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Applications accepted until Friday, October 31, 2025
Written Exam: November 25, 2025
Oral Exam: TBD
Resumes are not accepted in lieu of completing a city application.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
DEFINITION
This job opportunity is continuous and application reviews are performed periodically.
Applications accepted until Friday, October 31, 2025
Written Exam: November 25, 2025
Oral Exam: TBD
Resumes are not accepted in lieu of completing a city application.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
DEFINITION
Under supervision, operates and maintains equipment and facilities of the water and wastewater system on an assigned shift, and performs other duties as assigned. Incumbents in this position who satisfactorily pass their probationary period and possess a State Water Resources Control Board Grade 1 Operator’s Certificate and a State of California Department of Health Services for Water Treatment Grade 2 Certificate are eligible for appointment to the Water/Wastewater Operator I classification upon recommendation of the Director of Water and Wastewater Resources.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Monitor the operation of the water system in accordance with federal and state regulations determining judicial regulation of water flow from wells and other supply sources, reservoirs and pumping stations, using electronic and mechanical instrumentation controls; perform hydrant tests, distribution system shutdowns, service restorations and flushing.
Monitor the operation of the wastewater treatment plant, in accordance with federal and state regulations by controlling flow and processing of wastewater biosolids and effluent.
Typical duties for both the water and wastewater system include:
Monitor gauges, dials, meters and control panels and other recording instruments, interpreting results to determine processing requirements, and record data and maintain routine and daily records and shift logs; lubricate, clean, and adjust equipment; identify problems and prepare detailed work orders; respond to customer's requests for service; collect samples and perform basic laboratory analyses and interpret results; perform general plant maintenance work such as sweeping, cleaning, sanding, and painting and general grounds maintenance work; may have to work under adverse conditions and/or on various shifts.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of: Basic safety practices and hazards related to the operation of wastewater treatment plants.
Ability to: Work safely and effectively on various shifts; follow oral and written directions; perform heavy manual labor; learn to safely operate equipment used in water and wastewater treatment facilities, collect samples and perform standard laboratory tests of potable water, wastewater, receiving waters and biosolids and interpret such tests; read and interpret gauges and recording devices and keep adequate records; perform mathematical computations involved in the operation of water and wastewater facilities; use CRTs and PCs;, adjust treatment processes as indicated by plant conditions; work independently; 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.
Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent. Successful completion of one three-unit semester course which is directly related to wastewater treatment and which is part of the curriculum of an accredited college or university is desirable. Continuing education in related subjects is desirable.
Experience: One year of experience in full-time employment.
Physical Requirements: Moderate, and sometimes strenuous exertion required, including sustained walking, standing, bending, kneeling, climbing, lifting and carrying. May have to work on ladders, in tunnels and confined spaces, hazardous atmospheres and in protective garments. May work in adverse conditions which require exposure to inclement weather, noise, noxious odors, gases, or contact with water and/or wastewater.
License:
Must be able to obtain an Operator In Training Certificate within 90 days of appointment. Must pass the State Water Resources Control Board Grade I Wastewater Treatment Operator Examination prior to the expiration of the Operator-in-Training Certificate. Possession of a certificate issued by The State Water Resources Control Board for Water Treatment Operator I, or the ability to obtain within 18 months of appointment.
Possession of a certificate issued by The State Water Resources Control Board for Water Distribution Operator I, or the ability to obtain within 18 months of appointment.
Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License (including acceptable driving record.)
This job opportunity is continuous and application reviews are performed periodically.
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 approximately 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.
Look at some of the reasons why the City of San Mateo is a great place to work, https://youtu.be/_GTIzeSpc_g
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 Position
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 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.
