Job Description
Announcement Details Exam Announcement Details
Exam Title Water Treatment Plant Operator
Exam Number 7E45-20240708-OC-00
Salary $47,922 to $52,519 per year. New employees will be appointed at the first step in the pay range for this class.
Certification Rule Rule of List
Competition Open-Competitive
Department Announcement Date 07/08/2024
Close Date 07/11/2025
General Definition Hiring bonus of 15% of starting salary. $7,188 in total. $4,792 upon hire (10%) and $2,396 (5%) after 12 months of employment. The Philadelphia Water Department is hiring candidates with completion of a PA DEP water treatment course or PA Water or Wastewater Operator's License or completion of equivalent water treatment course. We offer great benefits.
Please be sure to submit all relevant documentation of licenses, transcripts or certifications with your application.
Start your career with the Philadelphia Water Department now and apply today! ABOUT THE POSITION
This is skilled treatment plant operations work, monitoring, operating, adjusting and regulating a computer controlled water treatment process and related electrical, mechanical and electronic processing and security equipment through central and remote terminal locations in a sludge processing, water purification or wastewater treatment plant. Work is performed under the supervisor of a Water Treatment Plant Operations Crew Chief. Employees in this class work in an environment that may contain some disagreeable aspects, and may work on a rotating shift basis.
Union Code M. AFSCME D.C.33
FLSA Code Non-Exempt
Application Procedures CITY OF PHILADELPHIA APPLICATION INFORMATION Thank you for your interest in employment with the City of Philadelphia. Please refer to the important information below regarding this job opportunity.
1. You
must complete the entire application process, provide accurate and up to date contact information, and submit all certifications, required licenses, and relevant documentation with each application or email the documents as an attachment to the Human Resources Representative listed below prior to the date of the exam.
2 The analyst responsible for reviewing applications and additional documentation for this job opportunity is
April L. Graham MPA Human Resources Technical Specialist
City of Philadelphia
1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 1530
Philadelphia, PA 19102
P: 215-686-2342
F: 215-686-0861
[email protected] 3. For all other inquiries please contact Customer Service at
215-686-0880 or email
[email protected] Minimum Requirements
Minimum Training, Education & Experience The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Candidates must meet requirements within 30 days after the last date for filing applications.
1. EDUCATION: Education equivalent to the completion of the twelfth school grade.
AND
2. EXPERIENCE: One year of experience in the operation of a computer controlled wastewater treatment, water purification or sludge process and processing equipment;
OR
NOTES : Successful completion of a formal in-service training course in the operation of such computer controlled water or wastewater treatment or biosolids processes and processing equipment equates for the above experience requirement;
OR
Possession of a valid C-level or above Sewage Treatment Plant or Waterworks operator license issued by the Commonwealth or Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection or possession of a comparable license from another state equates for the above experience requirement;
OR
Successful completion of a water treatment or wastewater treatment plant operation training course from the California State University, Sacramento School of Engineering equates for the above experience requirement;
OR
Successful completion of a PaDEP Wastewater or Water Treatment course conducted at Montgomery County or other Community College equates for the above experience requirement;
Physical & Medical Requirements Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
Ability to pass annual medical evaluation and receive certification to utilize respiratory protection equipment, where required by job assignment.
Required Licenses & Certifications Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Water Treatment Plant Operator.
Possession of a HAZ/MAT Emergency Response Technician 24 hour certification within six months of appointment and during tenure of employment as a Water Treatment Plant Operator, if required by work assignment.
Possession of an appropriate certified pesticide applicator training completion certificate within six months of appointment and during tenure of employment as a Water Treatment Plant Operator, if required by work assignment.
Other Requirements LICENSES AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Candidates MUST submit a copy of all required licenses or certifications at the time of application.
Candidates MUST submit a copy of their license or certification.
If you have ever submitted a license or certification for any City of Philadelphia civil service examination, you have to submit another document
Option 1 - Upload a license or certification - One time only! You may upload documents into your account and attach a document with this application. Once the document is uploaded to your account, it may be attached to all future applications. Attaching your document will save you time and money if you apply for an examination in the future.
Your documents should be uploaded and attached to your application before it is submitted. They cannot be uploaded or added to your application electronically after your application has been submitted.
Option 2 - Submit a license or certification - Separate document required for each application If you submit a paper copy of a license or certification, the document will be used for this application only.
You will have to submit documents again whenever you apply for an examination in the future. Paper documents will not be retained and will not be returned to applicants.
Mailing address for paper transcript and other required materials
April L. Graham MPA Human Resources Technical Specialist
City of Philadelphia
1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 1530
Philadelphia, PA 19102
P: 215-686-2342
F: 215-686-0861
[email protected] Equivalency Statement(s) Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources.
Application Details
Notes to Applicants As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you're interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.
What We Offer: Impact - The work you do here matters to millions.
Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it?
Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs
Benefits - We care about your well being
The City of Philadelphia is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer.
Learn more here:
The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to
[email protected] . For more information, go to:
The City of Philadelphia is committed to ensuring access to Civil Service examinations by providing appropriate accommodation for candidates with documented medical or religious reasons. Candidates may request accommodation for a Civil Service examination by contacting the Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action Unit of the Philadelphia Department of Labor at 215-683-5085. The accommodation process is interactive and requires cooperation and communication between the applicant requesting a test accommodation and the EEO Unit. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis using the required documentation that is submitted. Requests are to be made in a timely manner prior to the scheduled date of the Civil Service examination.
As a condition of employment with the City, any person offered employment shall be required to certify that such person either is fully current on any and all debts, taxes, fees, judgments, claims, and other accounts and obligations due and owing to the City; or has voluntarily entered into a payment agreement with the City. For so long as the person is employed by the City, the amount of the payment as set forth in the payment agreement (not to exceed, for any pay period, twenty percent (20%) of the person's gross pay for such period, without the person's consent) shall be withheld from each paycheck until such payment agreement is fully satisfied.
Such person shall also be required to certify as a condition of employment that he or she is fully current on any and all debts, taxes, fees, judgments, claims, and other accounts and obligations due and owing to the Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) or has voluntarily entered into a payment agreement with PGW.
Failure to enter into a payment agreement shall result in the cancellation of the appointment and removal from the certification. The name of the eligible candidate will be returned to the eligible list.
Only an on-line application will be accepted for this exam. Paper applications will not be accepted.
Computers are available in the 3-1-1 Walk-In Center located in Room 167 of City Hall (Weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM) and at your local Philadelphia Free Library branch.
For inquiries regarding City employment, contact the Office of Human Resources Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 4 PM by telephone at 215-686-0880 or by email at
[email protected] ALL Applications must be received by the end of business on
July 11, 2025 .
Your application will be rejected, and you will be disqualified from competing in this examination if you:
1) Do not provide your complete and accurate social security number.
2) Attempt to practice fraud or deception in the preparation of this application
All correspondence and notifications will be sent to your e-mail address or postal address listed in the contact information (address, phone #, e-mail) of your account profile. Your contact information will be automatically updated each time you submit an application for employment. It is your responsibility to change your contact information and to ensure that it is correct
If you provide an e-mail address, all correspondence regarding this examination will be sent to you by e-mail. You should add
[email protected] to your address book or list of trusted contacts to prevent notices from being marked as spam by your e-mail provider.
Please call the Office of Human Resources at 215-686-0880 or email
[email protected] if you have any questions.
Information concerning employment with the City of Philadelphia may be found at:
HIRING BONUS
Hiring bonus of 15% of starting salary. 10% upon hire and 5% after 12 months of satisfactory employment. Candidates must meet all criteria of Regulation 31.88 to be eligible for the bonus.
ELIGIBLE LIST: OPEN-COMPETITIVE: Only an Open-Competitive eligible list will be established as a result of this examination. Permanent City employees will receive no promotional preference in this examination.
CONTINUOUS ELIGIBLE LIST: The examination for this class is announced on a continuous basis. Applications will be accepted indefinitely. The eligible list established as a result will be merged as candidates are tested. Candidates who pass the exam and are placed on the civil service list will be retained on the list for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years.
Candidates who pass a
continuous examination may not apply for the same examination as long as the candidate's name remains on the eligible list. Candidates who fail or those who pass and whose names are subsequently removed from the eligible list for a
continuous examination may apply for the examination again 180 days following the last date on which the candidate took the examination. If a candidate takes an examination sooner, the candidate will be considered examined in error. The candidate's test papers will not be scored.
Candidates who pass the exam and are placed on the civil service list will be retained on the list for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years after the establishment of the Eligible List.
Candidates who pass the exam and are placed on the civil service list will be retained on the list for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years after the establishment of the Eligible List.
RESIDENCY WAIVER: The Civil Service Commission has waived the usual requirement that candidates must be residents of Philadelphia for one year prior to appointment. Establishment of residency in Philadelphia will be required no later than one (1) year after appointment
PREFERENCE FOR PHILADELPHIA RESIDENTS: Candidates who have maintained a bona fide residence in Philadelphia for at least one year prior to the date of the civil service examination shall have priority over all other persons receiving an identical test score. If you have maintained a bona fide residence in Philadelphia for at least one year immediately preceding the eligible list date, you are eligible to claim residency preference.
To receive such preference, candidates must respond to the question regarding residence later in this form.
The response on this application will be used to determine eligibility for preference for residents. Documentation of residence may be required if there is any question as to whether you meet the residency preference requirements.
If an applicant does not respond to the appropriate residence question, it will be assumed that the applicant does not qualify for residence preference. Eligibility for residence preference must be determined by the date of the test administration. No requests for residence preference will be granted after the test administration.
U.S. VETERAN'S PREFERENCE: Ten points for veteran's preference will be added to the scores of eligible veterans who apply for Open-Competitive tests and pass the examination. You must be honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces. Attach a DD214, member 4, to your application if you wish your eligibility to be reviewed. Spouses of disabled or deceased veterans may also be considered.
LEGACY PREFERENCE: The children or grandchildren of Philadelphia Firefighters or Police Officers who were killed or died in the line of duty shall be accorded a preference in Open-Competitive civil service entrance examinations. Candidates who qualify for this preference and who take and pass Open-Competitive civil service examinations shall have ten points added to their final score. The candidate must successfully pass all parts of the examination before points are awarded.
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER SERVICE PREFERENCE: Up to 5 additional points will be added to the examination score of any candidate who has passed the Open-Competitive examination and who has:
A. Successfully completed a term of volunteer service with Peace Corps, AmeriCorps NCCC (including FEMA Corps), or AmeriCorps VISTA
Such candidates will be awarded five (5) points for the completion of a two-year term of service or three (3) points for the completion of a one year term of service.
B. Successfully completed at least 450 hours of service with AmeriCorps State and National (including Teach for America).
Such candidates will have:
•1 point added to their final score if they have completed 450 Hours of the above service.
•2 points added to their final score if they have completed 675 Hours of the above service.
•3 points added to their final score if they have completed 900 Hours of the above service.
•5 points added to their final score if they have completed 1700 Hours of the above service.
The candidate must successfully pass all parts of the examination before points are awarded.
PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PREFERENCE For exams announced after May 1, 2023, excluding Police and Fire entry level exams, candidates who successfully pass the open-competitive examination shall have up to 5 points added to their final score in accordance with Regulation 9.0670.
Only those competitors who have a passing grade in all parts of the examination shall receive additional credits to which they may be entitled. The following requirements must be satisfied for a candidate to receive additional credits for examinations.
1. Candidates must have completed and graduated from a career technical education (CTE) program of the School District of Philadelphia during the three-year period immediately preceding the examination announcement open date.
2. Candidates may claim the additional credit at any time after the date that the examination is announced, until 30 days after the Established List of Candidates is approved by the Director or his/her designee.
3. If the 5 additional points from the CTE preference would rank a CTE graduate above a veteran, additional points shall be applied to the CTE candidate's passing score to rank them directly below the veteran.
4. Candidates must submit adequate documentation including high school transcript with completion of CTE Program as required by the Office of Human Resources.
Projected Exam Date TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE EVALUATION: This is a modified Training and Experience evaluation. Approved applicants will receive a score of 70 with any additional preference points and be ranked on the eligible list. Applicants will not be asked to appear to take a scheduled examination.
Please be sure to submit all relevant documentation of licenses, transcripts or certifications with your application. You can upload and attach before you submit or email to the analyst whose name appears at the top of the posting.
An Eligible List will be established the week of
December 9, 2024 . Please note that this date may change.
Test Review In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 9.091D, candidates may review their answer sheets and other test papers to determine if they have been scored correctly or if there has been an irregularity in the administration of the examination. Candidates will have 30 days after the results have been mailed to review their test and to file a written appeal. Call 215 686-0880 if you wish to schedule a test review.
Assigned to (view only) Assigned to Ivana Chambers-Bennett
Parts & Weights
Part Training & Experience Evaluation
Weight 100% City of Philadelphia
Job Tags
Permanent employment, Local area, Immediate start, Remote job, Gangs, Shift work, Rotating shift, Weekday work, Monday to Friday,