Senior Plant Operator (Water Division)

Salary : $80,505.88 - $113,279.86 Annually
Location : Sacramento, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Career
Job Number: 004003-26-DOU-2
Department: Utilities
Division: Water Production Operations
Opening Date: 09/22/2026
Closing Date: 10/6/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

THE POSITION
THIS POSITION IS IN THE WATER DIVISION

Positions in the Senior Plant Operator classification in the Water Division may be required to work swing or graveyard shifts.

IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT
This position may be required to support dewatering, groundwater, surface water, and/or reservoir teams. The ideal candidate communicates well in a leadership role and is skilled in planning, organizing, and delegating required routine tasks, project related work, and troubleshooting efforts. They will be adaptable to changing priorities, as well as effectively coordinate with other support teams within the Department of Utilities. They should have a thorough understanding of Standard Operating Procedures, and an ability to train any/all city staff with safety as a primary focus. The ideal candidate will have experience and be skillful using a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.
To perform skilled work and lead others in the operation of the City's drinking water treatment plants, wells, reservoirs and distribution system; combined wastewater control system, primary wastewater treatment plants and pumping stations; and to assign and direct the work of a plant crew.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Senior Plant Operator is the responsible shift lead operator level classification in the Plant Operator series. Positions assigned to this class are expected to independently perform the full range of plant operation and monitoring duties on an assigned shift. This class is distinguished from the next higher class of Supervising Plant Operator in that the latter is assigned full responsibility for drinking water or wastewater operations, including the direct supervision, technical and functional oversight, direction and coordination of all shifts on a 24-hour basis. This class is distinguished from the next lower class of Plant Operator in that the latter are journey-level positions not responsible for being the responsible shift lead operator.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

General supervision is provided by a Superintendent and/or the Supervising Plant Operator. Responsibilities require the technical and functional supervision and lead direction of lower-level plant personnel.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Depending upon assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Lead and participate in the operation, monitoring, and control of the City's combined wastewater control system, conventional surface water treatment plants, and outlying pumping stations on an assigned shift.
- Participate in and direct the operation of plant equipment including chemical feed, computer, and telemetry systems, microprocessors, pumps, flow control gates, and plant communications systems.
- Plan the operation of the City's entire potable water treatment and distribution system for an assigned shift including anticipating water demand, hour by hour, and adjusting plant influents, effluents and reservoir filling and drawing to maintain pressure in the distribution system within given parameters.
- Plan and schedule water treatment plant activities such as filter backwashes, sludge pumping, filter washwater recycling and other related activities.
- Monitor water quality during treatment process through visual inspection and the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system and adjust influent flows, chemical dosages and filtration rates based on observations; take corrective action on problems identified including hazardous or toxic material spills that affect water supplies.
- Coordinate and maintain wastewater pumping operations in conjunction with the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant.
- Monitor and inspect plant equipment and respond to treatment process and equipment alarms.
- Monitor the condition and functional capabilities of automated and manual plant equipment and machinery; direct and perform minor preventive maintenance and recommend maintenance, repair, and replacement of plant equipment as necessary.
- Assess and gauge flow rates during inclement weather and determine when to direct storm water and personnel to various storage and disposal locations; determine timing and degree to which operations should be activated and deactivated.
- Perform and interpret standardized water quality tests such as chlorine residual, pH, turbidity, alkalinity, total suspended solids, settleable solids, chlorine residual, pH, dissolved oxygen and jar tests, and calculate and make dosage and related chemical feed equipment adjustments based upon the results from such tests.
- Perform efficiency tests on pumps, compressors, and related equipment.
- Monitor the status of plant pumping and equipment, using technical information such as main pressure, system pressure, wet well elevation, water elevations, electrical system voltages, pump motor voltages, and computer system outputs.
- Direct and coordinate trash screen cleaning, filters, and related work involving the upkeep of plant facilities.
- Maintain and update plant operation logs and records.
- Use Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and computerized maintenance management systems.
- Maintain and replenish materials and supplies necessary for plant operation.
- Operate equipment such as engine driven pumps, generators, compressors, hoists, forklifts, cranes and other heavy equipment.
- Schedule and coordinate the work of assigned plant operation personnel.
- Train and assist less experienced personnel in plant operations; ensure that proper safety practices are followed.
- Work in confined spaces, on temporary scaffolding, and on high structures; using breathing apparatus and/or Level I Hazmat suits.
- Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual holding this classification.
QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

- Operating principles, methods, equipment, supplies, and materials used in the combined wastewater control system, drinking water treatment plants, wells, and pumping stations.
- Principles of water and wastewater treatment processes, including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection, fluoridation, corrosion control, and sludge handling.
- Standards and practices of the operation, maintenance, and upkeep of sanitary and storm pumping stations, drinking water and wastewater treatment plants, and related facilities.
- Control measuring devices, gauges, meters, and instruments necessary to properly evaluate and determine the status of the control systems.
- Principles of mathematics, algebra, chemistry, and hydraulics as they apply to plant operations.
- Safe and efficient work practices.
- General mechanical principles and practices relating to plant equipment and machinery.
- Hazardous materials related to plant operations.
- Principles and practices of effective supervision and training.

Ability to:

- Perform a variety of skilled and lead responsibilities in the operation and monitoring of large and complex conventional water treatment plants, sewer and storm water pumping stations, wastewater treatment, and control facilities that are computer interfaced.
- Identify system problems or potential problems and take effective corrective action in an efficient manner.
- Read and interpret plant diagrams, charts, prints, and specifications.
- Understand and apply the principles, theories, and operations of process control computers.
- Understand SCADA and computerized maintenance management system operations.
- Plan, assign, schedule, coordinate, and direct the work of other plant personnel.
- Develop and maintain accurate and up-to-date records and operation logs.
- Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Work any shift (e.g., day, swing, relief, night), weekends, holidays, and standby that is mandatory in some assignments.
- Train and assist less experienced or subordinate personnel.
- Understand basic personal computer programs including inter/intranet access, word processing, spreadsheets and databases.

Experience and Education:

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Three years of progressively responsible experience in the operation of a drinking water treatment plant or wastewater facility.
PROOF OF EDUCATION

Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.
SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Driver License:
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of appointment. Ability to obtain a valid California Class A or B Driver License with required endorsements during the probationary period is required for some assignments. Loss of the license is cause for discipline. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Certificate:
Assignments in the treatment and distribution of drinking water require a T-3 Water Treatment Operator Certificate from the California Department of Health Services. A T-4 certificate is desirable. For assignments in the combined wastewater control system, a T-2 certificate is desirable.
PROOF OF CERTIFICATION

Proof of the required certificate and/or license should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.
Assessment:
If considered for appointment, candidates must pass a pre-employment drug test for some assignments.

Respiratory Protective Equipment:
Work in this class may require wearing respiratory protective equipment at times. When assigned to such assignments, individuals must act in accordance with the regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD:

Employees must complete twelve (12) months of probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status.

THE SELECTION PROCEDURE
Please note, the City of Sacramento's preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e-mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.

1. Application: (Pass/Fail) - All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application by the final filing deadline;

• Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.
• Employment applications will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified:
  • If applicants do not list current and/or past job-related experience in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section. Note: Qualifying experience is based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Qualifying experience is calculated to the full-time equivalent (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).
  • If "see resume" is noted in the "Work Experience" section; a resume will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section.
• Proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted online with your application. Proof of education will be required at time of appointment.
• Proof of certification and/or license should be submitted online with your application. Proof of certification and/or license will be required at time of appointment.
• Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position.
• If you're requesting Veteran's credit, a copy of your DD214 must be submitted online with your application or emailed to the Employment Office by the final filing deadline. Information regarding the use of Veteran's credit can be found in the Civil Service Board rules under rule
• Applicants are responsible for attaching a copy of their DD214 to each position for which they apply.

2. Training and Experience Exam: (Weighted 100%) - The questions located at the end of the application are the Training and Experience (T&E) Exam. Responses to the T&E questions will be rated and scored. This exam will evaluate the relevance, level, and progression of a candidate's education, training and experience. The exam score will determine your ranking on the eligible list for this job. When completing the T&E questions, please note:

• Responses to the T&E questions must be submitted online; paper questionnaires will not be accepted.
• A resume will not substitute for the information required in the T&E questions.

3. Eligibility: Candidates who pass the Training and Experience Test will be placed on the eligible list. The hiring department may contact candidates for interview at any time during the life of the one-year list. Candidate's eligibility expires one year from the date of notification of a passing score for the Senior Plant Operator examination.

4. Screening Committee: (Pass/Fail)- All candidates that pass the examination and are in one of th