Plant Operator / Senior Plant Operator

Qualifications

PLANT OPERATOR / SENIOR PLANT OPERATOR

This recruitment is open until the position is filled.

First review of applications will occur on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

We have four openings at both the Control Center and Water plants.

Pay Grade

Plant Operator: 107

Senior Plant Operator: 110

Hourly

Plant Operator: $24.32 - $35.86

Senior Plant Operator: $28.17 - $41.53

The successful candidate's placement in the salary range will depend upon previous experience in a similar role.

This position is part of a flexible classification. Qualified candidates may be hired at either level based on their experience, education and training as determined by the hiring authority.

The City of Tempe offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• 13 Paid Holidays and 1 Personal Day
• Vacation Accrual starts at 9.33 hours/month. Higher monthly vacation accrual rates may be available with prior ASRS service.
• Sick Leave Accrual; 8 hours/month
• Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits
• Wellness Program Discount on health premiums
• Medical Reimbursement Program; $66.11/month
• Tuition Reimbursement; $6,500/year
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) Defined benefit plan with mandatory employer and employee contributions currently at 11.98% which includes a Long-Term Disability benefit
• Supplemental Retirement Plans through Nationwide; 457, 401K, and Employer contribution
• Position is eligible for up to 24 hours of floating holiday leave

To view the employee benefit summary, please visit:

Employee Benefit Summary

Department / Division:

Public Works / Water Utilities

Job Type:

Full-Time Regular

This position is classified as safety sensitive. Employees in safety sensitive positions are prohibited from all marijuana usage whether medical or recreational

Schedule:

Following successful training a permanent schedule will be assigned that may consist of weekend coverage.

Job Number:

RC#902478

DESCRIPTION / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This position is assigned to our SCADA control center or surface water treatment plants.

Duties include, but are not limited to the following

• Utilize Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to monitor and operate treatment systems and equipment.
• Utilize SCADA system to monitor well fields, system pressure, Tempe Town Lake Dam, and wastewater field sites.
• Continuously monitor distribution system and adjust plant pumping as needed.
• Answer after hour customer calls and generate work orders using an asset management system.
• Fill out reports, spreadsheets and produce historian data for trending or research.
• Assist with calling out maintenance staff.
• Request well start and stops.
• Generates water supply levels (orders) to meet daily drinking water demands and capacity.
• Monitor reservoir chlorine disinfection dose and equipment.
• Monitor and adjust chemical dose and adjust to changing water quality.
• Assist with routine plant maintenance.
• Work with the Plant Superintendent and Principal Plant Operator on optimizing treatment.
• Assist with and perform the collection of samples, laboratory analysis and jar testing.
• Maintain treatment and production records
• May perform responsibilities of a similar nature and level as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

Experience:

• Plant Operator, Senior

• 2 years of experience in water or wastewater treatment operations or related water or wastewater industrial process.

• Plant Operator

• 6 months of experience in wastewater or water, distribution collection or maintenance of a water utility or in a related industry.

Candidates must have the minimum amount of work experience. Years of experience are based upon a full-time work schedule (2,080 hours per year). The sum of an applicant's full-time and/or part-time qualifying work experience must meet or exceed the stated minimum qualification. Education will not substitute for the required work experience; however, related unpaid and/or volunteer work experience may be used as qualifying work experience.

Education:

High school diploma or GED.

Professional Licensure and/or Certifications:

• Valid Driver's License

• Plant Operator, Senior

• ADEQ certification at time of hire a Grade 3 Water Treatment Plant Operator Certification due to assignment at Control Center or Drinking Water Plants

• Plant Operator

• ADEQ certification, obtain within one year of hire: Grade 1 Water Treatment Plant Operator Certification due to assignment at Control Center or Drinking Water Plants

Additional:

Applicants considered for this job classification must pass the following:

• Criminal history review
• Post offer/pre-employment drug and alcohol screen.
• Post offer/pre-employment physical

For a complete list of City of Tempe job descriptions go to:

Job Descriptions | City of Tempe, AZ

This position is FLSA Non-Exempt which means employees are eligible for overtime compensation and/or compensatory time

Employees in this position are represented by the United Arizona Employee Association (UAEA)

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The City of Tempe is an Equal Opportunity / Reasonable Accommodation employer. The City does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, familial status, age, disability, and United States military veteran status. Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will make a reasonable accommodation(s) during the recruitment & selection process. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting Human Resources at 480-350-8276. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.