Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator
Salary
$117,070.72 - $142,299.46 Annually
Location
Water Department - 202 Fleming Hill Road, Vallejo, CA
Job Type
Regular Full-Time
Job Number
26-AR-11
Department
Water
Opening Date
07/17/2026
Closing Date
8/17/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Description
PLEASE READ THIS BULLETIN IN ITS ENTIRETY
THE POSITION
This recruitment is being conducted to fill three full-time vacancies. The list established by this recruitment may be used to fill future full-time, part-time, limited term, and temporary vacancies for up to one year.
Why Join the City of Vallejo Water Department
The City of Vallejo Water Department is staffed by dedicated professionals with deep technical expertise and a strong commitment to public service. Our team values integrity, accountability, and collaboration.
We cultivate a supportive, growth-oriented environment where employees are encouraged to expand their skills, share innovative ideas, and take ownership of their work. With a strong emphasis on training, professional development, and sustainability, this is more than just a workplace-it's a place where your contributions have a lasting impact and where teamwork drives success.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate for the position of Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator will have sufficient working knowledge and progressively responsible experience working in a T3 system (or higher) drinking water treatment facility, comparable to Vallejos surface-water treatment processes.
THE DEPARTMENT
The Vallejo Water Department is a dynamic organization engaged in growth and positive change for the benefit of our customers and community. The Department provides potable water to 121,000 customers through a highly complex system including multiple raw water sources, three treatment plants, a Sludge Dewatering Facility, 600 miles of distribution pipes, 8 pressure zones, 27 pump stations, and 37,000 service connections. Vallejo Water is a Treatment-5/Distribution-5system. In 2017, Vallejo water services transitioned from a division of Public Works to a standalone Water Department reporting directly to the City Manager. This change gives drinking water-related operations and issues greater visibility and strategic direction for the benefit of rate-payers. The Water Departments strategic goals include: infrastructure reliability, public trust, sustainability, organizational performance, and financial viability.
The Water Department has six Divisions: Water Treatment, Engineering, Distribution, Water Quality, Watershed and Facilities Management, and Administration/Conservation.
THE CITY OF VALLEJO
The City of Vallejo is located in Solano County and has a population of approximately 121,000 residents. Vallejo is a rapidly changing, highly diverse community located midway between the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento. It is a friendly, active waterfront community that attracts innovative, hardworking people and takes great pride in its 148-year history and maritime heritage. Residents of Vallejo are situated to take advantage of the best of what the area has to offer. Golf, museums, performing arts, boutique shopping, brewpubs and a wide selection of restaurants are all available in Vallejo. Residents and visitors alike enjoy Vallejo's delightful historical downtown area, weekly downtown farmer's market, and beautifully restored Victorian homes and business facades. Vallejo is also home to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, one of America's only combination wildlife, oceanarium and theme parks.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the advanced journey level classification in the Water Treatment Plant Operator series. Employees in this classification have successfully obtained their Grade T4 and demonstrated their ability to perform and lead others in the full range of responsibilities involved in the operation and maintenance of a serviceable water supply through the Citys transmission, distribution facilities, water treatment plants and sludge de-watering facility, without direction. Incumbents function with a high degree of autonomy to apply advanced concepts and expertise in specific areas to resolve issues/problems that are often of a unique nature without precedent and/or structure. Assignments may include formulating strategies and making recommendations for improved processes and allocation of resources. This classification is distinguished from Water Treatment Plant Supervisor in that the latter is a first-line supervisory classification responsible for the direct supervision and development of assigned staff, planning, goal implementation, policy development, assisting with budget preparation, as well as managing the day-to-day operations of an assigned treatment plant.
As a condition of continued employment with the City of Vallejo in the classification of Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator, incumbents are required to maintain a Grade T4 Water Treatment Plant Operator certification by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). If incumbent is unable to maintain a Grade T4 Water Treatment Plant Operator certification, employment will be terminated.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direction from Water Treatment Plant Supervisors and supervisory and management staff.
Provides lead direction to Water Treatment Plant Operators and Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainees.
EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
In addition to duties listed in the Water Treatment Plant Operator classification:
Perform complex or unusual operations that assume a high level of skill and proficiency including the scheduling and performance of start-ups and shutdowns, startup testing of new installations, plant configuration changes, troubleshooting problems, minor equipment maintenance and calibration, collaborate with other staff on process or water quality challenges, treatment equipment testing and filter media surveillance.
Prepare aliquots, solutions for use in bench-scale process testing, to verify or adjust correct chemical application and achieve optimal processes.
Check regulatory compliance through thorough observations, assessments and accurate recordings of analytical results.
Assemble documentation; provide updates and maintain information in plant operating logs and reports; perform and record mathematical calculations related to plant performance and operational control activities.
Examine and interpret plant operating logs, test results, maintenance work performed, unusual operating conditions and report recommendations to supervisor.
Dispatch call-out personnel as required as required for emergency situations at all hours; may act in a central communications functional role as follows; receiving, relaying and providing information to and from City personnel or other responder services as required.
Perform lead operator responsibilities on shifts or as assigned.
Instruct and monitor work of Operator Trainees and Staff Operators in all facets of plant operations and required maintenance.
Assist Plant Supervisor with special projects.
Work cooperatively with other City sections or project teams and make every effort to enhance public relations; lead and conduct general tours of the facilities.
Participate in organizational meetings, operator training programs, emergency preparedness training and exercises.
Assist supervisors in assessing readiness and team performance.
Provide for safe plant conditions and working environment at all times exercising a routine of attentiveness and proactive responses to plant safety and security matters.
Observe and participate in shift change turn-overs and ensure information exchanged is accurate and complete.
Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Advanced principles of mathematics, biology, chemistry, and hydraulics as applied in the operation of a drinking water treatment facility.
Advanced principles and practices of drinking water treatment plant operations, laboratory analysis techniques and current drinking water standards and regulations.
Advanced operating principles and practices of drinking water treatment plant operations, laboratory analysis techniques and current drinking water standards and regulations.
Advanced operating principles of plant equipment such as valves, pumps, motors, controls, instrumentation and telemetry.
Basic computer (PC) skills in Microsoft Office Suite software.
Current safety regulations pertaining to industrial work practices and use of related equipment.
Performance and water quality regulations pertaining to water treatment plant operations.
Regulations, techniques and equipment used in managing, mitigating, recovery and reporting of hazardous materials incidents.
Practical knowledge of United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and California State Water Resource Board (CA SWRB) drinking water regulations that apply to the treatment techniques, operational control and performance of conventional surface water treatment plants.
Practical understanding of roles and responsibilities as defined in California Office of Emergency Services Standardized Emergency management System (S.E.M.S.),
Incident Command System (ICS) and in the Citys Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP).
ABILITY TO:
Understand and carry out written and oral instructions.
Read and interpret gauges and other recording devices, plant piping and distribution diagrams and other technical documents.
Logically solve problems and identify hazardous work conditions.
Apply the practices, procedures, techniques, and treatment rules pertaining to the operation of water treatment plants and distribution system into daily practice.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Work any shift, rotations, weekends, and holidays, at any Water Department facility. Water Treatment Plant Operators may be assigned and required to report directly to any City treatment facility location, and to travel to alternate duty/work locations and offsite meetings.
Lift 55 pounds and move heavy chemical containers.
Operate and maintain water treatment plant equipment.
Perform simple to complex tasks while wearing Level A personal protective equipment.
Wear respiratory protection equipment as required; perform required duties while wearing a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).
Maintain the ability to perform required duties while wearing a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), and to maintain facial hair at all times as required to not interfere with wearing respiratory protective equipment.
Diagnose operating problems and take effective courses of action.
Make independent technical decisions to maintain proper treatment process and techniques.
Perform repair maintenance to plant equipment such as pumps, valves, and electronic monitoring devices.
Independently operate all of the Water Departments facilities in unusual conditions.
Exercise highly skilled operations in all phases of plant operations: start-up, shutdown, reduction or bypass of unit processes, adverse of emergency conditions.
Accurately observe and record operating conditions and provide verbal or written reports. Travel to alternate duty/work locations and offsite meetings.
Work independently without supervision.
Assist and mentor operators in technically challenging aspects of plant operations and treatment processes.
Perform duties and responsible tasks of a plant shift operator.
Operate a personal computer and common applications such as emails, word processing, spreadsheet and database programs.
Experience and Training Guidelines
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:
Experience:
A minimum of four (4) years of experience working in water treatment operations, with at least two (2) of those years working at a journey-level with a Grade T3 certification, equivalent to the Water Treatment Plant Operator with the City of Vallejo.
Education:
Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.
Successful completion of relevant courses required in order to obtain and maintain Grade T4 certification from the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
License or Certificate:
Possession of, and ability to maintain, a valid driver's license.
Possession of, and ability to maintain, a Water Treatment Plant Operator Grade T4 Certification issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). Failure to maintain appropriate certification throughout employment for this classification will result in termination of employment.
Possession of current and valid certifications for Hazardous Materials Technician, Confined Space Entry, CPR/First Aid, and Fork Lift Safety at the time of appointment is desirable, but must be obtained within the first 12 months of employment and maintained thereafter.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Pursuant to California Government Code, Title I, Division 4, Chapter 8, Section 3100 "all public employees have been declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law."
Must be medically approved for wearing a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), and remain shaven of facial hair at all times as required to wear respiratory protection equipment.
Must maintain the ability to perform required duties while wearing SCBA.
Must be able to work safety while wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Work on an unscheduled basis for emergency situations; must be willing to work any day and any shift within a 24-hour period as assigned, including rotations, holidays, weekends and overtime as needed.
Must be able to pass a stringent background check to enter the Travis Air Force Base Water facility.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Working Conditions
Incumbents must be able to perform physical tasks which may include prolonged sitting, standing walking, reaching, twisting, turning, pushing, pulling, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine motor coordination when using a computer keyboard or mobile data terminal. Near vision is required when writing reports and other documents, and far vision is required when in the field. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The need to lift, carry and push tools and supplies weighing up to 55 pounds is also required. The job duties will expose the employee to the outdoors, confined spaces, elevated structures, chemicals, biohazards, high voltage and electronic equipment. This may include exposure to inclement weather conditions, machinery noise, fumes, dust, and air contaminants. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.
The Recruitment & Selection Process
NOTE: If you have problems creating a user account, obtaining your already created account information, or submitting your online application, please contact governmentjobs.com applicant support directly at 855-524-5627. City of Vallejo staff are unable to assist with these issues.
Applications will be screened for overall qualifications the week of August 17, 2026.
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their supplemental responses scored by subject matter experts the week of August 24, 2026. The most qualified applicants from the scoring of the supplemental questions will be invited for an Oral Panel Interview.
Oral Panel Interviews are tentatively scheduled to take place the week of September 8, 2026. Oral Panel Interviews are weighted at 100% of the candidates' score. Candidates must achieve a minimum passing score of 70%. Those achieving 70% or higher will be placed on the Register of Eligibles (eligible list) and may be considered to fill positions for up to one year.
The City reserves the right to limit the number of candidates to those determined to be best qualified based upon all requested application materials, including training and experience, current resume, and responses to supplemental questions.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
The City of Vallejo is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application, assessment or selection process may contact the Human Resources Department to request an accommodation. Please contact Anabela Rivera at (707)645-2620 or send an email to: Anabela.Rivera@cityofvallejo.net no later than August 17, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
PRIOR TO HIRE
The selected candidate will be required to: 1) Submit to reference checks 2) Submit to and successfully pass a pre-employment background check, including fingerprint check. 3) Successfully complete a job-related pre-placement medical exam. 4) Provide proof of legal right to work in the United States.
Disaster Service Workers - All City of Vallejo ("City") employees are designated Disaster Service Workers ("DSW") by state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all DSW-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
Veterans Preference - Veterans preference points will be applied in accordance with Civil Service Rule 24. A copy of the DD 214 form must be filed at time of application.
Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) - The City of Vallejo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Vallejo to provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.
Note: The provisions in this bulletin do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.
Click here for benefit information for International Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers Employees (IBEW):
01
Instructions for Supplemental Questionnaire: Thank you for your interest in employment with the City of Vallejo! We sincerely value your time and hope to make your application experience as positive as possible. The following supplemental questions are an important step in the examination and selection process to assist us in determining if you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to succeed in the posted vacancy. A lack of complete and thorough responses to each of the supplemental questions in the space provided may result in disqualification from the selection process. In addition, the selections you make and responses you provide in the questionnaire must accurately reflect what is documented in your work history. Please provide unique and comprehensive responses for each question. Answering, "see resume", or copying and pasting any portion of your resume in the open text field may result in elimination from further consideration. Please indicate below that you have read and understand the instructions presented above.
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Please indicate your highest level of education.
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How many years of water treatment operating experience at a surface water treatment plant do you possess?
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Please describe, in detail, your water treatment operating experience at a surface water treatment plant. If none, please type "n/a".
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Do you possess a valid Class C Driver's License?
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Do you possess a Water Treatment Plant Operator Grade T4 Certification issued by the California State Resources Control Board (SWRCB)? If yes, please attach a copy of your certification to your application.
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Please describe, in detail, your experience in maintaining information in plant operating logs and reports. If none, please type "n/a".
08
Please select the following certifications you currently possess:
09
By checking the "yes" box below, you are acknowledging that if hired, you will be required to obtain the following certificates: Hazardous Materials Technician, Confined Space Entry, CPR/First Aid, and Fork Lift Safety, within 12 months of your hire date (if you do not currently possess one), in order to remain employed as a Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator with the City of Vallejo.
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This position requires employees to be medically approved for wearing a Self-contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) in order to perform required duties. Additionally, employees may be required to work in confined spaces and in a variety of weather conditions. The nature of the work may also require the incumbents to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in order to safely complete work tasks. Please indicate below that you have read and understand the working conditions presented above.
11
By checking yes below, you are acknowledging that you may work any shift, rotation, weekends, and holidays, at any Water Department Facility and that Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator may be assigned and required to report directly to any City treatment facility location, and to travel to alternate duty/work locations and offsite meetings. Please indicate below that you have read and understand the statement presented above.
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I understand that the City of Vallejo Human Resources Department is not responsible for any lost or redirected emails and that it is my responsibility to add info@governmentjobs.com to my email contact list to avoid email notifications related to this examination from being classified as "spam" or "junk" mail. Please indicate below that you have read and understand the statement above.
Required Question
Employer City of Vallejo
Address 555 Santa Clara Street (1st Floor)
P.O. Box 3068
Vallejo, California, 94590
Phone 707-648-4363