Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

The City of Salem is looking for two full-time Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators. This recruitment is open to multiple classifications including: Operator II, Operator I, and Operator-In-Training (OIT).
Make an impact:
The City's two treatment facilities serve a population equivalent of 229,000 within a three-city area with an average annual flow of 45 million gallons per day (mgd). The facility staff of 53 employees provide Operations, Maintenance, Laboratory, Biosolids, and Administrative Services for both facilities.
Learn and grow:
Develop your Wastewater Treatment Operator career with us! We have a diverse team of tenured and newer employees working together to support each other and our community.
We value our employees and their professional development. If you are someone that takes pride in collaborating on innovative ideas, proactively responding to community needs, and being a good environmental and financial steward, we look forward to meeting you! The Public Works Department promotes a healthy work life balance, while maintaining the utmost dedication to the health, safety and welfare of our community, including our team!
What can we offer you for all your hard work?

• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Paid vacation and sick time in accordance with City policies.
• Opportunity for voluntary pre-tax contributions to a 457b account.
• Employee wellness program.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Employee health clinic.
• Employer-paid PERS contribution of 6%.
• Employee assistance program.
• Voluntary long-term care.
• Competitive pay.

Operator-in-Training wage: $26.00 Hourly
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I wage: $26.00 - $31.61 Hourly
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II wage: $29.23 - $35.74 Hourly

Work schedule:

• The schedule will vary biannually based on the results of a seniority-based work schedule bidding system. The successful candidate may work day, swing, or night shift, as well as weekends and holidays.

What are the minimum qualifications?

• Must pass a physical abilities exam.
• Must pass the pre-employment background check.
• Candidates with out-of-state licenses will be required to obtain Oregon certification within six months of hire.
• High school graduate or GED; and demonstrated work experience at a wastewater or water treatment plant and/or education as defined by operator certification level.
• If candidate has knowledge or experience to test for grade II Operator Certification, they may do so and upon successful testing/completion of certification, will promote to a WWTP Operator II.
• Must have a valid driver license and meet the City of Salem's driving standards.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I:

• Experience working in wastewater treatment plant operations in a plant using activated sludge treatment.
• If you do NOT have a grade I Operator Certification, successful candidate will fall under the apprenticeship program.
• Grade I Wastewater Treatment System Operator Certification. Candidates with out-of-state licenses will be required to obtain Oregon certification within six months of hire.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II:

• Three years of experience at a wastewater treatment plant, or two years of experience and one year of post high school experience sufficient to have met the requirements for the Oregon DEQ Grade II certification.
• Grade II Wastewater Treatment System Operator Certification. Candidates with out of state licenses will be required to obtain Oregon certification within six months of hire.

- OR -
Operator-in-Training status candidates must meet the state requirements and timelines to obtain Grade I certification by the end of 15 months.

• Candidates who have experience working at a water/wastewater system or a background in industrial equipment, mechanics (engine repair), irrigation, millwright, or a degree in environmental science or a related field. Those who do not currently possess Oregon Grade 1 certification but are otherwise qualified by education may qualify to obtain Operator-In-Training (OIT) status issued by Oregon DEQ. OIT is an apprenticeship position which provides the required experience to obtain Grade 1 certification within 15 months of employment. An OIT must complete a DEQ-approved training program, apply for, and successfully pass, the certification examination to receive certification. Each requirement below must be met within the timeframes listed:

• By 450 days after the hire date, the OIT must have received Grade I Wastewater Treatment System Operator Certification.
• By 270 days after the hire date, the OIT must have taken the Grade I examination.
• By 365 days after the hire date, the OIT must have successfully passed the Grade I examination.
• California State University, Sacramento’s A—Safety, Beginning Treatment, and Lagoon Systems; B—Secondary Treatment; and C—Disinfection Laboratory Procedures, and Math; or
• By 150 days after the hire date, the OIT must successfully have completed DEQ-approved training, either:
  • California State University, Sacramento’s A—Safety, Beginning Treatment, and Lagoon Systems; B—Secondary Treatment; and C—Disinfection Laboratory Procedures, and Math; or
  • Water Environment Federation’s Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals I—Liquid Treatment; and Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals II—Solids Handling and Support Systems.
• By 210 days after the hire date, the OIT must have applied for and received DEQ approval to take the Grade I Wastewater Treatment Operator examination.
• Water Environment Federation’s Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals I—Liquid Treatment; and Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals II—Solids Handling and Support Systems.

Up to 90 hours paid time to complete DEQ-approved training will be provided by the City during the first 150 days after hire date. Following completion of the first 150 days, it will be the employee’s responsibility to study, during their own time, to prepare for and pass the exam per the timeline specified above. Failure to meet any of the required criteria will result in separation of employment. To learn more about Oregon's DEQ certification process, please visit: https://www.oregon.gov/deq/wq/wqpermits/Pages/Wastewater-Operator-Certification.aspx
Our Facilities:
Willow Lake is the main treatment facility for the City with a dry weather secondary treatment capacity of 65 mgd, a wet weather secondary treatment capacity of 105 mgd, and a peak wet weather capacity of 155 mgd. It can be operated in trickling filter/activated sludge, conventional air activated sludge and in a combination of both processes plus selective treatment based on flow and load fluctuations.
The River Road Peak Wet Weather Treatment Facility is a high rate, physical/chemical ballasted flocculation facility with ultra-violet disinfection. This facility is operated only when flows at the Willow Lake Facility are above 95 mgd. Operation of this remote facility is permitted for use to prevent sanitary sewer overflows associated with wet weather.
Our Community:
The City of Salem is the second largest City in the State of Oregon. Located in the lush Willamette Valley, Salem is the capital city of Oregon with a population over 170,000. Centrally located, Salem is 47 miles south of Portland and an hour from the Cascade Mountains to the east and an hour from the ocean beaches to the west. Salem is an exceptional community for living and working with exciting new and comfortable well-established neighborhoods and carefully preserved historic buildings.
A full-service City, Salem has eight primary departments: Community Services, Finance, Fire, Enterprise Services, Legal, Police, Public Works, and Community and Urban Development. Several departments also have functional divisions within their department. The City has five labor unions and employs roughly 1,350 talented and dedicated staff members.
Where can I find out more about the position?
Go to menu option for Class Specifications and search for the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP) Operator I where the class specification is posted in its entirety, or view by clicking here: WTP Operator I or WTP Operator II.
How can I apply?
The City of Salem invites individuals of all diverse communities and backgrounds to apply for our available job opportunities as we strive to provide the best service to everyone. The City of Salem is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all and has a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that by welcoming differences, encouraging new ideas and views, listening to and learning from each other, we are better able to serve the community.
To apply, click on the green “Apply” button to complete your application. Hiring managers do not have access to view resumes as part of the application review process, please make sure to include how you meet the qualifications outlined in the class specification in your application.
Applicants that meet the minimum qualifications as outlined above but not selected for this position may be placed on an eligibility list, and candidates may be hired from the list. Eligibility lists are valid for six months. The City will send email notifications to eligible candidates about potential hiring opportunities so please ensure your email settings accept our system generated email notifications.
You may subscribe for automatic notification of job openings at the City through the Job Interest Cards – sign up today!
For more information about employment at the City of Salem, please visit our website at www.cityofsalem.net/jobs.