What are the responsibilities and job description for the SENIOR PLANT OPERATOR / WASTEWATER position at City of Stockton, CA?
DEFINITION
OPEN/PROMOTIONAL RECRUITMENT
FLSA STATUS: Non Exempt
TENTATIVE EXAMINATION DATE: Week of May 7, 2026 (Candidates may need to appear in person for the examination.)
NOW HIRING: SENIOR PLANT OPERATOR
City of Stockton – Municipal Utilities Department (Wastewater Division)
The City of Stockton is seeking a skilled and dedicated Senior Plant Operator to join our Wastewater Division team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a vital role in protecting public health and the environment while working in a dynamic and essential field.
Position Overview
Under supervision, the incumbent will have the lead responsibility for planning, scheduling, coordinating, directing, and reviewing the effective and efficient operation and monitoring of the water or wastewater treatment system during an assigned shift in addition to operating and monitoring various plant equipment.
Key Responsibilities
This position works a 12-hour shift, rotating periodically between day and night shifts.
Why Join Us?
Prior to appointment, eligible candidates will be required to pass a back evaluation examination by a City Physician, and submit to and successfully pass a drug screen and background investigation, which will include fingerprinting.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
Under supervision, the incumbent will have the lead responsibility for planning, scheduling, coordinating, directing, and reviewing the effective and efficient operation and monitoring of the water or wastewater treatment system during an assigned shift in addition to operating and monitoring various plant equipment.
Click here for the complete job description for Senior Plant Operator - Wastewater.
Qualifications
Education:
Possession of a high school diploma or GED.
Experience/Certifications
Senior level
If assigned to Wastewater: Valid California Grade III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate.
If assigned to Water: Valid California Grade T-3 Water Treatment Plant Operator Certificate.
Licenses
Must possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license.
The Examination
Applicants who qualify in terms of relevant work experience and education, that best fit the needs of the City, will be invited to participate in the examination process. The examination process may include a training and experience examination weighted 100%. However, the City reserves the right to utilize alternative testing methods if deemed necessary. Candidates must receive a minimum passing score of 70%, as determined by the relative performance of all candidates in all portions of the examination. In the event of identical ratings, candidates' names will be arranged in order of application date/time, and, if the same, then arranged alphabetically.
Notes
Bargaining Unit
OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE UNIT - MUNICIPAL UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
NOTE: Employee Benefits are subject to change through the collective bargaining process and are not guaranteed. For a detailed explanation of benefits currently in effect, click here to view a link to "Operations and Maintenance" unit contract.
01
The Supplemental Questionnaire is part of the examination process; accordingly, it should be completed carefully. It must be submitted with your official employment application. Do not indicate "see resume" as an answer to any of these questions.
Education
Do you possess a high school diploma or GED?
License
Do you possess, or are able to obtain prior to appointment, a valid California Class "C" driver's license?
Incumbents in this position must possess sufficient strength to lift objects weighing up to 100 pounds and will be required to submit to and successfully pass a back evaluation by a City Physician. Do you understand and are you able to meet this requirement?
Certificate
This position requires you possess a valid California Grade III or higher Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board. (Failure to possess this certificate will result in rejection.) Please select the highest level certificate you possess.
Please provide your certificate number and expiration date in the box below. If none, please type 'N/A' in the box below.
07
All applicants are required to submit a valid, unaltered copy of your Grade III (or higher) Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board by the final filing deadline.
Required
A copy of notification of passing will be accepted in lieu of the Operators Certificate if there are no attached conditions and the applicant has already submitted payment and application to the State for their final certificate. You may submit the required documentation in the following ways:
Describe your work experience in an advanced wastewater treatment plant. Include your employer, dates of employment, specific duties performed and hours worked per week. Note: This information must be clearly detailed on your application. If none, please type 'N/A' in the box below.
09
Describe your experience with preventative maintenance related to wastewater treatment or other fields. If none, please type 'N/A' in the box below.
10
Describe your experience in working with SCADA and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS). What specific software have you used or are proficient in with respect to each? If none, please type 'N/A' in the box below.
11
Describe the wastewater treatment processes you have worked with in the past (i.e., primary treatment, filtration, activated sludge, effluent nutrient removal, digestion, etc.). If none, please type 'N/A' in the box below.
12
Describe any experience you have start up, testing, and training at a wastewater treatment facility. If none, please type 'N/A' in the box below.
OPEN/PROMOTIONAL RECRUITMENT
FLSA STATUS: Non Exempt
TENTATIVE EXAMINATION DATE: Week of May 7, 2026 (Candidates may need to appear in person for the examination.)
NOW HIRING: SENIOR PLANT OPERATOR
City of Stockton – Municipal Utilities Department (Wastewater Division)
The City of Stockton is seeking a skilled and dedicated Senior Plant Operator to join our Wastewater Division team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a vital role in protecting public health and the environment while working in a dynamic and essential field.
Position Overview
Under supervision, the incumbent will have the lead responsibility for planning, scheduling, coordinating, directing, and reviewing the effective and efficient operation and monitoring of the water or wastewater treatment system during an assigned shift in addition to operating and monitoring various plant equipment.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform wastewater inflow monitoring and treatment operations
- Oversee effluent processing and system performance
- Conduct laboratory sampling and analysis
- Supervises the compilation and maintenance of operations records; prepares periodic and special reports of work performed.
- Ensure adherence to regulatory standards and operational protocols
This position works a 12-hour shift, rotating periodically between day and night shifts.
Why Join Us?
- Make a meaningful impact on environmental sustainability
- Work with a dedicated and experienced team
- Gain leadership experience in a critical public service role
Prior to appointment, eligible candidates will be required to pass a back evaluation examination by a City Physician, and submit to and successfully pass a drug screen and background investigation, which will include fingerprinting.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
Under supervision, the incumbent will have the lead responsibility for planning, scheduling, coordinating, directing, and reviewing the effective and efficient operation and monitoring of the water or wastewater treatment system during an assigned shift in addition to operating and monitoring various plant equipment.
Click here for the complete job description for Senior Plant Operator - Wastewater.
Qualifications
Education:
Possession of a high school diploma or GED.
Experience/Certifications
Senior level
If assigned to Wastewater: Valid California Grade III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate.
If assigned to Water: Valid California Grade T-3 Water Treatment Plant Operator Certificate.
Licenses
Must possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license.
The Examination
Applicants who qualify in terms of relevant work experience and education, that best fit the needs of the City, will be invited to participate in the examination process. The examination process may include a training and experience examination weighted 100%. However, the City reserves the right to utilize alternative testing methods if deemed necessary. Candidates must receive a minimum passing score of 70%, as determined by the relative performance of all candidates in all portions of the examination. In the event of identical ratings, candidates' names will be arranged in order of application date/time, and, if the same, then arranged alphabetically.
Notes
- After on-line submittal, immediate notification will appear on your screen indicating your application has been received. Please print this notice as proof of filing.
- Notices and correspondence will be sent via email only. No paper notices will be mailed to applicants. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure a correct email address is provided and that correspondence is received.
- NeoGov.com: You will receive correspondence via the e-mail address you placed on your application. Some e-mail accounts have been known to place these e-mails in the spam/junk file. Please check your e-mail folders or accept e-mails ending with neogov.com.
Bargaining Unit
OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE UNIT - MUNICIPAL UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
NOTE: Employee Benefits are subject to change through the collective bargaining process and are not guaranteed. For a detailed explanation of benefits currently in effect, click here to view a link to "Operations and Maintenance" unit contract.
01
The Supplemental Questionnaire is part of the examination process; accordingly, it should be completed carefully. It must be submitted with your official employment application. Do not indicate "see resume" as an answer to any of these questions.
- I certify that the information provided is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any falsification may cancel any terms, conditions, or privileges of employment.
Education
Do you possess a high school diploma or GED?
- Yes
- No
License
Do you possess, or are able to obtain prior to appointment, a valid California Class "C" driver's license?
- Yes
- No
Incumbents in this position must possess sufficient strength to lift objects weighing up to 100 pounds and will be required to submit to and successfully pass a back evaluation by a City Physician. Do you understand and are you able to meet this requirement?
- Yes
- No
Certificate
This position requires you possess a valid California Grade III or higher Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board. (Failure to possess this certificate will result in rejection.) Please select the highest level certificate you possess.
- GR III
- GR IV
- GR V
- I do not possess any of the above required certifications.
Please provide your certificate number and expiration date in the box below. If none, please type 'N/A' in the box below.
07
All applicants are required to submit a valid, unaltered copy of your Grade III (or higher) Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board by the final filing deadline.
Required
A copy of notification of passing will be accepted in lieu of the Operators Certificate if there are no attached conditions and the applicant has already submitted payment and application to the State for their final certificate. You may submit the required documentation in the following ways:
- Scan/attach to the online application (preferred method.) 2) Email to recruitment@stocktonca.gov (Include "Senior Plant Operator / Wastewater" in the subject line of your email.)
- I understand this requirement and will provide my certificate by the final filing deadline.
Describe your work experience in an advanced wastewater treatment plant. Include your employer, dates of employment, specific duties performed and hours worked per week. Note: This information must be clearly detailed on your application. If none, please type 'N/A' in the box below.
09
Describe your experience with preventative maintenance related to wastewater treatment or other fields. If none, please type 'N/A' in the box below.
10
Describe your experience in working with SCADA and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS). What specific software have you used or are proficient in with respect to each? If none, please type 'N/A' in the box below.
11
Describe the wastewater treatment processes you have worked with in the past (i.e., primary treatment, filtration, activated sludge, effluent nutrient removal, digestion, etc.). If none, please type 'N/A' in the box below.
12
Describe any experience you have start up, testing, and training at a wastewater treatment facility. If none, please type 'N/A' in the box below.
- Required Question