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PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR

COMMUNITY

Chowchilla is an 11-square mile rural city of between 19,000 and 20,000 residents. Located in California’s San Joaquin Valley, Chowchilla is home to some of the state’s most productive agricultural areas. Many of California’s iconic travel destinations such as the Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, the San Francisco Bay Area and the Pacific Coast are within an easy two-hour drive.

Area residents enjoy a Mediterranean-type climate of abundant sunshine with dry, hot summers and mild to cool winters. The rain months of January through March can provide an average 12 inches of annual precipitation to the region.

The community has the benefit of an established commercial downtown surrounded by a mix of varied older homes. In recent years, newer housing developments were built on the east and west sides, as well as retail properties and industrial developments. Three school districts provide a strong educational foundation for families. The community also has a municipal airport, an 18-hole public golf course and a fairground that accommodates numerous events through the year.

POSITION

The Public Works Director is appointed by and works under the direction of the City Administrator and serves as a member of the City’s executive team. The Public Works Director supervises 20+ employees and directs the operations and activities of the City’s Public Works Department including streets and sidewalks, water drainage, parks, facilities, water and sewer utilities, storm drainage, manages all municipal construction, and prepares and administers departmental budget.

The ideal candidate will be a proven leader with the ability to direct and manage office and field staff.  The Public Works Director is a highly visible position with frequent public interaction. This position will have oversight over Planning and Engineering; general background of these two fields is preferred.

The Public Works Director will be familiar with the dynamics of rural communities and be able to ensure ongoing city services within the constraints of limited budgets. Candidates with the education and/or experience that demonstrate the ability to perform the functions of the position will be considered.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 21, 2025

Submit the following documents to CalOpps or to the City of Chowchilla, City Hall

• Cover Letter
• Employment Application
• Resume
• References
• Copies of Pertinent Certificates

WASTEWATER OPERATOR II

A completed online employment application and questionnaire is REQUIRED

Incomplete applications will NOT be accepted.  

You must enter all relevant work history in to this application system, resumes will NOT be considered in lieu of the required employment application information.

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job. 

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision (Wastewater Operator II), performs a variety of skilled and semi-skilled tasks in the maintenance and operation of the City's sanitary sewer system and wastewater treatment plant.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the full journey level class within the Wastewater Operator series. This class is distinguished from the Wastewater Operator I by the assignment of the full range of duties assigned. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and they are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the I level.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1. Operate and adjust controls on treatment plant equipment and machinery, such as valves, pumps and motors.

2. Grease and clean plant equipment; read and interpret meters and gauges; regulate plant effluent.

3. Monitor, repair, and maintain wastewater system lift stations; remove debris; disassemble and clean pumps; perform minor repairs when necessary.

4. Respond to emergency calls as needed; locate problems and operate sewer cleaning equipment to clear stoppages. 

5. Collect samples and perform various lab tests.

6. Inspect and make repairs to plant equipment.

7. Perform general plant maintenance work such as sweeping, cleaning, sanding and painting of equipment and facilities.

8. Assist in operating video inspection system.

9. Perform general grounds maintenance work.

10. Rod sanitary sewers; install and repair sanitary sewer laterals and trunk lines.

11. Enter and work in permitted confined spaces and underground trenches.

12. Locate, mark and notify sewer lines per USA (underground service alert) requirements.

13. Observe and enforce safety precautions. 

14. May temporarily be assigned to work with other City departments as needed.

15. Operate trucks, tractors and other motorized equipment of comparable size and complexity.

16. Perform related duties as required. 

Education/Training:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Experience:
Two years experience performing duties at a level comparable to a Wastewater Operator I with the City of Ceres while in possession of a Grade I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certificate.

License or Certificate:
Possession of a valid Class B driver’s license.
Possession of a Grade I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certificate from the California State Water Resources Control Board.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III

($29.43- $37.66 per hour)

PURPOSE: Under general supervision, assists in the operation and maintenance of a Wastewater Treatment Plant on an assigned shift.  Performs related responsibilities as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

In addition to being a full, advanced journey-level position, incumbents are expected to provide lead supervision over wastewater treatment plant maintenance staff.  Employees assigned to this class coordinate and perform the full range of skilled duties to operate, maintain, repair and modify the Wastewater Treatment Plant and the wastewater collection system.  

This position reports to the Utility Systems Supervisor and assists in determining equipment, personnel and material needs.  This position may act as the WWTP Supervisor (or as the Utility Systems Supervisor, if qualified) during periods when the appointed Utility Systems Supervisor is on vacation or absent from work for other reasons.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assists in the operation of valves and other related controls to distribute flow through unit process and application of chlorine and chemicals to the wastewater.

2. Monitors control equipment such as pumps, motors, valves, blowers, sludge collectors, heat exchangers, sludge thickeners and other related process equipment.

3. Reads meters, gauges and other instrumentation.

4. Maintains a daily record of facility operation, samples collected and corrections to unit processes.

5. Adjusts or alters chemical treatment of the plant as necessary.

6. Collects samples for observation and analysis from unit processes.

7. Performs daily and weekly laboratory analysis as needed for process adjustments and performance indicators.

8. Performs preventative maintenance to equipment, such as routine service, lubrication and cleaning of process equipment and machinery.

9. Operated a wide variety of tools and equipment used in minor mechanical repair and operation of process equipment.

10. Assists in minor repairs to all process equipment as needed.

11. Performs building and ground maintenance, which may involve weed control, gardening and janitorial services.

12. Performs related duties as required.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I

($24.79– 31.74 per hour)

The City of Chowchilla is seeking a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I for the operation and maintenance of the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I is a journey-level class in the Wastewater Treatment Plant series, which normally works under general supervision, performing a group of related duties according to established procedures.  This position reports to the Utility Systems or Wastewater System Supervisor and does not supervise.