Lead Wastewater Treatment Operator
April 2026
LEAD WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATOR
JOB FAMILY: Wastewater Plant Operations
EEO CATEGORY: Service/Maintenance
FLSA: Non-Exempt
PAY PLAN: Full-Time Pay Plan
UNION STATUS: Represented
PURPOSE STATEMENT:
Under the direction of the assigned administrator, the Lead Wastewater Treatment Operator plans, assigns, leads, inspects, and monitors wastewater treatment processes; performs a variety of pretreatment, collection services, laboratory tests, and skilled tasks in the operation and servicing of wastewater machinery and equipment.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS (For use in a job series only) Positions in this class are an advanced journey-level classification in the Wastewater Treatment Operator Series. This class differs from the Wastewater Treatment Operator class as incumbents in this classification perform a full range of skilled wastewater treatment plant operations and maintenance tasks and will supervise the work of subordinate personnel, including detailed administrative, budget, equipment, and material purchasing work or training, and supervise staff. Wastewater Treatment Operator is an entry-level classification where incumbents in this classification perform routine and repetitive duties.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND TASKS:
The following list of functions, duties, and tasks is typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform other closely related or departmentspecific functions, duties, and tasks from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
• Inspects, maintains, repairs, installs, and modifies wastewater equipment, electrical, and electronic systems and facilities; reports the need for major or specialized repairs. • Operates wastewater equipment and machinery.
• Monitors systems; controls valves for emergencies and scheduled shutdowns; troubleshoots, diagnoses, and reports problems to superiors.
• Collects samples for quality control, and completes field reports • Receives chemical shipments, records shipments into inventory, and ensures shipments are in compliance with standards.
• Maintains records and logs reports for wastewater treatment equipment.
Job Classification Description
Equal Employment Opportunity
Lead Wastewater Treatment Operator
April 2026
• Assists in the development of policies and procedures. • Assists in budget preparation and monitoring.
• Exercise functional and technical supervision over wastewater operators.
OTHER DUTIES:
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
(At time of application)
Knowledge of:
• Methods and techniques for operating pumps, valves, electric motors, diesel engines, and electronic, computerized, and manual control systems
• Servicing requirements for wastewater equipment and facilities. • Methods used in chemical, bacteriological, and biological analyses • Standard safety practices required by Cal OSHA in the maintenance of wastewater equipment and facilities
• SCADA systems
• Record-keeping and reporting
• Personnel processes and procedures
• Computer usage including related software
Skills and Abilities to:
• Operate pumping, treatment, and control equipment and machinery • Accurately read meters and gauges
• Read, interpret, and apply technical information from manuals, drawings, specifications, layouts, blueprints, and schematics
• Comply with federal, state and local laws and city policies, procedures, and codes applicable to fleet maintenance
• Perform the duties of an emergency worker in the event of a natural or other disaster • Operate light and heavy equipment used in wastewater treatment plant operations • communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance
• and perform all essential functions as assigned by an authorized employee, supervisor and/or manager with or without reasonable accommodation
• Operate a vehicle between locations for business purposes • Relate well, communicate, and work effectively with diverse groups of stakeholders who represent a range of ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds JOB QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS:
(At time of application and in addition to the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities listed above.) EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Lead Wastewater Treatment Operator
April 2026
Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, abilities and skills is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the qualifications would be:
Associate degree in chemistry, biology or wastewater/ water treatment technology and five (5) years of experience in operation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment facility.
LICENSE(S) REQUIRED:
• Valid state-issued Driver’s License and a good driving record.
WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
(Must be performed with or without reasonable accommodations) • This position works primarily in an outdoor environment • Positions in this class typically require: reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions with or without reasonable accommodation
• Medium Work: Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally (up to 1/3 of workday), and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of workday), and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly (2/3 or more of workday) to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work