Wastewater Treatment Equipment Operator IV

About This Position

The City of Phoenix Water Services Department, one of the nation's largest potable water utilities, treats and delivers safe, reliable drinking water to 1.5 million customers across approximately 540 square miles. Phoenix Water Services also manages the sewer collection system and treats wastewater for 2.5 million residents in metropolitan Phoenix.

The Equipment Operator IV*U2 is a skilled position responsible for operating a variety of medium to heavy construction and industrial equipment, including backhoes, vacuum trucks, front-end loaders, motor graders, water trucks, semi-tractors with trailers, dump trucks, agricultural tractors, and similar machinery.

This vacancy is assigned to the Wastewater Treatment Division. The operator will be responsible for equipment operation within the Bio-Solids Drying process and will support plant staff with additional duties requiring specialized equipment operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate medium and heavy equipment safely and efficiently in a wastewater treatment environment.
• Support the Bio-Solids Drying process and assist plant staff as needed.
• Follow safety procedures related to water and sewer maintenance work, including confined space entry, trench safety, PPE requirements, and other safety protocols.
• Work in environments with strong odors and raw sewage, utilizing standard protective equipment.
• Frequently enter and exit equipment throughout the workday.
  
  

Work Environment & Schedule

• Weekend and off-shift hours are required.
• Work involves exposure to strong smells and wastewater treatment materials.
  
  

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

• Knowledge of current Blue Stake laws, OSHA safety practices, and the City of Phoenix Traffic Barricade Manual.
• Skill in operating front loaders, tractors used in the Bio-Solids Drying process, water trucks for dust-control compliance, and other equipment such as forklifts, vacuum trucks, and dump trucks.
• Ability to read and interpret grade stakes, elevations, and basic survey information.
• Understanding of material calculations used on job sites.
• Strong independent work skills and reliable, consistent attendance.
  
  

SALARY

Pay Range: $28.86 to $40.61 per hour.

Hiring Range: $28.86 to $35.08 per hour.

Pay Range Explanation

• Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.
• Hiring range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.
  
  

Benefits

A comprehensive benefits package is offered which includes:

• Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, click here for more details: Pension Information
• 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions
• Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans
• Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan
• Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually
• Dental, vision, and life insurance options
• Employer paid long-term disability
• Free Bus/light rail pass
• Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year
• Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days
• Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi
  
  

For more details, visit: Unit 002 Benefits

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of a departmental training course (certified by Personnel) for equipment being tested;
• OR be qualified for "out-of-class" pay as an Equipment Operator IV;
• OR log 120 hours on equipment being tested for;
• OR have a minimum of two years of experience operating construction equipment or five ton trucks, six months of which must include equipment being tested for.
• Current possession of a Class A Commercial Driver License (CDL) with tank endorsement.
• Working Conditions:
• Working irregular hours, second and/or third shifts, weekends, holidays, and evenings may be required.
• Moving objects weighing up to 50 pounds may be required.
• Requires working outside in a variety of environmental extremes such as heat, cold, rain, air pollution, and dust.
• Requires walking for prolonged periods which may include walking over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces.
• Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
• All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
• These positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• In addition, individuals are required to pass an Arizona Department of Transportation physical exam and possess the appropriate commercial driver's license.
• Pre-employment drug testing is required, and employees will be subject to unannounced alcohol and drug testing as a condition of continued employment.
• For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions, click here.
• The City job description can be found here.
  

Preferred Qualifications

The minimum qualifications listed above, plus experience in/with:

• Working in a solid waste environment.
• Reading maps/drawings.
• Compiling daily equipment reports consisting of logging number of loads excavated and the number of hours operating equipment.
• Operating heavy equipment such as:
• Backhoes
• Water trucks
• Loaders
• Hydro-Vacs
• Large farming tractors
  

RECRUITMENT DATES

Recruitment closes April 8, 2026. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.

This is a position-based recruitment and will not result in any ongoing eligibility list. This recruitment and any selection processes resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill other related vacancies within the organization now or in the near future.

How To Apply

Apply online by completing the required information and attaching, as one document, your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above. Only the highest qualified may be posted to the eligible to hire list. The results of the resume screening process will be sent to your primary email address.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP

• Job interviews may be held by video or audio conference.
• If you are in need of computer resources, click here for free options.
• Arizona at Work has frequent classes to help with resume writing, interviewing skills, and general career guidance. Click here for more information.
• Explore other Employment Opportunities with the City of Phoenix.
• Subscribe to receive e-mail notifications about new employment opportunities.
• If you require assistance at any stage of the application process due to an accessibility issue, please contact the Human Resources Department by phone at (602) 495-5700 or by text at (800) 367-8939. You may also fill out and submit a Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.
  
  

REFERENCE

Equipment Op IV, JC:72110, ID#61046, 03/26/2026, USM, RG, Benefits:002

Building the Phoenix of tomorrow.

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City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.