Water Treatment Plant Operator III

Salary

$5,652.40 - $6,787.73 Monthly

Yakima, WA

Full-time

Public Works

Water

07/27/2026

8/3/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

AFSCME

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Initial candidate eligibility is based on the job application and any accompanying documentation. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide sufficient information and details within the body of the application (education and work experience sections) to permit the City of Yakima to properly evaluate the candidate's qualification, abilities and experience as it relates to the requirements of the position.

For calculation of experience, one year of experience equals 12 months with a minimum of 173.33 hours per month. Additional required documents must be attached. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of application fields.

High school graduation or GED and any combination of education and experience equivalent to four years' experience related to the operation of a water treatment facility and two years of relevant education beyond high school or GED, with not less than one year of working experience in a drinking water surface water treatment plant. Must meet minimum education and experience requirements in the State of Washington Waterworks Operator Certification Program Guidelines for a Water Treatment Plant Operator III Certification.

Must possess at time of appointment and maintain a valid State of Washington Driver's License and must possess or be able to obtain and maintain, within six months of appointment, a valid Washington State Water Treatment Plant Operator III Certification, a basic First Aid Certificate and CPR certificate.

Under limited supervision, drives to, operates and maintains the Water Treatment Plant, wells, reservoirs, intakes and pump stations to ensure adequate quantities of water are available and regulated standards for potable water are met for the City of Yakima and areas served.

Observes and monitors water flows directly and as indicated by instruments at the intake structure, booster pumping stations, reservoirs, wells and treatment plant. Operates and maintains the telemetry system including antennas, troubleshooting, programming and adjustments. Maintains and calibrates pressure transmitters, flow meters, valve position and limit switches, level transmitters, on-line water quality instruments such as fluoride, pH, temperature, chlorine, electrical charge, etc.

Bio-Terrorism, Security and Federal Emergency Management:
In accordance with the Bio-Terrorism law, must be sensitive concerning the security of the water supply systems. Must also comply with the National Incident Management System.

Monitors and adjusts flows at the Water Treatment Plant to meet the demand of the water users and reservoirs and adjusts the pump sequence at the pump stations and wells to maintain the reservoirs at an acceptable level to provide adequate water for fires or other emergencies and for scheduled maintenance such as flushing mains. Manually and/or remotely adjusts valves and pump controls to regulate flow rates.

Safely drives and operates vehicles and other motorized equipment to perform required duties in a variety of locations, within a timely and efficient manner and adhering to all traffic laws and regulations. Worksites include but are not limited to the water treatment plant, ground water well sites, river intake sites and other locations in and around Yakima.

Maintains daily log on filters, chlorine residual, pressure, flows, reservoir levels, etc.; changes charts and enters information into the computerized data collection system. Maintains record of work through a computerized work order tracking system.

Adds correct amounts of several types of chemicals for disinfection, coagulation, filtration, taste and odor control and fluoridation. Adjusts chemical feed rates manually or remotely to maintain proper treatment as prescribed in the Surface Water Treatment Rule and the Washington State Department of Health  Treatment Optimization Program .…