Senior Plant Operator; Water Division

Senior Plant Operator – City of Sacramento

THIS POSTING WILL BE OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Application cut-off dates: 1/31/26, 2/28/26, 3/31/26, 4/30/26, 5/31/26, 6/30/26, 7/31/26, 8/31/26, 9/30/26, 10/31/26, 11/30/26, 12/31/26.

The Senior Plant Operator performs skilled work and leads others in the operation of the City’s drinking water treatment plants, wells, reservoirs, and distribution system; combined wastewater control system, primary wastewater treatment plants, and pumping stations. The operator assigns and directs the work of a plant crew.

The Senior Plant Operator is the responsible shift‑lead operator level classification. Positions assigned to this class are expected to independently perform the full range of plant operation and monitoring duties on an assigned shift. This class is distinguished from the next higher class (Supervising Plant Operator) and the next lower class (Plant Operator).

General supervision is provided by a Superintendent and/or the Supervising Plant Operator. Responsibilities require technical and functional supervision and lead direction of lower‑level plant personnel.

• Lead and participate in the operation, monitoring, and control of the City’s combined wastewater control system, conventional surface water treatment plants, and outlying pumping stations.
• Participate in and direct the operation of plant equipment including chemical feed, computer, telemetry systems, microprocessors, pumps, flow control gates, and plant communications systems.
• Plan the operation of the City’s entire potable water treatment and distribution system for an assigned shift.
• Plan and schedule water treatment plant activities such as filter backwashes, sludge pumping, and filter washwater recycling.
• Monitor water quality during treatment and adjust influent flows, chemical dosages, and filtration rates based on observations.
• Coordinate and maintain wastewater pumping operations in conjunction with the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• Monitor and inspect plant equipment and respond to treatment process and equipment alarms.
• Perform minor preventive maintenance and recommend maintenance, repair, or replacement of plant equipment.
• Assess flow rates during inclement weather and determine storm water operations.
• Perform and interpret standardized water quality tests and calculate dosage adjustments.
• Perform efficiency tests on pumps, compressors, and related equipment.
• Monitor plant pumping status using technical information such as pressure, voltage, and system outputs.
• Direct and coordinate trash screen cleaning and filter maintenance.
• Maintain and update plant operation logs and records.
• Use SCADA and computerized maintenance management systems.
• Maintain and replenish materials and supplies necessary for plant operation.
• Operate heavy equipment such as engine‑driven pumps, generators, compressors, hoists, forklifts, and cranes.
• Schedule and coordinate the work of assigned plant operation personnel.
• Train and assist less experienced personnel in plant operations.
• Work in confined spaces, on temporary scaffolding, and on high structures using breathing apparatus and/or Level I Hazmat suits.

• Operating principles, equipment, supplies, and materials used in the combined wastewater control system and drinking water plants.
• Water and wastewater treatment processes including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection, fluoridation, corrosion control, and sludge handling.
• Standards and practices for operation, maintenance, and upkeep of sanitary and storm pumping stations, drinking water and wastewater treatment plants, and related facilities.
• Control measuring devices, gauges, meters, and instruments necessary to evaluate control system status.
• Mathematics, algebra, chemistry, and hydraulics as they apply to plant operations.
• Safe and efficient work practices.
• General mechanical principles and practices relating to plant equipment.
• Hazardous materials related to plant operations.
• Principles and practices of effective supervision and training.

• Perform a variety of skilled and…