| Location | Santee, CA |
| Salary | $2,022–$2,027 |
AWP Operator (Lead)
Salary
$99,590.40 - $140,982.40 Annually
Location
Advanced Water Purification Facility, CA
Job Type
Full Time Permanent Employee
Job Number
2026-00022
Department
Advanced Water Purification
Division
Advanced Water Purification
Opening Date
09/16/2026
Closing Date
10/16/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED: Please be advised that the recruitment period for the AWP Operator - Lead position has been extended.
The NEW Closing Date is October 16, 2026 at 11:59pm.
Are you someone who values teamwork, is motivated by continuous learning, and is looking for a position that offers career development and professional growth?
Padre Dam and the East County Advanced Water Purification Program is seeking a Certified Operator to fill a critical, lead role at our state-of-the-art Advanced Water Purification Facility.
We are seeking candidates that currently hold a SWRCB Wastewater Treatment Plant Grade 3 certificate (or higher) for an AWP Operator - Lead position. Employees in this position play a vital role in protecting our water resources while working in a collaborative, safety driven environment. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated, certified wastewater professional who is comfortable with hands on plant operations, SCADA monitoring, sampling, and process control in a 24/7 facility.
Be part of the future of water sustainability by working with our state-of-the-art, four-step advanced purification technology that transforms recycled water into quality drinking water source. As an AWP Operator (Lead), you will directly impact the community by helping generate 30% of East County's water supply, thus reducing reliance on imported water through true environmental innovation. If you are passionate about water quality and ready to make an impact every day, APPLY TODAY!
To learn more about the East County Advanced Water Purification Program, Click Here.
Initial Application Review will occur during the Week of September 28th.
The selected candidate is eligible for appointment within the following Salary Grade:
Salary Grade 27L - $47.88 - 67.78
Essential Duties
AWP Operators are responsible for training on, commissioning, monitoring, maintaining, and operating a 16 MGD Class 5 Water Recycling Facility (WRF), associated Solids Handling Facility (SHF), Energy Recovery Facilities, a 12.5 MGD AWP Facility, appurtenant wastewater pump stations and conveyance facilities, product water pump station and conveyance facilities, and remote dechlorination facility; ensuring customers receive adequate recycled and purified water without health risks; and any other duties as assigned.
As an AWP Operator - Lead, an employee is responsible for making day-to-day process adjustments to maintain operational parameters set forth by the AWP Operations Manager or AWP Operations Supervisor. Additionally, this position is expected to direct the work of AWP Operator employees within their assigned workgroup, maintain mandatory shift operations logs, and assume full responsibility for facility compliance in the absence of the AWP Operations Manager and AWP Operations Supervisor, including but not limited to monitoring operations, addressing regulatory issues, and maintaining required documentation.
To view the complete job classification description for this position, click here: AWP Operator Class Specification
Knowledge, Skills, Training, Experience & Licensing
Training/Experience Required: (position requirements at entry)
Licensing Requirements: (AWP Operator - Lead position requirements at entry; must be obtained and/or maintained throughout employment)
NOTE: Salary Grade 27L is an assigned lead position and requires an employee to hold dual certification (WW 3 and AWTO 3)
Supplemental Information
Learn more about our mission, vision and the high-level services we provide - scan the QR code above or click HERE to view our 2025 Annual Report.
Health Insurance:
Employees have three plans from which to choose. Two HMO plans are 100% paid by Padre Dam for the employee and 90% for all eligible dependents; one PPO plan is partially paid by Padre Dam. Coverage is effective the first of the month after hire. Employees have the option to waive coverage and receive 50% of Padre Dams cost savings as cash compensation. In order to waive benefits, you must show proof of other ACA eligible coverage.
Dental Insurance:
Padre Dam pays the total premium costs for the employee and all eligible dependents. Coverage is effective the first of the month after hire.
Employee Assistance Program:
Employees and their dependents have access to confidential, third-party personal counseling, financial, legal and work-life services at no cost.
Flexible Spending Accounts:
Padre Dam employees may elect annually to set aside pre-tax dollars to cover health care or dependent care expenses.
Life Insurance:
Employee Group Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance is provided at 1½ times annual salary with a maximum benefit of $250,000. Dependent coverage of $5,000 is also provided. Total premium costs are paid by Padre Dam for the employee and all eligible dependents.
Short & Long Term Disability:
Padre Dam provides Short & Long Term Disability for the employee at 66 2/3% of monthly gross income. The Short Term Disability benefit is payable after 31 days and the Long Term Disability benefit becomes payable after the 91st day if there is a qualified disability.
Voluntary Benefits:
Employees have access to additional voluntary benefits such as Critical Illness Coverage, Pet Insurance and Identity Theft Protection. Employees are responsible for the entire cost of premiums of these plans.
Vacation:
New employees accrue 12 days per year for 1 to 4 years of service. Additional days are earned with additional years of service.
Sick Leave:
All employees accrue 12 days per year. Employees who accumulate and maintain a sick leave bank in excess of 240 hours may, on an annual basis, sell back up to 40 hours of unused accrual hours.
Holidays:
Employees enjoy 12 paid holidays per year.
Retirement:
Membership is compulsory in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Benefit formula for new CalPERS members is 2% @ age 62. Benefit formula for classic CalPERS members is 2.5@ age 55.
Social Security/Medicare:
Employees are covered under provisions of Federal Social Security and Medicare.
Deferred Comp Plan:
An optional deferred income plan is available which allows current income to be set aside as supplemental retirement savings.
Salary Adjustments (2022-2027):
Padre Dam provides an annual Cost of Living Adjustment of 3.25% on the first pay period of each fiscal year. In addition, Padre Dam offers a pay for performance merit system. Annually, on the anniversary date of the employee, an evaluation will be done that may include an increase in salary in alignment with performance.
Tuition Reimbursement:
After the probationary period, full-time and part-time employees working a minimum of 20 hours per week may apply for tuition reimbursement benefits.
Workforce Partnership (Pipeline):
Padre Dam MWD encourages broad based participation in the organizations decision making process. Employees are encouraged to participate, voice opinions, share ideas and give feedback and collaborate.
This brief summary of benefits is provided for informational purposes only. This summary is intended to be accurate but its not an official plan document and has no legal or binding effect as an expressed or implied contact. This summary does not alter or amend any provisions of the Districts Standard Practices & Policies or any Memorandum of Understanding between the associations. Should you have any questions in regards to this summary, please contact the Human Resources department at 619-258-4656.
01
Your responses to the questions below will be used to determine your eligibility to advance in the recruitment. An incomplete application or referencing your application in lieu of answering any of the supplemental questions will be cause for disqualification from the recruitment process. Changes can not be made to your application once its submitted so please ensure that the information you provide is accurate and complete.
02
Applicant Acknowledgement: Padre Dams Human Resources Department uses email to notify applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of their employment application. As an applicant, you are hereby advised of the following: 1. It is your responsibility to ensure the email address you provide is current and readily accessible to you. 2. It is your responsibility to check your email to ensure you do not miss any deadlines established as part of the recruitment process. 3. It is your responsibility to read all Padre Dam emails carefully and follow instructions, if any. If you experience technical difficulties please contact NEOGOV Customer Support at (877) 204-4442. Please be aware that Padre Dams recruitment deadline is firm and we will not accept applications after the deadline has passed.
03
Please indicate the highest level of education you have completed, below.
04
There are certification requirements for this position. Please mark the level of any certification you currently hold. Please also upload copies of the certifications with your application.
05
How many years of experience do you have in the installation/repair and maintenance of water/wastewater equipment, facilities and appurtenances?
06
For your indicated experience in Question 5, please describe your experience below. Please include name of employer, dates of employment, your job title and describe the duties you performed. If none, please indicate N/A.
07
As part of the East County Advanced Water Purification Project (ECAWP), Padre Dam entered into an Administrative and Operating Services Agreement (Agreement) with the East County AWP Joint Powers Authority (JPA). Padre Dam as the contracted Administrator and Operator, will provide management, administrative, operations, maintenance and similar or related services for JPA owned ECAWP facilities. The Administrator and Operator functions will require Padre Dam to hire additional personnel for the development period of the project, or until the Agreement to provide those services is otherwise terminated or not extended. Once the Agreement is terminated or expires, Padre Dam will no longer need the additional personnel and will no longer have the funding to support additional personnel. ECAWP Project Funded Employees will be specifically hired as employees for the duration of time that the District is providing Administrative and Operating Services, but those employees may perform any work for the District within their employment classification, not just work under the Agreement. ECAWP Project Funded Employees will be provided the same rights and benefits as other Permanent Padre Dam Employees and be hired into the same classification with the same salaries, except with respect to termination of employment if Padre Dam ceases to provide Administrator or Operator services to ECAWP. The current Agreement is for a period of approximately ten years. External applicants will be considered contract employees.
08
Applicant Acknowledgement: Newly hired AWP Operators are required to work five days per week, 8 hours per day, which may include weekends, for initial onboarding and through Advanced Water Purification Water training. Once the plant is online, AWP Operators are assigned work schedules that include 12-hour shifts for seven consecutive working days and seven consecutive non-working days. Because our facility is a 24/7 operation, staff may be assigned rotational night shifts.
Required Question
Employer Padre Dam Municipal Water District
Address 9300 Fanita Parkway
Santee, California, 92071
Phone 619-258-4658
Website http://www.padredam.org