Senior Wastewater Plant Operator

Salary : $109,304.00 - $130,707.20 Annually
Location : City of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Varies by Position
Job Number:
Business Area: 2000 - Public Utilities
Opening Date: 10/02/2026
Closing Date: 10/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

JOB INFORMATION

See NOTES below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.

Senior Wastewater Plant Operator positions lead/direct the work of a crew responsible for the operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment or facilities to ensure that treatment standards are met; adjust chemical feed rates for effective wastewater treatment; interact with regulatory inspectors; inspect facility for compliance with safety and permit/regulatory requirements; develop and provide technical training on facility operations; maintain operating logs; conduct tours of facilities; and perform other duties as assigned.

NOTES:

• Employees in job classifications represented by AFSCME Local 127 are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:
  • 3.5% effective 7/1/27
  • 2% effective 7/1/28
  • 2% effective 1/1/29
• Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).
• Senior Wastewater Plant Operator employees may be required to work nights, weekends, holidays, and/or unusual shifts to manage 24/7/365 operations for which they may receive 5% additional pay.
• Senior Wastewater Plant Operator employees may be required to be on standby and work overtime on a frequent basis.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.

CERTIFICATION: A valid Grade III or higher Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate issued by the State of California Water Resources Control Board.
LICENSE: A valid California Class C Driver License is be required at the time of hire.

NOTE:

• Candidates will generally be required to show proof of the driver license within about two weeks of receiving a conditional job offer.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION):

• Proof of a valid Grade III or higher Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate issued by the State of California Water Resources Control Board, if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.

Required documents should be attached electronically to your application. If you are unable to attach at the time of application submittal, you must submit them as soon as possible via fax: (619) 533-3337; or to the Employment Information Center: City of San Diego Personnel Department, 1200 Third Avenue - Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101. Include your name and the title of the position for which you are applying.

SCREENING PROCESS

Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met. Successful candidates will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next six months (180 days). For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS: Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, including a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All screening processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test result for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may constitute cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.
Rev. 11 - October 2, 2026 (New Recruitment Date)
01

I understand that failure to respond to the following questions in the spaces provided may result in the rejection of my application. In addition, I may miss out on employment opportunities. Resumes are NOT reviewed for assessing the minimum requirements, qualifications will be determined from the answers provided to the supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

02

Are you a current or former City of San Diego government/municipal employee?

• Current city employee
• Former city employee
• Current & former city employee
• None of the above

03

If you have previously worked or are currently working for the City of San Diego, please enter your PERNR.
04

The minimum age for this job is 18, unless you are 17 and a high school graduate. Do you meet the minimum age requirements for this job?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you possess a valid Grade III or higher Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate issued by the State of California Water Resources Control Board? NOTE: Attach proof of certification to your application.

• Yes
• No

06

How many years of full-time experience do you have as a certified operator in a wastewater treatment facility?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years or more

07

Describe your full-time experience as a certified operator in a wastewater treatment facility. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None."
08

I understand I will be required to provide proof of my driver license if I receive a conditional job offer (generally within two weeks after the offer).

• Yes
• No

Required Question