Keep the water flowing. Protect public health. Build a career that matters. Join our team as a Plant Operator, and operate the critical systems that provide safe drinking water and wastewater treatment for our community. We offer hands-on training, career advancement opportunities, and meaningful work every day. Apply today!
The Plants Operators In Training, I, II, III series performs progressively responsible wastewater and water duties, computer console operations, process control, troubleshooting functions, minor maintenance to equipment, facilities and grounds to ensure proper operation of incinerators, advanced secondary wastewater treatment plant systems, water distribution, wastewater collection, and water treatment plant. Duties are performed on a rotating shift basis and include weekend, graveyard, swing shift, and after-hours public works dispatch responsibilities. Error or negligence in performance could result in equipment damage, violation of air and water quality standards, and have serious consequences for the City's water supply and/or wastewater treatment system.
For more information, please review the job classification.
WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?
Joining the City of Bellingham means becoming a part of a team that believes our greatest impact comes from working together with purpose, humility and a shared commitment to our community. Every employee contributes to delivering meaningful results for the people who live, work and visit here. We value people who approach challenges with curiosity, respect and collaboration. If you are motivated by building a career in public service, we encourage you to apply.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
The 2026 starting hourly rate is at Step 1. The full salary ranges for each position are:
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Hourly Rates:
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Plants Operator In Training: Starting hourly rate is at Step 1 ($31.69/hour) for full time positions. The full salary range for this position is $31.69/hour - $41.35/hour.
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Plants Operator I: Starting hourly rate is at Step 1 ($35.61/hour) for full time positions. The full salary range for this position is $35.61/hour - $46.46/hour.
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Plants Operator II: Starting hourly rate is at Step 1 ($40.02/hour) for full time positions. The full salary range for this position is $40.02/hour - $52.21/hour.
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Plants Operator III: Starting hourly rate is at Step 1 ($42.42/hour) for full time positions. The full salary range for this position is $42.42/hour - $55.35/hour.
Candidates that do not already have valid State of Washington Incinerator Operator, Water Treatment Plant Operator, and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certifications should expect to start as Operator-in-Training at a salary grade 109, level 1 (currently $31.69/hr). All three certifications are required for placement at higher salary grades.
Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy. For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.
At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here’s a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.
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10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
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12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
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8 hours sick leave accrued monthly
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Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
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Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
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Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
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Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
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Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
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Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match
Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.
Closing Date/Time: Mon., Aug 17, 2026 at 8:30 AM Pacific Time
Plants Operator in Training
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High school diploma or GED required upon entry;
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One year of experience or related training using hand and power tools and motorized equipment to perform manual labor required upon entry;
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Associates in applied science degree in process technology, instrumentation and control technology, water supply technology, wastewater technology, or related field preferred;
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Associates of science degree or bachelor's degree in science, engineering, or mathematics is preferred;
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Department of Ecology certification as an Incinerator Operator obtained within 1 year from date of hire.
Must advance to Plant Operator I within two years of hire as a Plant Operator in Training.
Plants Operator I-
Department of Ecology Solid Waste Incinerator Operator certification;
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Department of Ecology Wastewater Operator Group I certification;
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Department of Health Waterworks Operator Level I certification.
Must advance to Plant Operator II within three years of promotion or hire as a Plant Operator I.
Plants Operator II-
Department of Ecology Solid Waste Incinerator Operator certification;
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Department of Ecology Wastewater Operator Group II certification;
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Department of Health Waterworks Operator Level II certification.
Must advance to Plants Operator III within six years of promotion or hire as a Plants Operator II.
Plants Operator III-
Department of Ecology Solid Waste Incinerator Operator certification;
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Department of Ecology Wastewater Operator Group III certification;
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Department of Health Waterworks Operator Level III certification.
- Valid Washington State driver's license and good driving record. Candidate considered for hire must submit an abstract of his/her driving records for the past three years.
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Willingness to work a flexible schedule involving shift rotation, call-back for relief shifts, overtime and emergency situations which may include evenings, weekends or holidays.
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Employment contingent on passing a criminal background check (See Fair Hiring Practices).
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Must secure and maintain the required certifications to progress in the classification series within established time limits.
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Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire.
Failure to secure and maintain required certifications will result in dismissal.
NOTE: Washington certification substitutions for education and training requirements are available as outlined in Water Certification – Washington Administrative Code 246-292-060, January 29, 2001; Waterworks Operator Certification Program Guideline, October 2008; Certification of Operators of Wastewater Treatment Plants – Washington Administrative Code 173-230-061, December 1, 1999.
**You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along**
Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and supplemental questions). Application materials should comprehensively document your experience and skills related to the position responsibilities and experience/training requirements. As part of the City’s commitment to reducing bias in the hiring process, Human Resources redacts personally identifiable information for reviewers. Only the documents listed as required will be reviewed.
Application Review Process:
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Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must provide specific, detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position. Applicant status will be updated on or around August 17, 2026.
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Experience and Training Rating: Applicants that meet minimum qualifications will go through an Experience and Training Rating. Applicant status will be updated on or around August 31, 2026.
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The top 30 scoring applicants from the Experience and Training Rating will be invited to participate in an Oral Board Interview, tentatively scheduled for the week of September 7, 2026.
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Applicants will be notified via email of Final Scores & Ranks. The final ranking of the register will be based on total scores for the following: Experience and Training Review (30%) and Oral Board Interview (70%). Candidates scoring a 60% or higher on the Oral Board Interview will be placed on the eligibility list.
Final candidates will be referred to the department for additional examination, assessment, or test.
This recruitment process will create a Civil Service eligibility register that will be used to fill current and future vacancies as they become available. There are currently two full-time vacancies in Public Works. This position is represented by a union.
If you wish to claim Veterans’ Preference Points, please complete the Veterans Scoring Criteria Declaration Form and upload it to your application with your DD214.
Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.
Equal Opportunity:
The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate or make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.
Fair Hiring Practices
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The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
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The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
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The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
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The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.
