Wastewater Operator I/II/III - Environmental Services Department
Salary
$92,747.20 - $130,124.80 Annually
Location
San Jose - Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
202601571
DEPART
Environmental Services
Opening Date
05/20/2026
Closing Date
6/17/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
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 I/II/III vacancies at the San José - Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF).
Job Classification Overview - Wastewater Operator I/II/III
Under general supervision, performs a variety of work of routine difficulty involved in operation of the San José/Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility.
Typical duties include but are not limited to:
Assignments may be made to any shift in an around-the-clock operation, and incumbents must also be available for work on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays.
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.
Salary Ranges
Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates' qualifications and experience.
Salary ranges for these classifications are:
Minimum Qualifications
Wastewater Operator I
Education: Successful completion of high school, General Educational Development (G.E.D.) Certificate, or California Proficiency Certificate.
Experience: One (1) year experience as a Wastewater Operator Trainee with the City of San José or one (1) year experience at a Wastewater treatment facility with similar processes.
Certifications: Possession of a valid California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Operator Grade I or higher Certificate.
Required Licensing: Possession of a valid State of California Class C drivers license.
Physical Requirement: This classification requires a pre-employment respiratory physical exam.
Wastewater Operator II
Education: Successful completion of high school, General Educational Development (G.E.D.) Certificate, or California Proficiency Certificate.
Experience: One (1) year experience as a Wastewater Operator I with the City of San José or one (1) year experience at a Wastewater treatment facility with similar processes while holding a valid SWRCB Wastewater Grade I or higher license.
Certifications: Possession of a valid California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Operator Grade II or higher Certificate.
Required Licensing: Possession of a valid State of California Class C drivers license.
Physical Requirement: This classification requires a pre-employment respiratory physical exam.
Wastewater Operator III
Education: Successful completion of high school, General Educational Development (G.E.D.) Certificate, or California Proficiency Certificate.
Experience: One (1) year experience as a Wastewater Operator II with the City of San José or two (2) years' experience at a Wastewater treatment facility with similar processes while holding a valid SWRCB Wastewater Grade II or higher license.
Certifications: Possession of a valid California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Operator Grade III or higher Certificate.
Required Licensing: Possession of a valid State of California Class C drivers license.
Physical Requirement: This classification requires a pre-employment respiratory physical exam.
For the complete physical/environmental elements, please go to the classification specifications here: Wastewater Operator I/II/III
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.
Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other peoples ideas and thoughts.
Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel.
Flexibility - Makes effective decisions and achieves desired results in the midst of major changes in responsibilities, work processes, timeframes, performance expectations, organizational culture, or work environment.
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.
Reliability - Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.
Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.
Selection Process
The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicants 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.
If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact 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 Citys benefits page for 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 site to 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.
01
What is the highest level of education you have completed?
02
How many years of experience do you have at a Wastewater treatment facility with similar processes as the Regional Wastewater Facility? Please Note: One year of Full-Time experience = 2080 Hours.
03
This position requires a State of California Drivers License. Please select the applicable option that best describes your drivers license, or your ability to possess a valid drivers license.
04
The Wastewater Operator I/II/III positions require certifications from the California State Water Resources Control Board. Please specify the certificate that you possess.
05
Describe your experience from a Wastewater treatment facility with similar processes as the Regional Wastewater Facility. If you have no experience, please write none.
06
Describe your experience with process control software, such as, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), distributed control system (DCS) or equivalent. Include your proficiency and the tasks you perform on a regular basis. If you have no experience, please write none.
07
Describe your experience with computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) and maintenance and data extraction. Include your proficiency and the tasks you perform on a regular basis. If you have no experience, please write none.
Required Question
Employer City of San Jose
Address 200 E Santa Clara St
San Jose, California, 95113
Phone (408) 535-1285
Website https://www.sanjoseca.gov/