Chief Plant Operator

The Cayucos Sanitary District (“District”) is accepting applications for the position of Chief Plant Operator (“CPO”). This role involves full responsibility for the successful operation of the Water Resource Recovery Facility (“WRRF”). To be considered, the applicant must meet the required qualifications for the position.

The District is located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco in the beautiful coastal town of Cayucos, California. Cayucos offers an excellent quality of life with a small-town feel coupled with abundant recreational opportunities. The District is a well-run organization operating a 0.34 MGD dry weather and 1.2 MGD wet weather tertiary treatment facility which began operation in 2021.

The compensation range for this position is $55.90 to $71.36 per hour ($116,272 to $148,428 annually) depending on the level of experience and the step at which one is hired.

The District offers a competitive benefits package which includes PERS retirement pension, employer-paid premiums for health, vision and dental benefits for the employee and family, and paid vacation, sick leave and holidays.

Interested applicants are required to submit a resume and a completed application through the District’s website at CayucosSanitaryDistrict.gov. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the application is on file at the District office no later than 4:30 p.m. on October 16, 2026. Interviews are scheduled to begin November 2, 2026, with the successful candidate having an anticipated start date of January 5, 2027.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Possess and maintain at least a Grade IV Wastewater Treatment Operator certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board or have the ability to obtain a Grade IV Wastewater Treatment Operator certificate by February 5, 2027, extendable to June 5, 2027, subject to the District Manager’s discretion.
• Five (5) years of progressive experience in operations and maintenance of a wastewater treatment system, including two (2) years of supervisory or management experience.
• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Competent computer literacy with proficient knowledge of MS Office programs, SCADA data management, computerized maintenance management programs, and human interface machines and industrial analyzers.
• Must participate in on-call rotation and have the ability to respond to on-call events within 30 minutes. The position is full-time with normal operating hours of Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Must possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license, along with the ability to maintain insurability.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Possession of a Domestic Water Distribution Certificate Grade D2 or higher from the California State Water Resources Control Board.
• Possession of a Domestic Water Treatment Operations Certificate Grade T2 or higher from the California State Water Resources Control Board.
• Possession of an Advanced Water Treatment Operator Certification (any grade).
• Possession of a Grade I Collections Certificate issued by California Water Environment Association (C.W.E.A.) and a Plant Maintenance Certificate (Technologist or Electrical Instrumentation).
• Knowledge and experience operating and maintaining a SCADA system.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.

• Supervises plant operation to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local requirements and to maintain processes at an optimal and cost-effective level.
• Evaluates the performance of assigned plant operations personnel; establishes performance requirements and personal development targets for assigned personnel; regularly monitors performance and provides feedback for performance improvement and development; with management approval, take disciplinary action to address performance and deficiencies in accordance with the District’s personnel rules, and policies and provisions.
• Participates in the selection, training, and motivation of plant operations personnel.
• Provides day-to-day supervision and leadership and works with assigned staff to ensure the proper, safe and efficient operation of wastewater treatment facilities.
• Provides technical assistance and advice to assigned plant operations personnel.
• Inspects treatment plant and facilities equipment to ensure its proper functioning, to minimize interruptions in the treatment/operation process, and to alleviate costly repairs; makes adjustments to operating equipment; reports the need for major or specialized repairs to equipment, machinery and electrical and electronic systems; assists specialized trades personnel in making major and/or highly technical repairs to equipment, machinery and systems; ensures the timely completion of preventive maintenance activities on plant equipment, machinery and systems.
• Monitors systems; controls valves for emergency and scheduled shut down; troubleshoots, diagnoses and reports problems to appropriate personnel; responds to emergencies such as pipeline breakages, unauthorized discharges, chemical leaks, and equipment failure; schedules and coordinate responses, repair and clean up.
• Responsible for ensuring treatment plant and other facilities operate in an effective and cost-efficient manner; including the tracking and optimization of unit production costs and the development, implementation and continued assessment of key performance indicators.
• Responsible for accurately producing and submitting in a timely manner all reports required by federal, state and local government including but not limited to NPDES reports, CIWQS reports, APCD reports, Hazardous Waste reports, etc.
• Supervises and manages operators’ work schedules, including trainings, shift rotation, on-call, vacation, and sick-leave coverage while minimizing overtime.
• Responsible for ensuring that treatment plant unit processes, buildings and grounds are maintained in a clean and orderly manner.
• Receives chemical shipments; monitors unloading process and records into inventory; tests shipments for compliance to standards; checks chemical alarms and feed systems for leaks.
• Responsible for ensuring operational supplies such as chemicals, polymers, and office supply orders are received by the District and entered into District's accounting system.
• Requisitions necessary tools, equipment, chemicals, and supplies.
• Responsible for developing, maintaining and implementing the District's safety program at the treatment plant and/or assigned facilities; ensures subordinates follow safety practices in work methods and procedures; enforces proper safety procedures while working in dangerous situations; educates and trains employees on rules, regulations, codes, safe work habits and potential hazards presented by their work environment. Manages the District Safety Officer who schedules and conducts safety tailgates in compliance with District's safety program.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of records, including time sheets, incident reports, maintenance requests, round sheets, daily operation reports, operation spreadsheets, odor control surveys, construction plan and specifications, as-built drawings, etc.
• Operates wastewater collection system facilities in conjunction with the operation of the WRRF treatment equipment, machinery, and facilities by using manual, electronic and computer control systems to regulate and control processes.
• Reads, analyzes, and reports on data collected from gauges, meters, charts and graphs, and operates pumps, valves, electric motors and related equipment.
• Collects wastewater/water samples for tests and analysis of samples using laboratory test equipment; conducts laboratory and field tests as needed.
• Conducts research studies and/or tests with internal departments and outside agencies as needed. Ensures these studies and/or tests are done safely, economically, and completely.
• Develops, implements, maintains, and updates standard operating procedures, and other manuals.
• Reviews engineering plans and specifications for WRRF construction projects; attends design and construction meetings and contributes comments and recommendations on projects as assigned.
• Responsible for coordinating with WRRF construction management, maintenance, and technical support on project commissions and decommissions, including shutdowns, tie-ins, startups, and troubleshooting new systems.
• Answers emergency calls per on-call schedule; responds to emergencies at various locations as necessary. Must be able to respond to the WRRF within 30 minutes.
• High computer literacy. An expert on programs such as Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and database programs.
• Develops, implements, and tracks the WRRF’s annual budget in conjunction with administrative staff.
• Reviews, approves, tracks and codes for WRRF-related invoices.
• Exhibits high-level proficiency in maintaining pumps, valves, piping, mechanical, chemical feed, control systems, and electrical systems.
• Reviews the wastewater system needs and assists in planning and budgeting Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) to meet future needs; plans and develops operating strategies to implement needed changes or upgrades due to regulation changes, or to increase reliability and efficiency; identifies and mitigates water quality and quantity risks.
• Develops and implements policies and procedures to ensure all water quality activities are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations; coordinates special projects working with engineering staff and consultants.

For a complete description of this position and its requirements, please visit our website at https://www.CayucosSanitaryDistrict.gov/job-opportunities.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $116,272.00 - $148,428.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• wastewater treatment system: 5 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• Grade III Wastewater Treatment Operator Certificate (Required)

Work Location: In person