$35.16 to $42.75 Hourly with a 5% COLA on 7/1/25 and 5% COLA on 7/1/26
Our newly operational Water Reclamation Center sets the standard for wastewater treatment facilities on the Central Coast. It’s the largest part of the City’s largest-ever infrastructure project and truly a state-of-the-art facility that is capable of delivering treated wastewater that can be reused to bolster the City’s drinking water supply. Located on South Bay Boulevard north of Highway 1, the facility incorporates cutting-edge technology, including two lift stations and approximately 3.5 miles of pipelines and wells. The purified water is injected into the groundwater aquifer for reuse through our existing infrastructure, promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship.
If selected, you will be part of a team that operates the most advanced water reclamation center on the Central Coast. You will have the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art equipment and technology in a brand new one million-gallon-per-day advanced treatment facility. Additionally, the City offers an excellent benefits package and opportunities for career advancement based on experience, knowledge, and certifications. Joining the City of Morro Bay Utilities Division means contributing to the community’s environmental sustainability and making a meaningful impact on water resource management.
If you are a motivated individual with a passion for water operations, we invite you to apply and become part of our dedicated team. Help us shape the future of water and make a positive impact on our community. Apply today and embark on a rewarding career with the City of Morro Bay!
To learn more about our Water Reclamation Facility, visit morrobaywrf.com.
DEFINITION
Under direct or general supervision, operates equipment, treatment facilities, pump/lift stations, and related appurtenances as found in a water/wastewater treatment plant, water distribution system, and wastewater collection system; takes periodic samples and performs standardized tests to ensure proper operation within established guidelines; performs preventive maintenance and repairs; and related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direct or general supervision from Lead Utility Operators, along with other City Managers and Supervisors. Utility Operators (Operators) will have the responsibility for supervising and training less experienced personnel. Operators will be expected to perform the function of shift supervisor when they are the highest certified operator on shift.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This classification encompasses entry level operator to journey-level class in the utility operations series performing the full range of duties required to ensure that the water/wastewater treatment and their associated collection and distribution facilities and systems operate effectively and are maintained in a safe and effective working condition. Persons in this position are required to have a working knowledge appropriate to their certification level of the City’s utilities. Responsibilities include performing standardized laboratory testing, operations of equipment, and performing a wide variety of tasks including preventative maintenance and repair of the facilities and systems.
Advancement in this class through the five steps are accomplished by:
• years of experience
• demonstration of knowledge and skill
• advanced licenses, and certifications
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
• Monitors plant operations equipment and processes to ensure compliance with environmental and public health standards, including monitoring and adjusting to optimize efficiency, making chemical dosage changes, changing pumping rates, and monitoring all equipment.
• Operates valves, pumps, and automated controls to regulate the flow of water/wastewater through the system.
• Reviews and analyzes automated information and control system data and revises equipment settings as appropriate; notifies supervisor of unusual situations and makes inspections or corrects system problems as necessary.
• Reads, records, and calculates readings of meters and gauges; interprets information into operational characteristics; makes process adjustments per information gathered, samples collected, readings, and records.
• Collects water/wastewater, sludge, and other samples from various phases of the treatment process; performs standard chemical and physical tests on these samples to ensure that the treatment process is operating effectively and that regulatory requirements are being met.
• Interprets and performs routine laboratory and process tests to optimize treatment plant performance, monitors the results, and recommends potential operational changes to the Lead.
• Performs proper usage and handling of chemicals per industry standards.
• Performs preventive maintenance on a variety of equipment, such as electric motors, engines, gas and electric powered pumps, drive units, emergency systems, power generation systems, pressure and flow regulators, and other fixtures and appliances.
• Lubricates pumps, motors, chains, conveyors, blowers, chlorinators, sprinklers, rotation distributors, scrapers, filter screens, and other machinery and equipment; removes blockages; replaces worn parts; participates in determining equipment problems and suggesting methods of
minimizing such problems in an operational setting.
• Performs fabrication of piping and other systems as necessary to maintain operation of treatment plant facilities and equipment.
• Performs inspection, construction, maintenance, and repair activities of water distribution and wastewater collection systems; checks, cleans, and repairs systems and treatment plant lines, pits, screens, tanks, and mechanisms; shuts down appropriate parts for repair and returns to service once repair is completed.
• Operates a variety of vehicles and heavy equipment; including but not limited to pick-up trucks, Hydro-Vac; front end loader, and forklift.
• Operates a Hydro-Vac and trailer mounted jetter for hydro-flushing City sewer lines.
• Operates and maintains a variety of hand and power tools and equipment related to work assignments as instructed.
• Locates and marks underground utilities in accordance with Underground Service Alert (USA) regulations.
• Performs pretreatment inspections and tests of industrial and commercial waste disposal systems to ensure compliance with ordinances and permit requirements.
• Performs a variety of general and ground maintenance activities, including mowing, edging, and trimming landscaped areas as scheduled, weed abatement, and painting facilities and equipment when needed; assists in maintenance painting of plant machinery, equipment, piping, and other structures; maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition, including securing equipment at the close of the workday.
• Responds to operations, maintenance, and repair emergency situations as required.
• Maintains records and logs of daily activities; prepares reports as necessary.
• Observes safe work methods and makes appropriate use of related safety equipment as required.
• Performs related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
• Basic principles, practices, tools, and materials as they relate to the operation, cleaning, and preventive maintenance of water/wastewater treatment plants, water distribution systems, and wastewater collection systems, and their associated facilities, and equipment.
• Basic principles and practices of record-keeping methods.
• Safe driving rules and practices.
• Basic computer software related to work.
• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
• Operation and preventive maintenance of piping systems, including pipes, valves, and related appurtenances.
• Standard chemical and physical tests of water, wastewater, sludge, and related materials.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures.
• Basic equipment troubleshooting principles and practices.
• Basic mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic principles.
• Basic arithmetic and statistical techniques.
• Use computers and a variety of computer software programs. record and log data.
• Safe work methods and safety practices pertaining to the work, including the handling and storage of hazardous chemicals.
Appropriate to certification level ability to:
• Safely and effectively use and operate hand tools, mechanical equipment, power tools, and light to heavy equipment required for the work.
• Perform routine equipment maintenance.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and basic written records of work performed.
• Operate a motor vehicle safely.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Be on standby duty and respond to after-hours emergencies.
• Operate, maintain, and repair a variety of water/wastewater treatment plants, water distribution systems, and wastewater collection systems.
• Recognize and correct or report unusual, inefficient, or dangerous operating conditions.
• Read a variety of gauges, charts, and meters, record data accurately and make appropriate process adjustments.
• Perform the daily duties of the lab analyst.
• Conduct standard chemical and physical tests of water, wastewater, sludge, and related materials.
• Handle hazardous chemicals in a safe manner.
• Interpret and apply the policies, procedures, laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions.
• Assist in the development and implementation of all safety programs.
• Set up and operate traffic area construction zones, including cones, barricades, and flagging.
• Locate underground utilities by use of blue prints and electronic locating equipment in accordance with Underground Service Alert (USA) regulations.
• Read, interpret, and apply technical information from manuals, drawings, specifications, layouts, blueprints, and schematics.
• Make accurate mathematical calculations.
• Diagnose operating problems and take effective courses of action.
• Follow department policies and procedures related to assigned duties.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Perform duties of shift supervisor as required by the certification held when you hold the highest certification of employees on shift.
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.
Supplemental specialized training in water/wastewater treatment plants, water distribution systems, and wastewater collection systems and/or maintenance or related field and the years of experience relevant to the required state certifications.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in and around standard water/wastewater treatment plants, water distribution systems, and wastewater collection systems, strength, stamina, and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work, to work in confined spaces, around machines and to climb and descend ladders, and to operate varied hand and power tools and equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; color vision to read gauges and identify appurtenances; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio. The job involves frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 50 pounds, and heavier weights with the use of proper equipment.
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
Employees work partially indoors and partially in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances, odors, and fumes. Employees interact with staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Required to be on-call as needed and to work various shifts evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergencies. Must maintain a 30-minute distance and 45-minute response time when assigned to on-call duties.
On-call assignments will be based on City needs and state requirements and are a requirement of this position.
TOOLS & EQUIPMENT USED
Motor vehicle, heavy equipment, commercial rated vehicles, generators, pumps, gauges, common hand and power tools, shovels, wrenches, detection devices, mobile radio, telephone, calculator, and a variety of lab equipment.
SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview and reference check, second interview; job related tests may be required.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Position is open until filled.
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is the City’s policy to ensure equal employment opportunity for all persons seeking employment or promotion to assure equal employment opportunity based upon ability and fitness to all persons regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, childbirth, breast-feeding, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, genetic characteristics or information, military or veteran’s status, and/or any other category protected by federal and/or state law.