Wastewater Plant Operator OIT​/I​/II

Position: Wastewater Plant Operator OIT / I / II
Salary : $60,840.00 - $85,758.40 Annually
Location : Public Works Corporation Yard, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: WWPO 26-1
Department: Wastewater
Opening Date: 06/11/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Job Summary

The City of Pismo Beach is hiring for a Wastewater Plant Operator. Depending on applicant experience, the City can fill the position as an OIT, Operator I or Operator II. Please note that salary is different depending on classification and experience. (9/80 schedule work schedule)

The ideal candidate will work well in a team environment, be self-motivated, professional, respectful, and provide excellent customer service to the public and co-workers.

OIT or Wastewater Plant Operator I
Under direct or general supervision, operates equipment, facilities, pump/lift stations, and related appurtenances as found in a wastewater treatment plant, as well as, wastewater collection systems; takes periodic samples and performs standardized tests to ensure proper operation within established guidelines; assists with preventive maintenance and makes minor repairs to plant facilities and equipment; and performs related work as required.

This position requires a California driver's license at time of appointment. Additionally, this position requires the ability to obtain an Operator-In-Training certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) within ninety (90) days of employment or the date of entry into the position, or the ability to obtain a Grade I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certificate issued by the SWRCB within twenty-four (24) months of employment or the date of entry into the position.

PLEASE NOTE:
Salary Information for the Wastewater Plant Operator I is as follows:
$29.25 - $35.55 Hourly
$60,840 - $73,944 Annually

Wastewater Plant Operator II
Under direct or general supervision, operates equipment, facilities, pump/lift stations, and related appurtenances as found in a wastewater treatment plant, as well as, wastewater collection systems; takes periodic samples and performs standardized tests to ensure proper operation within established guidelines; assists with preventive maintenance and makes minor repairs to plant facilities and equipment; and performs related work as required.

The ideal candidate will have well-established skills in Wastewater Treatment and Collection System maintenance, including electrical troubleshooting and repair, pump repair and sewer line cleaning experience.

This position requires a valid Grade II, or higher, Wastewater Operator Certification at time of application, and ability to obtain a Class A with Haz-Mat and tanker endorsement within 6 months of employment, or date of entry into the position.

PLEASE NOTE:
Salary Information for the Wastewater Plant Operator II is as follows:
$33.92 - $41.23 Hourly
$70,553 - $85,758 Annually
Examples of Essential Job Functions

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Monitors plant operations equipment and processes to ensure compliance with environmental and public health standards, including monitoring and making adjustments to optimize efficiency, making chemical dosage changes, changing pumping rates, and monitoring all equipment daily.
• Operates valves, pumps, and automated controls to regulate the flow of wastewater through the system; operates valves to dispose of wastewater effluent.
• Reviews and analyzes automated information and control system data and revises equipment settings as appropriate; notifies supervisor of unusual situations and makes inspections or corrects system problems as necessary.
• Reads, records, and calculates readings of meters and gauges; interprets information into operational characteristics; changes flow meter charts; makes process adjustments according to information gathered, samples collected, readings, and records.
• Collects wastewater, sludge, and other samples from various phases of the treatment process; performs standard chemical and physical tests on these samples to ensure that the plant is operating effectively and that regulatory requirements are being met.
• Interprets and performs routine laboratory and process tests to optimize plant performance, checks the results, and recommends changes to the Supervisor.
• Performs proper usage and handling of chemicals according to industry standards.
• Assists in preventive maintenance on a variety of treatment plant equipment, such as electric motors, engines, gas and electric powered pumps, drive units, emergency systems, power generation systems, pressure and flow regulators, and other treatment plant fixtures and appliances.
• Lubricates pumps, motors, chains, conveyors, blowers, chlorinators, sprinklers, rotation distributors, scrapers, filter screens, and other machinery and equipment; removes blockages; replaces worn parts; participates in determining equipment problems and…