Plant Operator III

Job Description:

Plant Operator III

Description

Description

Come join our team! The City of San Clemente is seeking a Plant Operator III.

Scheduled Salary Increases:

Effective July 2025 - 3.0%

Effective July 2026 - 3.0%

Effective July 2027 - 2.5%

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, perform a variety of skilled technical duties and semi-skilled labor in the operation and preventative maintenance of the City's wastewater treatment facilities and storm water filtration facility. Will operate and troubleshoot complex equipment and unit processes; and perform a variety of related duties including any necessary administrative duties as assigned. Assignments are given in general terms and are subject to infrequent review while in progress and upon completion. A working knowledge of wastewater treatment fundamentals and experience in troubleshooting problems of moderate difficulty is required. There is some latitude for independent judgment and action in well-defined areas of work. Duties may sometimes require the direction of higher supervisory or management staff. May have to exercise supervision over lower-level staff.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a full journey- level position in plant operations and is responsible for the entire operation of the facilities and assumes the complexity of duties assigned including performing lead supervisory functions as required, and participates in developing procedures and goals for wastewater activities. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility. The minimum required certification is a California State Water Resources Control Board Grade III Wastewater Treatment Operator certification. The Operator III may be expected to train other personnel, explain work methods and procedures, develop standard operating procedures, and conduct safety training, and coordinate projects.

Essential Functions

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS
Essential and other important functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Oversees the operations of the assigned shift.
  
• Performs assigned rounds including adjusting process controls to daily required parameters, monitoring and documenting plant operations by reading plant equipment gauges, dials, graphs and other instrumentation.
  
• Participates in the development of goals and procedures for wastewater treatment activities.
  
• Gathers and analyzes data.
  
• Provides lead supervision over lower level staff, as requested.
  
• Develops a variety of reports.
  
• Operates and adjusts pumps, motors, feeders and other equipment to maintain appropriate wastewater treatment and reclaim water processes.
  
• Inspects plant equipment and report any failure or operational difficulties.
  
• Maintains, compiles and updates plant operations logs and reports; performs and records mathematical calculations related to operational activities.
  
• Monitors and adjusts chemical feed dosages as needed.
  
• Collects liquid samples and performs a variety of routine water quality laboratory tests.
  
• Works closely with the laboratory staff on testing processes.
  
• Monitors laboratory results.
  
• Responds to public inquiries in a courteous and timely manner.
  
• Investigates and resolves complaints effectively, while informing supervision, as needed.
  
• Documents findings and recommendations as well as preventative and corrective maintenance activities.
  
• Monitors and maintains appropriate inventory levels, chemicals and supplies for operations and preventative maintenance activities.
  
• Performs general plant facility maintenance such as cleaning and painting.
  
• Conducts tours of treatment facilities.
  
• Attends weekly safety meetings and other related meetings.
  
• Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.
  

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Standard principles of biology, chemistry, and mathematics.
Principles and practices of wastewater treatment and reclamation facility operations.
Methods and techniques of primary, secondary, activated sludge, and tertiary treatment.
Operating principles of plant equipment including valves, pumps, and motors.
Laboratory analysis procedures.
Health standards for wastewater.
Sampling methods and techniques.
Safe work practices.
Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations.
Modern office procedures, methods, computer equipment, and basic software programs.

Ability to:

Lead and train lower level plant operations staff.
Operate and maintain wastewater treatment equipment and unit processes.
Read and interpret gauges and other recording devices related to wastewater treatment.

Take wastewater samples and perform routine laboratory tests.
Diagnose operating problems and take effective courses of action.
Make independent technical decisions to maintain proper treatment process.

Lift heavy objects and perform strenuous labor when necessary.
Maintain records and compile data into written reports.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Be able to use a computer and learn software programs.
Understand and calculate wastewater math problems.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Maintain mental capacity which allows for effective interaction and communication with others.
Maintain effective audio/visual discrimination and perception to perform assigned duties.

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

Experience:

Two years of increasingly responsible experience operating a wastewater treatment plant.

Education/Training:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in the natural sciences and wastewater treatment plant operations.

Licenses or Certificates:

Possession of a Class C California Driver License.

Possession of a Grade III or higher Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board.

Special Requirements:

Must be available for overtime and rotational 24-hour paid On-Call status.
Respond to emergencies as needed.
When assigned to On-Call duty, must be able to respond within 45 minutes.
Must have experience with predictive and preventative maintenance strategies.
Must be able to perform confined space entries.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Environment :

Field environment which involves traveling from site to site. Work involves working within including water treatment plants, and water operations facilities. Work involves exposure to water, mud, sewage, noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases, traffic, chemicals, machinery, noise dirt, vibration head, cold and dampness; exposure to biological hazardous environments.

Work may take place in inclement weather conditions. Work takes place at elevated heights on scaffolding and ladders; work takes place within confined spaces, underground, on slippery or uneven surfaces, and around heavy construction equipment.

Physical Requirements :

• Work takes place within utility plants and in the field on a frequent basis, requiring the performance of strenuous and manual tasks for prolonged periods of time; and work may take place within an indoor office environment on an occasional basis, requiring extensive sitting, and some standing and walking.
• Work involves operating motorized vehicles and heavy equipment.
• Frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of heavy items.
• Standing for prolonged periods of time.
• Stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling.
• Operating motorized vehicles and equipment.
• Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment, handle files and documents
• Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person or on the telephone.
• Visual acuity to see/read documents and computer screen and to read instrumentation dials, measuring devices, or other related components.

Supplemental Information

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE

All applicants must submit a completed City of San Clemente application form and supplemental questionnaire in order to be considered. Applications will not be accepted by fax or email.

Applications must be submitted via the City's web site at http://san-clemente.org/jobs. All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Examinations for the position may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral exams to evaluate the applicant's skill, training, and experience.

Prior to employment, the prospective candidate must successfully complete a background review, medical examination, including drug screen, and be fingerprinted, all at City expense. If selected, written identification showing entitlement to legally work in the United States will be required.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or age.

In accordance with the ADA, candidates that require accommodation to perform the tasks of this position should contact Human Resources to inform them of the accommodation requested.

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract and any provisions contained herein may be modified or revoked without notice.

The City of San Clemente provides excellent benefits which include:

FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULE -Most positionswork a 9/80 work schedule.

HOLIDAYS - The City presently recognizes 12 regular holidays, plustwo floating holidays.

VACATION - Employees accumulate vacation at the rate of 104 hours per year increasing to a maximum of 176 hours based on years of service.

SICK LEAVE - Accrual of 8 hours per month.

INSURANCE - The City provides a comprehensive benefit package including employee medical, dental, vision.

LIFE INSURANCE - Value equal to two times annual earnings up to a maximum of $100,000.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION - Employees may elect to enroll in a voluntary plan and defer up to the IRS permitted annual maximum. Employees may defer up to a maximum of $23,500 annually in 2025. Individuals aged 50 and older can contribute up to $7,500 in catch-up contributions to these plans.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT - Employees may participate in either or both of the Health Care or Dependent Care programs.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - The City offers full-time employees and their dependents an EAP program which provides a variety of professional services.

ON-SITE FITNESS CENTER -The City provides a no fee on-sitefitness center with state of the art equipment located in City Hall.

RETIREMENT - The City of San Clemente is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), and is subject to the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA). The retirement formula for new employees is based on the category below that the new employee falls under. Employee contribution rates will be determined by the employee's classification and requirements under PEPRA.
NOTE: The City is also a member of the Social Security system. As such, Full Time employees make contributions to Social Security in addition to their CalPERS contributions.

Classic Member:

Retirement Formula: 2% @ 55

Definition:

CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the PEPRA definition of a "new member" as "classic members" who are subject to the Public Employees' Retirement Law (PERL). PEPRA allows a member after January 1, 2013, to retain his/her classic member retirement benefit status if the member continues his/her membership in all previous California Public Retirement System(s) by leaving his/her service credit and contributions (if any) on deposit, and the member enters into employment that results in CalPERS membership within six months of separating from the most recent California Public Retirement System. Classic member status also requires the membership date to be on or before December 31, 2012, in a California Public Retirement System in which reciprocity is established.

New Member:

Retirement Formula: 2% @ 62

Definition: A new member is defined in PEPRA as any of the following:

• A new hire who is brought into CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, who has no prior membership in any California Public Retirement System.
• A new hire who is brought into CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, who has a break in service of greater than six months with another California Public Retirement System that is subject to Reciprocity.
• A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to January 1, 2013, who is rehired by a different CalPERS employer after a break in service of greater than six months.

Closing Date/Time: 3/9/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$101,670.40 - $123,572.80 Annually