Wastewater Treatment Operations & Maintenance Technician Trainee

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 Wastewater Treatment Division is seeking motivated, success-driven individuals to join our team as Wastewater Treatment Operations & Maintenance Technician Trainees. In this role, you'll play an essential part in operating and maintaining pumps, mechanical systems, and equipment at treatment plants. Our team members are deeply involved in treatment plant operations, system performance, regulatory compliance, and environmental stewardship.

This 12-month paid training program offers both classroom instruction and hands-on, on-the-job learning. You'll gain a strong foundation in environmental stewardship, regulatory requirements, treatment processes, and the operation and maintenance of the City's water and wastewater treatment facilities.

Upon successful completion of the program, you will automatically promote into the role of Operations and Maintenance Technician, launching a meaningful, stable, and impactful career in water and wastewater operations.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is eager to build a long-term career in water and wastewater operations, enjoys hands-on mechanical work, and thrives in an environment where every day brings a new challenge.

We're looking for individuals who are curious, reliable, safety-minded, and committed to supporting critical public infrastructure.

Successful Candidates Will Demonstrate

• Mechanical Troubleshooting Skills: Ability to diagnose issues, identify root causes, and perform repairs on a variety of mechanical systems and equipment.
• Preventive Maintenance Experience: Familiarity with conducting routine inspections, following maintenance schedules, and helping keep complex systems operating efficiently.
• Tool Identification and Usage: Working knowledge of common hand tools and precision measuring instruments, and the ability to use them safely and effectively.
• Strong teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
• Interest in learning treatment processes, regulatory compliance, and environmental stewardship.
• A commitment to safety and operational excellence in all aspects of plant and field work.
  
  

SALARY

Pay Range: $21.54 to $30.31 per hour.

Hiring Range: $21.54 to $28.86 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

Core Skills & Abilities

• Ability to learn, in English, treatment, collections, and distribution practices and procedures.
• Ability to read, write, follow oral instructions, and perform basic math calculations.
  
  

OPAC Requirement

• Candidates who apply will be required to complete the online Office Proficiency Assessment Certification (OPAC).
• No action is required at the time of application. Eligible candidates will be invited via email to complete the OPAC after the recruitment closes.
  
  

Certification Requirements

• Acquisition of an Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Grade 1 Operator certification in the appropriate discipline by the end of the 12 month Trainee program.
• Note: The City offers incentive pay for obtaining ADEQ certifications above the minimum required level.
• Maintaining Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) certification through refresher training and physical examination may be required for continued employment.
  

Work Schedule Requirements

• This operation runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• You may be required to work evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and standby shifts.
• Vacation and shift assignments are determined by seniority.
  
  

Working Conditions

Work May Involve

• Spending extended time outdoors in various environmental conditions, including heat, cold, rain, dust, air pollution, and exposure to untreated water and wastewater.
• Walking for prolonged periods, including over rough, uneven, or rocky terrain.
• Moving heavy objects (50 pounds or more) over long distances.
• 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.
• 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:

• One year of water, wastewater, or industrial setting experience
• College course work (or AP high-school class) in and/or work-related experience with basic chemistry, biology, or general science
• ADEQ Grade 1 Wastewater Treatment (or any other) certification
• SCBA certification
  
  

RECRUITMENT DATES

Recruitment closes April 10, 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

Ops & Maintenance Tech*SCBA, JC:50371, ID#61352, 04/07/2026, 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.