Utilities Water Operator

City of Stoughton•Stoughton, WI

23h

About The Position

The City of Stoughton is seeking a Water Operator for its Utility Division. The position helps ensure safe drinking water and environmentally responsible wastewater treatment through sampling, testing, system monitoring, and maintenance and repair of water distribution and wastewater infrastructure. The operator assists with the City’s pumping, storage, and distribution systems and operates the water/wastewater SCADA system. Work includes collecting and analyzing drinking water and wastewater samples; adjusting treatment operations and chemical additives based on test results; maintaining treatment-facility equipment and testing instruments; preparing reports for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; and maintaining utility records and GIS databases. The operator also responds to customer inquiries, supports public education and outreach, and completes inspections and division paperwork. The role includes scheduled rotational standby on-call duty, responding to emergencies when possible, and flexibility to work outside the typical schedule for planned outages, system maintenance, seasonal work, and other operational needs. Additional duties may include water meter installation and maintenance, facility and grounds work, vehicle maintenance, emergency support for the Electric System Division, and local or regional disaster response. The position involves heavy physical work and exposure to potentially unsafe environmental conditions.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
One or more years of water and/or wastewater operator experience.
Demonstrated mechanical and/or plumbing aptitude.
Commercial driver’s license with tanker and air brake certification.
Ability to perform mid-level data analysis and classify, calculate, assess, and report information using established criteria.
Ability to interpret work orders, utility maps and diagrams, specifications, blueprints, laboratory records, manuals, policies, procedures, and safety rules.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally with customers, City personnel, contractors, plumbers, regulatory representatives, and the public.
Ability to perform arithmetic, calculate percentages, fractions, and decimals, interpret and develop basic statistical reports, and potentially perform algebraic operations.
Ability to work without direct supervision, use independent judgment, and resolve problems.
Ability to operate and make adjustments to equipment and machinery, and to repair complex equipment and machinery.
Ability to perform skilled, coordinated movements while operating heavy equipment and working in potentially tight spaces.
Ability to exert sustained heavy physical effort, including climbing, kneeling, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, shoveling, digging, and pulling objects and materials weighing more than 100 pounds.
Ability to recognize differences in color, shape, sound, texture, and odor related to job tasks.
Ability to work under uncomfortable and potentially unsafe conditions, including exposure to temperature extremes, weather, odors, toxic agents, noise, vibration, wetness, dust, machinery, explosives, gas, traffic, high-voltage electricity, and disease.

Responsibilities

Collect and test routine drinking water and wastewater samples, monitor system and treatment operations, and record data using the water/wastewater SCADA system.
Maintain, repair, and install water distribution infrastructure, including mains, pumps, valves, curb stops, service connections, and hydrants.
Exercise water system valves and flush hydrants; maintain water system equipment and infrastructure.
Maintain and repair sanitary sewer collection mains, pumps, and related infrastructure; flush, televise, clean, and repair the collection system.
Maintain and repair wastewater treatment facility equipment, including pumps, motors, valves, flow meters, and screens.
Conduct laboratory analyses of drinking water and wastewater samples, prepare sample data and reports, and report findings.
Adjust drinking water and wastewater treatment operations and calculate chemical additives based on test results.
Prepare or assist with monthly water pumpage and wastewater treatment reports for submission to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Maintain, calibrate, and repair testing equipment; clean and maintain laboratory equipment; prepare and send EPA samples as directed.
Operate SCADA controls to monitor system health, record readings, assess performance, and investigate trouble conditions.
Respond to customer inquiries and complaints, take corrective measures, and provide notice of planned system outages.
Perform and oversee maintenance and repair tasks at active job sites; recommend operational changes and safety improvements and evaluate safety compliance.
Assist with utility-sponsored public events, educational materials, outreach, system demonstrations, tours, and safety and conservation presentations.
Complete and maintain work orders, timesheets, checklists, meeting records, inventory forms, and other division paperwork; conduct inspections and prepare reports.
Maintain GIS applications and databases, including service connection and maintenance records.
Serve on rotational standby on-call duty, maintain a flexible schedule for operational needs, and assist with utility emergencies when possible.
Comply with Stoughton Utilities safety programs and applicable Public Service Commission of Wisconsin guidelines and regulations.
Disconnect and reconnect water service as directed; review disconnected properties and install or transfer customer water meters.
Assist the meter technician with water meter maintenance and repair.
Maintain grounds and facilities, perform routine vehicle maintenance, and provide emergency after-hours support to the Electric System Division.
Provide local and regional emergency disaster response and perform other Stoughton Utilities tasks as directed.