AWP Operator

Salary : $73,486.40 - $136,552.00 AnnuallyLocation : Santee, CAJob Type: Full Time Permanent EmployeeJob Number: 2026-00006Department: Advanced Water PurificationDivision: Advanced Water PurificationOpening Date: 03/25/2026Closing Date: 4/20/2026 11:59 PM Pacific DescriptionPadre Dam and the East County Advanced Water Purification Project is seeking a Certified Operator that currently holds a SWRCB Wastewater Treatment Plant or SWRCB Water Treatment Operator Grade 2 certificate or higher with at least 3 years of experience to play a vital role in protecting our water resources while working in a collaborative, safety driven environment. We're looking for a motivated, certified wastewater professional who is comfortable with hands on plant operations, SCADA monitoring, sampling, and process control in a 24/7 facility. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who values teamwork, accountability, and continuous learning, with room to grow into advance treatment processes and greater responsibility. If you're passionate about water quality and ready to make an impact every day, we'd love to hear from you.Applications will be reviewed on an on-going basis. Successful Candidates will be notified via email should they be invited to a skills assessment or interview. The first application review will occur the week of April 20, 2026. This position is eligible for appointment within the following Salary Grades: Salary Grade 20 - $35.33-$49.97Salary Grade 23 - $38.82-$54.90Salary Grade 25 - $41.43-$58.66Salary Grade 27L - $46.37-$65.65Future Salary Increase: June 2026 - 3.25% to base pay The Position:AWP Operators will be responsible for training on, commissioning, monitoring, maintaining, and operating a 16 MGD Class 5 Water Recycling Facility (WRF), associated Solids Handling Facility (SHF), Energy Recovery Facilities, a 12.5 MGD AWP Facility, appurtenant wastewater pump stations and conveyance facilities, product water pump station and conveyance facilities, and remote dechlorination facility; Ensuring customers receive adequate recycled and purified water without health risks; and any other duties as assigned.To view the complete job classification description for this position, click here: Knowledge, Skills, Training, Experience & Licensing Training/Experience Required:(position requirements at entry) High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.) ANDThree years of related basic repair and maintenance experience; OR An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed in the class spec. Licensing Requirements: (position requirements at entry; must be obtained and/or maintained throughout employment) Valid California Driver's License. Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade 2 certificate or higher from the State of California, Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB); OR Water Treatment Operator Grade 2 certificate or higher from the State of California, Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). CWEA/AWWA Advanced Water Treatment Operator (AWTO) Grade 3 certificate desired within 1 year of eligibility. For an employee to advance into Salary Grade 25, they must be dual-certified (WW3 and AWTO 3), or (Water Treatment 3 and AWTO 3) . Salary Grade 27L is an assigned lead position and requires an employee to hold dual certification (WW 3 and AWTO 3). Supplemental InformationLearn more about our mission, vision and the high-level services we provide - scan the QR code above or click HERE to view our 2025 Annual Report. Health Insurance:Employees have three plans from which to choose. Two HMO plans are 100% paid by Padre Dam for the employee and 90% for all eligible dependents; one PPO plan is partially paid by Padre Dam. Coverage is effective the first of the month after hire. Employees have the option to waive coverage and receive 50% of Padre Dam's cost savings as cash compensation. In order to waive benefits, you must show proof of other ACA eligible coverage. Dental Insurance:Padre Dam pays the total premium costs for the employee and all eligible dependents. Coverage is effective the first of the month after hire. Employee Assistance Program: Employees and their dependents have access to confidential, third-party personal counseling, financial, legal and work-life services at no cost. Flexible Spending Accounts:Padre Dam employees may elect annually to set aside pre-tax dollars to cover health care or dependent care expenses. Life Insurance:Employee Group Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance is provided at 1½ times annual salary with a maximum benefit of $250,000. Dependent coverage of $5,000 is also provided. Total premium costs are paid by Padre Dam for the employee and all eligible dependents. Short & Long Term Disability: Padre Dam provides Short & Long Term Disability for the employee at 66 2/3% of monthly gross income. The Short Term Disability benefit is payable after 31 days and the Long Term Disability benefit becomes payable after the 91st day if there is a qualified disability. Voluntary Benefits:Employees have access to additional voluntary benefits such as Critical Illness Coverage, Pet Insurance and Identity Theft Protection. Employees are responsible for the entire cost of premiums of these plans. Vacation:New employees accrue 12 days per year for 1 to 4 years of service. Additional days are earned with additional years of service. Sick Leave: All employees accrue 12 days per year. Employees who accumulate and maintain a sick leave bank in excess of 240 hours may, on an annual basis, sell back up to 40 hours of unused accrual hours.Holidays: Employees enjoy 12 paid holidays per year.Retirement: Membership is compulsory in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Benefit formula for new CalPERS members is 2% @ age 62. Benefit formula for classic CalPERS members is 2.5@ age 55.Social Security/Medicare:Employees are covered under provisions of Federal Social Security and Medicare. Deferred Comp Plan: An optional deferred income plan is available which allows current income to be set aside as supplemental retirement savings.Salary Adjustments (2022-2027):Padre Dam provides an annual Cost of Living Adjustment of 3.25% on the first pay period of each fiscal year. In addition, Padre Dam offers a pay for performance merit system. Annually, on the anniversary date of the employee, an evaluation will be done that may include an increase in salary in alignment with performance. Tuition Reimbursement:After the probationary period, full-time and part-time employees working a minimum of 20 hours per week may apply for tuition reimbursement benefits. Workforce Partnership (Pipeline):Padre Dam MWD encourages broad based participation in the organization's decision making process. Employees are encouraged to participate, voice opinions, share ideas and give feedback and collaborate. This brief summary of benefits is provided for informational purposes only. This summary is intended to be accurate but it's not an official plan document and has no legal or binding effect as an expressed or implied contact. This summary does not alter or amend any provisions of the District's Standard Practices & Policies or any Memorandum of Understanding between the associations. Should you have any questions in regards to this summary, please contact the Human Resources department at 619-258-4656.01 Your responses to the questions below will be used to determine your eligibility to advance in the recruitment. An incomplete application or referencing your application in lieu of answering any of the supplemental questions will be cause for disqualification from the recruitment process. Changes can not be made to your application once it's submitted so please ensure that the information you provide is accurate and complete. I acknowledge that I have read, understand and agree to the above. 02 Applicant Acknowledgement: Padre Dam's Human Resources Department uses email to notify applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of their employment application. As an applicant, you are hereby advised of the following: 1. It is your responsibility to ensure the email address you provide is current and readily accessible to you. 2. It is your responsibility to check your email to ensure you do not miss any deadlines established as part of the recruitment process. 3. It is your responsibility to read all Padre Dam emails carefully and follow instructions, if any. If you experience technical difficulties please contact NEOGOV Customer Support at (877)204-4442. Please be aware that Padre Dam's recruitment deadline is firm and we will not accept applications after the deadline has passed. I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to the above. 03 There are certification requirements for this position. Please mark the level of any certification you currently hold. Please also upload copies of the certifications with your application. Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator IV Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator V Advanced Water Treatment Grade III Advanced Water Treatment Grade IV Advanced Water Treatment Grade V None of the above 04 How many years of experience do you have in the installation/repair and maintenance of water/wastewater equipment, facilities and appurtenances? One to Three Years Three to Five Years Five to Seven Years More than 7 Years 05 For your indicated experience in Question 4, please describe your experience below. Please include name of employer, your job title and describe the duties you performed. 06 Applicant Acknowledgement: Newly hired AWP Operators are required to work five days per week, 8 hours per day, which may include weekends, for initial onboarding and through Advanced Water Purification Water training. Once the plant is online, AWP Operators are assigned work schedules that include 12-hour shifts for seven consecutive working days and seven consecutive non-working days. Because our facility is a 24/7 operation, staff may be assigned rotational night shifts. I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above. 07 As part of the East County Advanced Water Purification Project (ECAWP), Padre Dam entered into an Administrative and Operating Services Agreement (Agreement) with the East County AWP Joint Powers Authority (JPA). Padre Dam as the contracted Administrator and Operator, will provide management, administrative, operations, maintenance and similar or related services for JPA owned ECAWP facilities. The Administrator and Operator functions will require Padre Dam to hire additional personnel for the development period of the project, or until the Agreement to provide those services is otherwise terminated or not extended. Once the Agreement is terminated or expires, Padre Dam will no longer need the additional personnel and will no longer have the funding to support additional personnel. ECAWP Project Funded Employees will be specifically hired as employees for the duration of time that the District is providing Administrative and Operating Services, but those employees may perform any work for the District within their employment classification, not just work under the Agreement. ECAWP Project Funded Employees will be provided the same rights and benefits as other Permanent Padre Dam Employees and be hired into the same classification with the same salaries, except with respect to termination of employment if Padre Dam ceases to provide Administrator or Operator services to ECAWP.The current Agreement is for a period of approximately ten years. External applicants will be considered contract employees. I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to the above. Required Question

Created: 2026-04-04