Water Quality Technician

City of Fountain Valley • Fountain Valley, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Fountain Valley Public Works Department is seeking a dedicated and motivated Water Quality Technician to join our team. This position performs a variety of skilled and technical tasks in the administration of the City's Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Programs, including the enforcement of City, County, State, and Federal codes and regulations preventing pollution or contamination hazards due to cross connections from entering the City water system. In addition, this role ensures the quality and integrity of the City's water supply by performing technical work assignments to implement and administer the water quality monitoring program within the City's water facilities.

Requirements

• High school graduation or equivalent.
• At least three (3) years of experience in municipal water operations is required.
• Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record is required to perform the essential functions of this position, including travel between City locations to collect water samples.
• Backflow Prevention Device Tester Certification from the American Water Works Association, or other State-approved agencies and registration with the Orange County Health Care Department for testing within Orange County is required.
• State Water Distribution Operator Certification Grade II is required at time of appointment.
• Must be available for standby duty and is subject to periodic call-out during regular off-time hours to assist in emergency repairs.

Nice To Haves

• College-level coursework in water technology or a related field is highly desirable.
• State Water Distribution Operator Certification Grade III is required within the one year probationary period.
• State Water Treatment Operator Certification Grade I is required within the one year probationary period.
• American Water Works Association Cross Connection Specialist Certification is required within the one year probationary period.

Responsibilities

• Reads, interprets, and implements changes in state and federal water regulations.
• Develops, implements, and maintains water quality monitoring programs related to potable and recycled water use and consumption.
• Interprets complex water quality regulatory requirements and develops and maintains up-to-date procedures for compliance.
• Prepares, reviews, summarizes, synthesizes, and submits reports, correspondence, and statistical data regarding water quality, cross connection, potable and recycled water programs to various local, state, and federal regulatory agencies.
• Conducts technical inspections and enforces City, County and State laws and regulations preventing contamination from entering the City water system.
• Performs computer data entry and is responsible for maintaining up-to-date computerized information.
• Performs semi-skilled and skilled manual tasks relating to such activities as inspections, tests, maintenance and repair of water lines, backflow devices, valves, engines, wells, reservoirs, pumps and lift stations and water meters and connections.
• Collects water samples at all City sources (updating sites as necessary) including wells, reservoirs and import connections and related laboratory activities maintaining rigorous quality control; validates results of test samples and reports all monitoring data to various regulatory agencies.
• Collects chlorine residual and bacteriological samples after completion of repairs of existing water mains and fire hydrants.
• Schedules and conducts surveys of public and private facilities of possible cross connections.
• Collects water samples for bacteriological, general physical, general chemical tests, and other constituents as required by state or federal regulations.
• Restores and disconnects services.
• Shuts off and repairs broken water mains, services and meters.
• May be called on to assist Water Division production and distribution personnel.
• Schedules and conducts shut-down tests as required by local and State health authorities on premises using reclaimed water.
• May assist in researching, preparing and maintaining a variety of reports, correspondence and related documents as required by City, County, State and Federal Codes and Regulations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 4/10 schedule (off Fridays)
• 4% base salary increase in July 2026
• CalPERS retirement (2%@60 for Classic or 2%@62 for PEPRA)
• CalPERS medical HMO/PPO plan options, dental, life insurance, vision, and optional AFLAC insurance
• Matching deferred compensation employer contribution (up to $225 per month)
• City-paid long-term disability insurance
• Generous leave accruals
• 11 paid holidays, including one floating holiday

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED