Plant Operator

WCW is an award-winning wastewater treatment and resource recovery agency that collects and treats wastewater for reuse. We are committed to protecting public health, our community and the environment. West County Wastewater's administrative office and Water Quality & Resource Recovery Plant are located in beautiful Richmond, California where we serve west Contra Costa County.

The district has approximately 34,000 residences and 2,450 commercial and industrial businesses, with a total population of nearly 100,000. Founded in 1921, today we are transforming our organization and shaping the future of the regional wastewater industry with a team that is dedicated to innovation, progress, collaboration, service and ecofriendly practices. Additionally, we are deeply committed to our community and inspired by the diversity of our employees and the integrity and commitment they bring to our community and to each other every day.

The Position

WCW is looking for a dynamic, experienced wastewater treatment Plant Operator who is flexible, resourceful, and a team player with good instincts and problem-solving skills who thrives on personal accountability.

WCW is seeking a candidate to fill one (1) vacancy and create an employment list that may be used to fill future full-time vacancies as they occur during the active status of the employment list.

Plant Operators are expected to perform semi-skilled and skilled work in the inspection, operation, and maintenance of WCW’s wastewater treatment plant, and related lift stations including primary, secondary, tertiary and solids treatment processes. It is critical that the chosen candidate be committed to contributing to further developing and participating in a production-based environment where workflow is measurable, task-based and includes not only typical operational duties but housekeeping, maintenance, painting, and other duties as necessary or assigned.

The plant operator will participate in the operation of a wastewater treatment facility to control the flow and processing of wastewater, sludge, and effluent; monitor gauges, meters, and control panels; observe variation in operating conditions; interpret meter and gauge readings; and test results to determine processing requirements.

WCW wastewater operations are staffed 24 hours per day in shifts running from 6 AM to 6 PM and 6 PM to 6 AM. Operators are required to periodically rotate through all shifts.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a safety oriented, self-directed individual who recognizes protection and conservation of treated and untreated wastewater as a critical part of the ecosystem.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Knowledgeable. You will need to be knowledgeable of established safety policies and procedures and applicable codes and regulations.
• Customer focused. Your role will require you to understand your customer's operational needs and to be responsive and proactive when addressing those needs.
• Flexible. You will need to adapt and adjust your work schedule to meet changing conditions or emergencies.
• Organized and Results Driven. You will need to be organized and shows a high level of care and thoroughness in handling assignments.
• Dependable. Your assigned unit will rely on you for support.
• Able to Personify Integrity. You will be an important part in maintaining WCW’s culture of transparency and accountability, open to continuous improvement.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• Every day brings a variety of work and opportunities to make a difference with the potential to impact the delivery of important public services.
• You will work in a dynamic department with opportunities to excel and grow.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Accuracy is paramount in this work environment.
• Working in an environment with strong odors, noise, and potentially unpleasant conditions
• The plant runs 24/7/365 with plant operations working different shifts, including nights and holidays.

Competencies Desired:

• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding and adhering to established safety standards, building codes and regulations
• Adaptability- Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Professional Impact: Presenting self as a positive representative of the organization
• Self-Management: Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability

Essential Duties

Essential Duties: Depending upon assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform and monitor daily operational processes of plant and maintain appropriate records and logs
• Operate wastewater treatment facilities and lift stations to control flow and processing of wastewater, sludge, and effluent
• Monitor and perform routine adjustment and maintenance work on valves and gates, engines, electric motors, gauges, meters, control panels and related equipment and facilities to control and adjust flow and treatment processes
• Operate treatment plant vehicles, portable equipment and stationary machinery as required
• Collect samples and perform routine laboratory tests
• May assist in the training of less experienced operators
• Perform related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: A minimum of one year of experience in the operation, repair and maintenance of equipment such as pumps, motors, and related apparatus in a wastewater treatment plant comparable to the Operator-In-Training level.

Education: Equivalent to the completion of high school supplemented by courses necessary for certification.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE: Possession of a Grade I California Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certificate issued by the State of California Water Resources Control Board.

Possession of a valid California Driver's License. The incumbent must continue to meet all of the provisions of the Driving Policy as a condition of continued employment.

Supplemental Information

Applicants interested in the Plant Operator position should apply at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/wcwd by August 24, 2026.

The recruitment requires applicants to submit a copy of their California Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certificate issued by the State of California Water Resources Control Board. Each candidate’s background will be evaluated based on information submitted at the time of application.

Selection Process:

1. Application Filing and Evaluation: Applicants must complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application; applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.
2. Interview: Candidates that demonstrate that they possess the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in an oral interview conducted in person.

TENTATIVE TEST DATES:

• Oral Board Interview: September 8, 2026
• Hiring Interview: September 24, 2026

WCW is not responsible for failure of internet forms or email transmission in submitting applications. Candidates who may require special assistance in any phase of the application process should advise Human Resources at [email protected]

Equal Employment Opportunity It is the policy of West County Wastewater to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

Disaster Service Worker All West County Wastewater employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the WCW requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.