Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III

The City of Salem is looking for a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III! Make an impact:

Willow Lake is the primary treatment facility for the City with a dry weather secondary treatment capacity of 65 million gallons per day (mgd), a wet weather secondary treatment capacity of 105 mgd, and a peak wet weather capacity of 155 mgd. 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. The facility staff of 53 employees provide Operations, Maintenance, Laboratory, Biosolids, and Administrative Services for both facilities.

The Public Works Department values 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!

We have a diverse team of tenured and newer employees working together to support each other and our community. The successful candidate’s work schedule will vary biannually depending 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.

This is a lead level position responsible for the operation and routine maintenance of a wastewater treatment plant on an assigned shift as well as being assigned regularly as a shift lead worker. The successful candidate will alternatively serve as a team member and a team leader. Work is performed independently and is performed consistent with Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Class III certification.

The successful candidate will be knowledgeable of and experienced with team leadership principles; wastewater treatment processes; wastewater treatment equipment; use of distributed control systems (DCS); and wastewater treatment hazards and safety protocols.

• Effectively and independently lead a team.
• Make accurate gauge and meter readings and maintain operational records.
• Diagnose equipment and malfunctions and take corrective action.
• Perform mathematical computations
• Comprehend technical written materials
• Explain plant operations both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other departments, employees, and the public.
• Meet City driving standards.
• Consistently adhere to work schedules set by the supervisor.
• Work in all weather conditions
• Respect, seek to understand, and value individual differences to foster and support a diverse and inclusive workplace.
• Mentor and train less experienced personnel.
• Collection of representative samples
• Treatment process control
• Plant operating data collection and evaluation

• High school diploma or GED, AND
• Current Oregon Class C Drivers License and meet the City of Salem's driving standards.
• Grade III or IV Oregon Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification.
• Candidates with out-of-state licenses will be required to obtain Oregon certification within six months of hire.
• Must pass pre-employment background check.

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Paid vacation and sick time in accordance with City policies.
• Competitive pay.
• Employer-paid PERS contribution of 6%.
• Opportunity for voluntary pre-tax contributions to a 457b account.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Voluntary long-term care.
• Employee wellness program.
• Employee assistance program.
• Employee health clinic.
• The schedule will vary biannually based on the results of a seniority-based work schedule bidding system. The successful candidate may workday, swing, or night shift, as…