Water Agency Plant Operator-In-Training

Position Information

Join the County of Sonoma Water Agency (Sonoma Water) as a Water Agency Plant Operator-in-Training.

With training and under supervision, Water Agency Plant Operators-in-Training gain the knowledge and experience needed to operate and maintain public water treatment and distribution systems and wastewater collection system and treatment plants. They learn how critical system equipment and machinery work and affect water and wastewater treatment processes. As our next Water Agency Operators-in-Training, you will also learn to:

• Operate water/wastewater flow regulating controls and equipment, such as pumps, valves, and chlorinators
• Balance water storage, usage, and allotments within our water system
• Inspect treatment plants, pump stations, and related equipment and facilities
• Read and record information from voltmeters, pressure gauges, flow meters, chlorine residual recorders, pump cooling pressures, and more
• Conduct routine laboratory analysis of water and wastewater samples
• Maintain and calibrate operational instrumentation, such as pH meters and titrators
• Perform routine maintenance of equipment such as oiling and adjusting plant equipment and machinery

As the candidate that would be best suited for this exciting position with Sonoma Water, you will have superb listening skills, the ability to learn new concepts quickly, strong attention to detail, and be a highly effective communicator. In addition to these competencies, the ideal candidate will possess one or more of the following:

• Water and/or wastewater treatment college-level coursework
• Familiarity and/or coursework in mathematics and chemistry
• Certifications from a state or local government agency or trade association in water resource management, water or wastewater operations or water collection

Working Conditions: Incumbentsmust be willing to work all shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Special Note: The Water Agency Plant Operator-in-Training is expected to gain sufficient training, knowledge, and ability to obtain the California State Water Resources Control Board Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade II and Water Treatment Plant Operator Grade T2 certificates, within three years of hire, in order to qualify for promotion to Water Agency Plant Operator.

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Career Advancement - With time, good performance, and applicable required certifications, the opportunity for advancement to Water Agency Plant Operator, salary up to $134,494/annually
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the International Union of Operating Engineers, Stationary Engineers - Local 39 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory .

Join Our Team

Sonoma Water is a special district formed by the California State Legislature in 1949 and is responsible for providing a safe and reliable water supply to its customers in Sonoma and Marin counties. Sonoma Water also maintains 75 miles of flood control channels and provides sanitation services. Employing approximately 250 employees, Sonoma Water consists of four divisions including Engineering & Resource Planning, Environmental Resources, Business Services & External Affairs, and Water/Wastewater Operations & Maintenance. Sonoma Water supports the concept of environmental sustainability, focusing on renewable power sources, and strives to be a leader in its water use efficiency and fishery restoration programs.Employees of Sonoma Water are employees of a special district and are not subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Ordinance of the County of Sonoma.

This recruitment is being conducted to fill a Water Agency Plant Operator-In-Training position at Sonoma Water. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Any combination of education, training, and experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed above.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Special Provision
Upon obtaining the California State Water Resources Control Board Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade II and Water Treatment Plant Operator Grade T2 certifications, the Water Agency Plant Operator-in-Training will be eligible for promotion to Water Agency Plant Operator. Should the Water Agency Plant Operator-in-Training fail to obtain both certifications within three years of hire, employment will be terminated.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: operation and preventive maintenance of piping systems, including pipes, valves, pumps, motors, and related appurtenances; methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in the operation of a water treatment facility; basic chemistry and algebra; safety equipment and practices, including the handling and storage of hazardous chemicals; basic mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic principles; basic operational maintenance practices of electrical motors, pumps, and circuitry; basic computer software programs including Outlook, Word, and Excel.

Ability to: accurately read meters and charts; perform basic arithmetic calculations and compute volumes and percentages using both standard and metric systems; learn to perform routine chemical tests using accepted laboratory practices and procedures; read, write, and follow oral and written directions in English; learn the operation and routine maintenance of computerized instrumentation and plant operational equipment; establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers, employees of other departments and agencies, and the public.

Working Conditions
Position requires working assigned shifts which may include nights, weekends, and holidays. The position also requires walking on non-level, uneven, and slippery surfaces; reaching; kneeling; climbing; crawling; and grasping, holding, and twisting various objects in the performance of daily activities. The need to lift and carry air packs, pumps, hoses, lab equipment, and paper boxes weighing up to 50 pounds and the need to move cylinders of gas weighing more than 200 pounds in accordance with safe work practices is also required. The incumbents are exposed to a variety of conditions including wet, heat, cold, heavy dust and pollens, and biohazards. Additionally, the working environment and equipment used exposes the incumbents to loud noises, vibrations, mechanical and equipment hazards, pesticides, raw and treated sewage, fumes, solvents, diesel, chlorine, and other chemicals and risks. The nature of the work may also require the incumbents to wear self-contained breathing equipment, climb ladders and scaffolds, drive motorized vehicles, and handle noise producing tools and equipment.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.

Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and/or response to the supplemental questionnaire. Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: JT
HR Technician: KK

IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: GENERAL*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Paid Time Off :Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan :Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generousCounty contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

Retirement :Fully integrated with Social Security.For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .

IRS 457 Plan :Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical : County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief :County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331.Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-2900.

*IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 5/5/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• County of Sonoma

• 707-565-8059

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