Wastewater Operator/Senior Operator \- West Point Offsite
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KING COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF WATER \& LAND RESOURCES
, Washington United States
Posted: Feb 18, 2026
Salary: $41\.21 \- $57\.43 Hourly USD Hourly
Salary Top:57
Full Time
Administration and Management
Water and Wastewater Treatment
Other
Summary
This is a transfer opportunity, and first consideration is given to qualified transfer\-eligible employees in the same classification.
If no qualifiedtransfer\-eligible candidate is selected, external applicants will be considered.
External candidates are eligible to be hired at the Wastewater Treatment Operator level only . Senior Wastewater Treatment Operator level is obtained through an internal job progression process. The salary range listed above includes the Wastewater Treatment Operator level ($41\.20\-$52\.23/hour) and Senior Wastewater Treatment Operator level ($47\.50\-$57\.43/hour).
A challenging opportunity to work along a dynamic and diverse team in the operations of state\-of\-the\-art wastewater facilities. The ideal candidate will be a team player but also self motivated. In addition, understanding of wastewater processes and structures would be beneficial. This person will be an important member of a team that is moving the West Offsite unit into a mode of constant evaluation and improvement. A person in this role will have the opportunity to develop problem solving skills, emergency response capabilities and wastewater expertise. This role offers an opportunity to prepare for positions like Senior Operator and Senior Operator in Charge.
About the Role
The person in this role will serve as a key member of a team of operators committed to reducing overflows and treating wastewater to meet the high King County standards demanded by the regulatory agencies. This person will be joining the West Offsite Team at a critical time of expanding and improving the King County CSO and collections systems, implementing state of the art treatment processes. The mission of the West Offsite directly affects the quality of life for King County residents and protects our watershed. Such an important role demands strong leadership and great teams.
Wastewater Treatment Operator
The responsibility of this classification includes operating, monitoring, and maintaining wastewater treatment and odor control equipment, systems, and processes in wastewater (primary and secondary) treatment facility and/or the collection and conveyance systems. Responsibilities may also include coordinating, training, and providing technical expertise to other wastewater treatment operations staff and coordinating on\-site responses to unusual occurrences and emergencies.
Wastewater Treatment Senior Operator
The responsibilities of this classification include serving in a lead capacity in a work group responsible for operating, monitoring, troubleshooting, and maintaining equipment, systems, and processes in wastewater facilities. Responsibilities include coordinating, training, and providing technical expertise to other wastewater treatment operations staff and coordinating on\-site responses to unusual occurrences and emergencies and may fill in for the Wastewater Treatment Supervisor
With about 1000 employees engaged in planning, designing, building, and operating treatment facilities, King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division is at the forefront of environmental stewardship. We enforce regulations to reduce harmful waste discharge and actively educate the public and businesses on water quality protection. We prioritize accountability to our ratepayers and operate a well\-managed agency that serves over 2\.3 million King County residents . Our regional wastewater treatment system not only sustains a healthy environment but also fuels economic development, fostering prosperity in our region. If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in a collaborative environment, join us in our mission to protect public health and the environment by collecting and cleaning wastewater while recovering valuable resources for a healthy and resilient Puget Sound.
About the Team
The West Offsite unit supports the overall Wastewater Treatment Division mission to protect public health and the environment by collecting and treating wastewater while recovering valuable resources for a thriving Puget Sound region. West Offsite, moreover, is committed to delivering King County services with integrity building trust with the county and community leadership. We are also committed to delivering exceptional service with equity and accountability. The West Offsite Operators are part of empowered teams, founded on strong communication, innovation and environmental stewardship.
Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:
King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Government Relations Assistant, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity . for a rewarding career at the Wastewater Treatment Division of King County Department of Natural Resources \& Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, c omprehensive benefits , and growth opportunities.
Job Duties
What You Will Be Doing:
- Operate, monitor, and control wastewater equipment and systems using complex computer systems
- Start up and shut down equipment and processes for maintenance and contractors
- Perform maintenance on wastewater facilities, including buildings, equipment, and grounds. Duties include cleaning, servicing operating equipment, mowing lawns, and performing housekeeping tasks
- Communicate with the public, construction personnel, consultants, and engineers to resolve complaints, provide construction assistance, give tours, and carry out related duties
- Cover standby duty on a rotating schedule and respond to emergencies as called
- Exchange information on wastewater operations, maintenance and processes with County staff and others as required involved in process control, maintenance, facilities services, off\-site facilities services, and other areas
- Respond to unusual occurrences, assist in emergency responses, and may serve as on\-scene incident commander
- Develop and review Process Safety Management (PSM), Preventative Maintenance (PM) and Hazardous Energy Control Procedures (HECP) and provide draft documentation
- Train others on site\-specific areas through on\-the\-job\-training
- Wastewater Treatment Operator: Washington State Department of Ecology Group I Wastewater Operator Certification
- Wastewater Treatment Senior Operator: Washington State Group III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification or above from the Washington State Department of Ecology
- Advanced knowledge of and experience with wastewater treatment processes, including preliminary, primary, secondary, digestion, gas handling systems, sludge handling and plant\-wide air, water, electrical and hydraulic support systems.
- Skill in the application of safety policies, procedures and practices for confined\-space entry, fall protection, hazard communication, hazardous energy control, emergency response and evacuation, accident prevention, hearing conservation, back injury prevention, respiratory protection, fire safety, department facilities and operations, forklift training, overhead cranes, and plant\-specific and department\-wide safety information
- Valid WA State driver's license within 90 days of hire.
- CPR and First Aid certification can be achieved within first 6 months of employment.
- Wastewater Treatment Operator:
- Wastewater Treatment Senior Operator:
- Panel interview: Virtual interviews will be held the held in mid\-March 2026
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred\-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal holidays
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental,family and medical, and volunteer leaves
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite activity centers
- Employee Giving Program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Qualifications You Bring:
Required licenses:
Competencies you bring;
Decision Quality: Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
Drives Results: Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
Builds Effective Teams: Building strong\-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.
Self\-Development: Actively seeking new ways to grow and be challenged using both formal and informal development channels.
Supplemental Information
Working Conditions:
Requirements:
+ Wastewater Treatment Operator Washington State Group I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification from Washington State Department of Ecology within 30 days or out\-of\-state equivalent which must be converted to a Washington certification within 1 year.
+ Valid Washington State Driver’s License
+ CPR and First Aid certification Required Licenses
+ CPR and First Aid certifications
+ Washington State Group III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification or above from the Washington State Department of Ecology or out\-of\-state equivalency which must be converted to a Washington certification within one year of employment.
+ Valid Washington State Driver’s License
+ CPR and First Aid certifications
* Work Schedule: Current work schedule is either a 4/10 (Monday\-Thursday or Tuesday\-Friday) or 5x8 schedule. Coverage during holidays is also expected and schedule may change based upon business needs.
* Work Location: Onsite at Jameson Building \- 2501 West Jameson Building Seattle, WA 98100
* Union Representation: This position is represented by SEIU Local 925
* Physical Requirement: Incumbents perform field work at a wastewater treatment plant and associated facilities and are required to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, use ladders, and there is exposure to hazardous chemicals and noxious odors.
* Workplace Exposures: Outdoors environment during wet weather, confined space
Application and Selection Process:
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.
Anticipated Timeline for this recruitment: (subject to change)
To apply, submit a:
* Complete Application
* Resume (Required)
* Responses to the supplemental questions
Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.
Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Dan Sherman at dasherman@kingcounty.gov
Discover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division: Visit our website and check us out at Facebook , X (formerly Twitter) , Instagram , YouTube , and the WTD Blog .
Discover More About DNRP: Visit our DNRP website , explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook , X (formerly Twitter) , LinkedIn , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube and Keeping King County Green News .
Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.
Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North" , we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles \- we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ\+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
King County offers a highly\-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well\-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position.Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
Closing Date/Time: 3/3/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
### King County Water and Land Resources Division
206\-477\-4800
The Water and Land Resources Division is at the forefront of King County’s efforts to protect and restore clean water and healthy habitat and strengthen the resilience of communities, environment, and infrastructure in the face climate change. We are a dedicated workforce of more than 400 supported by an annual budget of \~$250 million. WLRD has a strong track record of developing innovative strategies for protecting working farms and forests, restoring habitat, protecting water quality, and ensuring people have equitable access to green space. We reduce flood hazards, manage stormwater facilities, and reduce toxic threats. Our Environmental Lab and Science section maintain high\-quality data sets used in long term\-water quality trend analysis and use Best Available Science to inform decision making. We house three salmon recovery forums and support the Land Conservation Initiative, which will preserve our last, most important natural lands and urban green spaces over the next 30 years. Our forestry and agricultural programs help people protect their lands and support local food production.