Water System Operator

Fresno Irrigation District•Fresno, CA

1d•$28 - $36•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, regulates the flow and distribution of irrigation water to growers’ canals and ditches further downstream; handles grower complaints and problems; inspects for leaks and spills; repairs small leaks and assists on larger leaks and bank breaches; and performs related work as required. The Water Systems Operator series are flexibly staffed. Incumbents in this classification progress through this series based on time in grade and demonstrated proficiency at the next higher level. Water System Operators (WSO) may be assigned to a day or night shift. When assigned to the day shift, the WSO is responsible for a smaller geographical area of Fresno Irrigation District and works closely with customers and assists them with their problems and needs. When assigned to the night shift, the WSO is responsible for a larger geographical area of Fresno Irrigation District and more time is spent inspecting for proper flow and level throughout the assigned area as well as leaks and breaks. Due to the nature of Water Systems Operator work, employees are expected to perform work at a lower-level classification when there is insufficient work at their assigned level. Employees may be assigned to work at a higher level for training purposes. During the non-water season, incumbents will be assigned to Construction and Maintenance Department and take on the duties of C/M Worker I or II (depending on length of tenure with District and specific skills, abilities, and experience). Duties of Construction/Maintenance Lead may be applicable as well as assignment to another division or department of the District. This position reports to the Water Supervisor. This position is considered safety-sensitive and, therefore, is included in the random drug screening program.

Requirements

Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent
Experience working on a farm such as in irrigating crops or related activities
Use of hand tools and small power tools
Employee must successfully complete Core Values training.
Must have worked at least 6 years for the District as a WSO I or Construction Maintenance Worker (for WSO II)
Consistently demonstrated FID Core Values in the workplace (for WSO II and III)
Must have worked for the District at least seven (7) continuous years (for WSO III)
Satisfactory experience for a full season on a minimum of two (2) runs including either tail-end, night run or specialized operations – Tail-end runs 105, 109, 112, 104, 111, 108; Night runs-113, 114, 115; specialized operations (for WSO III)
Demonstrated proficiency in a minimum of four (4) specialized construction/maintenance skills (for WSO III)
Specialized construction/maintenance skills to include four (4) of the following – Pipeline Repair, Gate Repair, Canal Lining Repair and Installation, Canal Structure Modification and Installation, Sloping, Brushing, Pipeline Installation, Spray Rig Operator, Possession of special license, new construction, heavy equipment operation, crew leader of any of the above other specialized work and completion of any District required education and/or certification (for WSO III)
Safe working
Basic math, reading, writing in
Knowledge of computers and software to perform job
Basic hydraulics and water flow; simple mechanical principles; various types of water gates, diversions, and turnouts.
Fresno Irrigation District distribution
Rules and regulations governing water distribution and applicable water
Water banking
Knowledge of crops and crop survey
Confined space
Methods used in balancing water flow within an assigned
Hand tools and small power
Work and drive
Keep accurate and legible
Follow water
Read gauges, meters, and other measurement
Convert gallons per minute (GPM) to cubic feet per second (CFS) and acre feet (AF).
Visually evaluate the flow and level of
Recognize shortages and overages of water flows in an assigned area of the distribution
Recognize the signs of canal breaks or
Recognize unsafe
Communicate and coordinate via telephone or in person with WSO partner and
Communicate via telephone or in person with customers and other
Use a computer, laptop, and
Resolve customer problems and
Repair small leaks and
Determine priorities and decide the first course of action upon discovering large breaks or
Resolve water theft
Use hand tools and light power tools used in construction and
Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of
Adjust duties based on weather conditions and
Operates District vehicles and equipment used in construction, maintenance, and repair
Must be able to push, pull, reach, and lift equipment and parts weighing up to fifty (50)
Stoops, kneels, crouches, crawls, and climbs during maintenance and repair
Works in an environment with exposure to dust, dirt, sharp objects, human waste, hazardous materials, and/or weed abatement chemicals, and significant temperature changes between heat and cold.
Communicates orally with District staff in face-to-face, one-on-one
Regularly uses a telephone for
May sit or stand or walk on uneven terrain for extended time
Hearing, vision and eye-hand coordination sufficient to operate foot and hand controls and to maintain good awareness during maintenance and construction jobs.
May work a variety of scheduled shifts and work overtime as required during the irrigation
During the non-irrigation system, be assigned a forty-hour workweek on various
Employee will follow all safety
Employee will observe and follow all District policies and
Employee will report to work at the appointed time for each day he or she is scheduled to
During paid work time, employee will perform all work tasks and responsibilities to the best of his or her ability with the focus on quality and timely completion.
Employee will work cooperatively with co-workers and
Employee will represent the District in a positive and professional manner at all

Nice To Haves

Completion of Core Values training (for WSO I)
Completion of FID Core Values training and consistently demonstrated FID Core Values in the workplace (for WSO II and III)
Completion of any District required education and /or certification (for WSO III)

Responsibilities

Regulates the flow and distribution of irrigation water to growers’ canals and ditches further downstream
Handles grower complaints and problems
Inspects for leaks and spills
Repairs small leaks and assists on larger leaks and bank breaches
Receive an annual schedule of water allocations in the assigned
Work with customers to ensure water delivery during the time
Ensure the proper flow and delivery of irrigation water in an assigned area, adjust water systems to maintain proper flow.
Regulate headgates, turn-offs, and diversions to ensure proper water levels in canals, ditches, and ponding basins.
Inspect and maintain water
Record meter readings; measure water deliveries and make physical reading from ponding basis to Metropolitan Flood Control basins.
Daily use of tablets for a variety of FID-related duties
Collects and records all required daily readings
Keep distribution system free of obstructions, clean trash racks, and schedule trash
Contact customers to advise them when water will be delivered or when aquatic herbicides are being used in the system.
Ensure customers do not exceed their
Inspect for leaks, breaks, and
Resolve customer complaints within a level of authority and refers to complaints beyond the level of authority to supervisor.
Repair small breaks or leaks and assists in the closure of large breaks and
Inform supervisors of problems with the supply of
Inform the maintenance of large leaks or
Prepare and prioritize work order
Report encroachments, water theft, and homeless
Train and mentor new
Respond to emergency calls during the assigned
Perform varied duties in the construction, repair, and maintenance of irrigation canals, pipelines, and structures.
Perform other duties as
May be temporarily assigned to pipeline crew requiring Fit-Testing, remaining clean-shaven to ensure respirator seal, and using the respirator when required. See most recent version of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) regarding fit-testing pay for temporary duties. See Confined Space Program for rules and regulations.