Wastewater Operator Trainee - Environmental Services Department

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY) , or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov .

About the Department

The Environmental Services Department (ESD) is a national leader in pollution prevention, watershed protection, utility service provision, and climate action. Together, ESD employees positively impact every resident and business in San Jose.

Our department is an exceptional place to start or grow your career. We have a supportive leadership team, numerous professional growth opportunities, and an inclusive workplace culture that is welcoming of your talents!

To learn more about ESD, follow @sjenvironment on X, Facebook and Instagram and San Jose Environmental Services on LinkedIn.

About the Division:

The San José - Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF) is one of the largest advanced wastewater treatment facilities in the nation and treats water from homes and businesses in the cities of San José, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Campbell, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Saratoga, and unincorporated areas within Santa Clara County. The RWF serves a population of over 1.4 million people and has the capacity to treat 167 million gallons of wastewater per day. For more information visit our website at https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/environmental-services/water-utilities/regional-wastewater-facility.

Position Duties

The Environmental Services Department is currently seeking to fill multiple full-time Wastewater Operator Trainee vacancies at the San José - Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF).

The salary range for this classification is: $65,561.60- $79,726.40.

The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

The Wastewater Operator Trainee position is in the Wastewater Operations and Management Division. The Operator in Training (OIT) performs routine operational duties at the Facility including but not limited to the following:

• Works closely with higher-level facility operation personnel to learn the various aspects of the wastewater treatment process and the control operations for the various sections of the Facility.
• Learns basic operation of the distributed control computer system to obtain the ability to locate trends, graphics, and single points and make process or control changes as needed.
• Takes samples of wastewater throughout the treatment process to perform simple tests for process control.
• Learns to read and interpret gauges and other control instrumentation.
• Recognize and diagnose alarms and other warning indications, and to follow corrective procedures to maintain a stable process control and meet government permit requirements.
• Participates in the operation and periodic maintenance of a variety of process equipment such as valves, sluice gates, pumps, blowers, samplers, dissolved oxygen sensors, suspended solids meters, chlorination/dichlorination and other wastewater analyzers and related equipment.

The Facility is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Operations staff may work 12-hour shifts, nights, weekends and holidays. Shift assignments change every 12 weeks.

Interested candidates with mechanical aptitude, math skills, good interpersonal skills, knowledge and use of hand tools, and are willing to work in different shifts, are encouraged to apply. Candidates selected for the OIT positions will be provided with on-the-job training through an Operator Trainee program. Some study time will be required outside of the regular work shift and trainees will be required to show satisfactory completion of required course work.

About the Wastewater Operator Series: The Wastewater Operator Trainee is the entry-level classification into the Wastewater Operator series. Trainees who successfully complete the OIT training program may have an opportunity to be promoted to Wastewater Operator through the qualifying promotional process. The career path for Operators is Wastewater Operator I/II/III.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Any combination of training and experience equivalent to completion of High School.

Experience: None.

Certifications: As a condition of continued employment as a Wastewater Operator Trainee, possession of a valid California Water Resources Control Board Operator in Training Certificate must be obtained within the probation period.

Required Licensing: Possession of a valid State of California Class C driver's license.

• If selected, the Conditional Offer of Employment may be contingent upon you providing proof of a valid State of California driver’s license, and an assessment of your California DMV Employer Pull Notice (EPN) as per the DMV Release of Driver Record Information form. Failure to pass the DMV Pull Notice assessment will deem you ineligible for employment.

Physical Requirement:This classification requires a pre-employment respiratory physical exam.

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history:

Job Expertise : Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations; ability to follow oral and written instructions; knowledge of and the ability to effectively use common hand tools; knowledge of basic mechanical concepts; successful completion of college-level math courses a plus; successful completion of college-level science courses a plus; successful completion of wastewater treatment coursework is highly desirable.

Computer Skills : Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.

Continuous Improvement : Actively identifies new areas for learning and regularly creates and takes advantage of learning opportunities.

Initiative : Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.

Problem Solving : Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills : Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Communication Skills : Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

Veteran’s Preference

The City of San José has a Veteran's Preference Policy that applies to this recruitment. To claim veteran's preference points, you must provide a copy of your honorable military discharge form, Form DD214. For more information on the City's Veteran's Preference Policy, please visit this link: https://www.sanjoseca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/86791/637901057146470000

Selection Process:

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews, one of which will include a written exam.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Adrienne Pea at Adrienne.Pea@sanjoseca.gov.

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.

The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's benefits pagefor detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City’s Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services website. You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an additional perks siteto explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.

Closing Date/Time: 6/23/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of San Jose

• 408-535-1285

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