Salary : $80,111.20 - $112,800.48 Annually
Location : Advanced Water Purification Facility: 5700 Perkins Road, Oxnard, CA 93030, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2115-PW-2606-VM
Department: PUBLIC WORKS
Opening Date: 06/25/2026
Closing Date: 7/13/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Operate and perform routine maintenance of the Advanced Water Purification Facility membranes and other treatment processes
• Read and Calibrate process controls and analyzers
• Investigate and troubleshoot operational issues
• Collect data and develop reports for regulatory compliance
• Utilization of the SCADA platform to effectively oversee plant performance trends, and alarms to review performance and head off operational issues
• Communicate with staff and customers in a respectful and professional manner
• Work with and around treatment chemicals
• Follow all safety and regulatory mandates, policies, and procedures
• Operate and utilize computer systems, Excel, Word, Google Docs, CMMS software, and other software applications as needed to support operational activities and City requirements.

PAYROLL/CLASSIFICATION TITLE:
Plant Operator, Principal

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This classification is distinguished from the Plant Operator, Senior in that it performs advanced journey-level plant operations and plant maintenance work and may serve as lead worker by assigning and reviewing work and providing guidance to others in the absence of a Shift Coordinator.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED / SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Incumbents may serve as lead workers, assigning work and monitoring work completion. Receives general supervision on routine items which are performed according to established standards and procedures and receives specific work instruction regarding non-routine matters and deadlines.
WORK SCHEDULE:
The normal City work week is Monday through Thursday 8:00am to 6:00pm and alternating Fridays 8:00am-5:00pm. Depending on the work assignment staff may be assigned to shifts that are outside the standard City work hours. In addition, this position may be required to be available to work additional hours in response to peaks in workloads and changes in department needs and perform on-call duties.
Essential Functions
This class specification represents only the core areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the Department.

• Performs advanced journey-level plant operations and maintenance work; monitors operations and maintenance of plant systems, processes and/or equipment to ensure proper operations and that standards are met. Provides lead worker support as needed including making work assignments, training and monitoring the completion of work.
• Monitors systems, processes and equipment; gathers and records data, readings, samples and information used to ensure proper equipment operations or to determine required maintenance; calibrates equipment and makes equipment adjustments; starts up and shuts down equipment as required.
• Performs equipment inspections and maintains inspection records; coordinates and/or performs repair work; maintains and cleans various equipment, facility areas and grounds; maintains safe and clean site working conditions.
• Enters and maintains data. work records, files and activity logs; performs basic analysis of data and information; prepares and maintains reports and other related documentation.
• Monitors supplies/materials inventory; initiates purchase request for required items; schedules pick up of materials;
• Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.

POSITION SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES MIGHT INCLUDE:

Positions assigned to water treatment operations may be responsible for:

• Operating, monitoring, maintaining, repairing and troubleshooting issues related to potable and recycled water production and treatment system
• Performing water quality sampling
• Adjusting chemical dosage
• Regulating water system pressure and flow to meet usage demand
• Gathering production, treatment and water quality data and preparing routine reports
• Responding to questions and concerns from the public
• Operating light, and medium duty trucks and equipment
• Maintaining parts, inventory and related records
• Inspecting and cleaning equipment and facilities

Minimum Qualifications
The following are the minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the classification:

EDUCATION:

• High School Diploma or GED

EXPERIENCE:

• Three (3) years of treatment plant operation experience

LICENSING/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Valid California Class C Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record may be required

• Valid California State Water Resources Control Board T3 Certificate or Valid California State Water Resources Control Board Grade III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate is required upon hire
• CWEA-AWWA CA-NV Section AWTO 3 certificate within 12 months of employment

General Information
APPLICATION PROCESS:

• Submit NEOGOV/Government Jobs on-line application.
• Complete and submit responses to the supplemental questions, if required.
• Upload resume, cover letter, proof of degree (transcript), or other requested documents.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the online application and include the information only on the resume. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted. Cover letters and/or optional resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application.

The list of qualified candidates established from this recruitment may be used to fill other full-time, part-time, and temporary assignments. There are currently two (2) full-time vacancies within the Public Works Department, Water Division.
Selected candidate(s) must pass a thorough reference check and background investigation. Some positions that work with or have access to the Police Department may require a polygraph exam. Select positions may require candidates to undergo a pre-employment medical and/or psychological evaluation.

UNION MEMBERSHIP: Positions in this classification are represented by the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE).
NOTE: For most positions, the City of Oxnard relies on office automation (Microsoft Office/Google) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.

Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all positions.
Employees are required to participate in the City's direct deposit plan and are paid on a bi-weekly basis.
This position requires a 12-month probationary period. Internal applicant probationary periods will be governed by the applicable MOU.
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100, all public employees are required to serve as disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them.
If a candidate accepts a conditional job offer with the City of Oxnard, any and all pending applications for active recruitments with the City of Oxnard will be withdrawn and no longer considered.
This position is governed by the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime pay.
Retirement Contributions:
New members (as defined by PEPRA), 2% @ 62; "Classic" members 2% @ 55. The employee will be required to pay a portion of their annual earnings toward their retirement. The City of Oxnard does not participate in social security.

Vacation Time:
Full time employees accrue vacation time at a rate of 4.39 - 8.08 hours per pay period based on years of service.

Sick Time:
Full time employees accrue sick time at a rate of 3.70 hours per pay period.

Bilingual Pay:
A regular full time employee may receive bilingual pay at the rate of $50.00-$125.00 bi-weekly depending on the level the employee is required to provide bilingual services as determined by the City Manager or designee.

Educational Incentive:
For positions that do not require aBachelor's Degree, the City offers an educational incentive award of 2.5% for employees that complete 30 work-related college semester units above the minimum education requirements for the position.

Health and Dental:
Employees can choose from a variety of medical plans provided by the City. The City's contribution to medical coverage is outlined below:

Level One - For employees hired before January 1, 2023, the City contributes $1,543.00 per month toward medical insurance premiums and an additional $74.21 per month toward dental insurance premiums. Employees will receive cash back if the medical plan they choose is less than the City's monthly contribution of $1,543.00 per month. Employees who waive medical insurance will receive cash back in the amount $1,243.00 per month provided they provide proof of other qualifying coverage. Any unused dental premium monies are paid to the employee. If employees hired prior to January 1, 2023 make any changes to their health plan, they will be placed in level two.

Level Two - For employees hired on or after January 1, 2023, the City will contribute $2,054.00 towards medical insurance premiums with no cash back. Employees who waive medical insurance will receive $500.00 per month cash back provided they show proof of other qualifying coverage. The City will provide $66.80 per month towards dental insurance.

Life Insurance:
City employees receive Basic Life Coverage and have the option to purchase additional insurance.

Deferred Compensation:
The City contributes 1% to a deferred compensation program.

Tuition Reimbursement:
Full-time employees receive reimbursement of educational expenses including the costs of tuition, registration fees, laboratory fees, and books at a rate of 50% for work related coursework up to a maximum of $500 per fiscal year.

Holidays:
The City observes 12 holidays per year
01

Do you possess a High School Diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess three (3) years of treatment plant operation experience?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess a valid California State Water Resources Control Board T3 Certificate or a valid California State Water Resources Control Board Grade III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess a valid California Class C Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record?

• Yes
• No

Required Question