WHAT WE OFFERThe County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package that includes:
- New Hire Incentive: New hires (Senior Water/Wastewater Services Worker) may be eligible for a one-time New Hire Incentive up to 10% of the current annual base wage (Subject to the applicable section of the Management Resolution (Secs. 625 – 627).
- Merit Increases: New employees are eligible for an initial 5% merit increase within the pay range upon completion of at least 1,040 hours (approximately 6 months) assuming work meets satisfactory standards. Subsequent merit increases within the pay range will be upon completion of each additional 2,080 hours (approximately one year) from the initial merit increase.
- Educational Incentive: An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree OR 5% for completion of a graduate degree.
- Bilingual Incentive: Based on agency need,proficiency levels by exam are $.69 per hour (Level I), $1.00 per hour (Level II) or $1.32 per hour (Level III).
- Flexible Workweek/Telework Schedule: We support work/life balance by offering compressed work (e.g., 9/80 or 4/10 workweek) and remote hybrid telework schedules for some positions subject to organizational needs and satisfactory performance.
- Vacation Accrual: New regular, full-time employees shall accrue approximately 14 days of vacation a year for the first 10,400 hours or 5 years of service; vacation accruals increase at 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 20 years of service topping out at 26 days a year and 400 hours of vacation hours banked.
- Annual Leave Redemption: After 14,560 hours of continuous County service an employee may elect to "cash-in" or redeem up to 80 hours of vacation accrued in the same year after using 80 hours of vacation in the preceding 12 months.
- Sick Leave: Full-time regular employees accrue 3.08 hours of sick leave per bi-weekly pay period with an advance at hire of 40.04 hours which will be balanced at the completion of 13 bi-weekly pay periods.
- Deferred Compensation: Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3.00% match on your 401(k) contributions.
- Health Plans: Full-time employees are given a flexible credit allowance of up to $25,558 annually to offset the purchase of medical, dental and/or vision insurance for you and your dependents.
- Employee only: $509 per biweekly pay period
- Employee plus one dependent: $779 per biweekly pay period
- Employee plus family: $983 per biweekly pay period
- Flexible Spending Accounts: Pre-tax benefit towards eligible medical, dental and vision care and/or dependent care expenses.
- Pension Plan: Participation in the County's defined pension plan, which has reciprocity with CalPERS.
- Holidays: 12 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.
- Additional Benefits: Tuition Reimbursement, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Wellness Program.
The PUBLIC WORKS AGENCY, Water and Sanitation Department operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to serve the public and is responsible for the administration, customer service, billing, operation, maintenance, design, construction, and inspection of water and sewer systems: specifically four potable water systems, seven sewer collection systems, three wastewater treatment plants and one recycled water system.
THE POSITIONSUnder limited supervision, the Senior Water/Wastewater Services Worker (Sr. WWSW) operates, maintains, and repairs water or wastewater service systems and/or performs customer service/meter reading throughout the Public Works Agency, Water and Sanitation Department service area/district; may lead, coordinate, schedule, and prioritize the work of subordinate-level Water/Wastewater Services Workers; and performs other related duties as required.Under direction, the Water/Wastewater Services Supervisor (WWS Sup) supervises, coordinates, and evaluates the operations, maintenance and repairs of water or wastewater service systems and/or customer service/meter reading throughout the Public Works Agency - Water and Sanitation Department service area/districts; and performs other related duties as required.
APPROXIMATE SALARIES
Senior Water/Wastewater Services Worker: $37.02 - $49.98/hourly
Water/Wastewater Services Supervisor: $44.43 - $59.98/hourly
THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES The successful candidates not only possess the minimum requirements of the positions but also possess advanced-level knowledge and experience optimizing water and/or wastewater service systems; experience utilizing the Supervisor Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system; and operations & maintenance (O&M) experience with a variety of pumps, control valves, instrumentation, reclaimed water treatment and distribution systems, sewer collection system cleaning, and other specialized areas. The successful candidates have demonstrated experience leading/supervising operations staff; have a proven record for promoting and ensuring the Safety program for staff; are self-motivated, adaptable and efficient; communicate well both orally and in writing; possess good organizational skills; are willing to learn and work well in a team environment; have a strong work ethic; and are available to work additional hours as needed, to respond to after-hours emergencies and operational system demands.Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
Senior Water/Wastewater Services Worker
- Installs, operates and maintains water/wastewater distribution/collection systems including main and service lines, laterals, valves, air-vacs, fire hydrants and related equipment; performs system flushing and cleaning, installs new piping, valves and services.
- Performs skilled work in assembling, laying and aligning water, reclaimed water/wastewater pipes; and locates and repairs leaks in water or reclaimed water/wastewater lines.
- Provides leadership to lower-level Water/Wastewater Services Workers, providing on-site lead supervision, assisting in training and instructing in safety and proper work methods, providing input on performance reviews, coordinating work assignments, handling the more difficult customer service, systems operations and maintenance problems, etc.
- May be assigned a specific area of responsibility such as administering the automated meter reading system; overseeing wastewater treatment and reclaimed water distribution system operations and making process control adjustments as needed to ensure compliance with regulatory agencies and permit requirements; coordinating system maintenance functions, system repair and construction activities; directing the operations of wells, pumps, pressure reducing stations, hydraulically operated valves, reservoirs, SCADA systems, lift, stations, etc.
- Performs semi- and skilled work in the operations and maintenance of water or reclaimed water/wastewater facilities, systems such as treatment plants, lift stations, water treatment facilities, filtration systems, wells, pump stations, turn-outs, pressure reducing stations, controls, grounds, and reservoirs.
- May make recommendations on staff and equipment allocation/use and policies, procedures; assigning work; monitoring training in safe work practices and procedures agency/department policies and procedures; visually surveying job sites.
- Performs manual labor and maintenance work; performs construction work and operates trucks and a variety of construction and maintenance equipment; services equipment and keeps related records; requisitions materials, supplies and equipment.
- Operates and maintains water production system including related facilities and equipment; and ensures functionality of water reclamation/wastewater systems; maintains, cleans collection system lines; performs basic wastewater treatment processes.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Water/Wastewater Services Supervisor- Supervises the activities of operations, maintenance, customer service, construction, repair or sanitation crews assigned to the department; ensures compliance with all federal and state regulatory requirements; resolves problems in treatment plants, collection systems, lift stations & Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) controls.
- Directs the development and training of employees in proper work methods, skills and safe work practices.
- Independently performs assigned water and/or reclaimed water/wastewater system installation, modification, operations, maintenance, and repair functions.
- Makes budget recommendations regarding resource requirements; contributes to the development of new techniques and concepts to improve the safety and productivity off employees.
- Prepares reports and uses work management and SCADA systems to analyze data, produce reports and determine trends.
- Substitutes for the Water/Wastewater Superintendent when required; assists in liaison efforts among work units, agencies, departments, contractors, developers, cities and the general public; and may serve as Chief Plant Operator.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Senior Water/Wastewater Services Worker and Water/Wastewater Services Supervisor are represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and are eligible for overtime compensation. These are the entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.
EDUCATION, TRAINING and EXPERIENCE
Senior Water/Wastewater Services Worker
Requires two (2) years of experience equivalent to that of a Water/Wastewater Services Worker II; OR completion of twenty-four (24) semester units of college course work in water or wastewater curriculum AND five (5) years of directly-related experience in the water or wastewater field; ORpossession of the required state certification for Water/Wastewater Services Supervisor AND five (5) years of directly-related experience in the water or wastewater field.
Advanced-level training or experience with automated meter reading systems, pumps, control valves, SCADA system, water and/or wastewater service construction, and/or other specialized areas within the assigned section is preferred.
Water/Wastewater Services Supervisor
Requires two (2) years of experience equivalent to a Senior Water/Wastewater Services Worker including two (2) years of lead/supervisory experience; OR an Associate Degree in Water Science or equivalent AND five (5) years of related experience in the water/wastewater field including two (2) years of lead/supervisory experience.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Must possess and maintain a valid California Class A driver's license with applicable endorsements (Sr. WWSW); employees who possess a Class A driver's license are subject to the United States Department of Transportation Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulations;
- Must possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver's license (WWS Sup);
- Requires the ability to stand, walk on uneven terrain, kneel, crouch, climb, work at heights and depths, stoop, twist, and lift and move heavy objects weighing fifty (50) pounds or more; respond to on-call or emergency situations; use proper work safety precautions/procedures as assignments may involve exposure to various weather and environmental conditions, vibration, confined spaces, chemicals, infectious materials, hazardous gases, mechanical and electrical hazards, raw sewage, and water/wastewater effluents; and travel to different work sites over a large geographic area;
- Must meet requirements for the Cal/OSHA Respiratory Fit Program (Sr. WWSW);
- Must be able to respond to after-hour calls; and work weekends and holidays; and
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Skills must be demonstrated in the completion of the employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
If assigned to Water Services: - Sr. WWSW employees are required to possess and maintain the following certifications issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board: a Water Distribution Operator Grade D3 certificate AND a Water Treatment Operator Grade T2 certificate.
- WWS Sup employees are required to possess and maintain a Water Distribution Operator Grade D4 certificate AND a Water Treatment Operator Grade T2 certificate.
If assigned to Wastewater Services:
- Sr. WWSW employees assigned to wastewater treatment services are required to possess and maintain a Wastewater Treatment Operator Grade 3 certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.
- Sr. WWSW employees assigned to wastewater collections services are required to possess and maintain a Collection System Maintenance Grade 3 certificate issued by California Water Environment Association.
- WWS Sup employees assigned to wastewater services are required to possess and maintain a Wastewater Treatment Operator Grade 3 certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board; AND must obtain Wastewater Treatment Operator Grade 4 certification within eighteen (18) months of appointment.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES (depending on assignment)
Extensive knowledge of: principles and practices of water or reclaimed water/wastewater system operations; repair, maintenance and adjustments for water or reclaimed water/wastewater systems/equipment; sample collection and basic laboratory testing procedures; methods, tools and equipment used for maintenance repair and operations; federal, state regulatory requirements applicable to assigned area; computer software and web-based applications; and computerized/manual meter reading methods and equipment; principles and practices of employee supervision, training and evaluation (WWS Sup); lead/supervise the work of subordinates (WWS Sup); all required department and PWA policies, procedures and guidelines (WWS Sup).
Demonstrated ability to: effectively utilize computer applications including email, software/web-based applications, SCADA system, etc.; perform operations, repair and maintenance work on water or reclaimed water/wastewater systems, equipment and facilities; perform meter installation, reading, testing and repair; lead and coordinate the work of others; interpret and explain operating policies and procedures; analyze operational problems and determine corrective action; read and interpret gauges, recording devices and other monitoring equipment; maintain logs, records, reports and charts; take sample to perform on-site laboratory tests; read and interpret schematic diagrams, blueprints and maps; establish and maintain good rapport and effective working relationships with customers, the public, co-workers, contractors, and management; effectively represent the department in customer service relations; communicate effectively in oral & written form; follow written and verbal instructions; work safely within established agency safety policies and procedures; plan, prioritize, supervise and participate in the operations, repair and maintenance work on water or reclaimed water/wastewater systems, equipment and facilities or meter installation, reading, testing and repair (WWS Sup).
Ability to: work shifts, overtime, weekends, holidays, on-call, and standby; respond to emergencies.FINAL FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by the County of Ventura, Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.
Applicants must provide sufficient information under the Education/Work experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire to thoroughly and accurately demonstrate your qualifications in order to determine eligibility. A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above-referenced sections; however, it may not be submitted in lieu of the application.
NOTE:If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here for additional information. SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE – qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam at the time of filing. This questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in removal of the application from further consideration.APPLICATION EVALUATION – qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether the stated requirements are met. Applicants meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the recruitment process.TRAINING and EXPERIENCE EVALUATION: A Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E) is a structured evaluation of the job application materials submitted by a candidate, including the written responses to the supplemental questionnaire. The T&E is NOT a determination of whether the candidate meets the stated requirements; rather, the T&E is one method for determining who are the better qualified among those who have shown that they meet the stated requirements. In a T&E, applications are either scored or rank ordered according to criteria that most closely meet the business needs of the department. Candidates are typically scored/ranked in relation to one another; consequently, when the pool of candidates is exceptionally strong, many qualified candidates may receive a score or rank which is moderate or even low resulting in them not being advanced in the process.NOTE: The selection process will likely consist of an Oral Examination, which may be preceded by or replaced with a score from a Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E), contingent upon the size and quality of the candidate pool. In a typical T&E, your training and experience are evaluated in relation to the background, experience and factors identified for successful job performance during a job analysis. For this reason, it is recommended that your application materials clearly show your relevant background and specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities. It is also highly recommended that the supplemental questions within the application are completed with care and diligence. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.ORAL EXAMINATION – 100%: A job-related oral examination may be conducted to evaluate and compare participating candidates' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, an examination will not be conducted. Instead, a score of seventy percent (70%) will be assigned to each application, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list.
ELIGIBLE LIST: Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year. The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill present and future Regular (including Temporary, and Fixed-term), Extra-Help and Intermittent vacancies. There are currently four (4) Regular vacancies.
Note: If appointed at the lower level, incumbents may be promoted to the higher level without further examination upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with business needs of the department.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: The selected candidate may be subjected to a thorough post-offer, pre-employment background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record.
For further information about this recruitment, please contact Kelli Fitzgerald by email at kelli.fitzgerald@ventura.org.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
