Wastewater Plant Operator

Salary : $103,771.20 - $124,134.40 Annually
Location : City of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Varies by Position
Job Number: GU-T11217-202607
Business Area: 2000 - Public Utilities
Opening Date: 07/03/2026
Closing Date: 8/10/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


JOB INFORMATION
See NOTES below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.
Wastewater Plant Operator positions carry out plant control processes using both computer and manual controls; operate mechanical equipment such as pumps, valves, filters, screens, and boilers; calibrate and maintain monitoring instrumentation; perform minor maintenance and repair; keep accurate logs, records, and documentation; perform chemical and biological analyses; keep plant clean, orderly, and safe; report malfunctioning equipment; provide facility tours; train new employees on the facility's standard operating procedures; drive pick-up trucks and other vehicles; operate forklifts, utility carts, and small tractors; and perform other duties as assigned.
NOTES:

• Employees in job classifications represented by AFSME Local 127 are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:
  • 3.5% effective 7/1/27
  • 2% effective 7/1/28
  • 2% effective 1/1/29

• Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).
• Wastewater Plant Operator employees may be required to work nights, weekends, holidays, unusual shifts, standby, and overtime (scheduled, unscheduled, and emergency) on a frequent basis for which they may receive 5% additional pay.
• This job typically requires the performance of physically demanding tasks. Wastewater Plant Operator employees must be able to stoop, twist, turn, bend, squat, sit, and stand for long periods of time; lift items weighing up to 50 pounds; climb to heights of 25 feet; and enter chlorine environments.
• Wastewater Plant Operator employees will be required to perform work that may involve exposure to all weather conditions typical of the outside environment; hazardous chemicals; electrical and mechanical hazards; respiratory hazards; noise hazards; eye/face hazards; uneven terrain/walking hazards; blood-borne pathogen biohazards; and water/wastewater substances such as scum, screenings, grit, and/or sludge.
• Work uniforms and laundering of the uniforms are provided by the City for each operator along with other safety equipment that may be required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.

CERTIFICATION: A valid Grade II or higher Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.


LICENSE: A valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of hire.


REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION):

• Proof of a valid Grade II or higher Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.

Required documents should be attached electronically to your application. If you are unable to attach at the time of application submittal, you must submit them as soon as possible via fax: View phone number on click.appcast.io; or to the Employment Information Center: City of San Diego Personnel Department, 1200 Third Avenue - Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101. Include your name and the title of the position for which you are applying.
SCREENING PROCESS
Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met. Successful candidates will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the six months (180 days). For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS: Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, including a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All screening processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test result for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may constitute cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.
Rev. 12 - July 27, 2026 (Closing Date Extended)
City employees may be eligible to participate in a benefit program including holidays, vacations, savings and retirement plans, health programs, and other benefits.


Eligible City employees initially hired or assuming office on or after July 10, 2021, with the exception of Police Recruits participating in the City's Police Academy, will participate in the City's Defined Benefit Plan administered by the San Diego City Employees' Retirement System (SDCERS).


Benefits may change due to employer-employee contract negotiations.

or review the
01


I understand that failure to respond to the following questions in the spaces provided may result in the rejection of my application. In addition, I may miss out on employment opportunities. Résumés are NOT reviewed for assessing the minimum requirements, qualifications will be determined from the answers provided to the supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

02


Are you a current or former City of San Diego government/municipal employee?

• Current city employee
• Former city employee
• Current & former city employee
• None of the above

03


If you have previously worked or are currently working for the City of San Diego, please enter your PERNR.
04


The minimum age for this job is 18, unless you are 17 and a high school graduate. Do you meet the minimum age requirements for this job?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you possess a valid Grade II or higher Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board? NOTE: Attach proof of certification to your application.

• Yes
• No

Required Question