Examination: Water and Sewage Plant Operator

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Working title
Water and Sewage Plant Operator
Monthly salary
WATER AND SEWAGE PLANT OPERATOR, DEPARTMENT FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION (SAFETY): $6,501.00 - $8,230.00 per Month
Exam #
4416
Deadline
08/06/2025
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Position Description

00106191 - WATER AND SEWAGE PLANT OPERATOR, DEPARTMENT FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION (SAFETY)

Under general direction in a conservation camp in the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, to perform a variety of skilled work in the operation, maintenance, and repair of a water/wastewater treatment plant, water, sewer, heating, boiler, air conditioning, ventilating, lighting, power, and other mechanical systems normally found in a State conservation camp facility; to work closely with Region, Headquarters facility planners, and various control agencies on facility maintenance problems and code requirements; to maintain order and supervise the conduct of inmates or wards; to instruct or lead inmates, wards, or resident workers in facilities maintenance while protecting and maintaining the safety of persons and property; and to do other related work.

JOB CHARACTERISTICS

Positions in this class are in Department of Forestry and Fire Protection conservation camps which are located in remote, isolated areas of California that preclude using existing local municipal water or wastewater systems. The camps have their own drinking water supply and treatment systems, along with on-site wastewater disposal systems that serve the inmate population as well as State staff. Assignments may include sole responsibility for the lead and instruction of inmates, wards, or resident workers and/or the protection of personal and real property.

Water/wastewater certificate requirements vary among camps. Specific camp needs will indicate which license is required.

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

00106191 - WATER AND SEWAGE PLANT OPERATOR, DEPARTMENT FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION (SAFETY)

Possession of a valid State of California Wastewater and Water Treatment Plant Operator Certification issued by the State Water Resources Control Board (Grade I or Grade II) and State Department of Health Services (Grade 1 or Grade 2).

(Applicants who are within six months of obtaining the required certification will be admitted to the examination but must secure and provide evidence of certification prior to appointment.) AND

Either I


Completion of a recognized apprenticeship for Stationary Engineers. (Apprentices who are within six months of completing their apprenticeship program may be admitted to the examination but must provide evidence of completion prior to appointment.)

OR II

Experience: Four years of experience performing duties which may include the operation and maintenance of water and sewer systems; maintenance and repair of plumbing, boiler, heating, refrigeration, ventilation, laundry, and shop and power equipment of commercial, industrial, or institutional buildings, including the operation and maintenance of air conditioning systems involving the use of automatic controls; and repair of various mechanical equipment, in addition to performing minor building construction and maintenance. AND

Education: Completion of 670 hours of formalized technical instruction relating to Stationary Engineering in training offered by such established programs as: Job Corps; Skill Centers; ROP; Trades Schools; Military; and Joint Training Partnership Act. (An Associate of Arts or Certificate in Mechanical Electrical Technology, which must have included at least 12 semester units of instruction in heating, ventilation, and refrigeration systems involving the use of automatic controls, may be substituted for the 670 hours of technical instruction. Students who are within six months of completing their degree will be admitted to the examination, but they must provide evidence of completion prior to appointment.) (Two years of additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education.)

The State of California 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.

Final Filing Date: 8/6/2025.

Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) must be received or postmarked by the filing date indicated above. Applications postmarked, personally delivered or received via interoffice mail after the filing date will not be accepted.

Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

If using the United States Postal Service (USPS) for delivery, there is no guarantee that your application will be postmarked and arrive by the final filing date. If your application does not have a postmark and arrives after the final filing date, your application may not be accepted into the examination. Therefore, to ensure timely delivery of your application, it is recommended that you use either parcel service, or certified mail. Using one of these options will provide proof the application was sent prior to the final filing date.

Who Should Apply

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • WATER AND SEWAGE PLANT OPERATOR, DEPARTMENT FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION (SAFETY) - Open

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements by the final filing date, August 6, 2025, to be considered for this administration.

  • Once you have participated in this examination, you may not test again for six (6) months.
  • Applicants who have not passed probation in this classification are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

You may apply by mail to:

  • Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
    Examination Unit
    710 Riverpoint Ct.
    West Sacramento, CA 95605

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678).

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

  • Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
    Examination Unit
    710 Riverpoint Ct.
    West Sacramento, CA 95605
    8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678). All applicants must provide proof of identification. Accepted forms of identification are: 1) a photo identification card or 2) two forms of signed identification.

Please note the following:

1.) A State Application (STD 678) is REQUIRED and must be submitted.

2.) A Training and Experience (T&E) Narrative is REQUIRED and must be submitted with your STD 678. See instructions below under "Examination Information" to complete this document.

3). All applicants must include "from" and "to" employment dates (month/day/year), time base, and applicable civil service class titles on their STD 678. Applications received without this information may be rejected.

3.) Applicants who are within six months of obtaining the following certifications will be admitted into the examination but MUST secure and provide evidence of certification prior to appointment into the position. If possible, please provide copies of these certificates with your STD 678. 
  • Valid State of California Wastewater Certification issued by the State Water Resources Board (Grade I or II) and State Department of Health Services (Grade 1 or 2). AND,
  • Valid State of California Water Treatment Plant Operator Certification issued by the State Water Resources Board (Grade I or II) and State Department of Health Services (Grade 1 or 2).  

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED VIA EMAIL WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Special Testing Arrangements

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Application Link

Water and Sewage Plant Operator

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
Examination Unit
710 Riverpoint Ct.
West Sacramento, CA 95605
Phone: (916) 894-9580
CALFIREexams@fire.ca.gov

CAL FIRE Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
710 Riverpoint Ct.
West Sacramento, CA 95605
Phone: (916) 767-8359
ReasonableAccommodations@fire.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.