Lead Wastewater Plant Operator III-IV (Ventura Water)

Applications are accepted exclusively through the City of Ventura Career Site: www.cityofventura.ca.gov/jobs. Submissions through other websites or methods will not be accepted.

Applications and supplemental questions will be accepted until Monday, March 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Pay & Benefits

• Lead Wastewater Plant Operator III - $93,708.37 - $113,902.67 Annually DOQ

• Lead Wastewater Plant Operator IV - $98,500.90 - $119,727.30 Annually DOQ

• Benefits

  • Medical Insurance (HMO, PPO options)

  • City Paid Dental and Vision Insurance

  • Life Insurance

  • Vacation & Holiday Compensation

  • Deferred Compensation

  • CalPERS Retirement

  • Wellness Program (access to gym facility and fitness classes)

  • Tuition Reimbursement & Bilingual Pay

About the Opportunity

The City of Ventura is hiring an experienced Lead Wastewater Plant Operator III–IV to join Ventura Water’s Wastewater Division.

The Lead Wastewater Plant Operator III–IV works under general supervision as a working lead, overseeing an assigned crew in the operation and maintenance of the City’s domestic wastewater treatment facilities and chemical feed systems, including a 14 MGD tertiary treatment plant. Responsibilities include managing primary, secondary, tertiary and disinfection processes prior to discharge to state receiving waters, landscape irrigation systems, or recreational and wildlife habitat areas.

This position also provides leadership and technical direction to staff, supports training and development, and assists in developing and implementing procedures and process improvements to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant wastewater operations.

This position is flexibly staffed and may be filled at either level, depending on the certifications, qualifications, experience, and demonstrated skills of the incumbent, as well as the staffing needs of the City.

What You’ll Do

As a Lead Wastewater Plant Operator, you will:

• Serve as a working lead by assigning and directing daily plant operations and maintenance activities

• Lead and assist with operational adjustments, process control changes, and plant performance optimization

• Oversee and perform preventive maintenance, repairs, and equipment adjustments

• Conduct plant control sampling, testing, and wastewater calculations to evaluate system performance

• Maintain accurate operational logs, preventive maintenance records, and required regulatory reports

• Recommend operational improvements and procedural changes to enhance efficiency and compliance

• Support purchasing and inventory of parts, materials, and treatment chemicals

• Use a computerized maintenance management system to generate and track work orders

• Train and mentor plant staff in operational processes, equipment use, safety practices, and recordkeeping

• Assist with budget-related data and act on behalf of the supervisor when assigned

Incumbent may be required to work stand-by on rotational basis and report to work on a callback basis as needed within a designated time frame. Standby assignment is at the discretion of the Division Head.

The Ideal Candidate – Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate is a skilled wastewater treatment professional with experience in plant operations, process control, and regulatory compliance, and will:

• Possess solid technical knowledge of wastewater plant operations

• Have current or prior experience working as a Lead Wastewater Plant Operator III–IV

• Demonstrate effective leadership skills, including the ability to guide, support, and direct others

• Be energetic, organized, and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously

• Be a motivated self-starter with the ability to make logical, sound decisions

• Work effectively independently with minimal supervision as well as in a team environment

• Have flexibility and willingness to work shifts, weekends, and holidays as required

Minimum Qualifications – Required

A combination of education, training, and experience equivalent to graduation from high school and five years of directly related experience, with at least two years in a wastewater treatment plant.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATES

Certificates:

Lead Wastewater Plant Operator III - Possession of a valid Grade III Wastewater Treatment Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.

Lead Wastewater Plant Operator IV - Possession of a valid Grade IV Wastewater Treatment Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.

License: Depending on assignment, possession of a valid California Class C driver's license may be required.

About Ventura Water

Ventura Water provides drinking water to more than 109,000 people through approximately 32,000 water service connections. This complex water system has more than 391 miles of pipeline, 3 water treatment plants, 23 pump stations and 31 reservoirs.  Our community relies on three 100% local water sources - the Ventura River, Lake Casitas, and local groundwater wells, as well as, providing reclaimed water from the Ventura Water Reclamation Facility to two municipal golf courses, the Ventura Marina area, and private customers for landscape irrigation.   We maintain a full-service laboratory and monitor our water quality daily.

For more information about Ventura Water, visit https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/2268/Ventura-Water. 

How to Apply

Submit an online City job application and supplemental questionnaire by the filing deadline at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/jobs.

• It is important that your city job application show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess. Resumes, CVs, and cover letters may be attached to your application but will not be accepted in lieu of a completed job application or supplemental questionnaire. Submitting an incomplete application or supplemental questionnaire may disqualify you from further consideration in the recruitment process.

• After you apply, all future correspondence from the city will be via E-Mail.  Please check your messages regularly and keep your contact information up to date using your on-line application.

Selection Process

• All applications and supplemental questionnaires submitted will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this job announcement. Candidates will be reviewed, and only those candidates determined to be most qualified based on experience, training, and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process. Candidates will be notified about their status after the filing deadline.

• Those candidates whose qualifications most closely match the requirements of the position will be invited to a qualifying panel interview process. Candidates will be notified of specifics after the examination process has been completed. Initial panel interviews may be conducted in-person or via video teleconference. Candidates will be notified of specifics at the appropriate time.

The Eligibility List established for this classification may be used to fill other regular and temporary vacancies at the discretion of the City.

THE SCHEDULE

The timeline dates are subject to change. Candidates will be notified as necessary.

• Monday, March 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. – Application Deadline. Applications and supplemental questionnaires must be submitted by this date to be considered for the position.

• Week of March 16, 2026 - Candidates will be notified by email of their status by this date.

• Week of March 30, 2026 - Oral Panel Interviews are tentatively scheduled for this date. Qualifying candidates will be notified by email or phone if they are invited to the panel interview process.

• Department Selection Interviews will be scheduled promptly after the oral panel interviews have been completed. Qualifying candidates will be notified by email if they are invited to the panel interview process.

• April 2026 – Candidates will be notified of the outcome of the interview by this date.

Additional Information

For additional information on the duties and responsibilities of the position, refer to the job descriptions located on the City’s Career Page at