Final Filing Date: 8/7/2024.

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.

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 7, 2024, 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.

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)
  Attention: 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)
  Attention: 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.) You MUST include a copy of your valid State of California Wastewater AND Water Treatment Plant Operator Certifications issued by the State Water Resources Control Board (Grade I or Grade II), and State Department of Health Services (Grade 1 or Grade 2) with your examination application.

4.) 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.

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED VIA EMAIL WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

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.

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

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.)

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Components that are due with your application will be scored and will count toward your final examination result. Failure to submit these items may result in disqualification or elimination from the examination.

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

A TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (T&E) NARRATIVE - WEIGHTED 100%


In this type of examination, the T&E Narrative document IS THE EXAMINATION.

The T&E Narrative is a written document that responds to the questions listed below. 

An evaluation of the Narrative documents will be conducted by a rating panel consisting of CAL FIRE subject matter experts (SMEs) (in August/September 2024). The rating panel will compare each candidates' Narrative responses against standardized, pre-determined rating criteria. The examination questions below were derived from the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) listed in this bulletin and the classification specification.

When preparing your T&E Narrative document please respond to the following five (5) examination questions:

1. Describe five or more steps you would take to collect a sample of drinking water for a community water system.

2. You have a ruptured water main at your facility. Describe nine or more steps you would take to mitigate the issue.

3. As a Water and Sewage Plant Operator (WASPO) you receive a positive lab result from your Presence/Absence (P/A) test at your facility. Describe six or more steps you would take to address this situation.

4. List five or more examples of the specified tests required by the regulatory agency for a wastewater pond.

5. You have been tasked to install a 300-foot four-inch potable water line. Describe 10 or more steps you would take to ensure proper installation.

In addition to responding to the questions above, your T&E Narrative document MUST follow the instructions listed below. Failure to follow these instructions may result in disqualification from the testing process: 

· Please use Arial font, size no smaller than 12.

· Limit your responses to no more than a total of three (3) pages (Only the first three pages will be scored).

· Your document MUST be typewritten (NO handwritten narratives).

· Please clearly label the number that corresponds to the question to which you are responding.

· You may include multiple responses on a single page.

· Please place your name on each page of your narrative.


APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHOUT A NARRATIVE DOCUMENT WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. 

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:

1. Water and wastewater treatment principles to ensure compliance with all health standards.
2. Applicable laws and regulations (e.g., Federal, State and Local) that apply to the Department’s water and wastewater treatment plants to stay in compliance.
3. Routine tests (e.g., chlorine, residual, pH, turbidity) techniques on water samples to ensure proper operation of water treatment processes.
4. Proper sampling and handling techniques for water and/or wastewater laboratory testing to comply with regulatory guidelines, specifications, and operational needs.
5. Wastewater treatment processes (e.g., activated sludge, ponds, septic tanks) to ensure operational effectiveness.
6. Jobsite safety practices to ensure personnel safety while completing assignments to ensure compliance in accordance with the Department’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP).
7. Water distribution systems to ensure safe and effective operation.
8. Routine tests (e.g., Dissolved Oxygen [DO], Chemical Oxygen Demand [COD], Sludge Volume Index [SVI]) techniques on wastewater samples to ensure proper operation of wastewater treatment processes.
9. Appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (e.g., gloves, eye protection, hardhats) to ensure health and safety.
10. Maintenance and repair techniques and procedures of water distribution systems to ensure effective operation in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
11. Chemical dosage used for the treatment of potable water to ensure proper disinfection and to maintain chlorine residual in the distribution system.
12. Chemical dosages used for the treatment of potable water to ensure compliance with water quality standards.
13. Maintenance of wastewater collection systems to ensure safe and effective operations in accordance with Departmental policies and procedures.
14. Safety procedures (e.g., trench shoring, confined space, fall protection) to ensure safe and effective operation in accordance with Departmental policies and procedures.
15. Industry specific terminology to communicate effectively.
16. Federal and State health and safety practices (e.g., California Occupational Safety and Health Administration [Cal/OSHA]) to maintain a safe work environment in accordance with Department policies and procedures.
17. Materials (e.g., piping, couplers) and tools (e.g., manhole hook, hydro flushers, augers) used in the maintenance and repair of wastewater collection systems in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
18. Materials (e.g., tanks, valves, backflow distribution) and principles (e.g., high/low pressure zones, loop systems, hydraulics) used in the operation of water and distribution systems to stay in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
19. Inspection methods (e.g., visual, verbal) and criteria to approve the work of others (e.g., vendors, Department personnel, inmates and/or wards).
20. Non-hazardous materials used for maintenance and repairs to ensure safe and well-maintained plants.
21. Specialized equipment (e.g., filters, chlorinators, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition [SCADA]) used for the treatment of potable water to ensure compliance with all health standards.
22. Required training (e.g., industry, safety, other governmental agencies) to enhance knowledge, skills, and abilities.
23. Defensive driving techniques (e.g., traffic laws, intersection approach, utilization of warning devices) to safely operate Department vehicles.
24. Parts and supply requisitioning (e.g., procurements, contracts, surplus) to conduct efficient and timely repairs.
25. Mobiles communication devices (e.g., cell phones, radios) for effective communication.

Skill to:

1. Efficiently operate water and/or wastewater plants for effective operations.
2. Move in various ways (e.g., twist, kneel, squat) in order to complete jobs, tasks, and projects.
3. Read, write, and speak English at a level required for successful job performance.
4. Safely operate equipment (e.g., motor, pump, portable generator) to ensure safe and effective operation.
5. Multi-task during emergency and non-emergency situations to ensure safety and effective job performance.
6. Properly lift tools and equipment (e.g., pumps, motors, chemicals) to prevent personal injury and damage to equipment.
7. Properly utilize Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (e.g., gloves, eye protection, hardhats) for safe and effective operation and use.
8. Operate various tools (e.g., power, hand, diagnostics) for safe and effective use.
9. Communicate (e.g., verbal, written, electronic) effectively in order to exchange and/or provide information and/or direction.
10. Produce written correspondence (e.g., emails, letters, forms) to effectively convey information.
11. Effectively instruct and train (e.g., safety, repair, procedures) inmates and/or wards on duties, as assigned.
12. Use communication equipment (e.g., radio, cell phone) for effective communication in emergency and non-emergency situations.
13. Operate a computer in order to accomplish job duties and ensure effective job performance.

Ability to:

1. Complete proper water and/or wastewater sample documentation (e.g., chain of custody, labeling, shipping) for laboratory testing.
2. Operate equipment associated with water and/or wastewater treatment systems (e.g., dosing pumps, electrical controls, motors) to ensure safe and effective operation.
3. Interpret laboratory test results and analyses to determine if water and/or wastewater treatment plants meet compliance with regulatory permit requirements.
4. Properly collect and label water and/or wastewater samples for laboratory and routine testing.
5. Ensure the installment of equipment associated with water and/or wastewater treatment systems (e.g., pumps, motors, aerators) ensure effective operation.
6. Ensure repairs are made to equipment associated with water and/or wastewater treatment systems (e.g., dosing pumps, electrical controls, pumps) in order to keep systems operational.
7. Recommend changes needed of the water and/or wastewater processing systems to ensure compliance in accordance with regulatory laws, regulations and permits.
8. Perform routine tests (e.g., chlorine residual, pH, turbidity) on water samples to ensure proper operation of water treatment processes.
9. Ensure water and/or wastewater samples are tested and analyzed at State certified laboratories to meet compliance with regulatory permit requirements.
10. Analyze situations and take appropriate action in emergency and non-emergency situations to ensure a safe and effective work environment.
11. Interpret permits issued by the regulatory agencies (e.g., State Water Resources Control Board [SWRCB], United States Forest Service) ensure compliance with discharge permits.
12. Properly store and transport prepared water and/or wastewater samples in appropriate timeframe for delivery to testing facility as required by Federal and State guidelines.
13. Communicate (e.g., written, verbal) effectively with peers, staff, inmates, and control agencies to ensure safe and effective operation.
14. Implement and enforce workplace safety (e.g., trench, confined space, lockout/tag out) procedures as they apply to excavating situations.
15. Read and understand various written materials (e.g., policies, procedures, reports) to ensure proper completion of work assignments.
16. Maintain water integrity (e.g., sampling, testing, chemical dosing) in storage vessels and distribution systems to ensure safety and health standards are met.
17. Repair equipment associated with water and/or wastewater treatment systems (e.g., dosing pumps, electrical controls, valves) to keep systems operational.
18. g., Dissolved Oxygen [DO], Chemical Oxygen Demand [COD], Sludge Volume Index [SVI]) on wastewater samples to ensure proper operation of wastewater treatment processes.
19. Identify potential problems (e.g., weather, lockdown) that may impact work performance and present solutions in order to minimize operational interruptions.
20. Train inmates and/or wards as an Operator in Training (OIT) (e.g., hands on, documentation) in the proper operation of wastewater treatment plants to ensure compliance.
21. Train inmates and/or wards on safety practices (e.g., inmate/ward orientation, Safety Data Sheet [SDS], tailgate safety sessions) to ensure safe and effective operation.
22. Train inmates and/or wards (e.g., hands on, documentation, Operator in Training [OIT]) in the proper collection and handling of water and/or wastewater sampling for analysis to ensure water quality and compliance.

A Departmental Open eligible list for the WATER AND SEWAGE PLANT OPERATOR, DEPARTMENT FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION (SAFETY) Classification will be established for:

• Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

• A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
• A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

• Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

CAL FIRE Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
710 Riverpoint Ct.
West Sacramento, CA 95605
Phone: (916) 894-9570 ext. Option 3
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.

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.