Human Resource Services
Alameda Skyline

Water Plant Operator II, Zone 7

Recruitment #20-4943-01

Introduction

READ THIS ENTIRE BULLETIN FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO REAPPLY FOR THIS RECRUITMENT

THIS IS A REOPENING OF AN EXISTING EXAMINATION: If you have previously applied or started an application for the Water Plant Operator II, Zone 7, Examination #20-4943-01, and choose to reapply, read this entire bulletin. There are specific instructions on how to reapply for this position. IF YOU PREVIOUSLY APPLIED, YOU DO NOT NEED TO REAPPLY TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

PLEASE CONTACT THE EXAMINATION ANALYST, DEBRA ROBINSON AT DEBRA.ROBINSON@ACGOV.ORG TO HAVE YOUR PREVIOUS APPLICATION RELEASED BACK TO  REAPPLY.

The scores and dispositions of candidates for this examination will be merged with previous exam participants. If you have previously submitted an application and choose to reapply, your new score/disposition will replace your current disposition. 

 

           Applications and supplemental questionnaires will only be accepted on-line. 

Supplemental Questionnaire: A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application. Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Failure to submit the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

 

IN ADDITION TO COMPLETING AN ONLINE APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE, APPLICANTS MUST ALSO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING:

1. Valid California Driver's License

2. Grade II Water Treatment Operator Certificate Issued by the State of California

COMPUTER PRINTOUTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.  FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL OF THE MATERIAL LISTED ABOVE WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION FROM THIS RECRUITMENT.

All of the above material must be uploaded to the online application through the "Resume" tab; please upload and submit only one (1) PDF that contains all of the above material.  DO NOT try to upload multiple documents this is a limit of one document upload. 

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

THE AGENCY

Zone 7 provides treated drinking water to four major water retailers serving around 260,000 residents and businesses. The retailers are: the City of Pleasanton; the City of Livermore; California Water Service Company - Livermore; and Dublin San Ramon Services District, which provides water service to Dublin and the Dougherty Valley area of San Ramon.

THE POSITON

Under general supervision the incumbent will operate, inspect, and maintain water treatment plant, well field and distribution system equipment and facilities; and will perform related duties as required.

Water Plant Operator II is the second-level trainee classification in the series. Under direct supervision, individuals continue to learn and perform treatment plant, well field and distribution system operations. Routine decisions are made within standard operating policies and procedures, subject to approval of a Water Plant Operator Ill and/or a supervisor. Individuals are eligible to advance to the journey level upon attainment of the required experience, proficiency and certification, typically after one year. This class is distinguished from the Water Facilities Supervisor class, which is a supervisory class with 24-hour plant responsibility.

For a detailed listing of the essential responsibilities and core competency requirements for this position, please click here for the job description. 

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

In addition to the minimum qualifications and knowledge and skills listed below, the ideal candidate will have demonstrated the following critical attributes: 

• Passed Grade 3 Water Treatment Operator examination desirable;

• Using sound, independent judgement, performs treatment plant and distribution system operations and basic maintenance activities within established guidelines;

• Basic understanding of key regulations, as well as reporting procedures and requirements;   

• Knowledge of safety rules, regulations and work practices regarding water treatment plant chemicals and equipment;

• Ability to follow established standard operating procedures, initiating action as appropriate to correct or notify others of quality issues;

• Successfully identifies and understands issues, problems and opportunities and determines alternatives and appropriate action;

• Proficiency in water treatment math and chemistry;

• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and SCADA;

• Ability and willingness to work in a variety of conditions, including outdoors in various weather conditions; rotating shifts, weekends, holidays and in emergencies; and with and around hazardous chemicals and equipment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either
Experience:

The equivalent of one year of full-time experience involving the use of pumps, motors, and piping systems, such as are used in sewage works, refineries, food processing plants, large marine equipment installations, or similar facilities. 

And

Possession of a valid Grade Ill Water Treatment Operator Certificate issued by the California Department of Health Services within 2-1/2 years of appointment to the class of Water Plant Operator II. 

Or II

The equivalent of one year of full-time experience in operating a water treatment plant with a system capacity of 1OMGD. 

And

Possession of a valid Grade Ill Water Treatment Operator Certificate issued by the California Department of Health Services within 2-1/2 years of appointment to the class of Water Plant Operator II.

License:
1)    Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
2)    Possession of a valid Grade II Water Treatment Operator Certificate issued by the California Department of Health Services. 

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of:
• Water treatment principles, practices, methods, tools and equipment.
• Operation, basic maintenance and cleaning of water treatment plant and distribution system equipment and facilities, including centrifugal pumps, electrical motors, and piping and control systems.
• Mechanical, electrical and hydraulic principles.
• Safety rules, regulations and work practices, particularly in reference to hazardous chemicals.
• Standard chemical and physical tests of water.
• Basic arithmetical calculations.

Abilities:
• Performing treatment plant and distribution system operations and maintenance activities, using sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Recognizing unusual, inefficient or dangerous operating conditions and taking appropriate action.
• Making operating and maintenance adjustments to water treatment and distribution equipment and facilities.
• Performing standard water quality tests.
• Reading, interpreting and recording data from charts, gauges and meters.
• Keeping accurate records and preparing simple reports.
• Making basic arithmetical calculations quickly and accurately.
• Using a computer keyboard to enter and retrieve information.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Requires willingness and ability to:
• Work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions
• Work rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and in emergencies
• Work with and around hazardous chemicals
• Wear respiratory protection equipment

Requires sufficient physical strength and agility to perform equipment operation, inspection and maintenance tasks, and to unload, store and transfer supplies and equipment.

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

The examination will consist of the following steps:

1) A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements.

2) Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process which is a screening of Supplemental Questionnaires to select the best qualified candidates.

3) Those candidates who have passed the Supplemental Questionnaire screening for the classification will be placed on the eligible list based on an evaluation of education, training, and expertise.

CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION.

*We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness, and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

Selection Plan

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN  

 Deadline for Filing:                                                                                             5:00 p.m., Friday, September 24, 2021 
 Review of Minimum Qualifications:  Friday, October 1, 2021 

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes. To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

  • Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
  • Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
  • Vision or Vision Reimbursement
  • Share the Savings
  • Basic Life Insurance 
  • Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
  • County Allowance Credit
  • Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
  • Short-Term Disability Insurance
  • Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
  • Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

  • Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
  • Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

  • 11 paid holidays
  • Floating Holidays
  • Vacation and sick leave accrual
  • Vacation purchase program
  • Catastrophic Sick Leave
  • Group Auto/Home Insurance
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits Program
  • Guaranteed Ride Home
  • Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
  • Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
  • Child Care Resources
  • 1st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

 

Conclusion

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the "My applications" button on the Current Job Openings page.

Please take the steps recommended above to ensure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.

Debra Robinson-Harris, Human Resources Analyst
Human Resource Services, County of Alameda
Debra.Robinson@acgov.org
(510) 272-6437

Disaster Service Worker: All Alameda County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law.  Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect.  Employees are required to report to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Alameda County has a diverse workforce, that is representative of the communities we serve and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance and business need. Alameda County does not discriminate in employment on the basis of, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors protected under federal, state and local law. Alameda County celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive, and welcoming workplace environment.