Wastewater Operator II – Open Continuous

Posting number: 2026-00414

Department: Bureau of Environmental Services

Job classification: Wastewater Operator II

Posting type: Open

Categories: Environmental Services, Water Treatment, Water Agency, Wastewater

Summary

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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