Wastewater Plant Operator-In-Training/I/II/III/IV (Ventura Water)

Applications are accepted exclusively through the City of Ventura Career Site:
www.cityofventura.ca.gov/jobs. Submissions through other websites or methods will not be accepted.

Applications and supplemental questions will be accepted until Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Pay & Benefits

• Wastewater Plant Operator-In-Training - $29.04 - $35.29 Hourly DOQ

• Wastewater Plant Operator Grade I - $36.34 - $44.17 Hourly DOQ

• Wastewater Plant Operator Grade II - $38.20 - $46.43 Hourly DOQ

• Wastewater Plant Operator Grade III - $42.00 - $51.05 Hourly DOQ

• Wastewater Plant Operator Grade IV - $44.15 – $53.66 Hourly DOQ

• Benefits

  • Medical Insurance (HMO, PPO options)

  • City Paid Dental and Vision Insurance

  • Life Insurance

  • Vacation & Holiday Compensation

  • Deferred Compensation

  • CalPERS Retirement

  • Wellness Program (access to gym facility and fitness classes)

  • Tuition Reimbursement & Bilingual Pay

About the Opportunity

The City of Ventura Water Department is hiring a Wastewater Plant Operator-In-Training/I/II/III/IV. There is currently one vacancy that we are looking to fill immediately.

In this position, you will operate and maintain wastewater treatment plant facilities and processes on an assigned shift within a tertiary treatment plant, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant operations. Duties range from monitoring and adjusting treatment processes to performing routine and complex maintenance on wastewater plant equipment and facilities. As you gain experience and advance through certification levels, you will take on increasing responsibility and progress toward operating plant systems independently.

The Wastewater Plant Operator series is flexibly staffed, and progression from one level to another is based upon the incumbent's acquisition of the appropriate Plant Operator certificate.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Wastewater Plant Operator series is distinguished from the Wastewater Plant Operator-in-Training classification in that Wastewater Plant Operators are required to possess a valid Grade I, II, III, or IV Wastewater Treatment Operator certificate issued by the California Water Resources Control Board.

Wastewater Plant Operator-In-Training: This is the entry-level classification in the Wastewater Plant Operator series and, as such, incumbents are trained in plant operations and routine maintenance work.

Wastewater Plant Operator Grade I, II, III & IV: These are the full journey-level classes of the certified Wastewater Plant Operator series, in which incumbents work with greater independence and perform the full range of complex, skilled maintenance tasks.

Incumbents may be required to work stand-by on a rotational basis and report to work on a callback basis as needed within a designated time frame. Standby assignment is at the discretion of the Division Head.

Minimum Qualifications – Required

Wastewater Plant Operator-In-Training: Graduation from high school or its equivalent, and one year of related training and/or experience in a field comparable to industrial maintenance, which would provide general knowledge of the mechanical trade and motorized equipment.

Wastewater Plant Operator Grade I, II, III & IV: A combination of education, training and/or experience equivalent to graduation from high school or its equivalent and education and experience commensurate with each grade level of certification as required by the state, which includes some course work in area of assignment.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATES

Certificates:

Wastewater Plant Operator-In-Training: Incumbents are required to obtain a State Water Resources Control Board Grade I Operator certification within 18 months from the date of employment. Successful completion of the Grade I Operator certification at the time of application is desirable.

Wastewater Plant Operator Grade I, II, III, & IV: Possession of a Grade I, II, III, or IV Wastewater Treatment Operator certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.

License: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license upon employment.

About Ventura Water

Ventura Water provides drinking water to more than 109,000 people through approximately 32,000 water service connections. This complex water system has more than 391 miles of pipeline, 3 water treatment plants, 23 pump stations and 31 reservoirs.  Our community relies on three 100% local water sources - the Ventura River, Lake Casitas, and local groundwater wells, as well as, providing reclaimed water from the Ventura Water Reclamation Facility to two municipal golf courses, the Ventura Marina area, and private customers for landscape irrigation.   We maintain a full-service laboratory and monitor our water quality daily.

For more information about Ventura Water, visit https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/2268/Ventura-Water. 

How to Apply

Submit an online City job application and supplemental questionnaire by the filing deadline.

• It is important that your city job application show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess. Resumes, CVs, and cover letters may be attached to your application but will not be accepted in lieu of a completed job application or supplemental questionnaire. Submitting an incomplete application or supplemental questionnaire may disqualify you from further consideration in the recruitment process.

• After you apply, all future correspondence from the city will be via E-Mail.  Please check your messages regularly and keep your contact information up to date using your on-line application.

Selection Process

• All applications and supplemental questionnaires submitted will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this job announcement. Candidates will be reviewed, and only those candidates determined to be most qualified based on experience, training, and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process. Candidates will be notified about their status after the filing deadline.

• Those candidates whose qualifications most closely match the requirements of the position will be invited to a qualifying panel interview process. Candidates will be notified of specifics after the examination process has been completed. Initial panel interviews will be conducted in-person. Candidates will be notified of specifics at the appropriate time.

The Eligibility List

The resulting eligibility list will be used to fill other Wastewater Plant Operator vacancies that may occur during the active period of the eligibility list.

THE SCHEDULE

The timeline dates are subject to change. Candidates will be notified as necessary.

• Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. – Application Deadline. Applications and supplemental questionnaires must be submitted by this date to be considered for the position.

• Week of September 7, 2026 - Candidates will be notified by email of their status by this date.

• Week of September 21, 2026 - Panel Interviews are tentatively scheduled for this date. Qualifying candidates will be notified by email or phone if they are invited to the panel interview process.

• Department Selection Interviews will be scheduled promptly after the panel interviews have been completed. Qualifying candidates will be notified by phone or email if they are invited to the panel interview process.

• September 2026 – Candidates will be notified of the outcome of the interview by this date.

Additional Information

For additional information on the duties and responsibilities of the position, refer to the job descriptions located on the City’s Career Page at  City of Ventura Jobs or by viewing here Wastewater Plant Operator-In-Training/I/II/III/IV.

To learn more about the City’s hiring process, visit the City of Ventura Hiring Process page.

Questions? Contact the Recruitment Team:

[email protected]

(805) 654-7802