Wastewater Treatment Operator in Training
April 2026
WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATOR IN TRAINING
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 Wastewater Treatment Operator in Training performs a variety of pretreatment, collection services, routine laboratory tests, tasks in the operation, and servicing of wastewater machinery and equipment.
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 department-specific 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. • Inspects, cleans, maintains, and repairs wastewater collection systems. • Understands and participates in the Fat, Oil, and Grease (FOG) Program as an inspector for the Food Service Establishments that utilizes a grease removal device of either a gravity or hydromechanical type. • Operates wastewater equipment and machinery.
• Reads gauges, meters, charts, and graphs, and operates pumps, valves, electric motors, and related equipment.
• Monitors systems, controls valves for emergencies and scheduled shutdowns, troubleshoots, diagnoses, and reports problems to superiors.
• Collects samples for quality control, determines the amount of chemicals needed and adds them to the treatment process.
• Completes field reports and the chain of custody forms, labels samples, and schedules or transports samples to the laboratory.
• Cleans tanks and facilities and maintains buildings and grounds. • Fulfills work orders and work assignments.
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, Job Classification Description
Equal Employment Opportunity
Wastewater Treatment Operator in Training
April 2026
computerized, and manual control systems
• Equipment servicing requirements for wastewater equipment and facilities • Methods used in chemical, bacteriological, and biological analyses • Standard safety practices required by Cal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) in the maintenance of wastewater equipment and facilities
Skills and Abilities to:
• Operate pumping, treatment, and control equipment and machinery • Operate office equipment, including computers and applicable software portable radios • Read, interpret, and apply technical information from manuals, drawings, specifications, layouts, blueprints, and schematics
• Prepare records and reports
• Respond to questions from the public and staff
• Plan and organize work to meet schedules and timelines • Comply with Federal, State, and local laws, and City policies, procedures, and codes applicable to water treatment equipment maintenance
• Communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance • Perform the duties of an emergency worker in the event of a natural or other disaster • Operate light and heavy equipment used in wastewater equipment maintenance operations • Understand and respond to public and staff requests
• Prepare reports, perform mathematical calculations, including metrics, and sort or file documents using assigned software
• Travel 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:
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:
High school diploma or equivalent, six (6) educational points (As listed in Title 23, Chapter 26, Division 3, Section 3685 and 3686 of the Water Code), and one (1) year of experience in equipment and facility maintenance, preferably in the wastewater industry, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, abilities, and skills is qualifying.
An Operator In Training (OIT) must complete 1800 hours of on-the-job training, once an OIT certification is achieved. Wastewater treatment education may be required prior to applying for an OIT certification. A minimum of one year of experience is required.
LICENSE(S) REQUIRED:
• Valid state-issued Driver’s License and a good driving record with the ability to obtain a Class A license within 12 months of appointment.
CERTIFICATIONS AND TESTING REQUIRED:
• Must obtain a California Wastewater Treatment Operator I Certificate or higher within 4 testing cycles of Wastewater Treatment Operator in Training
April 2026
receiving your Operator in Training Certificate or 24 months of appointment, whichever comes first. • Must obtain a California Wastewater Treatment Operator II Certificate or higher within 4 testing cycles of receiving your California Wastewater Treatment Operator I Certificate.
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