LOCATION: City of Pasco, WA (on-site)

JOB TYPE: Regular/Full-Time

UNION STATUS: International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE)

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

CLOSING DATE: Open until closed, first review on October 8, 2025

New hires may receive up to $5,000 sign on incentive and additional relocation assistance for candidate who are not local to the area!

The City of Pasco has created a Certified Operator Program with different levels of qualifications and experience for each certification level.

Base Compensation

Water Plant Operator 2: $36.60 - $41.21/hour, plus benefits

Water Plant Operator 3: $37.11- $41.79/hour, plus benefits (Additional pay incentives listed below).

Water Plant Operator 4: $38.61 - $43.48/hour, plus benefits (Additional pay incentives listed below).

Additional Compensation

On-call compensation $50 per day + $3.00/hr on weekdays and $5.00/hr on weekends and holidays.
Longevity Incentive starting at 5 years of employment.
Certification pay for levels 3 and 4.
- Level 3 is a 4% premium added to base wage and level 4 is 6% premium added to base wage.

Join the City of Pasco as an experienced Water Plant Operator and take an active role in our award-winning water treatment facilities. As a certified Water Plant Operator, you will play a critical role in operating, maintaining, and controlling various components of the City of Pasco’s Water Treatment Plants.

This is a hands-on position that demands attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining high water quality standards. The ideal candidate for this role will demonstrate increasingly responsible experience in plant operation, treatment process control, the ability to maintain accurate records and logs, and experience performing preventative maintenance and repairs of plant systems. A background check and drug screen are required upon acceptance of a conditional offer.

Join us and become part of a team dedicated to excellence, innovation, and hands-on experience that you won't find anywhere else in the Tri Cities area. Click here to apply today!

The Role

As a Water Plant Operator you will play a critical role in operating, maintaining, and controlling various components of the City of Pasco’s Water Treatment Plant.

The ideal candidate for this role will have increasingly responsible experience in a plant operation with process control, the ability to maintain accurate records and logs, and experience performing preventative maintenance and repairs of plant systems. A background check and drug screen is required upon acceptance of a conditional offer.

To Review The Full Job Description, Click Here.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: (Any equivalent combination of education and experience, which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the job.):

High school diploma or G.E.D.
Valid Washington State driver license.
Valid First Aid/CPR certificate.

Water Plant Operator 2

Certified level 2 Operator upon hire.
Minimum of 2 years of plant operation experience with process control experience as a certified plant operator.

Water Plant Operator 3

Certified level 3 Operator upon hire or an OIT 4 certification.
Minimum of 2 years of plant operation experience with process control experience as a certified plant operator.

Water Plant Operator 4

Certified level 4 upon hire.
Minimum of 2 years of plant operation experience with process control experience as a certified plant operator.

COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS PACKAGE: The City offers a full benefits package for the employee and all eligible dependents covered at low premiums including:

Medical at $173.70/month, dental at $11.59/month, and vision coverage at $6.54/month
Basic life insurance paid for by the City and employee sponsored supplemental life insurance
12 days of vacation during the 1st year of employment and 12 days of sick leave which are available for use upon accrual
10 holidays, plus each employee receives 2 floating holidays each year
Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS), which offers a guaranteed monthly benefit once vesting criteria has been met
In addition to DRS, employees may also contribute to a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, that offers a pre-tax contribution of 3% from the City
Other benefits offered: Comprehensive Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Assistance, Flexible Spending Plan, Long-Term Disability, Aflac, and Flexible Schedule (per department approval)

Safety/Work Conditions

Duties are primarily performed in the water treatment plant and may require working in confined spaces.

PHYSICAL: Some heavy lifting up to 50 pounds, standing, walking, bending, and climbing.

HAZARDS: Exposure to dust, hazardous materials, chemicals, fumes and noise. Water Plant Operators are subject to working overtime and 24-hour per day call back for emergency situations.

If you're seeking a fulfilling career that allows you to contribute to a thriving community and grow both personally and professionally, the City of Pasco is the place for you.

Join us in shaping the future and making a real difference and APPLY HERE. This position is open until filled, first review on October 8, 2025.

Please call or text HR at (509) 545-3408 or email HR@pasco.gov, with questions regarding employment opportunities with the City of Pasco.

The City of Pasco is committed to supporting diversity and creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
If your experience does not exactly match each and every qualification, apply anyways! You may be exactly what we are looking for!

City of Pasco

New Jobs

Certified Water Plant Operator (Levels 2-4)