Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

April 15, 2026

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Water Treatment Certified Operator

City of The Dalles

First Review of Applications: April 29, 2026

Help Protect the Community's Most Essential Resource - Join Us as a Water Treatment Operator

Pay: $60,113.40 - $84,524.25- depending on skills, experience, and certification level

Department: Public Works Department - Wicks Water Treatment Plant

Status: Full-time, Union eligible position

*This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies*

Make A Real Impact Every Day

As a Water Treatment Certified Operator, you'll play a key role in the safety, sustainability, and resilience of our water system. Clean, dependable water touches every home, business, and visitor. In this hands‑on, problem‑solving role, your work has a direct daily impact. If you meet the minimum qualifications, we're ready to invest in your growth with paid on‑the‑job training and support you towards required certifications. This position offers a path for advancement up to Level IV (4) certification. Applicants who already hold higher‑level certifications are encouraged to apply.

What We Offer

• Competitive wages
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• FSA and HRA‑VEBA
• Long‑term disability, AD&D, and Employee Assistance Program
• City‑paid retirement contributions (13.5% after one year of service)
• Paid training opportunities and support toward required certifications

What Does A Water Treatment Certified Operator Do?

• Laboratory and Water Quality

  • Conduct laboratory analyses using standard instruments and methods.

  • Perform chemical, mathematical, and hydraulic calculations to support treatment processes.

  • Interpret laboratory data and maintain accurate logs, reports, and documentation.

  Operations and Equipment Maintenance

  • Operate and maintain plant equipment, including pumps, motors, feeders, meters, instrumentation, telemetry, and chemical feed systems.

  • Perform routine inspections, adjustments, calibrations, cleaning, and general preventive maintenance.

  • Manage water treatment chemicals by filling hoppers, preparing solutions, and monitoring chemical systems.

  Facility and Safety Support

  • Complete facility upkeep, grounds maintenance, and inventory of supplies and chemicals.

  • Participate in City-wide and site safety activities and follow all department policies, including the beardless requirements of the Respiratory Protection Program.

  • Operate City vehicles and equipment such as forklifts, tractors, and pressure‑pumping equipment and use vehicles to reach treatment facilities during inclement or hazardous weather conditions.

  Additional Responsibilities

  • Provide instruction and guidance to trainees and new employees.

  • Complete special projects of an investigatory nature in water quality control and/or laboratory analyses in the Municipal Watershed, Treatment Processes, and the Water Distribution System.

  • Perform other related duties as needed.

Your Working Environment

You'll divide your time between office work and on-site inspection outdoors at the Wicks Water Treatment Plant during all four annual seasons. The City provides all necessary personal protective equipment. This position supports a 24/7 operation and includes a combination of 8 and 12‑hour shifts, including some holidays and weekends. Shifts may be assigned during daytime, evening, or overnight hours.

The position is not on‑call, but overtime opportunities may arise -and may be voluntary or assigned- to support coverage for sick leave, vacations, or open shifts.

What You Bring:

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Work independently with minimal supervision in both field and plant environments.
• Apply sound judgment in operational decision‑making to ensure compliance with all regulatory and water quality standards.
• Strong report‑writing skills for documenting operations, water quality findings, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Follow established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and contribute to continuous improvement of processes.
• Demonstrate strong problem‑solving and troubleshooting skills related to equipment, processes, and water quality issues.

Water Treatment & Analytical Knowledge

• Applied mathematics (algebra) for hydraulic calculations, chemical dosing, flow characteristics, and interpreting laboratory data.
• Water and solutions chemistry, including wet chemistry techniques, colorimetric testing, and spectrophotometric methods.
• Operation, calibration, and routine maintenance of laboratory, field, and online instrumentation, including QA/QC practices.
• Understanding of mechanical and hydraulic systems, including pumps, valves, meters, chemical feed systems, plumbing, and piping.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets and documentation tools

Regulatory and Safety Knowledge

• Understanding of State/Federal water treatment regulations
• Ability to meet OSHA physical requirements for respirator use.
• Ascend and descend stairs and ladders safely.
• Lift and carry up to 80 pounds safely

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent.

• At least one (1) year of experience in operational decision‑making, water operations, laboratory testing, wastewater services, water system maintenance, or related field.
• At least one (1) year of experience using Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet‑based software for data entry, analysis, or reporting
• At least one (1) year of experience producing clear written and verbal communication in a workplace or organizational setting and following written and verbal instructions accurately.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across departments.

Preferred (but not required) Qualifications:

• Written and/or oral Spanish language proficiency

• Two (2) years of experience working as a Water Treatment Operator or in a closely related water treatment role.

• Associate degree in math, science, chemistry, or a related field-or equivalent coursework in Water Treatment Technology, Chemistry, Biology, or environmental fields

• Oregon Level I Water Treatment certification

• Oregon Level II, III, or IV Water Treatment Operator certification, or reciprocal equivalents

• Additional training in mechanical operations and maintenance of pumps and other equipment used in water treatment

Required Licenses & Certifications

• Valid Driver's License
• Must obtain Oregon Class I Water Treatment Operator certification within eighteen (18) months of hire.
• Must obtain Oregon Class II Water Treatment Operator certification within thirty-seven (37) months of hire.

About The Dalles:

• Join a Welcoming Community - Experience the warmth of a small-town spirit where local events, farmers' markets, and festivals bring people together and create lasting connections.
• Thrive in a Growing Economy - Be part of a diverse and stable economy fueled by agriculture, technology, healthcare, government, and tourism. Your career can grow here.
• Embrace the Outdoors - With over 300 days of sunshine, enjoy easy access to the Columbia River Gorge for hiking, biking, fishing, and water sports - plus winter adventures are just an hour away at Mt. Hood.
• Balance Work and Life - Live surrounded by stunning riverfront parks, scenic trails, and a city that values thoughtful growth and a strong industrial and technology presence.
• Affordable and Accessible - Benefit from affordable housing, quality schools, and healthcare - all just 80 miles from Portland, combining small-town charm with metropolitan convenience.
• Be Part of Something Bigger - Join close-knit neighborhoods where community support is real and your contributions matter'

The City of The Dalles is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Veterans and Spanish-speaking candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

EEO/AA EMPLOYER

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