Water Treatment Operator, Senior

Salary: $41.68 – $45.06 Hourly
Location: Ravensdale, WA
Job Type: Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time
Job Number: 2025-00811
Department: Seattle Public Utilities
Division: Water Line of Business
Opening Date: 07/15/2025
Closing Date: 8/12/2025 4:00 PM Pacific

Position Description

An online application must be fully completed for consideration. Please DO NOT attach resumes and cover letters, as they will not be considered in the review of candidate’s qualifications.

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is recruiting for a Water Treatment Operator, Senior in the Water Line of Business. This position is responsible for operating, maintaining, and repairing chemical and mechanical systems to ensure the safe and continuous delivery of treated water from the Cedar River to the Lake Youngs Reservoir and Cedar Water Treatment Plant. This position will also operate the Landsburg Diversion Dam to ensure compliance with regulate instream flows in the Cedar River at Landsburg. The position is assigned to SPU’s Landsburg Operation Center on the Cedar River in Ravensdale WA, a state-of-the-art facility constructed in 2016 in a historic and wooded setting. The Landsburg Diversion Dam diverts water from the Cedar River to Lake Youngs and the Cedar Treatment facility. It provides 2/3 of the drinking water sent to the City of Seattle’s approximately 1.6 million customers.

If you feel this may be the perfect job for you, please continue reading …and APPLY!

About Seattle Public Utilities (SPU): SPU is a community-centered utility working to make Seattle the best place to live for everyone. We deliver high quality, vital services, across four major lines of business: providing water, solid waste, drainage and wastewater services for Seattle residents and businesses. In addition, SPU provides drinking water for approximately 1.6 million regional customers in Seattle and other municipalities. Our customers depend on us to deliver high-quality, reliable, and cost-conscious utility services and to achieve the greatest benefits possible for every investment we make. For more information about Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), check out the:

SPU commits to Our City Values and Race and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We actively take steps to dismantle systemic racism and increase service equity. We value diverse life experiences and strive to create a workplace that is welcoming to all. We take steps to be inclusive and equitable in our recruiting, hiring and promotional opportunities.

Why Join Our Team? We know work isn’t only about what you do it’s also about who you work for and with! SPU provides a fun and family-friendly work environment that supports a work life balance, including:

Family-friendly and multicultural work environment
Generous benefits package
Free Orca Pass
City pension plan with employer/employee contributions
Growth potential and advancement opportunities

Job Responsibilities

Ensure Continuous and Compliant Water Treatment Operations:
- Maintain uninterrupted treatment and delivery of safe drinking water from the Cedar River system to Lake Youngs Reservoir and the Cedar Treatment Plant, in compliance with all regulatory requirements.
Lead and Support Operations Staff:
- Serve as a lead operator, providing guidance to Water Treatment Operators, and ensuring consistent, effective 24/7 facility operation, especially during solo shifts.
Maintain and Operate the Landsburg Diversion Dam and Instream Flow Requirements:
- Monitor and adjust dam gate operations to meet regulated instream flows in the Cedar River, ensuring environmental compliance and protection of downstream ecosystems.
Main Day-to-Day Duties and Responsibilities:
- Operate and monitor chemical feed systems to maintain proper chlorine and fluoride concentrations in treated water. Adjust chemical dosages as needed based on water quality monitoring and sampling results.
- Collect and analyze water samples for key parameters including chlorine, fluoride, turbidity, and temperature. Operate critical infrastructure including pumps, control valves, emergency generators, and flow transmitters.
- Act as the primary on-site decision maker during solo shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Respond to alarms, perform troubleshooting, and escalate system issues as necessary.
- Assist in safe receiving, unloading, and storage of chlorine gas and bulk liquid chemicals.
- Provide lead direction and task oversight to other operators during shifts.
- Operate the Landsburg Diversion Dam to manage water diversions to the treatment system and ensure compliance with regulated instream flow requirements for the Cedar River.
Support for Critical Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Projects at Landsburg:
- Coordinate and execute preventive and corrective maintenance for chemical feed systems, flow monitoring devices, and other treatment equipment.
- Provide technical input and operational support during planned equipment upgrades or replacements, including chemical system improvements, instrumentation upgrades, and other maintenance.
- Collaborate with engineers, maintenance staff, and project managers to ensure operational continuity during capital project implementation.
- Maintain detailed records of maintenance activities, equipment performance, and water quality data to support regulatory reporting and long-term asset management.

Please note this job posting is not designed to cover or contain the complete list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change as conditions require.

Qualifications

Experience: Requires one year education in an approved water works training program and three years’ experience at the level of a Water Treatment Operator (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

Work Environment/Physical Demands

Required to climb and work at heights up to 100 feet above ground level.
Work, for most employees in this class, is performed at remote locations.
Frequently required to lift heavy objects.
Employees are frequently required to exercise appropriate safety procedures for work around hazardous chemicals; must be able to properly use a self-contained breathing apparatus.
Occasionally required to work evenings, nights, weekends, and/or holidays.
Occasionally required to be on call 24 hours/day to respond to emergency situations.
Required to walk, stand, or bend for extended periods of time and work in confined spaces.

License, Certification and Other Requirements

Washington State certification as a Water Distribution Manager II within twelve months of appointment for continued employment.
Current State of Washington driver’s license.

Desired Qualifications:

Basic knowledge of the principles of river hydraulics. This can come from work experience, formal education, or recreation.
Demonstrated reliability.
Critical thinking skills for anticipating events and solving problems, both independently and in collaboration with others.
Ability to develop and maintain working relationships with diverse co-workers, community combers, vendors and agencies.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and with written documentation.

Additional Information

How to Apply: Please fully complete an online application. Please DO NOT attach resumes and cover letters, as they will not be considered in the review of the candidate’s qualifications.

Workplace Environment: Employees will be required to come into the office 4-5 days a week during the initial training period. Individual schedules will be agreed upon by the employee and their supervisor. Fully trained operators typically work week is 3-4 days on 12-hour shifts.

The full salary range for this position is $41.68 – $45.06 per hour.

Benefits: The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City’s website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans

Background: This hiring process involves a background check of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be provided with an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

Who may apply: The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience. This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

If you have any questions, please contact Charles Gilmore at charles.gilmore2@seattle.gov

Learn more about Seattle Public Utilities at our web page www.seattle.gov/util/.

Employer: City of Seattle

Address: Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500, Seattle, Washington, 98104

Website: http://www.seattle.gov/jobs

13 days remaining