What are the responsibilities and job description for the Water Reclamation Lead Operator position at City of Bend?
About The Role
The City of Bend is accepting applications for one (1) regular, full-time Water Reclamation Lead Operator in the Water Services Department. This is an hourly, non-exempt (overtime eligible) position represented by the City of Bend Employee Association (COBEA). The City may use this job posting to create an eligibility list for future hiring purposes. Please review the entire job posting, including the application requirements at the end.
This position is ideal for someone who enjoys being at the heart of a collaborative team and wants their work to make a tangible difference every day. A typical morning starts in the control room, where the Operations team comes together to review the previous day’s performance, respond to alarms, and align on priorities. From there, the Lead Operator guides daily operations of the Water Reclamation Facility, overseeing treatment processes, recycled water and biosolids production, and coordinating maintenance activities. This role helps ensure Bend’s wastewater is treated safely and efficiently so it can be returned to the environment and reused in ways that protect public health and natural resources.
The Lead Operator will be actively involved in major initiatives such as a facility plan update, permit renewal, SCADA system upgrades, and other capital improvement projects. These efforts offer the opportunity to help shape how the facility operates well into the future. The position blends hands-on operational work with leadership and problem-solving. For someone who enjoys variety, complexity, and continuous learning, this role offers a rare breadth of experience.
As part of the City of Bend’s Utilities or Public Works team, the Water Reclamation Facility Operations group plays a critical role in advancing the City’s commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainability, and resilient infrastructure. The Lead Operator directly supports these goals by helping maintain safe, reliable wastewater treatment that protects ground water and supports community growth. If you’re motivated by teamwork, technical challenges, and work that truly matters, we encourage you to apply.
Classification Framework: Water Reclamation Lead
What You'll Do
The following duties are a sample of major duties performed in this role and not intended to be an exhaustive list
We’re looking for someone who thrives in a dynamic operating environment and is motivated by leading others through complex, real-world challenges. The ideal candidate is a confident, engaged leader who brings a calm, solution-oriented mindset to day-to-day variability and can step forward when decisions need to be made. Highly qualified candidates will have advanced knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, process control, and regulatory compliance, and will bring strong skills in team leadership, troubleshooting, and operational decision-making. This role is well-suited for a self-starter who takes ownership of outcomes, communicates clearly, and sets a positive example.
Someone who is adaptable, safety-focused, and comfortable leading technical discussions and process control meetings. They can make sound decisions under pressure while keeping regulatory requirements, environmental protection, and staff wellbeing front and center. The best candidates bring strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a diverse team, fostering collaboration, accountability, and trust. This position plays a key role in maintaining reliable operations at the Water Reclamation Facility while supporting the City of Bend’s goals for sustainability, environmental stewardship, and resilient infrastructure—and offers a meaningful opportunity to lead, influence, and make a lasting impact.
Candidates who meet the listed minimum qualifications, including an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered for an interview. Please ensure your application includes information about your education, relevant paid and unpaid work experience, and applicable licenses and certifications. Avoid referencing your resume in the job duties section of the application.
Minimum Qualifications
Application Deadline: Applications must be received by Friday, May 1, at 12:00 PM (noon) Pacific Time to be considered for this selection process.
Application Requirements: To be considered for an interview, applicants must complete an online application including the following attachments (failure to include required attachments may result in disqualification):
Equity Statement: The City of Bend remains committed to building a workforce that advances diversity and inclusion within our community and all we do. We recognize that not everyone starts from the same place, and that gender, race, ability, sexual orientation, and other identities face different barriers. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are dedicated to creating an inclusive, safe, and respectful workplace where employees can thrive without these barriers. A more extended version of the City of Bend’s Organizational Equity Statement is available upon request.
Benefits: The City of Bend offers an excellent competitive benefits package for Employees and Dependents for health and dental coverage, retirement benefits, and a robust paid leave program. Details are available on the benefits tab of the job posting.
Starting Compensation: Starting compensation is determined based on a pay equity analysis considering the candidate’s education, applicable work experience, and internal equity. Please include all relevant information on your application.
Diversity & Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
The City of Bend is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. At the City of Bend, we don't just accept differences; we value them. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and support the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAAA) and the Oregon Equal Pay Act.
The City of Bend is accepting applications for one (1) regular, full-time Water Reclamation Lead Operator in the Water Services Department. This is an hourly, non-exempt (overtime eligible) position represented by the City of Bend Employee Association (COBEA). The City may use this job posting to create an eligibility list for future hiring purposes. Please review the entire job posting, including the application requirements at the end.
This position is ideal for someone who enjoys being at the heart of a collaborative team and wants their work to make a tangible difference every day. A typical morning starts in the control room, where the Operations team comes together to review the previous day’s performance, respond to alarms, and align on priorities. From there, the Lead Operator guides daily operations of the Water Reclamation Facility, overseeing treatment processes, recycled water and biosolids production, and coordinating maintenance activities. This role helps ensure Bend’s wastewater is treated safely and efficiently so it can be returned to the environment and reused in ways that protect public health and natural resources.
The Lead Operator will be actively involved in major initiatives such as a facility plan update, permit renewal, SCADA system upgrades, and other capital improvement projects. These efforts offer the opportunity to help shape how the facility operates well into the future. The position blends hands-on operational work with leadership and problem-solving. For someone who enjoys variety, complexity, and continuous learning, this role offers a rare breadth of experience.
As part of the City of Bend’s Utilities or Public Works team, the Water Reclamation Facility Operations group plays a critical role in advancing the City’s commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainability, and resilient infrastructure. The Lead Operator directly supports these goals by helping maintain safe, reliable wastewater treatment that protects ground water and supports community growth. If you’re motivated by teamwork, technical challenges, and work that truly matters, we encourage you to apply.
Classification Framework: Water Reclamation Lead
What You'll Do
The following duties are a sample of major duties performed in this role and not intended to be an exhaustive list
- Lead and coordinate daily Water Reclamation Facility operations, including treatment processes, recycled water and biosolids production, to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient performance.
- Set daily schedules and priorities for operations, including maintenance, cleaning, and administrative tasks while balancing staff availability and plant needs.
- Monitor systems and troubleshoot complex technical issues, using alarms, Hach Whims data, and operational SCADA trends to identify and resolve problems quickly.
- Coordinate maintenance and project work, including working with internal teams and outside contractors to minimize downtime and maintain reliability.
- Review engineered plans, drawings, and specifications and support implementation of facility upgrades, capital improvements, and system changes.
- Operate heavy equipment and perform operational tasks as needed to support plant operations and maintenance activities.
- Purchase equipment, tools, and consumable materials, ensuring the facility has the resources needed to operate effectively.
- Promote a strong safety culture, engaging staff to improve safety and working conditions and staying connected with the facility’s safety committee.
We’re looking for someone who thrives in a dynamic operating environment and is motivated by leading others through complex, real-world challenges. The ideal candidate is a confident, engaged leader who brings a calm, solution-oriented mindset to day-to-day variability and can step forward when decisions need to be made. Highly qualified candidates will have advanced knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, process control, and regulatory compliance, and will bring strong skills in team leadership, troubleshooting, and operational decision-making. This role is well-suited for a self-starter who takes ownership of outcomes, communicates clearly, and sets a positive example.
Someone who is adaptable, safety-focused, and comfortable leading technical discussions and process control meetings. They can make sound decisions under pressure while keeping regulatory requirements, environmental protection, and staff wellbeing front and center. The best candidates bring strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a diverse team, fostering collaboration, accountability, and trust. This position plays a key role in maintaining reliable operations at the Water Reclamation Facility while supporting the City of Bend’s goals for sustainability, environmental stewardship, and resilient infrastructure—and offers a meaningful opportunity to lead, influence, and make a lasting impact.
Candidates who meet the listed minimum qualifications, including an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered for an interview. Please ensure your application includes information about your education, relevant paid and unpaid work experience, and applicable licenses and certifications. Avoid referencing your resume in the job duties section of the application.
Minimum Qualifications
- An additional year of post high school training resulting in an Associate's degree or 2-year technical certificate;
- Five (5) of the 8 years' experience requirement must include wastewater treatment operations, practices and principles with emphasis on operational efficiencies;
- Valid Oregon Class B commercial driver's license;
- Oregon Wastewater Operator III certificate; ability to obtain and maintain within 18 months of appointment;
Application Deadline: Applications must be received by Friday, May 1, at 12:00 PM (noon) Pacific Time to be considered for this selection process.
Application Requirements: To be considered for an interview, applicants must complete an online application including the following attachments (failure to include required attachments may result in disqualification):
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Valid Credentials, Certifications and Licensing
Equity Statement: The City of Bend remains committed to building a workforce that advances diversity and inclusion within our community and all we do. We recognize that not everyone starts from the same place, and that gender, race, ability, sexual orientation, and other identities face different barriers. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are dedicated to creating an inclusive, safe, and respectful workplace where employees can thrive without these barriers. A more extended version of the City of Bend’s Organizational Equity Statement is available upon request.
Benefits: The City of Bend offers an excellent competitive benefits package for Employees and Dependents for health and dental coverage, retirement benefits, and a robust paid leave program. Details are available on the benefits tab of the job posting.
Starting Compensation: Starting compensation is determined based on a pay equity analysis considering the candidate’s education, applicable work experience, and internal equity. Please include all relevant information on your application.
Diversity & Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
The City of Bend is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. At the City of Bend, we don't just accept differences; we value them. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and support the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAAA) and the Oregon Equal Pay Act.