Wastewater Plant Operator Trainee, I, II, & III

Full Job Description

• Vacation: 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment.
• Holidays: 12 days per year.
• Sick Leave: 12 days sick leave per year. Unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement.
• Health Plan: Choice of medical and dental plans (with vision care). County contributes toward the employee's premium.
• On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria: Provides ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Click here or the Benefits Tab on the job posting for more information on County benefits. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

We are accepting applications to hire one (1) full-time Wastewater Plant Operator at the Laguna County Sanitation District (LCSD) wastewater treatment plant facility in Santa Maria. The department may choose to hire at the Wastewater Plant Operator Trainee, I, II, or III level. If hired at the I, II, or III level, possession of a valid Grade I, II or III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's certificate issued by the State of California, respectively, and a valid California Class B Driver’s License NO restrictions for Air Brakes and Tanker endorsements is required at the time of appointment.THE POSITION: Under close supervision, operates and maintains Laguna County Sanitation District (LCSD) wastewater treatment plant facilities, including collection systems, such as pump stations, conveyance lines, and manholes; treatment systems, such as pumps, gauges, tanks, and automatic switches; and disposal systems, such as effluent irrigation piping, pumps, valves, and storage facilities; and performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: The LCSD wastewater treatment plant is a Class IV tertiary plant.

Incumbents in this technician series may flex from the Trainee through III classes upon meeting established experience requirements and obtaining the appropriate grade certification issued by the State Water Resources Control Board, and also upon obtaining appropriate licensing from the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

NOTE: The Public Works Department operates a wastewater reclamation plant and sewer collection system that serves the Orcutt and unincorporated Santa Maria area through its Laguna County Sanitation District. The District currently has one opening for a Wastewater Plant Operator at any level in the Wastewater Plant Operator series (Trainee and levels I – III) with appropriate experience and education/training:

Wastewater Plant Operator, Trainee is the trainee-level class in this series. Incumbents receive on-the-job training and are not required to have previous experience or certification.

Incumbents are expected to apply for a State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Operator in Training certification within thirty days of employment.

Incumbents are also expected to pass the SWRCB’s exam for Grade I certification after one year but before the completion of two years of experience.

Wastewater Plant Operator I is the entry-level class in the series and requires possession of a Grade I operator certificate.

Incumbents must work under the direction of a Grade III (or higher) certified operator.

Incumbents are expected/encouraged to obtain Grade II certification and flex to WPO II after eighteen months of experience at this level.

Wastewater Plant Operator II is the journey-level class in the series and requires possession of a Grade II operator certificate. Incumbents at this level may work independently are expected/encouraged to obtain Grade III certification and flex to WPO III after three years of experience at this level.

Wastewater Plant Operator III is the advanced journey-level class in the series and requires possession of a Grade III operator certificate.

Incumbents at this level may act as lead workers for Operator Trainees, I’s, II’s, and III’s.

Incumbents may also act as shift supervisors in the absence of Wastewater Plant Operator, Supervisor and Wastewater Plant Operator, Chief.

The IDEAL CANDIDATE will have:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Dedication and team loyalty
• Good judgment and be solution-oriented
• Experience using Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Experience creating Daily Work Reports on a mobile device
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain sound working relationships with diverse people and personalities
• Customer service-oriented skills and experience
• Ability to lead and effectively manage multiple situations occurring simultaneously
• A current valid California Class B Driver's License without Air Brake or Automatic Transmission restriction and Tanker endorsements

The Public Works Department
The County's Public Works Department employees are committed to efficiently providing, operating and maintaining public works infrastructure, facilities and services to make everyday life as safe and convenient as possible for the public we serve. The Department is comprised of six Divisions: Administration, Resource Recovery & Waste Management, Laguna County Sanitation District, County Surveyor's Office, Transportation, and Water Resources and Flood Control District. To learn more about the Public Works Department, please visit: http://cosb.countyofsb.org/pwd/.

Requirements

Operates and maintains wastewater treatment plant pumps, valves, electric motors, and filters; changes flowmeter charts; takes readings of gauges and temperatures and records readings; reads meters and gauges and regulates flow of wastewater; and packs, greases, and oils pumps and equipment regularly.Drives pick-up trucks, vans, dump trucks, and flushing trucks in order to haul equipment and materials to work sites; operates backhoes, cranes, forklifts, and other heavy equipment utilized by the department; and operates sewer cleaning equipment such as hydro-flushers, root cutters, and sewer videotaping equipment to perform collection system maintenance.Reviews sewer maps to locate underground sewer utilities; marks sewer lines above ground; contacts utilities to provide underground service alerts; washes and cleans bar screens and clarifier troughs; installs, maintains, and repairs sewer main lines; and makes other plumbing repairs as needed.Performs laboratory testing of wastewater in various stages of process; performs arithmetic calculations to determine necessary changes in chemical dosage and treatment processes; and adjusts chemical dosages and treatment processes as necessary.Cleans, paints, and maintains wastewater plant equipment and lift stations; and performs building, grounds, and property maintenance using hand tools and equipment such as drills, welding equipment, and mowers.Completes forms for maintenance records, spill reports, requisitions, purchases, and questionnaires; prepares written reports for regulatory compliance including data collection for monthly, quarterly, semiannual and annual reporting; and inputs data and maintains facility maintenance databases using a personal computer.

Qualifications EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS: Graduation from high school or equivalent and six (6) educational points in wastewater treatment courses or science courses per the State of California Water Resources Control Board; AND

A combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities

Additional Qualifications:

• A valid California Class C Driver’s License at the time of appointment. Incumbents are expected to apply for a State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Operator in Training certification within thirty days of employment.
• Incumbents are also expected to pass the SWRCB’s exam for Grade I certification after one year but before the completion of two years of experience.
• A valid California Class B Driver’s License with no air brake restrictions must be obtained within the first twelve months of employment.

Additional Information

Performing the essential functions of this classification requires various types of physical exertion including regularly lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds. In addition, incumbents in this series must be willing to work different shifts, weekends, and in emergency situations.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.

Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking: Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored.

Candidates' final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire.

This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s) and exact duration of the employment list.

NOTE: Veteran’s preference credit is applicable for this recruitment (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans’ hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act. No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability.

To receive veteran’s preference points, you must: (1) select the Veteran’s Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD214 and supporting materials to the Human Resources Department on or before the examination date, and (3) pass all phases of the examination process. The preference points will be added to your final test score.

Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

The appointee must satisfactorily complete a twelve (12) month probationary period.

Recruiters will correspond with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

Disaster Service Workers: Pursuant to Governmental code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement
The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: Friday, April 3, 2026, by 4:59 p.m. PST. Applications and job postings can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.


Leza Patatanian, LPatatanian@countyofsb.org