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This job opportunity is continuous and application reviews are performed periodically.

The Position

San Mateo is a city of approximately 104,000 residents, strategically located midway between San Francisco and San Jose, and is within the Silicon Valley.  One of the City’s strengths is its diversity, both in the ethnic makeup and the physical development of the community.  San Mateo has a vibrant business and retail environment with national and international businesses, two major shopping centers and an active downtown.  The community values its historic and new residential neighborhoods and recently approved a major new Transit Oriented Development that will add 1,500 new homes, 300,000 square feet of new retail and as much as 1.5 million square feet of commercial office space.  

The City organization has a culture of innovation, collaboration and strong customer service.  The City’s annual budget is $191 million and is staffed by over 540 full time employees.  The City is continually evaluating new and innovative ways of providing high quality services to its residents while acknowledging the competing demands for the limited funds available. Find out more interesting facts at:  www.cityofsanmateo.org.

This position will receive general direction from the Chief Plant Operator and instruction from their Shift Supervisor to provide daily guidance to lower level operators and trainees. The WWTP Operator III will be responsible for supporting these efforts to guide, develop and mentor staff on their assigned shift, act in a supervisory capacity in the absence of the Shift Supervisor, and is the assigned lead in getting both scheduled and unscheduled work completed. Those who have prepared themselves and are ready for the challenge to use their skills as a journey-level wastewater professional should seriously consider this opportunity.

This position is assigned rotating shifts working nights, weekends, and holidays with on-call emergency response 24 hours per day.  However, along with this challenge is the benefit of working  a 12-hour shift that results in a very favorable work/life balance and requires the minimum commuting days as compared to other standard 8-hour shifts.

The Department

The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is a 15.7 MDG sub-regional facility that serves an estimated 164,545 customers  administering the annual operation and maintenance budget over $12.8 million with a staff of 34 professional and technical personnel.  The City of San Mateo is building a team tasked with the safe and continuous operation of the current expansion of this conventional activated sludge plant by introducing new facilities including; preliminary treatment, primary treatment, enhanced biological nutrient removal/membrane bioreactors (BNR/MBR), biological and chemically enhanced treatment (BioACTIFLO), and additional upgrades to existing process equipment. A vital and instrumental member of this team is the WWTP Operator III.

The Duties

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

Operate wastewater treatment facilities to control flow and processing of wastewater, sludge and effluent; monitor gauges, meters and control panels; observe variation in operating conditions, interpreting meter and gauge readings and test results to determine process requirements.

• Operate valves and gates; start and stop pumps, engines and electric motors to control and adjust flow and treatment processes; operate and maintain boilers; perform routine maintenance work on valves, tanks, related equipment and facilities to optimize performance.
• Maintain appropriate plant records to support water quality goals.
• Perform the duties of the Designated Operator-in-Charge when required in accordance with State regulations.
• Operate rolling vehicles and stationary machinery as required to perform essential job functions.
• Foster and maintain good working relationships and provide excellent customer service in the course of their work.
• Assist in the inventory, requisition, and purchase of supplies and materials.
• Supervise and train less experienced operators on assigned shift.

The City of San Mateo Public Works Department is looking for

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators I & II and Operators in Training

Why Join our Department?

The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is a 15.7 MDG sub-regional facility that serves a population of more than 140,000 with an annual operating budget in excess of $10 million and has a staff of 28 professional and technical personnel.

The City of San Mateo is building a cross-functional team tasked with upgrading the City’s 15.7 MGD conventional activated sludge plant with new liquids treatment process facilities, including headworks, primary treatment, five-stage biological nutrient removal/membrane bioreactor (BNR/MBR) process, biological and chemically enhanced treatment (BioACTIFLO) process, and other general plant upgrades, including odor control to serve the new facilities. Key players on this team are the WWTP Operators.

What You’ll Do

• Operate wastewater treatment facilities to control flow and processing of wastewater, sludge and effluent; monitor gauges, meters and control panels; observe variation in operating conditions, interpreting meter and gauge readings and test results to determine processing requirements.
• Operate valves and gates, start and stop pumps, engines and electric motors to control and adjust flow and treatment processes, operate and maintain boilers, perform routine maintenance work on valves, tanks, related equipment and facilities.
• Monitor, adjust and troubleshoot as needed plant operational processes utilizing data-driven technology, such as the SCADA or PCS system.
• Fully utilize the computerized work systems in accordance with work flow processes.
• Operate treatment plant vehicles and stationary machinery as required.
• Collect samples and perform routine laboratory tests and analyses.

These positions require shift work, nights, weekends, holidays with on-call emergency response 24 hours per day. However, along with this challenge is the benefit of working a 12-hour shift that results in a very favorable work/life balance and requires the minimum commuting days as compared to other standard 8-hour shifts.

Who You Are

The WWTP Operator in Training:

• You have graduated from high school or equivalent, and have six educational units of math or science course work, and six months experience in handling mechanical equipment and tools.
• You have up to 18 months to obtain a Grade I WWTP Certificate to promote to WWTP Operator I.

The WWTP Operator I:

• You have graduated from high school or equivalent and have six months experience in handling mechanical equipment tools.
• You possess a Grade I WWTP Certificate and work under direct supervision of the WWTP Shift Supervisor or WWTP Operator II and perform more routine operation work.
• You may be promoted to WWTP Operator II upon obtaining a Grade II WWTP Certificate and completing qualifying training.

The WWTP Operator II

• You possess a Grade II Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate issued by the State of California.
• You have graduated from High school or equivalent and a minimum of one year of experience in the operation of a wastewater treatment plant.

Applications will be accepted for this position until a sufficient number meeting our qualifications are received. Apply immediately.

$26.48/hour

Part Time Hours: Morning/Afternoon Shifts.

This hourly position is not in Civil Service and does not receive benefits.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, to read, record, and report readings of meters; to make customer service changes; and to do related work as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

On an assigned route and schedule, reads utility meters and records the reading on prepared forms; removes all debris impeding meter readings such as water, dirt, etc.; removes meter register cover, when necessary, to clean and/or replace glass so that an accurate reading may be obtained; makes customer service changes, including routine service turn-on and turn-off, and delinquent account service turn-off; answers customer questions regarding meter readings. Assists in clerical operations in billing and collecting for services; notes and reports utility conditions requiring attention.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:  General office practices and procedures.

Ability to:  Learn the methods of meter reading, office procedures relating to billing for water service, and the technical operations as related to meter reading; work responsibly and without immediate supervision in assigned duties; keep simple records and make arithmetical calculations with speed and accuracy; interact positively and cooperate with co-workers, respond politely to customers, work as a team member, function under demanding time pressure, respond in a positive manner to supervision, and attend work and perform duties on a regular and consistent basis.

Experience:  None

Education:  Graduation from high school or equivalent.

License:  Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License.

Physical Requirements:  An incumbent in this position is required to walk extensively, usually 3-5 miles daily; work almost exclusively outdoors under a variety of weather conditions (including rain, cold, fog, and sunshine); remove and replace meter covers weighing 5 to 50 lbs.; read on an average 300 meters daily; at each meter location may be required to bend, squat, or kneel to reach below ground level to read, clean, or remove assorted debris, dirt, or water as necessary.

The City of San Mateo is building a cross-functional team tasked with upgrading the City’s 15.7 MGD conventional activated sludge plant with new liquids treatment process facilities, including headworks, primary treatment, five-stage biological nutrient removal/membrane bioreactor (BNR/MBR) process, biological and chemically enhanced treatment (BioCET) process, and other general plant upgrades, including odor control to serve the new facilities.

• Act as and perform the duties of the Designated Operator-in-Charge as needed in accordance with State regulations.

• Supervise and participate in the operation of wastewater treatment facilities to control flow and processing of wastewater, bio-solids effluent and bio-gas; monitor and adjust gauges, meters and control panels; observe variations in operating conditions; interpreting meter and gauge readings and test results to determine processing, status and requirements for adjustments.

• Monitor, adjust and troubleshoot as needed plant operational processes utilizing data-driven technology, such as the SCADA or PCS system.

• Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for shift operations; implement policies and procedures.

• Supervise and participate in the operation of valves and gates; start and stop pumps, compressors, fans, engines and electric motors to control and adjust flow and treatment processes; boilers and preheaters; perform routine maintenance work.

• Supervise and participate in the collection of samples; coordinate the performance of routine

• You have graduated from high school or equivalent.

• You have two years of experience comparable to a Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator III.

• You possess a Grade III Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator Certificate issued by the State of California with the ability to obtain Grade IV WWTP Operator Certificate within one year of appointment.

   

• Comprehensive benefits package including generous paid leave and health benefits
• CalPERS retirement (2% @ 55 for classic members; 2% @ 62 for new members.  Classic employees contribute 7.5% to CalPERS and New members contribute 6.25% to CalPERS with participation in the Social Security Program
• Free Fitness classes through City of San Mateo Parks and Recreation, Employee Assistance Program and Credit Union Membership
• Bilingual Differential: $195 monthly (if applicable)
• City contribution of 1.5% of base salary to Deferred Compensation and will match up to 1% Employee contribution
• Employee housing loan up to $7,500 for home purchase or rental move-in assistance in the City of San Mateo
• Representation by the San Mateo Management Association