Job Description

Wastewater Plant Operator

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 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 are required at the time of appointment.

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

Examples of Duties

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.

Employment Standards

Possession of a valid Grade I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's certificate issued by the State of California and a valid California Class B Driver's License.

Additional Qualifications: At the time of application, NO restrictions for Air Brakes.

Knowledge of: maintenance practices, tools, and equipment used in wastewater treatment, such as pumps, valves, motors, and filters; basic safety practices, including lifting and use of hand and power tools; basic arithmetic, including percentages; safety practices and hazards related to the operation of wastewater treatment plants; wastewater constituents including simple and routine sampling and analysis procedures; sludge digestion and disinfecting processes; stabilization pond operations; state regulations regarding the classification of wastewater treatment plants; and general record keeping practices and using computers as tools to access and input data.

Ability to: read and interpret maps, gauges, and recording devices reflecting plant operations; operate and maintain a variety of hand and power tools; make repairs and adjustments to equipment; understand and follow detailed oral and written instructions; perform basic arithmetical calculations; learn and perform wastewater-related laboratory tests; learn record keeping related to wastewater treatment; follow safety precautions and procedures; and establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties; keep accurate records; use a computer and related software; perform routine laboratory sampling and tests.

Appointees to those positions requiring a Class B license will be subject to mandatory testing for drugs prior to beginning work; once on the job, incumbents will be subject to mandatory testing for drugs and/or alcohol on a random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, and follow-up basis.

Supplemental 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. A Grade III Operator will be required to be fit for duty when on standby during non-working hours and be able to respond to the plant. All operators must be able to respond to the plant within 30 to 40 minutes of notification.

Application & Selection Process:

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
2. 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.

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 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: November 27, 2026, by 4:59 p.m. PST. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at Kim Clark, HR Specialist, kiclark@countyofsb.org

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