Water Resources Plant Operator 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 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 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, April 27, 2026; then weekly thereafter until all vacancies are filled.

Water Resources Plant Operator I ($55,831.78 - $76,472.86)

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.  Incumbents in this class will work only on a shift where an Operator II or higher is present.  

An Operator I may provide general guidance to lower-level plant operators.  An employee in this class is expected to use appropriate safety equipment and follow safety procedures in performing assignments.  Operator I's will be exposed to such job hazards as toxic chemicals, methane gas, chlorine gas, ozone, hydrogen sulfide, raw sewage, sludge, and adverse weather conditions.  This class performs related duties as required.

An employee in this class will learn to perform the full scope of a Water Resources Plant Operator II including learning to troubleshoot issues.  This class is distinguished from the Water Resources Plant Operator Trainee class by the ability to operate with more independence and troubleshoot operational issues while working on shifts with more experienced operators present; and distinguished from the Operator II class by working on a shift where an experienced operator is present, while the latter may work on a shift independently.  

The Water Resources Plant Operator I receives close-to-general supervision from a Water Resources Operator II or higher and direction from the Water Resources Plant Supervisor, who reviews the employee's work in progress through meetings and by the evaluation of results achieved.  A Water Resources Plant Operator I will be eligible to progress to the Water Resources Plant Operator II class by noncompetitive promotion upon meeting the specific criteria-based promotion requirements of experience, performance, certification, and on the job training.  

An incumbent who fails to complete the training and noncompetitive, criteria-based promotion within 15 months of hire into position may be transferred, demoted, or terminated.  Employees in this class may be required to work rotating shifts.  This class is FLSA nonexempt.

Water Resources Plant Operator II ($61,556.)

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…