Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III

You must have a current Class III or IV Oregon Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification or equivalent out-of-state license(s). If the successful candidate is from out-of-state, they would be required to obtain an Oregon Class III or IV Oregon Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification within six months of hire.

Make an impact:
The City of Salem is looking for a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III. 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 serve a population equivalent of 250,000 within a three-city area with an average annual flow of 40 million gallons per day (mgd). The facility staff of 53 employees provide Operations, Maintenance, Laboratory, Biosolids, and Administrative Services for both facilities. 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 invite you to apply and be part of our team!

Learn and grow: 
The Public Works Department values employees and their professional development. We have a diverse team of tenured and newer employees working together to support each other and our community. The City of Salem promotes a healthy work life balance, while maintaining the utmost dedication to the health, safety, and welfare of our community, including our team!  

What you will do: 
This is a lead level position responsible for the operation and routine maintenance of wastewater treatment plants on an assigned shift as well as being assigned regularly as a shift lead worker. This position will alternatively serve as a team member and a team leader. Work is performed independently and is performed consistent with Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Class III certification.

The work schedule for this position will vary biannually depending on the results of a seniority-based work schedule bidding system. The selected candidate may work the day, swing, or night shift, as well as weekends and holidays.

The successful candidate will be knowledgeable of and experienced with team leadership principles; wastewater treatment processes; wastewater treatment equipment; use of distributed control systems (DCS); and wastewater treatment hazards and safety protocols.


Additional information on job responsibilities:

• Leadership: Effectively and independently lead a team, mentor, and train less experienced personnel, explain plant operations both orally and in writing, and foster/support a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace; while respecting, understanding, and valuing individual differences. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other departments, employees, and the public.
• Sampling & Readings: Perform accurate gauge and meter readings, maintain operational records, collection of representative samples, treatment process control, collecting plant operating data for evaluation.
• Other Expectations: Diagnose equipment and malfunctions and take corrective action, perform mathematical computations, comprehend technical written materials, consistently adhere to work schedules set by the supervisor and be able to work in all weather conditions. 

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.
• The schedule will vary biannually based on the results of a seniority-based work schedule bidding system. The successful candidate may work day, swing, or night shift, as well as weekends and holidays.
• Employees working swing and night shift will be additionally compensated with shift differential. Swing = 3% differential; Night = 5% differential.
• The successful candidate may also work a rover position, where they are temporarily assigned to work other days and/or shifts.  

What are the minimum qualifications?

• High school diploma or GED, AND
• Must have a valid class C driver license and meet the City of Salem's driving standards.
• Class III or IV Oregon Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification
• Candidates with out-of-state licenses will be required to obtain Oregon certification within six months of hire.

Our Facilities:
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 Peak 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 lush Willamette Valley, Salem is the capital city of Oregon with a population over 180,000. 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 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 the menu option for Class Specifications and search for WTP Operator 3 or view by clicking here.
 
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 of Salem 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.