Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

Salary : $52,998.40 - $73,923.20 Annually
Location : 1194 W. Korsten Rd. Casa Grande, AZ
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 16-00277
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 06/09/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Description
GENERAL PURPOSE: Under general supervision, performs a variety of routine and skilled work in the operation of a Wastewater (W/W) treatment plant, wastewater collections system, water treatment and distribution system and related equipment. This position may be required to
work varied shifts throughout the year including nights, weekends and holidays and must be able to work overtime and standby as required.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Assists in operating, monitoring, and adjusting all wastewater plant process equipment, including pumps, motors, gauges, meters, aerators, blowers, chlorinators, chemical feeds, sludge equipment and the SCADA system to ensure treated water meets City, County and State quality standards;
• Monitors, regulates, and maintains system flow of W/W from collection systems and lift stations; reads gauges and maintains operating logs according to schedules.
• Performs daily rounds at the plant by visually checking facilities, equipment, machinery, chemical levels and related systems to ensure proper operation and to detect equipment failures, potential leaks, or other problem situations.
• Operates dewatering equipment including gravity belt thickeners and belt filter presses.
• Performs general site maintenance activities; cleans out basins, clarifiers, channels, reservoirs, filters, and cleans plant process and building and areas; helps organize contracted sludge hauling activities.
• Inspects and cleans W/W collection system and components; collects water samples and performs tests as required
• Operates valves, gates, and pumps to adjust water flows and chemical injection rates; Learns to recognize the need for and may make basic treatment and operational changes to the wastewater processes and distribution systems.
• Services pumps and motors, and maintains and repairs pumps, motors, valves, timers, clocks, meters, and other plant mechanical equipment.
• Completes daily inspection and log sheets for treatment plant operation.
• Assists and coordinates with laboratory staff sample collection and analysis.
• Assists with service calls, bluestake requests, lift station inspections, manhole inspections, and completion of associated records.
• Performs general building and grounds maintenance at the plant site and lift stations.
• Investigates complaints.
• Monitors industrial users discharge and pre-treatment.
• Works in a safe manner and reports unsafe activities, conditions, and faulty equipment. Follows City-wide safety policy and practices and adheres to responsibilities concerning safety prevention, reporting, and monitoring as outlined in the City's Safety Handbook.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Minimum Requirements
Education and Experience:
High School diploma or GED equivalent, and three (3) years W/W experience.


Necessary Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of City policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of the principles and processes of W/W collection and treatment.
• Knowledge of methods of biological, physical and chemical treatment of wastewater.
• Knowledge of confined spaces entry procedures.
• Knowledge of operational standards of wastewater treatment.
• Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions involved in wastewater facility operations.
• Knowledge of ordinances, regulations, and permits governing operation and maintenance of water and wastewater facilities.
• Knowledge of the functions and servicing requirements of W/W plant machinery and equipment and collection systems.
• Skill in performing a variety of W/W treatment plant operation activities.
• Skill in reading and interpreting gauges and recording devices.
• Skill in reading technical documents and schematics.
• Skill in performing and interpreting basic laboratory tests.
• Skill in keeping records and writing reports.
• Skill in following and effectively communicating verbal and written instructions.
• Skill in reading and interpret maps, technical specifications and operation manuals.
• Skill in inspecting machinery, equipment, and mechanical systems in operation to detect flaws and defects.
• Skill in operating manual and automated valve, pump, and control systems.
• Skill in operating sampling and testing equipment.
• Skill in preparing daily logs and maintain system performance records.
• Skill in communicating effectively with the public, contractors, and other employees.

Special Requirements: Possession of a Valid Arizona Commercial Drivers License; Grade 2 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification, and Grade 2 Wastewater Collection System Operator certification from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
Supplemental Information
Physical Demands / Work Environment: Work is performed outdoors and within W/W, collections and water facilities.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as needed.
The City does not hire at the top of the range. Candidate may start above the beginning of the range depending on qualifications.
This is a general summary of benefits afforded City of Casa Grande employees. The information contained herein is not exhaustive, is not a contract, and is subject to change at any time without notice. Specific current benefit information is available from the Human Resources department. Questions about this information should also be addressed to the Human Resources department. This information generally applies to regular full and part time employees.
HEALTH, DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE: The first of the month following 30 days of employment, employees are eligible for insurance coverage. The cost of employee health, vision and dental insurance is paid by the City. Employees may cover eligible dependents with the City paying one-half of the expense and the employee paying one-half.
LIFE INSURANCE: The city covers the cost of employee life insurance coverage. Employees earning more than $20,000 per year have a life insurance benefit of 50% of their annual salary .The basic employee life insurance benefit for employees earning less than $20,000 per year is $10,000.


SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE: The City allows several types of supplemental insurance offered by companies to employees through payroll deduction. The City does not endorse these products, which include supplemental life, accident, short-term disability, cancer, intensive care, legal services and identity theft.


WORKER'S COMPENSATION INSURANCE: All City employees are covered for on-the-job injuries through worker's compensation insurance. Premiums for this coverage is paid by the City and are based on payroll.


COMMUTING INSURANCE: Employees are automatically covered when traveling to and from work in the event of catastrophic injuries resulting from an accident.


RETIREMENT PLANS: City employees are assisted in planning for retirement in several ways. All employees, except firefighters, contribute a mandated percentage of their gross wages to the Social Security System and a Medicare tax, which is also matched by the City. In addition, all regular City employees are enrolled in a retirement plan, Public Safety Retirement for police officers and firefighters, and the Arizona State Retirement System for all others. The employee and City contribution rates are as follows:


Plan Employee Contribution City Contribution
State Retirement 12.22% 12.22%
Public Safety (Police) Depends on membership date into Retirement System
Public Safety (Fire) Depends on membership date into Retirement System


457 DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: The City also offers a voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan through ICMA Retirement Corporation. The City does not match employee contributions.


SHEAKLEY FLEXIBLE BENEFITS: Qualified expenses, such as dependent insurance premiums, dependent care and health care expenses can be deducted directly from your paycheck and claimed for reimbursement when used. These deductions are taken before taxes, reducing your taxable income.


EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides free, confidential counseling to employees and their immediate family members.


LONG-TERM DISABILITY PROGRAM: Employees enrolled in the Arizona State Retirement System pay premiums to be covered by the System's Long-Term Disability Program (LTD). Benefits are provided to qualified members who are unable to work due to a disability after six months.


HOLIDAYS: The City of Casa Grande observes ten holidays each year, including one floating holiday.


PAID TIME OFF: All regular, full-time and eligible part-time employees will accrue/earn Paid Time Off (PTO) beginning on the employee's first day of employment with the City. Employees are eligible to utilize accrued/earned PTO immediately. There is an annual graduated accrual schedule, capping at 12 years. Regular part-time employees who work less than full-time but more than 1040 hours per year shall accrue PTO at a rate of 3.077 hours per pay period worked.

FAMILY DEATH LEAVE: The City has a policy, which allows time away from work in the event of the death of a family member as defined by our Personnel Policy.


MILITARY LEAVE: The City grants military leave in accordance with the provisions of State law.


JURY LEAVE: Employees required to serve as a juror shall be entitled to leave according to the provisions of the Personnel Policy.


FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT (FMLA): Eligible employees are granted up to 12 workweeks of unpaid leave during a 12-month period according to the law.


PAYROLL DIRECT DEPOSIT: Employees may have their paychecks deposited directly into checking or savings accounts at their bank through the direct payroll deposit plan offered by the City.


CREDIT UNIONS: City employees may participate in credit union membership through payroll deduction. Local credit unions have payroll deduction slots and employees may make savings or checking account deposits or have loan payments deducted through payroll deduction authorization.


SCHOOL INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM: Each month, employees may request and take two hours off with pay to volunteer their time in classrooms or at other qualified school programs. Employees do not need to have children in school to participate in this volunteer program. A School Involvement Program form must be filled out by the employee and signed by a teacher or administrator from the school in which the volunteer activity took place.


UNIFORMS/EQUIPMENT: Equipment and uniforms provided to employees varies by department.
01


Do you possess, at minimum, a Grade II Wastewater Treatment System Operator certification and an ADEQ Grade II Wastewater Collection System Operator certification? Please indicate yes or no.

• Yes
• No

02


Do you possess a valid Arizona "Class A" Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a tanker endorsement?

• Yes
• No

Required Question