Chief Plant Operator

Job Description and Duties

Under the general supervision of the Chief Engineer I, the Water & Sewage Plant Supervisor (Chief Plant Operator) is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and associated lift stations located at Mule Creek State Prison and the Preston Youth Correctional Facility. The position is also responsible for maintaining order, supervising the conduct of incarcerated people, and protecting the safety of persons or property. The Chief Water & Sewage Plant Supervisor in possession of a Grade III Operator Certification or higher shall be designated as the Chief Plant Operator and shall have the responsibility for overseeing the overall operation of the plant.

Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

Effective July 1, 2025, the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) was implemented in response to the status of the State budget. PLP 2025 requires that each full-time employee receive a 3% reduction in pay in exchange for five (5) hours of PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through June 2027. Salaries do not reflect the recent changes.

CDCR/CCHCS employees are encouraged to use their existing CDCR email address on their job application.

Note : Main communication for this position with be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Mule Creek State Prison, in Ione, offers free on-site parking, on-site fitness center, on-site dining option, and is within a one-hour drive to the Sacramento area. 

Special Requirements

Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your state application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver’s license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you should include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined an applicant does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.

Applicants who completed their education outside of the US (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of U.S. course/degree equivalency. Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at

Candidates new to CDCR/CCHCS are required to submit to a background investigation process utilizing Live Scan Fingerprinting, as well as a Tuberculosis test/evaluation prior to appointment, followed by department annual Tuberculosis testing/evaluation thereafter.

When submitting supporting documents, PDF file format is preferred.

CDCR/CCHCS utilizes E-Verify to confirm candidate’s identity and employment authorization. For more information about E-Verify, you may go to

This advertisement may be used for other vacancies that occur during the life of this recruitment.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

Willingness to create and promote an equitable and inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated and valued.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website, , and the CalPERS website, .

Information on benefits afforded by membership in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System can be found on the CalHR Salary and Benefits website at .

Information on benefits and protections provided to public employees by the State Civil Service Act can be found on the CalHR website at .

Additional benefit information can be found on the CalHR California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary website at .

This webpage is intended to provide general information. Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base and length of appointment.

Examination Information

To obtain list eligibility for the Water and Sewage Plant Supervisor (Correctional Facility) position,  before applying , you should first take and pass the examination linked here CalCareers

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.