Wastewater Career Training

The Wastewater Treatment Facility provides state-of-the-art wastewater treatment for the City of Santa Cruz and for Capitola, Live Oak, Soquel, Aptos and UCSC. Come join our dynamic team motivated by a strong environmental ethic. Dedicated staff throughout our organization lead the way in environmental action based on the latest scientific research and accomplished with appropriate uses of technology.

All positions within the facility require certification, which is gained by a combination of study, on- the-job training and examination by the State of California. Typical duties for Plant Operators include monitoring, reading and calculating the flow of water or sewage through the plant by meters, gauges and visual inspection; operating pumps and valves to regulate flow and adjust chemical feeding according to established standards; and collecting samples and making routine chemical and physical tests monitoring for changing conditions and chemical feed requirements.

For Wastewater Plant Operator career path:

• State Water Resources Control Board - Office of Operator Certification website
  www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/operator_certification/cert.shtml   
• Entry level information – how to obtain experience before earning certification
  www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/operator_certification/oit_info.shtml 
• Distance Learning – taking classes via the internet
  CSUS - California State University at Sacramento
  Recommended by department as the best place for distance learning.
  www.owp.csus.edu/courses/catalog.php
• Related City of Santa Cruz  Job Descriptions include:
  Wastewater Plant Operator in Training
  Wastewater Plant Operator I
  Wastewater Plant Operator II
  Wastewater Plant Operator III
  Senior Wastewater Plant Operator

For Plant Maintenance career path:

• Plant Maintenance, Mechanical Tech, Electrical/Instrument Tech certification
  Plant maintenance certification handbook. Includes education and experience requirements, study references, certification policies and FAQs
  http://cwea.org/pdf/tcp/hb_pm.pdf 
  CWEA homepage
  www.cwea.org/cert_howcert_steps.shtml 
• Related City of Santa Cruz Job Descriptions include: 
  Plant Maintenance Mechanic I
  Plant Maintenance Mechanic II 
  Wastewater Facilities Lead Mechanical Technician
  Wastewater Facilities Mechanical Supervisor
  Wastewater Facilities Mechanical Technician I/II 
  Wastewater Facilities Electrical Technician I/II
  Wastewater Facilities Instrumentation Technician I/II