Location
Description
Applications are being accepted for the position of Water Quality Control Plant Operator I/II/III with the City of South San Francisco in the Public Works Department.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2025, OR UPON RECEIPT OF THE FIRST 100 ONLINE APPLICATIONS, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.
THE CITY OFFERS AN ATTRACTIVE BENEFIT PACKAGE, AS WELL AS CALPERS RETIREMENT PLAN AND SOCIAL SECURITY PARTICIPATION.
The Department
The South San Francisco Public Works Department is comprised of its three main divisions - Engineering, Maintenance & Operations, and the Water Quality Control Plant. Together, these divisions ensure that South San Francisco's infrastructure and public services are efficiently managed and maintained, contributing to the overall quality of life in the community.
Located adjacent to San Francisco Bay on Colma Creek, the Water Quality Control Plant (WQCP) provides secondary wastewater treatment for the cities of South San Francisco, San Bruno, and Colma. It also provides the dechlorination treatment of chlorinated effluent for the cities of Burlingame, Millbrae, and the San Francisco International Airport prior to discharging the treated wastewater into San Francisco Bay. The average dry weather flow through the facility is 9 million gallons per day (MGD). Peak wet weather flows can exceed 60 MGD.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal Water Quality Control Plant Operator I/II/III is a motivated and reliable individual eager to begin or advance a career in water quality control operations. This candidate possesses a strong mechanical aptitude and team-oriented attitude and has the ability to perform a variety of operational tasks under direct supervision in a fast-paced and safety-focused environment. A quick learner with the ability to follow detailed instructions, the ideal candidate will possess a keen interest in understanding the systems and processes that keep a water quality control plant functioning efficiently. The ideal candidate is comfortable working with tools, meters, gauges, and lab equipment and is able to support both preventive maintenance and emergency response activities.
Depending on the certification level of eligible candidates, the position may be filled as a Plant Operator I, Plant Operator II, or Plant Operator III.
The Water Quality Control Plant is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Shift times may vary.
QUALIFICATIONS: Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:
Operator I:
Experience: One year of experience performing duties involving the operation and minor maintenance of mechanical equipment.
Education: Equivalent to graduation from high school.
Licenses and Certificates: All licenses and certificates must be maintained as a condition of employment.
- Possession of or ability to obtain, and maintain an appropriate, valid California driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record.
- Employees are designated as operators-in-training upon employment and are expected to obtain and maintain a Grade I Certification as issued by the State Water Resources Control Board by the end of the probationary period.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain, a Forklift Operator’s certification by the end of the probationary period.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain, a Confined Space Certification by the end of the probationary period.
- Ability to obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid certification.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Hazardous Materials First Responder Certification by the end of the probationary period.
Operator II:
Experience: Two years of experience comparable to a Plant Operator I with the City of South San Francisco.
Education: Equivalent to graduation from high school.
Licenses and Certificates: All licenses and certificates must be maintained as a condition of employment. In addition to the certificates/licenses required for Operator I:
- Possession and maintenance of a California Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade II Certification issued by the State Water Resources Control Board.
Operator III:
Experience: One year of experience comparable to a Plant Operator II with the City of South San Francisco.
Education: Equivalent to graduation from high school.
Licenses and Certificates: All licenses and certificates must be maintained as a condition of employment. In addition to the certificates/licenses required for Operator II:
- Possession and maintenance of a California Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade III Certification issued by the State Water Resources Control Board.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS:
To be considered, applicants must submit the following REQUIRED items:
- City application
- Responses to the supplemental questionnaire
- California Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification (if applicable)
NOTE: Applications must be filled out in their entirety. Failure to complete the application and/or supplemental questions or failure to include a required attachment will disqualify the applicant from the recruitment process. Failure to list work experience, education or training or indicating “see resume” in the work experience section of the application will be considered an incomplete application and subject to disqualification.
THE SELECTION PROCESS:
The most highly suitable and qualified candidates will be invited to participate in an oral panel interview. This assessment is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, July 24, 2025.
To review complete job descriptions which include all special requirements, go to www.ssf.net
Benefits
Retirement: CalPERS retirement formula is 2% at age 60 for Classic members or; 2% at age 62 for “new members” as defined by Government Code §7522.04(e). Social Security and Medicare participation and the option to participate in 457 deferred compensation plans. City contributes equivalent of 1.5% of base pay towards a medical after-retirement account.
Health Insurance: City offers a choice of medical HMO (two providers) or PPO plan, and offers vision and dental coverage. City pays 100% of vision and dental premiums for employee and eligible dependents. Employees shall contribute 10% of the HMO premium cost based on category of coverage (single, two, family). For PPO, employee pays cost difference between PPO and HMO plans. City provides 100% City-paid short- and long-term disability insurances. The City offers a discretionary benefit account for employees who demonstrate health coverage elsewhere.
Vacation: Fifteen to thirty working days annual vacation, based on the length of service.
Holidays: Thirteen total paid holidays per year plus one floating holiday.
Programs: 457 Deferred Compensation, Paid Family Leave (exchange with Paid Parental Leave for PA & IAFF units), Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Long-Term Care, Disability and Life Insurance Programs, City Recreation Classes, Reduced-fee Childcare Programs and Commuter Benefit Programs are available.
This classification is in an employee bargaining unit.
Special Instructions
Prior to appointment, candidates will be required to submit to any or all of the following (as applicable):
- Reference Check
- Department of Justice (DOJ) Fingerprint Check
- Pre-Employment Medical Examination and Drug Screen
A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment. Determinations are made on a case-by-case basis with consideration given to the nature and recency of the conviction and relationship to job duties. All City standards must be met before the final appointment is made.
Candidates with a disability who may require special assistance in any phase of the recruitment process should advise the Human Resources Department upon submittal of application.
Candidates requesting veteran’s preference must provide a copy of U.S. Government DD Form 214 "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty" as an attachment to their CalOpps application.
The policy of the City of South San Francisco is to grant equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion, ancestry, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or national origin. It is the intent and desire of the City of South San Francisco that equal employment opportunity will be provided in recruiting, hiring, training, promoting, wages, benefits, and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment. The City of South San Francisco is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).