Water Treatment Plant Operator (SBP)

The City of San Luis Obispo is seeking a skilled and motivated Water Treatment Plant Operator to help operate and maintain our T5-rated surface water treatment facility. This critical role supports the delivery of safe, high-quality drinking water to our community through advanced treatment processes including ozone disinfection, ballasted flocculation, filtration, pH control, and chemical treatment. Operators play a direct role in protecting public health, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining reliable water service for our residents and businesses.

The ideal candidate is passionate about the water industry and public service, with strong analytical, mechanical, and problem-solving abilities. Successful candidates will be comfortable interpreting operational data, utilizing computer-based control systems, and performing maintenance activities in both independent and team-oriented environments. A Water Treatment Operator certification of T3 or higher is highly desirable. Strong communication skills, sound judgment, and a commitment to continuous learning are essential, as is the ability to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. If you're ready to grow your career, serve your community, and make a meaningful impact on public health, we encourage you to apply.

Due to operational and emergency response requirements, this position participates in a mandatory standby/callout rotation. Employees must reside within 40 miles of San Luis Obispo by the start of employment and maintain that residency requirement throughout employment.

Have questions or want to learn more about the role and our Water Treatment Program?
Visit our Utilities Department webpage or contact the hiring manager, Victor Tejeda, who will be happy to provide additional information.

If you are selected for interviews, they will take place in person on Tuesday, December 15^th 2026, so please hold that date.

JOB SUMMARY:

Performs a variety of complex operational and general maintenance duties at the City's T5 rated surface water treatment plant. The water treatment plant has a design capacity of 16 mgd and utilizes ozone for primary disinfection. Plant processes include coagulation, ballasted flocculation, filtration, pH control and chlorine/fluoride addition. Employees in this classification must be available to work on any assigned shift that may include working nights, holidays and weekends.  This job class includes responsibility for the performance of the full range of the classification's tasks and duties, ultimately performing at a journey level of classification.  Appointment to a level in this job class is based upon achieving and maintaining a specified level of competence, professionalism and performance as defined through a skills-based-pay rating.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:

This classification is a “Skills Based Pay” advancement series.  Employees in this classification who are part of a series shall have the opportunity to advance within the series to the highest working class.   Such advancement shall be based on their attainment and demonstrated performance of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, and/or required certification, and the recommendation of the department head.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

Employees in this classification receive supervision from the Water Treatment Plant Supervisor and direction from the Chief Operator within a framework of standard Utilities Department and City policies and procedures. Incumbents in this classification may work independently while on mandatory standby/callout. 

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks that may be found in positions of this class.)

• Responsible for proper operation of the Water Treatment Plant as Shift Operator to maintain a consistent supply of high quality water to the City water distribution system.
• Inspects and ensures the proper operation of Treatment Plant equipment (Ozone generators, chemical feeders, related valves, etc.).
• Makes decisions on chemical feed rates and plant process operations to treat a varying water quality and flow rate as required by the City water system demand.
• Operates and maintains pumping stations and other related facilities.
• Performs standardized laboratory tests for treatment plant process control (alkalinity, hardness, turbidity, chlorine and fluoride residual, PH, color etc.).
• Cleans, lubricates, adjusts, operates, and assists in repairing water pumps, motors, engines, chemical feed, and related equipment.
• Reads and records measurements of meters, gauges, and recording charts.
• Registers daily water quantities pumped.
• Collects a variety of water samples for laboratory analysis, process control, and regulatory compliance.
• Operates and monitors wells for total production, chlorine residual, and draw down measurements.
• Operates a computerized telemetry system for process monitoring and control.
• Initiates and oversees filter backwashes.
• Handles and transports chemicals in a safe and proper manner.
• Responsible for the performance of work in a safe and proper manner of an assigned shift; may conduct safety training for employees; may train new employees in proper and safe work methods and WTP operations.
• Participate in the mandatory standby/callout rotation that provides 24-hour coverage of all water treatment plant components and facilities.
• Performs a variety of general maintenance duties (e.g. painting, cleaning, and grounds keeping) at the Water Treatment Plant and related facilities.
• Conducts public tours of the WTP for public relations and educational purposes.
• Performs complex mathematical calculations to determine plant process requirements and efficiencies.
• Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required. 

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Operating principles of motors, pumps, compressors, and other electrical and mechanical equipment.
• Basic building, electrical, carpentry, plumbing, and grounds maintenance practices.
• State and Federal standards and requirements related to water treatment plant operation, maintenance, and safety.
• Proper laboratory principles and practices related to water treatment plant operations.
• General record keeping procedures and practices, including database and computer applications – (Word, Excel, etc.).
• Safe work practices.

Ability to:

• Function in a journeyman capacity in the operation of the Water Treatment Plant.
• Obtain Water Treatment Certification from the State Water Resources Control Board, within required time frames. Must progress and obtain a T3 Treatment Certification within a reasonable time frame.
• Safely and effectively perform complex and skilled operations, maintenance, and repairs to pumps, motors, compressors, and other mechanical equipment in a potentially hazardous environment; using a variety of tools and equipment related to water plant maintenance and operations.
• Express ideas clearly and concisely, understand and follow directions in both written and oral form.
• Provide excellent customer service.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers, management, members of the public, the community, and agency representatives.
• Recognize problems, make decisions, and resolve conflict with tact, good judgment, resourcefulness, and diplomacy.
• Diagnose a variety of operation problems and make complex operational adjustments based on recorded data, lab analyses, and observation.
• Read blue prints and drawings.
• Handle and use treatment plant chemicals in a safe and proper manner.
• Read and understand meters, gauges, and recording devices.
• Properly regulate chemical feed rates and dosages in water systems.
• Accurately perform mathematical calculations.
• Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and other safety equipment as required and comply with City's facial hair requirements for the use of respiratory equipment.
• Meet the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform required duties, including annual respiratory/physical exam.
• To work on any assigned shift; which includes working on after normal hour shifts, holidays, and weekends.
• Lift fifty pounds during the course of a normal workday.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Minimum entry level requirements are a high school graduation or G.E.D., mechanical aptitude, and ability to advance in a challenging, technical field.

Higher initial placement in the salary range is negotiable with higher levels of education and/or experience. Highly desirable traits include:

• Current State Water Resources Control Board Water Treatment Operator certification.
• Related college coursework such as chemistry, biology, hydraulics, etc.
• Specialized training related to the water treatment field.
• Work experience in the water treatment field at a treatment plant or water system performing work in maintenance and repair of pumps, motors, chemical feed systems and related equipment.
• Operator experience as a certified operator at a T3 or higher facility.

POSSESSION AND MAINTENANCE OF:

• A valid California class C driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.
• A State Water Resources Control Board Water Treatment Operator Certification Grade I or higher is highly desirable.
• A California Department of Public Health Operator Treatment Certification Grade I or higher is highly desirable.

THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE A FINAL OFFER IS MADE:

• Pre-employment Physical
• Live Scan Fingerprinting (DOJ)