Wastewater Plant Operator III
Listed on 2026-07-01
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Engineering
Environmental Engineer, Process Engineer
Wastewater Plant Operator III
Announcing an exciting career opportunity with the County of San Diego-Department of Public Works. Reflecting our commitment to attracting and retaining top talent, all candidates hired for this position will be eligible to receive an annual base salary of $. Interviews will take place on an ongoing basis.
Future salary increases:
- June 2026 - 4.33% increase to base pay (3.5% Across-the-Board + 0.83% Market Adjustment)
- June 2027 - 3.83% increase to base pay (3% Across-the-Board + 0.83% Market Adjustment)
Are you looking for an exciting and rewarding career or advancement opportunity and development of your current career? The County is seeking qualified individuals that can bring innovative ideas and strong work ethics to support continual advancements within the Wastewater Management group of the Department of Public Works. The Wastewater Plant Operator III (WPO III) position will have the opportunity to operate and maintain each of the (5) Wastewater Treatment Plants and various sewer pump stations located throughout the County.
WPO III's use equipment and machinery such as: pumps, valves, electric motors, motor control centers, screening devices, flow meters, trickling filters, activated sludge process, aerobic digesters, sludge drying beds, effluent percolation beds, and spray irrigation systems to recognize unusual, inefficient, or dangerous operating conditions and take appropriate action. Employees in the Wastewater Plant Operator III job class provide technical guidance, training and leadership to lower class wastewater operators, and may supervise in the absence of the supervisor.
Incumbents must possess a Grade III Waste Treatment Plant Operator certificate and may be assigned responsibility for a geographical district.
Please read the Wastewater Plant Operator III job description for more information.
Hiring Process and Timeline:
- Job Offer and Background Process begins:
Shortly after the interviews.
Note:
Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening. - Pre-employment Medical Screening:
Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results. - Anticipated
Start Date:
Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.
If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.
Minimum Qualifications:
Possession of a current Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade III certificate, AND, two (2) years of experience at the level equivalent to a Wastewater Plant Operator II with the County of San Diego or another equivalent agency.
The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all new recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, will hide a candidate's personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process will help contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.
Conditions of Employment As part of the County of San Diego's pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.
Evaluation The names of qualified applicants will be placed on a six (6) month employment list based upon scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Accommodation Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the job, on a case-by-case basis.
The County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization.
The County of San Diego and its employees embrace the vision of: a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all. Our values include: integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and…
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