Wastewater Treatment Operator/Senior Operator - Brightwater

Wastewater Treatment Operator

This is a competitive posting, and the position is open to all qualified candidates. This recruitment will hire for (1) position. In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Wastewater Treatment Operators for the Brightwater Treatment plant location within the Wastewater Treatment Division over the next 6 months.

King County protects water quality and public health in the central Puget Sound region by providing high quality and effective treatment to wastewater collected from our local sewer agencies. King County's wastewater operators not only help prevent the spread of many contagious diseases but help the environment and the communities they reside.

About the Role:

The candidate will be a part of a flexible and dynamic team responsible for operating and maintaining the Brightwater treatment plant and recycled water system. They will be providing expertise and support to maintain continuous effective wastewater operations. The candidate will aid other plant staff, other King County staff, contractors and consultants as needed or required. A successful candidate will maintain and strive toward intra-team and cross-team support and cooperation daily.

The candidate will develop a high level of knowledge in the membrane processes, solids streams, dewatering, digestion, and odor control specific to Brightwater.

About the Team:

The wastewater treatment division carries out essential work that protects the environment and all members of the public. We are comprised of a group of professionals that strive to deliver outstanding services through a collaborative effort both at our treatment plants and offsite collection facilities. The Operations Team are a critical component within the wastewater treatment division, helping to fulfill the county's mission to protect the region's water, air, land, and natural habitats.

Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice: King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Wastewater Treatment Operator, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work.

Job Duties:

What You Will Be Doing:

• Operate, monitor, and maintain biological, chemical, mechanical, and hydraulic processes at wastewater treatment plants, collection system pump and regulator stations and associated facilities
• Operate, monitor, and control wastewater equipment and systems with complex computer systems
• Optimize wastewater plant performance by sampling, testing analyzing wastewater and recommending changes to process which meet federal, and Washington State permits and regulations
• Perform maintenance on offsite facilities and associated structures, including buildings equipment, and grounds. Duties include cleaning, servicing operating equipment, and performing housekeeping tasks
• Operate, monitor, troubleshoot and maintain systems and processes in pump stations and Stormwater facilities
• Train others in site-specific areas or through on-the-job training
• Provide troubleshooting, problem-solving, coordination and decision-making when performing duties, and be able to respond to unusual and/or emergency situations. Be on call after hours for such situations

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring :

• Washington State Group 1 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification from the Washington State Department of Ecology or out-of-state equivalency which must be converted to a Washington certification
• Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, including preliminary, primary, secondary, digestion, gas handling systems, sludge handling and plant-wide air, water, electrical and hydraulic support systems
• Knowledge of collection systems, including pump stations, regulator stations and miscellaneous structures, and of disinfecting methods
• Knowledge of wastewater terminology and process control
• Knowledge of and skill in applying sampling, testing and laboratory procedures
• Skill in the interpretation and application of technical information from plant drawings, operations and maintenance manuals and lab tests
• Skill in manually starting and stopping equipment, systems, and processes Skill in establishing and maintaining work relationships with diverse occupational groups

Competencies You Bring :

• Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Self-Development: Actively seeking new ways to grow and be challenged using both formal and informal development channels.

Required Licenses for a Wastewater Treatment Operator:

• Washington State Group I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification from the Washington State Department of Ecology or out-of-state equivalency which must be converted to a Washington certification
• Valid Washington State Driver's License.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Work Location: Brightwater Treatment Plant - 22505 WA-9, Woodinville, WA 98072
• Work Schedule: This is a full-time position, you must be available to work, nights, weekends and holidays. This position works a rotating shift schedule. The treatment plants are operated 24/7. Applicants must be available to work any and all assigned shift schedules.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by S.E.I.U. 925 (Wastewater Treatment Division).
• Physical Requirement: Incumbents perform field work at a wastewater treatment plant and associated facilities and are required to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, use ladders, and there is exposure to hazardous chemicals and noxious odors. A pre-employment physical, review of driving record and reference checks will be conducted prior to any final job offer.

Application and Selection Process: We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. We value diverse perspectives, life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.

Applications without the following required materials will not be considered for this position. To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Resume
• Responses to Supplemental Questions

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Anticipated Timeline for this recruitment (subject to change):

• Technical Vetting:
• Onsite Panel Interviews (45 minutes)

Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Application Process

If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County's vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Dan Sherman at View email address on click.appcast.io.

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us. King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration