Address
Form of workMake an impact:
The Public Works Department of the City of Salem is seeking a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (I/II, or Trainee) in the Willow Lake Treatment Facility. The Willow Lake facility staff of 53 employees provide Operations, Maintenance, Laboratory, Biosolids, and Administrative Services for two treatment facilities. The Willow Lake Water Pollution Control Facility is the primary treatment facility for the city and operates 24/7, 365 days per year. The River Road Wet Weather Treatment Facility is a physical/chemical ballasted sedimentation plant that operates during wet weather high flow conditions. The City's two treatment facilities serves a population equivalent of 250,000 within a three -city area with an average annual flow of 40 million gallons per day (mgd). If you are someone that takes pride in collaborating on innovative ideas, proactively responding to community needs, and being a good environmental and financial steward, we look forward to meeting you!
Learn and grow:
We have a diverse team of tenured and newer employees working together to support each other and our community. The Public Works Department promotes a healthy work life balance, while maintaining the utmost dedication to the health, safety, and welfare of our community, including our team. We value our employees and their professional development. We invite you to develop your Wastewater Treatment Operator career with us!
What you will do:
This position is open to multiple classifications including: Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP) Operator II, Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP) Operator I, or Operator-In-Training (OIT). The Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (I/II, or Trainee) requires Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to drive a tractor/trailer from the Willow Lake Water Pollution Control Facility to deliver biosolids to various farms located near the Treatment Plant, for 3 to 5 months out of the year. For the remainder of the year, you will be working in plant operations. The successful applicant must hold current CDL Class A license and must obtain tanker endorsement within 6 months of employment.
What can we offer you for all your hard work?
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
- Paid vacation and sick time in accordance with City policies.
- Competitive pay.
- Employer-paid PERS contribution of 6%.
- Opportunity for voluntary pre-tax contributions to a 457b account.
- Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
- Voluntary long-term care.
- Employee wellness program.
- Employee assistance program.
- Employee health clinic.
Operator-in-Training wage: $27.78 Hourly
Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP) Operator I wage: $27.78 - $33.81 Hourly
Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP) Operator II wage: $31.32 - $38.32 Hourly
The schedule will vary biannually based on the results of a seniority-based work schedule bidding system. During the wet weather season, this position may work day, swing, or night shifts, as well as weekends and holidays. During the dry weather season, this position will work day shift. The successful candidate may also be in a rover position, in which they may be temporarily assigned to other work days and shifts.
What are the minimum qualifications?
- High school graduate or GED; and demonstrated work experience at a wastewater or water Treatment Plant, work at an industrial facility, and/or education as defined by operator certification level.
- Must pass the pre-employment background check.
- Must have a valid Class A Commercial Driver License and meet the City of Salem's driving standards.
- If candidate has knowledge or experience to test for grade II Operator Certification, they may do so and upon successful testing/completion of certification, will promote to a WWTP Operator II.
- Candidates with out-of-state licenses will be required to obtain Oregon certification within six months of hire.
Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP) Operator I:
- Experience working in Wastewater Treatment Plant operations in a plant using activated sludge treatment.
- Grade I Wastewater Treatment System Operator Certification. Candidates with out-of-state licenses will be required to obtain Oregon certification within six months of hire.
- If you do NOT have a grade I Operator Certification, successful candidate will fall under the apprenticeship program.
- Three years of experience at a Wastewater Treatment Plant, or two years of experience and one year of post high school experience sufficient to have met the requirements for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Grade II certification.
- Grade II Wastewater Treatment System Operator Certification. Candidates with out of state licenses will be required to obtain Oregon certification within six months of hire.
Operator-in-Training status candidates must meet the state requirements and timelines to obtain Grade I certification by the end of 15 months.
- Candidates who have experience working at a water/wastewater system or a background in industrial equipment, mechanics (engine repair), irrigation, millwright, or a degree in environmental science or a related field. Those who do not currently possess Oregon Grade 1 certification but are otherwise qualified by education may qualify to obtain Operator-In-Training (OIT) status issued by Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Operator-In-Training (OIT) is an apprenticeship position which provides the required experience to obtain Grade 1 certification within 15 months of employment. An OIT must complete a DEQ-approved training program, apply for, and successfully pass, the certification examination to receive certification. Each requirement below must be met within the timeframes listed:
- By 150 days after the hire date, the OIT must successfully have completed DEQ-approved training, either:
- California State University, Sacramento's A-Safety, Beginning Treatment, and Lagoon Systems; B-Secondary Treatment; and C-Disinfection Laboratory Procedures, and Math; or
- Water Environment Federation's Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals I-Liquid Treatment; and Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals II-Solids Handling and Support Systems.
- By 210 days after the hire date, the OIT must have applied for and received DEQ approval to take the Grade I Wastewater Treatment Operator examination.
- By 270 days after the hire date, the OIT must have taken the Grade I examination.
- By 365 days after the hire date, the OIT must have successfully passed the Grade I examination.
- By 450 days after the hire date, the OIT must have received Grade I Wastewater Treatment System Operator Certification.
About us:
Willow Lake is the main treatment facility for the City with a dry weather secondary treatment capacity of 65 million gallons per day (mgd), a wet weather secondary treatment capacity of 105 million gallons per day (mgd), and a peak wet weather capacity of 155 million gallons per day (mgd). It can be operated in trickling filter/activated sludge, conventional air activated sludge and in a combination of both processes plus selective treatment based on flow and load fluctuations.
The River Road Wet Weather Treatment Facility is a high rate, physical/chemical ballasted flocculation facility with ultra-violet disinfection. This facility is operated only when flows at the Willow Lake Facility are above 95 million gallons per day (mgd). Operation of this remote facility is permitted for use to prevent sanitary sewer overflows associated with wet weather.
The City of Salem is the second largest City in the State of Oregon, located in the heart of Willamette Valley, and is the capital city of Oregon with a population over 170,000. Centrally located, Salem is 47 miles south of Portland and an hour from the Cascade Mountains to the east and an hour from the ocean beaches to the west. Salem is an exceptional community for living and working with exciting new and comfortable well-established neighborhoods and carefully preserved historic buildings.
A full-service City, Salem has eight primary departments:
Community Services, Finance, Fire, Enterprise Services, Legal, Police, Public Works, and Community and Urban Development. Several departments also have functional divisions within their department. The City has five labor unions and employs roughly 1,350 talented and dedicated staff members. The Urban Renewal Agency and the Salem Housing Authority are separate municipal corporations. The Agency contracts with the City for services and the Authority is led by the Housing Administrator within the Urban Development department.
Where can I find out more about the position?
Go to menu option for Class Specifications and search for the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP) Operator I or II where the class specifications are posted in its entirety, or view by clicking here: WTP Operator I or WTP Operator II.
How can I apply?
The City of Salem invites individuals of all diverse communities and backgrounds to apply for our available job opportunities as we strive to provide the best service to everyone. The City of Salem is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all and has a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that by welcoming differences, encouraging new ideas and views, listening to, and learning from each other, we are better able to serve the community.
To apply, click on the green "Apply" button to complete your application. Make sure that you specify how you meet the qualifications outlined in the class specification and complete the application.
Applicants that meet the minimum qualifications as outlined above but not selected for this position may be placed on an eligibility list, and candidates may be hired from the list. Eligibility lists are valid for six months. The City will send email notifications to eligible candidates about potential hiring opportunities so please ensure your email settings accept our system generated email notifications.
You may subscribe for automatic notification of job openings at the City through the Job Interest Cards - sign up today!
For more information about employment at the City of Salem, please visit our website at www.cityofsalem.net/jobs.Employment Type: Fulltime-Career
