Job Description

Posting number: FY27-021

Department: Wastewater Collection

Job classification: Wastewater Collection System Operator (SBP)

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Water Agency, Wastewater, Utilities

Summary

The City of San Luis Obispo is seeking a skilled and motivated Wastewater Collection System Operator to help maintain and operate our 2C-designated Wastewater Collection System and citywide Storm Drain System. This role supports essential infrastructure that protects public health, ensures regulatory compliance, and keeps our community running smoothly.

The ideal candidate brings strong mechanical aptitude, clear communication skills, and a willingness to work both independently and as part of a team. Candidates should be comfortable working in the field, adapting to changing conditions, and using a variety of tools and computer programs. Experience with wastewater or stormwater systems, basic electrical or hydraulic knowledge, and proficiency in Word, Outlook, and Excel are highly desirable. If you’re ready to learn, grow, and contribute to essential City operations, we encourage you to apply.

Have questions or want to learn more about the role and our Wastewater Program?

Visit our Wastewater Division webpage or contact the hiring manager, Stephen Carroll, who will be happy to provide additional information.

If you are selected for interviews, they will take place in person on Tuesday, November 3rd 2026, so please hold that date.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Wastewater Collection System operator is responsible for the repair, operation and maintenance of the City's State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) designated 2C Wastewater Collection system consisting of 133 miles of sewer pipe ranging in size from 6 inch to 48 inch and 10 sewer pump stations. Operators are also responsible for the operations and maintenance of the City's Storm Drain System consisting of 50 miles of pipe ranging in size from 8 inch to 60 inch and other underground channels.

Employees in this position perform a wide variety of skilled systems operations, maintenance, repairs, monitoring, reporting and work related to the City's wastewater collection system and for the operations and maintenance of the City's storm drain system. Positions in this classification are responsible for compliance with the (SWRCB) Statewide General Discharge Requirements for Sanitary Sewer Systems. Job incumbents will be required to obtain increasing levels of Collection System Maintenance Certification from the California Water Quality Association (CWEA) to a journey level (Grade II) of classification as defined in the Department's skills based pay program.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:

This classification is a "Skills Based Pay" (SBP) advancement series. Employees in this classification shall have the opportunity to advance within the series to the highest working class. Such advancement shall be based on their attainment and demonstrated performance of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, and/or required certification, and the recommendation of the department head.

Examples of duties

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

Employees in this classification receive limited supervision from the Wastewater Collection Supervisor within a framework of standard policies and procedures. Positions in this class work independently while on mandatory standby/callout.

Qualifications

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participates in all aspects and functions of maintenance, operation, construction and emergency repair of the wastewater collection system; performs maintenance and repairs on sewer mains, lift stations and telemetry systems; installs wye connections, and abandons service connections.
• Participates in all aspects and functions of maintenance and operations of the storm drain system; performs maintenance on underground public storm drains and Drain Inlets (DIs).
• Responds to wastewater and storm water related emergencies such as overflows, blockages and lift station failures; assesses situation, determines proper action, makes process control decision, performs necessary repair work to resolve problems or requests appropriate equipment/staff/contractors to resolve problems.
• Operates and maintains a variety of automotive and specialized equipment including backhoe/ loader, hydro-cleaning/combination truck, CCTV pipeline inspection unit, dump truck, portable emergency generators, pumps, pump controllers, electrical, telemetry and other hydraulic systems.
• Reviews, investigates and comments on engineering plans and specifications.
• Develops and provides asset identification for database and GIS system.
• Observes system flow and dynamics; inspects and reports system conditions and makes recommendations.
• Coordinates with inspectors, engineering and contractors on public and private projects within the public right of way.
• Provides inspection of completed capital improvements projects and development.
• Interprets and makes required replacement/adjustment of specialized equipment and instruments such as pressure transducers, pump controllers, telemetry equipment, recorders, gauges, meters, charts and dials.
• Excavates City streets and easements.
• Locates and properly marks underground sewer system assets per USA rules and regulations.
• Maintains computerized and manual records related to service and repair work performed; tracks, reports, interpret information and adjust maintenance schedules, follow-up on requires maintenance and repair and maintain program documentation.
• Operates power tools and hand tools such as tamper, jackhammer, electric tools, coring machine, welders and others tools as required.
• Schedules and performs routine periodic maintenance and emergency repair of sewage lift stations.
• Operates, maintains and troubleshoots pump control systems and computerized telemetry systems for monitoring sewage lift stations.
• Accurately maintains computerized preventative, forced, and corrective maintenance activities and parts inventory records.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Methods, tools, equipment and procedures related to a wastewater collection system.
• Operation, maintenance and emergency repair of pumps, motors, pressure regulators, storage.
• Mechanical, electrical and hydraulic principles.
• Safety procedures, rules and regulations related to utility and public works construction, maintenance projects and emergency repair including working in trenches, confined spaces and potentially hazardous conditions.
• State and Federal regulations and requirements for confined space.
• State, Federal and local reporting requirements for sanitary sewage spill and overflow reporting guidelines.
• Statewide General Discharge Requirements for Sanitary Sewer Systems and the City's Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP).
• Statewide Phase II Municipal Storm Water General Discharge Requirements and the City's Storm Water Management Plan
• Utilization of a variety of computerized programs, i.e. maintenance programs, word processing and spreadsheets.
• CPR and First Aid.
• State Traffic Control Manual and Regulations.
• Emergency response procedures.

Ability to:

• Safely and effectively perform semi-skilled and skilled construction, maintenance emergency repair work related to the wastewater collection system and related components and equipment.
• Safely and effectively operate automotive and specialized equipment utilized in the maintence and operation of wastewater collection systems.
• Recognize unusual, inefficient, or dangerous operating conditions.
• Comply with the City's Blood Borne Pathogens and Respiratory Protection Policy.
• Interpret wastewater collection system diagrams and mapping.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions in an independent manner.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships within a team oriented operation.
• Manage or lead assigned projects.
• Interpret and make judgments on the application of engineering standards and specifications.
• Train others in the proper methods of wastewater collection operations, construction, maintenance and emergency repair.
• Wear positive or passive pressure breathing apparatus and other safety equipment as required and comply with the City's facial hair requirements for the use of respiratory equipment.
• Meet physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform required duties, including heavy manual labor in adverse conditions over long periods of time and passing an annual respiratory/physical examination.
• Work in unpleasant and potentially hazardous working conditions, at times exposed to raw sewage, in conditions such as; traffic areas, trenches and other confined spaces.
• Perform mandatory stand-by duties and responds to emergency call-outs following City standard policies and procedures.
• Lift and operate 100 pound jackhammer and other related equipment.

Supplemental information

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Minimum entry level requirements are a high school graduation or G.E.D., mechanical aptitude, and demonstrated interest in advancement in challenging, technical fields. Higher initial placement in the higher salary band is negotiable with higher levels of education and/or experience.

Highly desirable traits include:

Current CWEA Wastewater Collection Maintenance certification.;

Related college education such as hydraulic mechanical technology or chemistry.;

Specialized training related to the wastewater collection or storm drain maintenance field.;

Work experience in the wastewater collection or storm drain maintenance field at a wastewater collection or storm drain system performing actual work in operation and maintenance of underground pipeline and repair or pumps, motors, telemetry systems and related equipment.;

Operator experience as a certified wastewater collection system at a 2C or higher wastewater collection system.

POSSESSION AND MAINTENANCE OF:

• A valid California Class "A" driver's license or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
• A CWEA Collection System Maintenance certification grades I or higher is highly desirable.

THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE A FINAL OFFER IS MADE:

• Pre-employment Physical
• Pre-employment DOT Drug Screening
• Livescan Fingerprinting (DOJ)