Water Treatment Plant Operator I, II, III - North Water Treatment Plant

Water Treatment Plant Operator I, II, III - North Water Treatment Plant

Salary

$27.51 - $49.49 Hourly

Location

North Water Treatment Plant, 2865 E. Guadalupe, Gilbert 85234, AZ

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

27-0030

Department

PUBLIC WORKS

Opening Date

08/17/2026

Closing Date

9/20/2026 11:59 PM Arizona

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

We Are Seeking

Team Gilbert has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated professional to fill the position of Water Treatment Plant Operator I, II, III. With every job we fill, our focus is on providing best-in-class service to our citizens while offering the opportunity for professional growth in a rewarding and innovative work environment.

This vacancy is at our North Water Treatment Plant, located at 2865 E. Guadalupe Road, Gilbert, AZ 85234.

The Water Treatment Plant Operator I, II, III reports to the Water Treatment Plant Utility Supervisor. The primary duties of the position include:

• Operate the water treatment plant, including supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system or manually.
• Conduct minor plant and equipment maintenance, including general housekeeping, and assist maintenance staff.
• Perform laboratory analysis and jar test to determine optimum chemical dosages.
• Additionally, the Water Treatment Plant Operator is responsible for keeping logbooks, lab books, lab reports, midnight daily total reports, inspection reports, backwash logs, and updating the ozone database.
• Operate and monitor water treatment plant systems using DCS and SCADA computer systems, conduct visual plant inspections, monitor plant operations and processes, and work safely with and around treatment Chemicals. Detect problems to ensure proper operation and make process decisions as deemed appropriate.
• Additionally, we train new employees in the operations and maintenance of Two Surface Water Treatment Plants, utilizing the latest treatment technology and focusing on continuous quality improvement.
• View the full job descriptions: Water Treatment Plant Operator I, Water Treatment Plant Operator II, Water Treatment Plant Operator III

This position is an At-Will position and is FLSA Non-Exempt - eligible for overtime compensation. Employment with the Town of Gilbert is at-will.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline

Posting Closes: Sunday, September 20, 2026

In-Person Interviews: Week of September 28, 2026

Anticipated Start Date: October 12, 2026

This timeline is provided as an estimate and is subject to change based on business needs.

About You

At Team Gilbert, we hire innovative, forward-thinking problem-solvers who love what they do! In addition to possessing the ability to live out our core and functional values daily. You are someone who effectively exceeds customer needs by building productive relationships and taking responsibility for customer satisfaction and loyalty. You actively participate as a member of a team to move the team toward the completion of goals and produce quality outcomes. You are committed to our safety philosophy, and you take great pride in proactively managing time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently while accomplishing objectives and achieving goals beyond what is required.

Candidates for a Level I Operator must meet the following requirements:

• High School Diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.).
• Supplemented by vocational/technical training in water treatment plant operations and water distribution systems.
• 0-2 years of experience in public sector water treatment plant operations.
• Under the supervision of an operator II or III must be able to work day or evening shift as required and overtime when necessary.
• Valid Arizona Drivers license.
• ADEQ Grade 1 Water Treatment Plant Operator certification at the time of hire.
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.
• Pay range for a Water Treatment Plant Operator I is $27.51 - $39.89/hr.

Candidates for a Level II Operator must meet the following requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED.
• 2 years or more of technical training beyond high school in water treatment.
• 2 - 5 years of experience in public sector water distribution systems and in water treatment.
• Grade 2 Water Treatment Certification and Grade 2 Water Distribution Certification at the time of hire or promotion.
• Pay range for a Water Treatment Plant Operator II is $30.94 - $46.41/hr.

Candidates for a Level III Operator must meet the following requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED.
• 4 years or more of technical training beyond high school in water treatment.
• 2 years of experience in public sector water distribution systems and 4 years of experience in water treatment.
• Grade 3 Water Treatment Certification and a Grade 3 Water Distribution Certification at the time of hire or promotion.
• Pay range for a Water Treatment Plant Operator III is $33.00 - $49.49/hr.

Work will require climbing portable ladders and entering confined spaces. Operators work varied shifts, requiring availability on a rotating schedule for workdays, evenings, nights, and weekends.

Why Team Gilbert?

To view the slide show presentation above, click here.

We Are Here to Help!

Gilbert is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If any reasonable accommodation is needed while participating in the application and interviewing process, please contact our People Team (Human Resources) at 480-503-6823. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.

Gilbert provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Gilbert offers a comprehensive benefits package for qualifying positions that includes medical and dental insurance, life insurance, disability, pension, tuition reimbursement, parental leave, babies at work, and more! Click Here to see a list of our benefit offerings at-a-glance, or visit our website to see our full employee benefits guide.

01

In the questions that follow, you will be asked for information about your work history, to include things such as dates of employment, names of employers and specific details of the work you did. In answer to questions asking you to describe your work experience, if you do not have that type of experience, enter "N/A". Answers provided in this supplemental questionnaire must be substantiated and verifiable in the employment history section of your application. Be aware that submitting a resume in lieu of completing the employment history section of the application and failing to provide all the information requested in these supplemental questions will disqualify you from further consideration, so please be thorough in answering the questions. Please indicate whether you accept these terms by checking the appropriate response below.

• Yes
• No

02

Did you graduate from high school or obtain a GED?

• Yes
• No

03

Have you completed any vocational/technical training in water treatment plant operations systems (certification classes and self-study will satisfy this requirement)?

• Yes
• No

04

If you answered yes to the previous question, please describe this vocational/tech training in the space below. If not, please enter N/A.

05

Please indicate below which level of Water Treatment Plant Operator you are qualified for and applying for an Operator I, II, or III? If you currently do not possess an ADEQ certification, please select the first answer, which includes the option to obtain within 6 months. If you hold equivalent certifications from a state other than Arizona, we urge you to contact ADEQ at 602-771-4638 to determine whether Arizona offers reciprocity for your out-of-state certifications. Certifications for which Arizona offers reciprocity will be accepted. Additional information about reciprocity is available at ADEQs Web site: http://azdeq.gov/environ/water/dw/opcert.html.

• Applying as a Water Treatment Plant Operator I and possess a current ADEQ (or Equivalent) Grade I Water Treatment Plant Operator certification.
• Applying as a Water Treatment Plant Operator II and possess both a current ADEQ (or Equivalent) Grade 2 Water Treatment Certification & a Grade 2 Water Distribution Certification.
• Applying as a Water Treatment Plant Operator III and possess both a current ADEQ (or Equivalent) Grade 3 Water Treatment Certification and a Grade 3 Water Distribution Certification.
• I do not possess a Water Treatment or Distribution ADEQ certification, but will obtain an ADEQ Treatment Operator 1 Certification within 6 months of hire and an ADEQ Distribution Operator Certification 1 within 1 year of hire

06

If you indicated in the previous question, you have a certification or certifications equivalent to the ADEQ certifications required, please describe your equivalent certification in the space below. Be sure to include the State from which your certification was issued and the expiration date. If you hold ADEQ certifications or do not hold any certifications, please enter N/A.

07

How many years of experience do you have in water treatment plant operations and SCADA systems operations?

• No experience in this area
• Less than one year
• 1-2
• 2-3
• 3+

08

If you indicated in the previous question, you do have the experience listed, please describe your experience in the space below. If not, please enter N/A.

09

How many years of experience do you have in some combination of surface water treatment plant operations, and related equipment maintenance?

• No experience in this area
• Less than one year
• 1-2
• 2-3
• 3+

10

If you indicated in the previous question, you do have the experience listed, please describe your experience in the space below. If not, please enter N/A.

11

How many years of experience do you have in municipal water treatment plant operations?

• No experience in this area
• Less than one year
• 1-2
• 2-3
• 3+

12

If you indicated in the previous question, you do have the experience listed, please describe your experience in the space below. If not, please enter N/A.

13

Please select the response that best describes the size of the water treatment plant where you gained your operator experience.

• No experience in this area
• Less than 20 mgd
• 20 mgd or more

14

If you indicated in the previous question, you do have the experience listed, please describe your experience in the space below. If not, please enter N/A.

15

How many years of experience do you have working in a position of responsibility in a water treatment plant, to include making process decisions?

• No experience in this area
• Less than one year
• 1-2
• 2-3
• 3+

16

If you indicated in the previous question, you do have the experience listed, please describe your experience in the space below. If not, please enter N/A.

17

How many years of experience do you have maintaining and repairing equipment related to water treatment plants systems?

• No experience in this area
• Less than one year
• 1-2
• 2-3
• 3+

18

If you indicated in the previous question, you do have the experience listed, please describe your experience in the space below. If not, please enter N/A.

19

Do you currently possess a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

20

All Town of Gilbert Water Treatment Plant Operators may be required to workdays, evening, nights, weekends, and Holidays on a rotating schedule. Are you able and willing to work this schedule?

• Yes
• No

21

The following question is strictly confidential and will not be made part of your application for employment. Preference Status per Arizona Revised Statute 38-492 (select all that apply):

• Veteran
• Disabled Veteran
• Veterans Spouse/Surviving Spouse
• Disabled Person

Required Question

Employer Town of Gilbert

Address 50 E. Civic Center Drive

Gilbert, Arizona, 85296

Phone (480) 503-6823

Website https://gilbertaz.gov/jobs