Job Description

Senior Water Treatment Operator

There are currently two openings that will be filled at the Senior Water Treatment Operator level. East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) has six treatment plants: three conventional (two with ozone), and three inline, ranging in size from 25 to 175 MGD. Assignments may include working at any treatment plant on any shift. Working on shifts without immediate supervision requires independent judgment, initiative, and action within established operational parameters.

Senior Water Treatment Operators act as lead operators, and assignments include working as the operator in charge of a facility. Duties include:

• Monitoring water quality and adjusting chemical feed rates with remote controls.
• Monitoring pressure and flow data, routine field activities, and security.
• Responding to alarms, equipment failures, security violations, and taking necessary actions to maintain a reliable water supply.
• Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting computer-generated data and taking appropriate actions.
• Operating a water treatment plant or reclamation facility and performing other routine treatment plant operator duties.
• Coordinating and communicating operating changes, maintenance, shutdowns/outages, and operating statistics/conditions with EBMUD staff and other agencies.
• Preparing daily and shift operating condition reports and compiling data.
• Maintaining operations records, reports, and logs.
• Collecting and analyzing samples using standard procedures and quality control methods; adjusting chemical feeders and other plant equipment.
• Logging plant operations, test results, maintenance work performed, and unusual operating conditions; preparing reports as required.
• Monitoring and operating the distribution system using the SCADA system as needed.
• Sampling water at established times, performing standardized quality control tests, interpreting the results, and adjusting chemical feeders and other plant equipment accordingly.
• Maintaining the plant, operating equipment, and facilities in a clean and orderly condition, including draining and hosing down filters, tanks, and basins, and flushing chemical metering pumps; depressurizing, de-energizing, isolating equipment, removing chemicals, and locking and tagging out equipment in preparation for maintenance crews.
• Making limited repairs and adjustments to equipment commonly used in water treatment facilities; listening for unusual equipment or machinery sounds to determine if there are potential problems; taking corrective action such as shutting down equipment or machinery and barricading off an area as appropriate.

Knowledge of:

• The operation and maintenance of water treatment plants and distribution systems.
• Methods and practices of water treatment and related equipment service and repair.
• Mechanical and hydraulic principles.
• Safety rules, codes, and regulations including handling and storage of hazardous materials.
• The uses and principles of computerized electronic equipment in the collection, storage, and interpretation of operational data related to water treatment and distribution.
• Inventory control for water treatment chemicals, fuel, and supplies.
• Principles and practices of servicing, repairing, and calibrating water plant and distribution system equipment.
• Current technological and regulatory developments in water treatment, distribution, and quality.
• The operation, maintenance, and cleaning of a water treatment plant.
• Water treatment principles, methods, and practices.
• Pertinent safety rules, codes, and regulations, and common safe work practices.
• Mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic principles.
• Arithmetic calculations common to water treatment operations.
• Standardized water quality tests.
• Common hand and power tools.

Ability to:

• Maintain safe and reliable water supply to customers.
• Operate plant system equipment without immediate or detailed supervision.
• Perform laboratory tests and interpret laboratory reports.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Learn new procedures, technology, and equipment.
• Read and understand MSDS sheets.
• Perform routine maintenance and cleaning on machinery, structures, equipment, and piping.
• Operate water treatment system equipment, including automatic control devices.
• Perform minor maintenance and make operational adjustments to water treatment system equipment.
• Operate plant equipment without immediate or detailed supervision.
• Recognize unusual, inefficient, or dangerous operating conditions and take appropriate action.
• Accurately read and record data from gauges, meters, and a SCADA system.
• Read and interpret schematic drawings and diagrams showing plant piping, alarms, mechanical and electrical controls, valves, and related instrumentation.
• Perform standardized water quality tests and adjust plant equipment accordingly.
• Compile, evaluate, and analyze operational data and information; take or recommend appropriate actions.
• Operate and maintain the distribution system on an emergency or as needed basis.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.

The monthly salary range starts at $11,876 per month, increasing to $12,470 and $13,094 after 6 and 18 months, respectively.

EBMUD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity (including transgender status), gender expression, marital or registered domestic partnership status, age for individuals age forty or older, national origin, ancestry, disability (mental or physical), medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veterans status, family or medical leave status, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation or related medical condition), pregnancy disability leave status, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and other categories protected by federal, state and/or local laws.

Requirements

1. A high school diploma or its equivalent.

2. 6 college semester units in water treatment or other specialized training accepted by the California Department of Drinking Water (CA SWRCB-DDW) toward the T3 certificate; and either:

• a. 30 months of EBMUD experience in water treatment plant operations, at least 6 months of which was as a Water Treatment Operator; OR
• b. 3 years of water treatment plant operations experience, at least 6 months of which were as a T3 certified operator at a T3 or higher facility.

* An Associate Arts Degree in water or wastewater technology or distribution including at least 15 units of physical, chemical, or biological sciences may be substituted for one year of experience under either of the above qualifying patterns.

**A Bachelor's or Master's Degree and completion of a State recognized comprehensive operator training program may be substituted for one year of experience under either of the above qualifying patterns.

*** A Bachelor's or Master's Degree in chemistry, biology, microbiology, public health, civil, chemical, environmental, sanitary engineering or other closely related field may be substituted for two years of the required general water treatment operator experience under either of the above qualifying patterns.

3. A California T3 certificate issued by the CA SWRCB-DDW.

4. A valid California driver's license and satisfactory driving record.

Other requirements: Must be physically capable of sustained climbing, standing, and walking; lifting of heavy materials such as 50-lb chemical sacks or valve pit covers. Must be willing to work assigned shifts, weekends, and holidays as scheduled to staff continuous operations. Must be willing to work with and around hazardous materials, to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, and to be clean shaven at all times as required to wear respiratory protective equipment.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. To be considered under the "equivalent combination of education and experience" provision, it is your responsibility to include in your application materials written evidence of employment performed at the level of the typical duties of this position and/or coursework in subject areas directly related to this position. For more information, see our FAQ page at

While we understand that applicants may use various tools to support the preparation of their materials, responses that appear to be primarily generated by AI tools, without meaningful personalization or demonstration of the applicant's own qualifications, may result in disqualification from the selection process.

The Selection Process

1. Submit a completed EBMUD application and the required supplemental question responses online at by 4:30 p.m., Friday, May 15, 2026. Only application materials submitted online during the filing period will be accepted.

2. Candidates must achieve a passing score

Job Tags

Similar Jobs