Wastewater Operator II – Open Continuous

Job Appointment:  Full-Time
Work Schedule: Mon-Fri. 8 am - 4:30 pm. An alternate schedule may be available.
Work Location: The position works at either the Columbia Blvd. Wastewater Treatment Plant located at 5001 N Columbia Blvd. in Portland, OR, or the Tryon Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant located at 195 Foothills Rd. in Lake Oswego, OR dependent on the annual Wastewater Operator seniority bid results.
Benefits: Please check our benefits tab for an overview of benefits for this position
Union Representation: Portland City Laborers 483 (PCL). To view labor agreements, current and future, please click here.

Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. You will need to attach a resume and answer supplemental questions.

The Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) is seeking a qualified Wastewater Operator II to join our dynamic team of highly qualified people to perform journey-level work in the operation and routine maintenance of a large, activated sludge, wastewater treatment plant. The Wastewater Operator II maintains established water quality standards through the effective operation of all equipment involved in the treatment process including operating, monitoring and controlling a vast network of pumps, conveyers, air and chemical systems; makes operational decisions including pumping rates and dosage adjustments, while working in one of six work units, which provide 24-hour coverage, 7-days per week. The Wastewater Operator II maintains accurate records, performs standard laboratory tests and identifies equipment failures and maintenance needs.

This position requires shift work and assignments, including days off, which are based on accrued seniority within a represented workforce.

What you will get to do: 

• Ensures proper operation and control of assigned process area; operates equipment of the wastewater treatment plant such as pumps, bar screens, clarifiers, boilers, digesters, sludge pumps, blowers, aerators, disinfection/dechlorination systems, control panels, sludge thickening and sludge de-watering equipment; monitors equipment controls and takes corrective action to ensure effective equipment operation. 
• Operates, monitors and controls a vast network of pumps, bar screens, conveyers, grit, air and chemical systems. Makes operational decisions including pumping rates and dosage adjustments, and whether to bring equipment on-line or take it off-line. Trouble shoots equipment failures and identifies maintenance needs with use of a CMMS. Coordinates maintenance and repairs with other work groups. 
• Operates, monitors and controls primary and secondary digesters, classifiers and transfer pumps, including gas boilers. 
• Operates and monitors plant processes using a SCADA network, which includes remote monitoring and communication, as well as communications with and between the Tryon Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, the City of Portland's collection system, headworks, secondary and influent flows, peak-flow gates, offsite dechlorination facility, sewage pumps, aeration basins, and aeration blowers; and provides constant monitoring of disinfection dosing and oxygen levels.
• Operates, monitors, controls, and adjusts dewatering and thickening equipment; performs lab tests on biosolids and makes adjustments for efficient output and chemical polymer use; keeps and maintains accurate records of process and lab results to ensure sample protocol and regulatory requirements. 
• Operates, monitors, controls, and determines flow rates and process strategies; performs mixed liquor and total suspended solids content tests and monitors temperatures, pH levels, and aeration needs of the system.
• Operates, monitors, controls, and adjusts digester feed pump station, diesel dredges and an internal recycle pump station; oversees lagoon system including ground and dredge maintenance. 
• Responds to and handles emergency situations; provides essential services for treatment plant weather related or other emergencies. 
  • This could include overtime to accomplish work, which at times, may be mandatory/compulsory.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Performs related duties as assigned. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Operator II: is the experienced/journey level class in the series, fully competent to independently perform duties of the job.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities of Operator II

• Knowledge of: processes, techniques and all applicable safety practices, tools, and materials used in wastewater treatment equivalent to that required for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II certification. Process control equipment and process troubleshooting techniques; processes and chemicals used in testing and treating; pumps and pumping equipment; wastewater laboratory, sampling and testing procedures; SCADA computer data for high level monitoring of process equipment.
• Ability to: maintain operational processes and procedures independently. 
• Skills in: use of tools, power equipment, and specialized process related equipment; providing lead direction to staff, including assisting and reviewing work.

At BES, we value our customers and partners; Portlanders’ sense of connection to their waterways; conscientious stewardship of our watersheds, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and financial resources; a diverse, collaborative, healthy, and engaged workforce; leadership among our employees and in our City and community; equity in our workplace, business practices, and service delivery; clear communication and transparency; innovative, sustainable, and resilient solutions.
 
BES is seeking talented individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds with knowledge, ability, and experience working with a broad range of individuals and communities; and that desire to work collaboratively and creatively to broaden the variety of innovative ways to partner with and serve all Portland communities. To learn more about the work we do at BES, click on the link: www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/
 
Our BES 10-Year Strategic Plan can be found here: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/75720

Applicants must specifically address and demonstrate in their supplemental question responses and resume/work history how their education, training and/or experience, meets each of the following minimum qualifications 

1. Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes including the operation of process control equipment, trouble-shooting techniques, and laboratory procedures.

2. Ability to maintain operational processes and procedures independently, or with general oversight from a Lead or Senior Operator.

3. Demonstrate a commitment to team-based communication and interactions while approaching scenarios with the intent to find solutions through problem-solving

4. Skill in the safe use of tools, power equipment, and specialized process related equipment.

Applicants must also possess:

• A valid state driver's license and acceptable driving record at the time of hire.
• Ability to obtain medical certification of respirator readiness and the absence of any physical characteristic that prevents rapid attainment of a tight seal between face and self-contained breathing apparatus requiring Wastewater Operators II to be clean-shaven.
• Ability to successfully pass a Physical Capacity Test (PCT) required before appointment to the position.

Desired Qualifications

• Possession of a valid Oregon Wastewater Operator Treatment Certification grade I, II, III, or IV, or the ability to apply for certification reciprocity with the state of Oregon.

This is an open continuous recruitment: Open Continuous recruitment has multiple review periods (outlined below) and can be open for up to 3 months.

• If you apply and are notified you meet minimum qualifications/placed on the eligible list, please do not reapply.   Any applications received after being placed on the eligible list will not be reviewed and will be rejected as a duplicate application. 
• If you apply and are notified you do not meet qualifications and the recruitment is still open, you may reapply and update your materials. 

STEP 1: Apply online between May 25, 2026, and August 17, 2026
 
Required Application Materials: 

• Resume
• Answers to Supplemental Questions

• Your answers to the Supplemental Questions should include details describing your education, training, and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflect your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement. 
• Your résumé should support the details described in your answers to the supplemental questions..
• Salary Range/Equity Pay Analysis:  Please note per the Oregon State Pay Equity Law, your salary is determined based on the experience and education listed in your resume/application. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid, regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all directly related and equivalent experience.
• Do not attach any additional documents.
• Please note that all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than the closing date and time of this recruitment.   

• An evaluation of each applicant's training, paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their answers to supplemental questions and resume, weighted 100%.
• Your answers to the supplemental questions and résumé will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
• You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation results to let us know if you would like to review and discuss your evaluation results. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01for complete information.
• Additional evaluation may be required before establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

• Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.
• Please note that the selection process may take up to 90 days from the notification of being placed on the eligible list.

• Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview.
• Please note that the selection process may take up to 90 days from the notification of being placed on the eligible list.

Click here for additional information regarding the following:

• City of Portland Core Values
• Recruitment Process - Work Status
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Veteran Preference
• ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations