and other division employees, contractors, inspectors, etc.
• Will provide functional leadership by focusing on a specialty area or rotating across specialty areas, such as Training, Chemical Inventory, or Instrument Calibration.

 
WORKING CONDITIONS
Position requires climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, walking, sitting, standing, twisting, grasping, feeling by touch, using finger dexterity, talking, hearing, and sometimes pushing, pulling, reaching, working overhead, and balancing. The position requires both near and far vision, field of vision, and the ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors and perceive depth. The ability to lift and carry up to 50lbs. is also required.
 
Additionally, the incumbent in this mostly indoors position occasionally works outdoors in various types of weather.  In the course of work, the incumbent may be exposed to contact with chemicals such as bleach, acids, silica gel, oxidizers, and polymers and also grease and oils, fumes, and dust. May be exposed to biohazards and/or hazardous chemicals. Work takes place some of the time in an environment with constant noise, on slippery or uneven surfaces, around machinery with moving parts, and around moving objects or vehicles.  The position requires working with hands in water; some work may take place below ground or in confined spaces.  The nature of the work may require the incumbent to drive motorized vehicles; work will occasionally require that operators work from and operate a small motor boat.
Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

Minimum Qualifications

The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:
 
Education and experience
 
Water Treatment Operator-in-Training

• High school diploma or tested equivalent
• One (1) year experience with hand and power tools.

Water Treatment Operator II (current vacancy)

• High school diploma or tested equivalent
• One 3-unit (or one 36-hour) course of specialized training as designated by SWRCB covering the fundamentals of drinking water treatment.

Water Treatment Operator III (current vacancy)

• High school diploma or tested equivalent
• Two 3-unit (or two 36-hour) courses of specialized training as designated by SWRCB that includes the fundamentals of drinking water treatment and one of the following:
• One year of operator experience in a Water Treatment Plant working as a certified T2 operator for a T2 facility or higher, or
• B.S. or M.S. in a related subject and completion of a comprehensive operator training program, pursuant to Section 63800 (h), and one of the following:
• One additional year of operator experience working as a certified treatment operator, or any of the following substitutions may be used for this required operator experience
  1. A.A. or Certificate in water or wastewater technology that includes at least 15 units of physical, chemical, or biological science, or
  2. B.A. in biology, chemical engineering, chemistry, civil engineering, environmental engineering, microbiology, public health, and sanitary engineering, or
  3. M.A. in biology, chemical engineering, chemistry, civil engineering, environmental engineering, microbiology, public health, and sanitary engineering, or
  4. Experience gained as a certified operator while working with lead responsibility for water quality related projects or research may be substituted, on a day-for-day basis, or
  5. Experience gained as a certified wastewater treatment operator (not OIT) may be substituted on a two-for-one basis (i.e. two months in wastewater = one month in drinking water). 

Water Treatment Operator IV (current vacancy)

• High school diploma or tested equivalent
• Three 3-unit (or three 36-hour) courses of specialized training as designated by SWRCB that includes at least two courses in drinking water treatment, and one of the following:
• One year of operator experience in working as a shift or chief operator, while holding a valid T3 operator certificate, at a T3 facility or higher, or
• B.S. or M.S. in a related subject and completion of a comprehensive operator training program, pursuant to Section 63800 (h), and one of the following:
• Three additional years of operator experience working as a certified treatment operator, or any of the following substitutions may be used for this required operator experience
  1. A.A. or Certificate in water or wastewater technology that includes at least 15 units of physical, chemical, or biological science, or
  2. B.A. in biology, chemical engineering, chemistry, civil engineering, environmental engineering, microbiology, public health, or sanitary engineering, or
  3. M.A. in biology, chemical engineering, chemistry, civil engineering, environmental engineering, microbiology, public health, or sanitary engineering, or
  4. Experience gained as a certified wastewater treatment operator (not OIT) may be substituted on a two-for-one basis (i.e. two months in wastewater =one month in drinking water).

Knowledge:
Water Treatment Operator OIT/II/III/IV

• Basic mathematical principles, including fractions, decimals, proportions, measurements, and simple algebraic formulas
• Proper identification and use of common hand and power tools
• Common safety procedures for physical labor and handling of hazardous chemicals

Water Treatment Operator II/III/IV

• Basic mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic principles.
• Current principles, practices, and regulations related to the treatment process of the assigned water treatment plant including standard quality tests. 
• Operation and maintenance of pumps, motors, valves, metering control systems and chemical feed equipment.
• Instrumentation and basic lab equipment, like turbidity meters, chlorine residual analyzers, pH meters, jar test units, thermometers, and titration equipment, used in routine plant maintenance.
• Safety procedures pertaining to water plant operations, including the techniques for handling and storing hazardous chemicals.
• Chemistry and mathematics as used in the operations of the plant.

Skills:
Water Treatment Operator II/III/IV

• Operate, maintain, and adjust treatment system equipment.
• Read, interpret, and record data accurately.

Abilities:
Water Treatment Operator OIT/II/III/IV

• Understand and carry out oral and written directions given in English.
• Perform mathematical calculations accurately.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Learn the principles, practices, techniques, and regulations pertaining to plant operations.
• Basic computer skills which include the use of word processing, spreadsheet and software applications and computerized monitoring and operation system.

Water Treatment Operator II/III/IV

• Accurately read, interpret, and record technical data from meters and gauges.
• Operate, calibrate, and maintain instrumentation, like turbidity meters, residual analyzers, etc.
• Recognize unusual or dangerous operating conditions and make sound judgments within established guidelines.
• Drive a forklift after taking appropriate training course.

Water Treatment Operator III/IV

• Learn more complex principles, practices, techniques, and regulations pertaining to plant operation.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver's license. 
• Possession at time of appointment and continued maintenance of a Water Treatment Operator's Certificate from the SWRCB for each of the following positions: 
  • Water Treatment Operator II: Grade T2
  • Water Treatment Operator III: Grade T3
  • Water Treatment Operator IV: Grade T4

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Willingness to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends, holidays and overtime as assigned.
• Must be clean shaven at all times as required to wear respiratory protection equipment.
• Perform duties assigned while wearing respiratory protection equipment.
• May be called on during off-hours to assist with emergencies related to plant operations.
• Successful completion of training as a forklift operator within one year of appointment.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with maintenance management systems and software.

Other Qualifications

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