Salary
$41.20 - $57.43 Hourly
Location
WA 98199, WA
Job Type
Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Job Number
2025-23586
Department
DNRP-Natural Resources & Parks
Division
Wastewater Treatment
Opening Date
01/27/2025
Closing Date
2/10/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA
Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit
A2 : SEIU L925-Wastewater
Full- or Part-Time
Full Time
Hours/Week
40 hours/week
- Description
- Benefits
- Questions
Summary
This is a transfer opportunity, and first consideration will be given to qualified transfer-eligible employees in the job classification family and then SEIU 925 Wastewater Treatment applicants.
If no qualified internal candidate is selected, external applicants will be considered.
External candidates are eligible to be hired at the Operator level only. Senior operator level is obtained through an internal job progression process. The salary range listed above includes the Operator level ($41.2077-52.2331/hour) and Senior Operator level ($47.5058-57.4309/hour).
This posting may be used to establish a list of qualified candidates for the Wastewater Treatment Operator in the following 6 months. Transfer-eligible candidates will be given the first right of refusal prior to any offer for someone on the established list.
About The Role
West Offsite is the front line of protecting the waterways and community. You can develop your troubleshooting skills and learn about conveyance systems. You work with CSO’s and permitting, sampling. West offsite is a 24/7 operation and requires you to be on standby and respond to emergencies/overflows/odor complaints. You will operate, monitor, troubleshoot, and control wastewater equipment.
This recruitment will fill one (1) vacant position.
About The Team
West section is the opportunity for the community and waterways. This gives you a great opportunity for growth and learning, offsite has great collaboration and communication. You will gain knowledge and exposure to construction and processes within the division. Offsite is a 24/7 operation and can build great leaders moving forward.
Join our team dedicated to ensuring clean water for generations to come! With over 700 employees engaged in planning, designing, building, and operating treatment facilities, our agency is at the forefront of environmental stewardship. Success for us means upholding our legacy while promising future generations a pristine environment.
We enforce regulations to reduce harmful waste discharge and actively educate the public and businesses on water quality protection. We prioritize accountability to our ratepayers and operate a well-managed agency that services over 2.3 million King County residents. Our regional wastewater treatment system not only sustains a healthy environment but also fuels economic development, fostering prosperity in our region. If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in a collaborative environment, join us in our mission to safeguard our precious water resources.
Commitment To Equity, Racial And Social Justice
King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As an Operator/Senior Operator, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.
Apply now for a rewarding career at the Wastewater Treatment Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.
Job Duties
What You Will Be Doing:
- Operate, monitor, and maintain biological, chemical, mechanical, and hydraulic processes at wastewater treatment plants, collection system pumps, regulator stations, and associated facilities.
- Operate, monitor, and control wastewater equipment and systems with complex computer systems.
- Perform maintenance on offsite facilities and associated structures, including buildings equipment, and grounds. Duties include cleaning, servicing operating equipment, and performing housekeeping tasks.
- Operate, monitor, troubleshoot, and maintain systems and processes in pump stations and stormwater facilities.
- Provide troubleshooting, problem-solving, coordination, and decision-making when performing duties, particularly for West Offsite pump stations, and be able to respond to unusual and/or emergency situations. Be on-call after hours for such situations.
What you Bring as a Senior Wastewater Treatment Operator – performs duties above plus:
- Serve in a lead capacity to operate, monitor, troubleshoot, and maintain wastewater treatment facilities, odor control equipment, biological, chemical, mechanical, and hydraulic processes. Provide advanced-level troubleshooting, problem-solving, coordination, and decision-making when performing duties, particularly in on-site, unusual, and/or emergency situations. Be on call after hours for such situations. Recommend and/or determine changes to wastewater process to meet federal and Washington State permits and regulations and to optimize plant performance. Provide broad, in-depth on-the-job training to other wastewater operations staff. Assist the supervisor in performance feedback and evaluation of staff.
- Plan, schedule, coordinate and perform maintenance for assigned wastewater facilities, systems, and processes. Coordinate and perform on-site responses to unusual occurrences and emergencies.
- Serve as a technical resource to the other staff, the public, and external agencies.
- Operate, monitor, and control wastewater equipment and systems with complex computer systems.
- Assume the full operational responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor in the absence of the Wastewater Treatment Supervisor.
- Serve as potential backup coverage for lead positions in dewatering and shift units.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Qualifications You Bring:
- Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, including preliminary, primary, secondary, digestion, gas handling systems, sludge handling, and plant-wide air, water, chemical, electrical, and hydraulic support systems.
- Knowledge of collection systems; including pump stations, regulator stations, CSO facilities, and miscellaneous structures.
- Knowledge of mechanical and electrical theory, cross connections, and pumps
- Knowledge of wastewater terminology and process control
- Knowledge of industrial safety procedures and practices
- Knowledge of and skill in applying sampling, testing, and laboratory procedures
- Communication skills, basic mathematics, algebra, and computer application skills.
- Skill in reading, recording, and interpreting instrumentation and control gauges and meters.
- Skill in operating complex computer control systems and identifying normal and abnormal operating conditions.
- Skill in operating basic hand and power tools and specialized equipment.
- Skill in the interpretation and application of technical information from plant drawings, operations and maintenance manuals, and lab tests.
- Skill in manually starting and stopping equipment, systems, and processes.
- Skill in establishing and maintaining work relationships with diverse occupational groups.
Competencies You Bring
- Collaborates – Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
- Manages Ambiguity – Operating effectively, even when things are uncertain, or the way forward is unclear.
- Manages Complexity – Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
- Being Resilient – Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.
Required Licenses For a Wastewater Treatment Operator
- Washington State Group I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification from the Washington State Department of Ecology or out-of-state equivalency which must be converted to a Washington certification within one year of employment.
- Valid unencumbered Washington State Driver’s License.
- Additional licenses, certifications, and other requirements determined to be necessary to meet the business needs of the employing unit may be required.
- CPR and first aid certification – can be achieved within the first six months of employment
Required Licenses For a Wastewater Treatment Senior Operator
- Washington State Group III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification or above from the Washington State Department of Ecology or out-of-state equivalency which must be converted to a Washington certification within one year of employment.
- Valid unencumbered Washington State Driver’s License
- Additional licenses, certifications and other requirements determined to be necessary to meet the business needs of the employing unit may be required.
- CPR and first aid certification
Supplemental Information
Working Conditions
- Work Location: West Point Offsite - 501 W Jameson Street, Seattle, WA 98199
- Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible. The position requires the ability to work all shift schedules and required to report to work during adverse and inclement weather conditions.
- Union Representation: This position is represented by S.E.I.U. 925 (Wastewater Treatment Division)
- Physical Requirement: Incumbents perform fieldwork at a wastewater treatment plant and associated facilities and are required to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, use ladders, and be exposed to hazardous chemicals and noxious odors. A pre-employment physical, review of driving record, and reference checks will be conducted prior to any final job offer.
Application And Selection Process
First consideration will be given to qualified S.E.I.U. 925 WTD applicants. We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives, and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.
Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness, and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in a technical assessment and one or more panel interviews.
To Apply, Submit a
- Complete Application
- Cover Letter
- Copy of current Wastewater Operator certification
- Responses to the supplemental questions
Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.
Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Rodney Dungo
HR Analyst
rdungo@kingcounty.gov
Discover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division: Visit our website and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube and our WTD Blog.
Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website, explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Keeping King County Green News.
Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.
Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Benefits
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite activity centers
- Employee Giving Program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
01
Are you a current Wastewater Local SEIU 925 member?
02
Do you have a Valid Washington State Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's Group I Certification or higher? Attach a copy with your application submission (REQUIRED).
03
Please indicate your WA State Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification level issued from the WA Department of Ecology. Attach a copy with your application submission (REQUIRED).
- OIT Group I
- Group I
- Group II
- Group III
- Group IV
- None
04
Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? AND Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my Career Service role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
05
If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff
Required Question
Employer King County
Address King Street Center
201 South Jackson Street
Seattle, Washington, 98104
Phone 206-477-3404
Website http://www.kingcounty.gov/
