Wastewater Operator

The Wastewater Operator position performs duties in all phases of resource recovery at a complex activated sludge treatment facility. The successful candidate is expected to assume the Operator role with minimal instruction and supervision. This position will be a swing shift position. Lead role responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

THIS POSITION IS OPEN UNTIL FILLED

The first review of applications will take place:
Friday, August 28 ,2026

Classification: Wastewater Operator 1, Wastewater Operator 2

Salary:

WW Operator 1 - $31.31 - $39.03 / hourly - $65,124.80 - $81,182.40 / annually
WW Operator 2 - $34.21 - $42.62 / hourly - $71,156.80 - $88,649.60 / annually

The City of Eugene determines starting pay within the range based on relevant education and experience provided by the applicant in their application materials. This process is consistent with the Oregon Equal Pay Act (OEPA).

Department, Division: Public Works Department / Wastewater Division

Union Representation: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

Work Location: 410 River Ave, Eugene, OR 97404, USA

Schedule: Day shift for training purposes then rotate to Swing shift after 6 months. 3:30pm --2:00 am. Positions designated to work a Swing shift or Graveyard shift receive an $0.80 per hour shift differential.

Benefits: The City of Eugene offers robust and competitive benefits. For more information, select the Benefits Tab, or view benefits summaries as well as see information about all employee benefits.

Living & Working in Eugene: Information about living in Eugene, how the City of Eugene operates, and more can be found on our website.

• Performs routine inspections for proper equipment operation. Monitors instruments, gauges, and other equipment indicators. Starts and stops process equipment and monitors a variety of process areas for maximum efficiency.
• Operates centrifugal blowers, pumps, methane-fired electrical generators, grit collection system, clarifiers, chemical feed pumps, calibrates instruments, gravity belt thickeners, and anaerobic digesters. Troubleshoots and isolates problems in malfunctioning equipment as necessary.
• Performs corrective and preventive maintenance of plant equipment as necessary.
• Makes necessary equipment adjustments as established by Operations and Maintenance procedures and guidelines.
• Operates the distributive control system (DCS) alarm console to interpret and respond to a wide variety of situations and alarm conditions including: chemical leak, fire, collection system and pump stations, power failures, starting and stopping of equipment, opening and closing of gates, and the potential of 2600 other alarm conditions.
• Enters, retrieves, and manipulates data from networked personal computer system files. Uses software such as Excel, Access, Outlook, electronic log, Maximo, WIMS, and Word as necessary.
• Performs process laboratory analysis testing for effective management of different stages of process treatment.
• Operates laboratory and online instruments such as dissolved oxygen meter, chemical analyzers, centrifuge, moisture balance, gas monitors, and pH meters.
• Calibrates, maintains, and completes minor repair of instruments.
• Collects samples from treatment plant processes for both process control and main permit laboratories.
• Interprets process control laboratory data; analysis includes use of phase contrast microscope and microbial identification. Makes adjustments to meet targets set by process control guidelines.
• Analyzes process conditions and makes recommendations to Operations Supervisor or Operator 3 for process mode changes.
• Under direction of Operations Supervisor or Operator 3, may develop and/or modify operational procedures used in the Wastewater Division.
• Follows safety procedures when isolating equipment including information tagging and lock-out requirements.
• Performs safety inspections, completes reports, and identifies and/or performs required corrective action.
• Trains other Wastewater Operators in operational techniques, equipment operation, and proper safety procedures used in the Wastewater Division.
• May be required to rotate on safety committee and other active roles dealing with the safety and welfare of the Wastewater Division.
• Cleans spills of oil, sludge, and other materials found in the work area responsible for keeping equipment neat, clean, and properly stored.
• Initiates direct response and reporting for emergency calls for spills, overflows, and abnormal industrial influent problems.
• Performs hazardous material first responder operation duties in response to releases of hazardous material.
• Expected to take responsibility to contribute equally to the operations workload and work independently, with initiative and high standards of quality and productivity.
• Respectfully interacts with the public, provides tours, responds to citizen complaints for odor and other issues. Documents and takes appropriate corrective action.
• May be required to work overtime on an assigned basis as deemed…