Operator I / III

Salary $71,825.63 - $115,864.71 Annually

Location: South Lake Tahoe, CA

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: 2025-9

Department: Operations

Opening Date: 06/05/2025

Closing Date: 7/6/2025 11:59 AM

Pacific Job Summary

Under the direction of the Manager of Plant Operations, Chief Plant Operator, or Operations Supervisors, operates designated equipment, processes, and facilities at the treatment plant on any given shift. Position requires responsibility for carrying out stated operational procedures and performing related duties as required. For a summary of the complete physical requirements for this position, click .

Essential Functions Operates and maintains the treatment plant equipment, processes, and facilities to efficiently meet discharge requirements while ensuring the protection of District staff and the public from associated hazards. Performs local and remote control and monitoring of treatment plant operation and outlying facilities. Monitors computerized telemetry for water distribution and wastewater collections systems.

Performs light maintenance of designated plant equipment such as but not limited to pumps, valves, snowblowers, headworks equipment, dewatering equipment, metering devices, and, as directed by supervisor. Performs a variety of manual tasks requiring the handling of equipment exposed to wastewater. Collects and maintains operating and treatment data and records using logs, forms, and spreadsheets in both digital and hardcopy format.

P, Searches and references records, documents, and databases to support projects and troubleshooting. Generates and submits reports as required. In addition to performing regular inspections of treatment plant equipment, processes, and facilities, reads meters, gauges, and trend charts, etc. and notifies supervisors of anomalies. Collects samples of wastewater and other related substances, such as air/odor, sludge, centrate, and biosolids on a prescribed schedule or as needed.

Performs routine physical, biological, and chemical tests and analyses of samples. Maintains equipment operating records, monitors equipment performance, notifies appropriate department of equipment problems, and suggests and assists with repair, modification, and/or improvement. Performs customer service-related duties and acts as a dispatcher, emergency phone operator and crew coordinator when Administrative offices are closed.

Supervises the off-loading of sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide from tankers to storage tanks in the treatment plant. Performs or assists with the offloading of various chemicals and supplies, such as polymer, muriatic acid, poly aluminum chloride, etc. Operates equipment usingprogrammable logic controllers, and other automated and semi-automated control systems.

Operates various vehicles, including Utility ATV, Toolcat w/ snowblower attachment, forklifts, and passenger and utility vehicles. Performs snow removal to maintain accessibility to designated areas of treatment plant and administration building in a safe manner. Adheres to stated departmental and District policies and procedures

Works a flexible schedule and/or shifts to accommodate a 24-hour, 7-day/week operation.

Education & Experience Requirements

EDUCATION

1. High school graduation or equivalent is required. Additional education and/or advanced degree desirable.

2. A minimum of six educational points as defined by the State Water Resource Control Board Wastewater Operator Certification Program are required. A three unit college semester or four unit college quarter math or specific science course are potential ways to meet this requirement.

EXPERIENCE

For Operator I experience in the wastewater or water industry is helpful.

For Operator I, experience in any of the following disciplines is desirable: biology, industrial mechanics, chemistry, mathematics, hydraulics, and computer science.

For Operator III, the experience required by the California State Water Resource Control Board Wastewater Operator Certification Program is mandatory. See Proficiency Requirements for the certifications that are required for both the Operator I and Operator III positions.

Proficiency Requirements

PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

Operator I must obtain Grade I (or higher) California State Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certificate within eighteen (18) months of date of hire. To become a Plant Operator III, possession of the California State Certification of Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade III is required. Requires ability to remain familiar with the Confined Space Program and the duties of Confined Space Supervisor, Entrant, and Attendant, as provided during annual training.

Requires ability to maintain updated safety knowledge and/or certification in HAZMAT handling and respiratory protection policy. Requires knowledge of the equipment, processes, and facilities, as well as the policies and procedures commonly used in a wastewater treatment plant. Requires the ability to read, understand, and follow plant operation manuals. Ability to read, understand and follow written or verbal instructions.

Requires the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Requires the ability to use a personal computer and related programs to manage databases, create and issue reports, utilize the preventive maintenance program, access essential documents, forms, policies, and procedures, participate in intra-agency communications, etc. Requires the ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with co-workers and supervisors.

Requires a valid, current drivers’ license, acceptable by the State of California, with a driving record which enables insurability. Requires current, valid, CPR and First Aid certificates, or ability to obtain same within two (2) years of hire date.

RESPONSIBILITY

Requires a high degree of responsibility including the ability to work independently after receiving instructions, including, for properly certified Operators, Acting Supervisor duties in the absence of the Operations Supervisor.