Water Treatment Plant Operator I

About the role

The City of Pomona invites qualified candidates to apply for the Water Treatment Plant Operator I position in the Water Resources Department. This entry-level position plays a critical role in producing and delivering safe, high-quality drinking water to the community.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and operate water treatment facilities, conduct water quality sampling and testing, adjust chemical feed systems, operate SCADA and plant equipment, and perform preventive and corrective maintenance on pumps, motors, valves, filters, and related systems.
• Help ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local drinking water regulations while supporting the reliable operation of the City's treatment facilities and distribution system.

Requirements

• Education and Experience: High school diploma or GED supplemented by specialized training in water maintenance and/or operations. One year of water treatment experience or two years of water maintenance experience is desirable.
• Licenses and Certificates: Possession of a valid driver's license with good driving record. Possession of a Grade II Water Treatment Operator Certificate. Possession of, or must obtain, CPR, First Aid, Respirator, Confined Space and Hazwoper certificates within 11 months of employment.

Qualifications

• Knowledge: Basic mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic principles. Hand and power tools used in routine plant maintenance. Safety precautions pertaining to the work. Safety precautions pertaining to work with hazardous materials. Characteristics of treatment chemicals. Basic arithmetic, including fractions, decimals, and proportions. Safe driving principles and practices. Confined space work practices.
• Skills: Learn to operate a wide variety of equipment and tools used in water treatment and maintenance. Learn to operate the City’s SCADA system. Learn to operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and software. Perform heavy manual labor for extended periods of time. Operate a motor vehicle safely. Operate a wide variety of equipment including, dump trucks, skip loaders, and fork lift as well as tools used in water treatment and maintenance. Learn to make accurate physical and chemical tests. Learn to diagnose complex operating problems. Ability to: Read and record meters and gages accurately. Recognize unusual or dangerous operating conditions. Perform maintenance and repair to plant equipment including pumps, valves, motors, mixers, wires, and analyzers. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships, teamwork, and cooperation with those contacted in the course of work. Work in a confined spaced environment. Handle hazardous material in a safe manner. Use respirators for extended periods of time. Learn to read, interpret, and apply a technical information from manuals, drawings, specifications, layouts, blue prints, and schematics.

Skills

• Ability to: Sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb, push, pull, lift up to 50 lbs., and wear protective apparel. Exposure to heat, noise, outdoors, vibration, confining work space, chemicals, explosive materials, mechanical hazards, electrical hazards, and traffic hazards. Ability to travel to different sites and locations. Availability for on-call, stand-by, emergency call, and irregular work schedules including weekends and holidays.

Benefits

• Excellent benefits package featuring a 4/10 work schedule with Fridays off, medical, dental, and vision coverage, CalPERS retirement, deferred compensation options, tuition reimbursement, and optional participation in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• This position also provides opportunities for career growth within the Water Treatment Plant Operator series and includes a 5% scheduled salary increase on October 1, 2026.

Pay

• The City of Pomona offers a competitive salary scale with a 5% scheduled salary increase on October 1, 2026.

Schedule

• The City of Pomona offers a 4/10 work schedule with Fridays off.