The City of Idaho Falls is seeking motivated individuals to join our Wastewater Treatment team as Wastewater Treatment Operators (OIT, I, II, III). Whether you are just beginning your career or bring advanced certification and experience, this is an opportunity to play a vital role in protecting public health, safeguarding local waterways, and supporting essential community infrastructure.

Operators at all levels help ensure the safe, efficient, and continuous operation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Team members monitor and operate treatment processes, maintain and repair equipment, troubleshoot system issues, and contribute to the reliable processing of the community’s wastewater. Depending on certification and experience, employees may perform entry-level learning tasks, skilled operational duties, or advanced process control and leadership responsibilities.

If you enjoy hands-on work, problem-solving, working with mechanical systems, and contributing to environmental sustainability, you’ll find a meaningful and stable career path with us. The City of Idaho Falls Public Works Department is committed to excellent public service, professional development, and building a team that keeps our community running strong.

Must possess an Idaho Class B, Commercial Driver's License with Tanker Endorsement, or the ability to obtain within twelve (12) months of hire.

Placement within the Operator-in-Training, I, II, or III levels will be based on the candidate’s certifications, experience, and demonstrated competencies. Each level has its own established pay range as shown below.

LevelPay Range Operator-In-Training$20.10 - $24.51Operator I $21.82 - $26.63Operator II$23.69 - $28.95Operator III$25.75 - $31.49Wastewater Operator Treatment Plant Operator-In-Training:

Performs as a rotating shift operator-in-training, assist with treatment plant processes and operations, i.e., plant electrical and mechanical support systems; checks all equipment including electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and biological to ensure proper operation; operates and maintains plant support systems to include headworks fine screens, grit removal equipment, sludge pumps, heat exchangers, gravity belt thickeners, clarifiers, aeration equipment, digesters, gas mixing equipment, chlorination and metering equipment, emergency power generation equipment, and all associated valves, pumps, motors, and control circuitries; monitors alarm systems.

Performs generally routine facilities and grounds upkeep and maintenance; cleans buildings, equipment, primary and secondary clarifiers; performs treatment plant upkeep, mowing lawns, snow removal, etc.; performs interior and exterior painting.

May operate sludge trucks to transport and distribute processed sludge on agricultural property; operates tractors, dump trucks, etc. as needed.

Assists in operation and maintenance of all chlorination and dechlorination equipment with use of self-contained breathing apparatus during chlorine tank changing.

Assists with sample collection from various stages of the treatment process; assists with calibrating gauges, meters and measuring devices; performs some laboratory tests, such as dissolved oxygen, chlorine residual analysis; interprets laboratory test results to evaluate plant performance, uses mathematical calculations in figuring detention times, flow rates, areas, volumes, pumping rates, etc.

Performs and assists with maintenance and repair of plant equipment; as required, implements emergency repairs and procedures.

Assists in the plowing and removal of snow from public rights-of-way as may be required.

Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience:
Graduation from high school or GED; AND B. No specific experience necessary.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Some knowledge of mechanical equipment, machinery and its operation, maintenance, and repair; hazards and precautions associated with plant operations and processes.

Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; ability to operate a variety of hand and power tools related to the maintenance of plant facilities and equipment; ability to develop working relationships with supervisors and co-workers.

Ability to wear a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)equipment while working with the Chlorine system.

Special Qualifications:
Must possess a valid Idaho State Driver's License.
Must obtain a minimum Class B Commercial Driver’s License with tanker endorsement within twelve (12) months of hire.
Must obtain an Idaho Wastewater Treatment Operator-in-Training (OIT) license within twelve (12) months of hire or possess equivalent from another state.
Must complete 0.6 Continuing Education Units in Wastewater annually.
Residency Requirement: Shall be expected, within six months of hire, to establish residence within a 45-minute notification to respond zone from the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Must be able to work midnight shifts on a rotating basis.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I:

Monitors digester and lagoon sludge levels; operates tandem-axle liquid sludge truck in transportation of sludge to agricultural property in accordance with State and Federal guidelines; performs general maintenance and upkeep of trucks, dredge and other equipment as needed; operates sludge dredge to move sludge to various processing stages; performs daily vehicle safety inspections as required.

Assists in monitoring primary digesters, boilers, recirculation pumps, heat exchangers; ensures proper temperatures and continuous feed operations; conducts readings of various meters, feed controls, screen pressures; controls biosolids thickening process; updates data sheets; prevents malfunctions.

Gathers laboratory samples from various stages of the treatment process as directed.

Performs and assists with maintenance and repair of plant equipment; when required, implements emergency repairs and procedures.

Assist in pre-treatment program; conducts inspections of local establishments to verify compliance with waste management regulations, oil and grease disposal, etc.

Assists with all chlorination and dechlorination equipment with use of SCBA’s during tank changing and maintenance.

Assists in the plowing and removal of snow from public right-of-way.

Performs related duties as may be required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience: A. Graduation from high school; plus, completion and passing designated Wastewater Treatment Operator, Class I test; AND B. One (1) year of experience in Treatment Plant operations as outlined in Idaho Administrative Code; OR C. An equivalent combination of education and experience. 2. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of safety regulations associated with plant operations; technical treatment plant equipment and machinery, along with their operation, maintenance, and repair; plant processes; plant policies and procedures; ordinances, laws, and regulations governing wastewater treatment and discharge and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) guidelines. Working knowledge of principles of supervision; laboratory procedures and bacteriology.

Skill in the operation of various types of equipment, dump truck, etc. and hand and power tools.

Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; ability to operate a variety of types of hand and power tools related to the maintenance of plant facilities and equipment; ability to develop working relationships with supervisors and co-workers; tolerate weather extremes in the work environment.

Special Qualifications:

Must possess an Idaho Class B, Commercial Driver's License with Tanker Endorsement.

Must possess an Idaho Class I Wastewater Treatment Operator License and must complete 0.6 continuing education units in Wastewater annually.

Residency Requirement: Shall be expected, within six months of hire, to establish residence within a 45-minute notification to respond zone from the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II:

May perform as a rotating shift lead worker or supervisor; monitors overall plant operations; ensures completion of assigned projects, maintenance schedules and prescribed maintenance tasks.

Monitors digester and lagoon sludge levels; may operate tandem-axle truck in transportation of sludge to agricultural property in accordance with State and Federal guidelines; performs general maintenance and upkeep of equipment as needed.

Monitors all treatment plant processes and operates plant electrical and mechanical support systems to ensure optimum performance; checks all electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic equipment and biological processes to ensure proper operation; operates and maintains plant support systems including trash screens, washers, compactors, grit removal equipment, sludge pumps, heat exchangers, thickeners, oilers, clarifiers, aeration equipment, digesters, mixing equipment, gravity thickener/fermenter, chlorination and metering equipment, emergency power generation equipment, and all associated valves, pumps, motors, and control circuitries; performs corrosion control of solids handling equipment.

Performs as solids thickening handler; monitors digesters, boilers, recirculation pumps, heat exchangers; ensures proper temperatures and continuous feed operations; may sample thickeners feed, cake, centrate, etc.; conducts readings of various meters, feed controls, updates data sheets; prevents malfunctions.

Assists with chlorination and dechlorination equipment with use of SCBA’s during tank changing and maintenance.

Takes laboratory samples from various stages of treatment process; checks calibration of gauges, meters and measuring devices; performs a variety of laboratory tests, such as dissolved oxygen and chlorine and residual analysis; interprets laboratory test results to evaluate plant performance; uses mathematical calculations to determine detention times, flow rates, areas, volumes, pumping rates, etc.

Performs and assists with maintenance and repair of plant equipment; when required, implements emergency repairs and procedures.

Assist in the plowing and removal of snow from public rights-of-way as may be required.

Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience: Graduation from high school AND three (3) years of experience in Treatment Plant operations as outlined in Idaho Administrative Code; OR An equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Working knowledge of safety regulations associated with plant operations; technical treatment plant equipment and machinery, along with their operation, maintenance, and repair; plant processes; plant policies and procedures; ordinances, laws, and regulations governing wastewater treatment and discharge and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) guidelines Some knowledge of principles of supervision; laboratory procedures and bacteriology.

Special Qualifications: Must possess an Idaho Class B, Commercial Driver's License with Tanker Endorsement. Must possess an Idaho Class II Wastewater Treatment Operator License and must complete 0.6 continuing education units in Wastewater annually. Residency Requirement: Shall be expected, within six months of hire, to establish residence within a 45-minute notification-to-respond zone from the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III:

Performs as a rotating shift lead worker or supervisor; monitors overall plant operations; ensures completion of assigned projects, maintenance schedules and prescribed maintenance tasks; monitors digester and lagoon sludge levels.

Performs as WWTP Operator; monitoring all treatment plant processes and operates plant electrical and mechanical support systems to ensure optimum performance; checks all electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic equipment and biological processes to ensure proper operation; operates and maintains plant support systems including trash screens, washers, compactors, grit removal equipment, sludge pumps, heat exchangers, thickeners, oilers, clarifiers, aeration equipment, digesters, mixing equipment, gravity thickener/fermenter, chlorination and metering equipment, emergency power generation equipment, and all associated valves, pumps, motors, and control circuitries; performs corrosion control of solids handling equipment.

Monitors digesters, boilers, recirculation pumps, heat exchangers; ensures proper temperatures and continuous feed operations; conducts readings of various meters, feed controls, updates data sheets; prevents malfunctions.

Operates and maintains all chlorination and dechlorination equipment with use of SCBA’s during tank changing and maintenance.

Takes laboratory samples from various stages of treatment process; checks calibration of gauges, meters and measuring devices; performs a variety of laboratory tests, such as dissolved oxygen and chlorine and residual analysis; interprets laboratory test results to evaluate plant performance; uses mathematical calculations to determine detention times, flow rates, areas, volumes, pumping rates, etc.

Performs and assists with maintenance and repair of plant equipment; when required, implements emergency repairs and procedures.

Assists in the plowing and removal of snow from public rights-of-way as may be required.

Performs related duties as may be required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience:
Graduation from high school or equivalent; plus, two (2) years of specialized training related to environmental control, engineering or related science;

AND

Four (4) years of experience in Treatment Plant operations as outlined in Idaho Administrative Code;

An equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Considerable knowledge of safety regulations associated with plant operations; technical treatment plant equipment and machinery, along with their operation, maintenance, and repair; plant processes; plant policies and procedures; ordinances, laws, and regulations governing wastewater treatment and discharge and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) guidelines. Working knowledge of principles of supervision; laboratory procedures and bacteriology.

Skill in the operation of various types of equipment, dump truck, etc. and hand and power tools.

Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; ability to operate a variety of types of hand and power tools related to the maintenance of plant facilities and equipment; ability to develop working relationships with supervisors and co-workers; tolerate weather extremes in the work environment.

Special Qualifications:

Must possess an Idaho Class B, Commercial Driver's License with Tanker Endorsement.

Must possess an Idaho Class III Wastewater Treatment Operator License or have the ability to gain certification within one (1) year. Must complete 0.6 continuing education units in Wastewater annually.

Residency Requirement: Shall be expected, within six months of hire, to establish residence within a 45-minute notification to respond zone from the Wastewater Treatment Plant

Incumbent of the position experience daily exposure to hazardous conditions such as working on high ladders and in manholes; daily potential for hazardous exposure to methane, hydrogen sulfide, chlorine gases, sodium bisulfate, acids and other chemicals; daily potential for hazardous exposure to oxygen deficient atmosphere; daily exposure to seasonal changes and weather extremes; daily potential for hazardous exposure to electrical shock, industrial wastes and raw sewage (containing pathogens such as typhoid, paratyphoid, dysentery, polio, tetanus, etc.); daily exposure to moving parts and equipment such as pumps, motors, heavy equipment, etc.; daily exposure to stressful environmental conditions such as dust, fumes, dampness, cold, heat and noise. Works Rotating shifts including Days, Swings, and Midnights.

City of Idaho Falls

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Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators (OIT, I, II, III)