WATER TREATMENT OPERATOR 5885 B (Revised 05-05-26)

About the role

A Water Treatment Operator does skilled work in the operation, regulation, maintenance and repair of equipment used in the treatment of potable water.

Conditions of Employment

• May be assigned to a night shift or continuous shift requiring 10 consecutive days on shift and 4 days off.
• Routine assignments will be made to either the Los Angeles Aqueduct Filtration Plant or the field operations section of the Water Operations Division.
• Work locations include the greater Los Angeles and Owens Valley areas.
• Will be required to work with hazardous chemicals.
• Cal/OSHA Regulations require that all employees engaged in such work must wear a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). Therefore, all Water Treatment Operators will be medically evaluated to certify that they are physically able to wear the SCBA and must be free of any facial hair that would impair a good SCBA mask-to-face seal.

Requirements

• A valid T2 (or higher) Water Treatment Operator license and a D1 (or higher) Water Distribution Operator License issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board are required at the time of filing.
• A copy of the current Water Treatment Operator and Water Distribution Operator licenses must be submitted with the application and maintained during the course of employment. Applicants must attach a copy to the on-line application before it is submitted. If attached after submission, they will not be available to the City and applicants will not be credited with having submitted them. Applicants who fail to submit the licenses at the time of filing will not be considered further in this examination.
• As a condition of employment, a valid Class C driver's license issued by the California DMV is required at the time of appointment. Applicants will be disqualified or deemed ineligible for hire if their DMV record reflects three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation within the last 36 months in any state or jurisdiction.

Pay and Schedule

• Annual salary: $81,703 to $101,497; $122,252 to $129,059; $124,883 to $131,836; $133,026 to $140,438; $134,529 to $142,025
• Candidates from the eligible list are normally appointed to vacancies in the lower pay grade positions. Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. Assignment to the highest pay grade may require higher-grade certification.
• Entry-level positions are trainee positions. A Water Treatment Operator in a training position must obtain a T3 (or higher) Water Treatment Operator license and be assigned to a permanent position within three years. A trainee receives extensive on-the-job training, which must be completed prior to assignment to a permanent position.

Application and Selection Process

• Applications will only be accepted on-line from FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2026 to THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2026.
• Apply at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacity by scrolling to the top of the job bulletin and selecting the "Apply" icon.
• In accordance with Civil Service Rule 4.2, all applicants who apply may not be tested. To meet anticipated hiring needs, only a limited number of qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the selection process in the following order:
  • Applicants currently employed by the City of Los Angeles who meet the minimum requirements, or are on a reserve list.
  • Remaining applicants who meet the minimum requirements in sufficient numbers to meet hiring needs based on a random sampling of those qualified candidates.
• Applicants not selected to be tested may re-apply in a subsequent filing period.
• Examination Weight: Multiple-Choice Test - 100%
• The multiple-choice test will be administered and proctored on-line during a single session. Candidates invited will be able to take the test from a remote location using a computer with a webcam and reliable internet connection. Candidates who do not complete and submit the test on-line by the specified date and time will not be considered further.
• For candidates who apply between MAY 8, 2026 and MAY 21, 2026, it is anticipated that the on-line multiple-choice test will be administered between TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2026 and MONDAY, JULY 27, 2026.
• Candidates who do not have the required equipment may have the option to take the test onsite at a City facility.
• A final average score of 70% or higher is required to be placed on the eligible list.

Knowledge and Abilities Tested

Candidates may be tested for knowledge of: the function and operation of water treatment materials and equipment sufficient to note abnormalities and/or malfunctions, make repairs, replace equipment, and/or to report need for repair; variations in process flow; basic chemistry and biology associated with water treatment; basic water treatment terms, methods, and practices; procedures used for chemical testing, "jar tests" and water samples for residual chlorine, ozone, and pH; appropriate residual and treatment levels of chlorine and other chemicals used in water treatment; arithmetic and algebra sufficient to calculate unit conversions and perform calculations such as flow rates, weights, and volumes; scales, instruments, and units for measurements related to water treatment such as pressure, temperature, weight, volume, oxygen, ozone and nitrogen purity, and concentration of solutions; OSHA and other general safety regulations, procedures, and practices related to water treatment, including Federal, State, and local laws and regulations.

Additionally, candidates may be tested on the ability to: read and interpret material sufficient to apply the information to specific situations; read line graphs, bar charts, and other types of graphs and in adjusting rapidly to changes in scale; use gauges and other standardized equipment to adjust equipment used in water treatment; use and care for hand tools and powered hand tools; use computer terminals sufficient to retrieve and enter data or control processes of water treatment; relate to the public pleasantly and courteously; and demonstrate mechanical aptitude sufficient to perform safely and correctly such tasks as using tools based on levers and working with or near equipment with moving parts.