Wastewater Operator Trainee

About the Department

The Environmental Services Department (ESD) is a national leader in pollution prevention, watershed protection, utility service provision, and climate action. Together, ESD employees positively impact every resident and business in San Jose.
 
Our department is an exceptional place to start or grow your career. We have a supportive leadership team, numerous professional growth opportunities, and an inclusive workplace culture that is welcoming of your talents! We offer an array of meaningful career paths and value flexibility. Additionally, the City offers a wide array of benefits, as well as 15 paid holidays!

Position Duties

The Environmental Services Department is currently seeking to fill two (2) full-time Wastewater Operator Trainee vacancies at the San José - Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF).

The Wastewater Operator Trainee position is in the Wastewater Operations and Management Division. The Operator in Training (OIT) performs routine operational duties at the Facility including but not limited to the following:  

• Works closely with higher-level facility operation personnel to learn the various aspects of the wastewater treatment process and the control operations for the various sections of the Facility.
• Learns basic operation of the distributed control computer system to obtain the ability to locate trends, graphics, and single points and make process or control changes as needed
• Takes samples of wastewater throughout the treatment process to perform simple tests for process control
• Learns to read and interpret gauges and other control instrumentation
• Recognize and diagnose alarms and other warning indications, and to follow corrective procedures to maintain a stable process control and meet government permit requirements
• Participates in the operation and periodic maintenance of a variety of process equipment such as valves, sluice gates, pumps, blowers, samplers, dissolved oxygen sensors, suspended solids meters, chlorination/dichlorination and other wastewater analyzers and related equipment.

The Facility is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Operations staff may work 12-hour shifts, nights, weekends and holidays. Shift assignments change every 12 weeks.

Interested candidates with mechanical aptitude, math skills, good interpersonal skills, knowledge and use of hand tools, and are willing to work in different shifts, are encouraged to apply. Candidates selected for the OIT positions will be provided with on-the-job training through an Operator Trainee program. Some study time will be required outside of the regular work shift and trainees will be required to show satisfactory completion of required course work. 
 
About the Wastewater Operator Series: The Wastewater Operator Trainee is the entry-level classification into the Wastewater Operator series. Trainees who successfully complete the OIT training program may have an opportunity to be promoted to Wastewater Operator through the qualifying promotional process. The career path for Operators is Wastewater Operator I/II/III.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Any combination of training and experience equivalent to completion of High School.
 

Experience: None.

Licenses: 

• Possession of a valid driver’s license authorizing the operation of a motor vehicle in the State of California.
• As a condition of continued employment as a Wastewater Operator Trainee, possession of a valid California Water Resources Control Board Operator in Training Certificate must be obtained within the probation period.

Physical Requirement: Ability to perform the essential physical functions of this position will be determined by a post-offer medical examination conducted by City of San Jose Employee Health Services.