Water Agency Plant Operator

Position Overview

Be part of the solution—keep water sustainable in Sonoma County. Bring your water and wastewater experience to the Sonoma County Water Agency as a Plant Operator.

Plant Operators oversee four classifications of wastewater and recycled water treatment facilities across Sonoma County, including tertiary, extended air, biological nutrient removal, and lagoon plants, as well as a large water treatment plant that serves over 600,000 customers. Operators perform supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), laboratory analysis, and plant equipment operation to optimize processes and ensure high‑quality effluent for reuse.

• Operate pumps, valves, chlorinators, telemetry controls, sludge presses, and other flow‑regulating equipment.
• Maintain reservoir levels and coordinate water storage, usage, and user allotments.
• Read, record, and maintain detailed operational logs and monitor SCADA during water supply, wastewater treatment, and reclamation processes.
• Perform routine laboratory analyses of water and wastewater samples, apply accepted analytical techniques, and interpret results.
• Compute volumes and percentages using standard and metric systems.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills for collaboration with co‑workers and stakeholders.
• Ability to troubleshoot electrical and mechanical plant issues.
• Understanding of biological processes and their functions.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (especially Excel) and experience with SCADA.
• Calm under pressure and capable of handling emergency situations.

• California State Water Resources Control Board Wastewater Plant Operator Grade II or higher.
• California State Water Resources Control Board Water Treatment Plant Operator Grade T2 or higher.

• California State Water Resources Control Board Water Distribution Operator Grade D1 or higher.

Position requires work across multiple shift schedules (nights, weekends, holidays). Duties include walking on uneven surfaces, lifting heavy equipment (up to 50 lb) and moving gas cylinders (over 200 lb). Workers may be exposed to wet, hot, cold, dusty, and chemical hazards, and may need to wear breathing equipment and utilize ladder or scaffold work.

• Salary advancement after 1,040 hours of full‑time service, with performance‑based increases annually.
• Career advancement to Senior Plant Operator (annual salary up to $153,027).
• Competitive PTO, 12 paid holidays, and 8 floating holiday hours per year.
• County-paid health premium contributions and post‑retirement health reimbursement.
• Pension integrated with Social Security.
• Paid parental leave up to 8 weeks after 12 months of employment.
• Dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance, professional development, and other benefits.
• Student loan debt relief through Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

The County of Sonoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.