Job Details

ABOUT THIS POSITION

The City of Phoenix Water Services Department (WSD), one of the nation's largest potable water utilities, treats and delivers safe, reliable drinking water to 1.5 million customers across approximately 540 square miles. Phoenix Water Services also manages the sewer collection system and treats wastewater for 2.5 million residents in metropolitan Phoenix.

WSD is currently seeking Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators (Senior Utility Operators) to operate and maintain wastewater treatment processes and equipment to control flow, process water, wastewater sludge, and maintain effluent quality well pumps and booster stations. The job involves wastewater system operation and/or providing routine maintenance in support of the system needs. This position serves as a lead role responsible for handling complex operation and maintenance issues. Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant and Remote Facilities Operators have the ability to lead teams and work independently with minimal instruction.

Multiple vacant positions are available at the City of Phoenix's 91st Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant.

SALARY

Pay Range: $30.31 to $47.01 per hour.

Hiring Range: $30.31 to $36.84 per hour.

Pay Range Explanation:

• Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.
• Hiring range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.

Internal Only: Please understand that this is pay grade 255. If selected, your salary offer will be based on the applicable promotion or demotion worksheet in accordance with the City Pay Ordinance.

• Promotions occur when the last two digits of the pay grade increase.
• Demotions occur when the last two digits of the pay grade decrease.
• Lateral transfers occur when there is no change to the last two digits of the pay grade.
• When there is a change in the first digit of the pay grade, there may also be a change to your classification or unit.

Your job classification can be found in eCHRIS > Personal Details under your name, located in the top left section of the page.

The pay grade and classification/unit of your current position may be found by looking up your job title on the job description page .

BENEFITS

A comprehensive benefits package is offered which includes:

• Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, click here for more details: Pension Information
• 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions
• Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans
• Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan
• Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually
• Dental, vision, and life insurance options
• Employer paid long-term disability
• Free Bus/light rail pass
• Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year
• Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days
• Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi

For more details, visit: Unit 002 Benefits

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Three years of skilled experience in operations and maintenance of a water/wastewater treatment plant, facility, or system including the repair of pumps, valves, and motors in an industrial setting.
• Possession of an Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Wastewater Treatment Grade 3 certification at the time of application.
  • Appropriate certification must be maintained as a condition of employment in this classification.
  • If you possess certification from another state or jurisdiction, please contact the ADEQ ( for Arizona Request for Operator Certification Reciprocity procedures and certification equivalency.
• Required to obtain and maintain annual SCBA certification through training and annual physical examination per Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards.
• Required to respond to chemical emergency alarms wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as respirators and SCBA.
• Working conditions:
  • Requires working outside in a variety of environmental extremes such as heat, cold, rain, air pollution, and dust.
  • Requires walking for prolonged periods which may include walking over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces.
  • Moving heavy objects (50 pounds or more) long distances may be required.
  • Working irregular hours, second and/or third shifts, weekends, holidays, and evenings may be required.
• Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
• All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
• These positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions, click here .
• The City job description can be found here .

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The minimum qualifications listed above, plus:

• Maintenance experience.
• Experience with industrial pumps and equipment.
• Gas Chlorination System experience.
• Process lab sampling experience.
• Experience with WAM.
• Experience with SCADA.
• Activated Sludge Plant experience.
• Experience compiling accurate and legible reports.
• Experience working with EHS Standards as established by Federal, State, County and City Laws, Ordinances and Regulations.

RECRUITMENT DATES

Recruitment closes February 1, 2026. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.

This is a position-based recruitment and will not result in any ongoing eligibility list. This recruitment and any selection processes resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill other related vacancies within the organization now or in the near future.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online by completing the required information and attaching, as one document, your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above. Only the highest qualified may be posted to the eligible to hire list. The results of the resume screening process will be sent to your primary email address.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP

• Job interviews may be held by video or audio conference.
• If you are in need of computer resources, click here for free options.
• Arizona at Work has frequent classes to help with resume writing, interviewing skills, and general career guidance. Click here for more information.
• Explore other Employment Opportunities with the City of Phoenix .
• Subscribe to receive e-mail notifications about new employment opportunities.
• If you require assistance at any stage of the application process due to an accessibility issue, please contact the Human Resources Department by phone at (602) ###-#### or by text at (800) ###-#### . You may also fill out and submit a Reasonable Accommodation Request Form .

REFERENCE

Senior Utility Operator*SCBA, JC:50341, ID#60184, 01/16/2026, USM, RG, Benefits:002

Building the Phoenix of tomorrow.

#DoWorkThatMakesPhoenixWork

City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.