| Location | Keizer, OR |
| Salary | $32.46–$39.49 Per Hour |
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator 1, 2, Operator in Training
Salary
$32.46 - $44.52 Hourly
Location
5915 Windsor Island Rd N Keizer, OR
Job Type
Fulltime-Career
Job Number
26-0553-01
Department
Public Works Department
Org
PW WW Treatment Operations
Opening Date
08/03/2026
Closing Date
8/23/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Job Summary
The City of Salem is looking for full-time Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator. This recruitment is open to multiple classifications including: Operator II, Operator I, and Operator-In-Training (OIT).
Make an impact: The City of Salem is looking to fill three full-time Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II/Operator I/Operator-In-Training positions. For OIT candidates, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I certification must be obtained within 15 months of employment.
What you will do: Willow Lake is the primary treatment facility for the City with a dry weather secondary treatment capacity of 65 mgd, a wet weather secondary treatment capacity of 105 mgd, and a peak wet weather capacity of 155 mgd. It can be operated in trickling filter/activated sludge, conventional air activated sludge and in a combination of both processes plus selective treatment based on flow and load fluctuations.
The River Road Peak Wet Weather Treatment Facility is a high rate, physical chemical ballasted flocculation facility with ultra-violet disinfection. This facility is operated only when flows at the Willow Lake Facility are above 95 mgd. Operation of this remote facility is permitted for use to prevent sanitary sewer overflows associated with wet weather.
The Citys treatment facilities serve a population of 256,000 within a three-city area. The facility staff of 53 employees provide Operations, Maintenance, Laboratory, Biosolids, and Administrative Services for both facilities.
What can we offer you for all your hard work?
Operator-in-Training wage: $32.46 Hourly
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I wage: $32.46 - $39.49 Hourly
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II wage: $36.60 - $44.52 Hourly
What are the minimum qualifications?
Hiring managers do not have access to view resumes as part of the application review process, please make sure to give detailed information in your application that includes your experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as requested in the supplemental questions and job advertisement.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I:
If you do NOT have a grade I Operator Certification, successful candidate will fall under the apprenticeship program.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II:
Operator-in-Training status candidates must meet the state requirements and timelines to obtain Grade I certification by the end of 15 months.
Candidates who have experience working at a water/wastewater system or a background in industrial equipment, mechanics (engine repair), irrigation, millwright, or a degree in environmental science or a related field. Those who do not currently possess Oregon Grade 1 certification but are otherwise qualified by education may qualify to obtain Operator-In-Training (OIT) status issued by Oregon DEQ. OIT is an apprenticeship position which provides the required experience to obtain Grade 1 certification within 15 months of employment. An OIT must complete a DEQ-approved training program, apply for, and successfully pass, the certification examination to receive certification. Each requirement below must be met within the timeframes listed:
By 150 days after the hire date, the OIT must successfully have completed DEQ-approved training, either:
California State University, Sacramento's A-Safety, Beginning Treatment, and Lagoon Systems; B-Secondary Treatment; and C-Disinfection Laboratory Procedures, and Math; or
Water Environment Federation's Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals I-Liquid Treatment; and Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals II-Solids Handling and Support Systems.
By 210 days after the hire date, the OIT must have applied for and received DEQ approval to take the Grade I Wastewater Treatment Operator examination.
By 270 days after the hire date, the OIT must have taken the Grade I examination.
By 365 days after the hire date, the OIT must have successfully passed the Grade I examination.
By 450 days after the hire date, the OIT must have received Grade I Wastewater Treatment System Operator Certification.
Up to 90 hours paid time to complete DEQ-approved training will be provided by the City during the first 150 days after hire date. Following completion of the 150 days, it will be the employee's responsibility to study, during their own time, to prepare for and pass the exam per the timeline specified above. Failure to meet any of the required criteria will result in separation of employment. To learn more about Oregons DEQ certification process, please visit: https://www.oregon.gov/deq/wq/wqpermits/Pages/Wastewater-Operator-Certification.aspx
What you will bring along:
About us:
The City of Salem is the second largest City in the State of Oregon. Located in the lush Willamette Valley, Salem is the capital city of Oregon with a population over 180,000. Centrally located, Salem is 47 miles south of Portland and an hour from the Cascade Mountains to the east and an hour from the ocean beaches to the west. Salem is an exceptional community for living and working with exciting new and comfortable well-established neighborhoods and carefully preserved historic buildings.
A full-service City, Salem has eight primary departments: Community Services, Finance, Fire, Enterprise Services, Legal, Police, Public Works, and Community and Urban Development. Several departments also have functional divisions within their department. The City has five labor unions and employs roughly 1,350 talented and dedicated staff members.
Where can I find out more about the position?
Go to menu option for Class Specifications and search for the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP) Operator I where the class specification is posted in its entirety, or view by clicking here: WTP Operator I or WTP Operator II.
How can I apply?
The City of Salem invites individuals of all diverse communities and backgrounds to apply for our available job opportunities as we strive to provide the best service to everyone. The City of Salem is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all and has a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that by welcoming differences, encouraging new ideas and views, listening to, and learning from each other, we are better able to serve the community.
To apply, click on the green "Apply" button to complete your application. Hiring managers do not have access to view resumes as part of the application review process, please make sure to include how you meet the qualifications outlined in the class specification in your application.
Applicants that meet the minimum qualifications as outlined above but not selected for this position may be placed on an eligibility list, and candidates may be hired from the list. Eligibility lists are valid for six months. The City will send email notifications to eligible candidates about potential hiring opportunities so please ensure your email settings accept our system generated email notifications.
You may subscribe for automatic notification of job openings at the City through the Job Interest Cards - sign up today!
For more information about employment at the City of Salem, please visit our website at www.cityofsalem.net/jobs.
For benefits information, please, go to:
01
What is your highest level of education? College education must be in biology, engineering, environmental sciences, or related field. We encourage you to include supporting details in your application.
02
Are you willing to work swing shift, night shift and/or weekends?
03
How many years of experience do you have working at or with a water treatment plant, wastewater treatment plant, industrial equipment, mechanics (engine repair), irrigation, and/or a millwright? We encourage you to include supporting details in your application.
04
What Grade of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators Certification do you have? We encourage you to include supporting details in your application.
05
How many years of experience do you have working with pumps and industrial equipment? We encourage you to include supporting details in your application.
Required Question
Employer City of Salem
Address 295 Church St. Suite 210
Salem, Oregon, 97301
Phone 503-588-6102
hrrecruiting@cityofsalem.net
Website https://www.cityofsalem.net/jobs