Senior Operator – Regional Water Quality Control Plant (Multiple Positions)

Advance Your Career as a Senior Operator and Join Our Team: The City of Palo Alto is seeking experienced wastewater treatment professionals to join our team at the Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP).

We are recruiting for multiple Senior Operator positions, offering an opportunity to apply advanced knowledge and experience in support of a critical regional facility. Learn more about the City’s RWQCP.

Under general direction of the Shift Supervisor, Senior Operators direct and participate in the daily operation and routine maintenance of the RWQCP on an assigned shift. Senior Operators provide lead direction, technical guidance, mentoring, and on-the-job training to other Operators, while exercising sound judgment and advanced operational expertise to support safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations. This classification is distinguished from the Operator II level by the assignment of lead responsibilities and from the Supervisor level by its focus on operational leadership rather than full supervisory and management responsibilities.

The ideal candidate will possess strong technical knowledge, leadership skills, sound judgment, and the ability to work effectively with others, along with the following:

• In-depth knowledge of wastewater treatment plant processes, equipment, and digital control systems, including SCADA and PLC systems.
• Experience operating and monitoring advanced treatment processes, including Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR), membrane treatment systems, and Reverse Osmosis (RO).
• Ability to provide lead direction, training, and technical guidance to wastewater treatment operators.
• Knowledge of applicable safety rules, codes, regulations, and safe practices for the handling of hazardous gases and chemicals.
• Knowledge of wastewater sampling, routine process control testing, and wastewater treatment principles.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate plant conditions, provide direction, and work effectively with others.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade; and,
• Possession of a Grade III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator’s certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board.
• Three years experience in a related field.
• Possession of a valid California Driver’s license.

Special Requirements:

• Ability to work shifts, on-call, weekends and holidays as assigned or as required.
• Will be required to meet Division of Clean Water Programs continuing education credits to maintain required certification.
• Must be able to hear and perform emergency response duties in a level A full-body protection suit and S.C.B.A. weighing 32 pounds and must maintain a face seal while using the self-contained breathing equipment.

Deadline to apply is October 13, 2026 (unless extended).