Water Resources Plant Operator Trainee​/I​/II​/III - Wastewater Treatment

Hiring Bonus:
The Water Resources Department is excited to offer a hiring bonus for individuals newly hired as Water Resources Plant Operator Trainee/I/II/III. New Water Resources Operator's may be eligible for a $3,500 incentive at the conclusion of Initial City Probation. To receive the bonus, an Operator must work as a Plant Operator for one year and receive a successful performance evaluation.

This recruitment will be used to fill current vacancies at a Wastewater Treatment plant at either the Operator Trainee, I, II or III level; however, this recruitment will also be used to create a list to fill possible future vacancies at any level. Offering salary may be made above the minimum of the posted salary range for this position depending upon qualifications and experience.

Employees may progress through the full salary range, subject to their successful performance and annual budget approval.

First review of applications will be Monday, October 13, 2025; then weekly thereafter until all vacancies are filled.

A Water Resources Plant Operator Trainee is responsible for learning the basic technical aspects related to the operations and basic maintenance of the Wastewater Treatment plants. A trainee shall receive hands-on training by assisting with and participating in wastewater treatment plant processes for operations, maintenance, and analytical laboratory testing. Duties include assisting with plant operations and basic equipment maintenance including all processes related to the treatment of wastewater.

This is a trainee class in which the employee learns to perform the full scope of a Water Resources Plant Operator I through on-the-job training. An employee in this class is trained in entry level assignments related to the technical aspects of Wastewater Treatment.

A Water Resources Plant Operator I is responsible for learning how to operate and maintain the City of Mesa’s wastewater treatment plants during an assigned shift with guidance from more experienced Operators. Duties may include: maintaining and operating plant equipment and the processes related to the treatment of wastewater; operating valves, gates, and pumps; adjusting flow rates and chemical feed rate;

collecting samples and submitting for laboratory testing; monitoring control panels, gauges, and meters; maintaining written data on test results, gauges, and meter readings; checking chemical tank levels; mixing chemical solutions; operating laboratory equipment to perform chemical analysis; preparing written logs; and relaying operational information to coworkers.

A Water Resources Plant Operator II performs journey-level work while learning to independently operate and maintain the City of Mesa’s wastewater treatment plants during an assigned shift. Duties may include: maintaining and operating plant equipment and the processes related to the treatment of wastewater; operating valves, gates, and pumps; adjusting flow rates and chemical feed rate; collecting samples and submitting for laboratory testing;

monitoring control panels, gauges, and meters; maintaining written data on test results, gauges, and meter readings; checking chemical tank levels; mixing chemical solutions; operating laboratory equipment to perform chemical analysis; preparing written logs; and relaying operational information to coworkers with minimal supervision.

A Water Resources Plant Operator III is responsible for managing the complex daily operations and maintenance of City of Mesa’s wastewater treatment plants during an assigned shift.

Duties include:

analyzing trends and data; monitoring equipment and processes through all available means to include gauges, meters, and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) inputs; documenting and reviewing ongoing plant process operations and maintenance issues; assisting in the formulation and implementation of procedural objectives and programs, optimizing day to day processes; economic utilization…