Water Utility Operator I/II

City of Port Hueneme•Port Hueneme, CA

About The Position

Under general supervision of assigned supervisory or management staff, performs work in the operation and maintenance of City and Port Hueneme Water Agency (PHWA) water treatment, production, and distribution facilities in a professional, timely, and safe manner. Reports project status and working conditions to supervisors, may help train less experienced personnel, assists other divisions and departments as directed, and performs related work. Assignments may involve semi-skilled to skilled work in water distribution operations, water treatment facilities, or water production facilities. Water Utility Operator I is the entry-level classification, performing routine and less complex duties while learning City policies and procedures. Work is generally supervised, follows established procedures, and allows less independent discretion than the II level. Advancement depends on demonstrated proficiency, required certifications, and management discretion. Water Utility Operator II is the full journey-level classification, performing the full range of duties, including more complex work and training less experienced operators. Employees generally receive only occasional instruction for new or unusual situations. Advancement is based on management judgment and/or certification or testing. This classification is distinguished from Water Utility Operator Lead, which provides lead direction to staff. Duties include operating and maintaining treatment, production, and distribution facilities; operating monitoring systems; collecting water samples and performing or coordinating tests; maintaining equipment and records; installing, inspecting, repairing, and maintaining water infrastructure; assisting with water-system construction; responding to customer concerns; reading and servicing meters; locating underground facilities; and establishing traffic control during field work. The position may involve shift work, standby, and call-out responsibilities. Work may expose employees to temperature extremes, odors, toxic or poisonous agents, smoke, dust, pollen, wetness and humidity, animals, disease and pathogens, electric currents, violence, extreme noise, vibration, machinery, and traffic hazards. The work requires heavy physical effort, particularly climbing and balancing, and may involve stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and handling objects weighing 20–50 pounds, with occasional handling of items up to 100 pounds.

Requirements

Water Utility Operator I: education equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.
Water Utility Operator I: one year of experience and/or training involving installation, repair, and maintenance of water distribution and production facilities.
Water Utility Operator II: education equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade, supplemented by vocational or technical training in water production or water distribution.
Water Utility Operator II: two years of experience and/or training involving installation, repair, and maintenance of water distribution and production facilities.
Possession of a valid California Driver License and a satisfactory driving record.
Possession of a SWRCB Grade T-2 Water Treatment Plant Operator certificate and Grade D-2 Water Distribution Operator certificate.
Knowledge of water utility system operations, services, and activities.
Knowledge of safe work practices and precautions for water treatment, distribution, and production facilities, including mains, water pressure, meters, chemicals, confined spaces, hydrants, and valves.
Knowledge of construction skills, pipe laying, pipe fitting, concrete and asphalt work, and tools and equipment used to install, maintain, and repair water infrastructure.
Knowledge of chlorination procedures, the need to chlorinate, and water-sampling techniques.
Knowledge of mathematical principles for computing flows and volumes in water treatment, production, and distribution systems.
Knowledge of confined-space and trench-safety principles and applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations related to water-quality control.
Ability to perform semi-skilled and skilled maintenance, installation, and repair tasks involving water treatment, distribution, and production infrastructure.
Ability to inspect and diagnose problems; read and interpret charts, gauges, plans, and drawings; maintain accurate records; and use and maintain a water atlas.
Ability to operate power-driven equipment safely and skillfully, including backhoes, dump trucks, jackhammers, and related maintenance and construction equipment.
Ability to repair, install, and remove water meters; prioritize work duties; handle hazardous chemicals safely; work in confined spaces; and maintain safety around work areas in high-traffic settings.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions; exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in changing situations involving generally predefined duties; communicate clearly orally and in writing; and establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Responsibilities

Operate and maintain PHWA water treatment facilities, including keeping records, monitoring and operating the MMI/SCADA system, sampling and laboratory testing, and operating feed-water supply and chemical-feed pumps.
Receive chemical deliveries; lubricate equipment; remove corrosion and paint surfaces to maintain equipment.
Maintain safe working conditions and participate in specialized training.
Operate and maintain City and PHWA water distribution facilities; install, maintain, and repair or assist with repairs to water services, main breaks, service lines, meter settings, mains, pumps, valves, and hydrants.
Turn valves citywide, flush water mains, make fittings and connections, drill and tap mains, lay and paint pipe, inspect for leaks, make repairs, take meter readings, and adjust equipment.
Assist with water-system construction and perform or assist with carpentry, pipe fitting, valve repair, and cement or asphalt work.
Operate and maintain City and PHWA water production facilities; collect water-quality samples or coordinate sample collection with a laboratory; replace and adjust groundwater-well packing; and maintain associated equipment.
Repair or replace valves and maintain booster pump stations, water storage tanks, and associated appurtenances.
Flush and repair fire hydrants and dead-end blow-off valves.
Collect bacteriological, chemical, physical, radiological, and other water-quality samples and tests in accordance with applicable regulations and procedures; coordinate laboratory collection as needed; maintain records, files, and reports.
Read and record meter readings; handle field problems such as meter change-outs; perform calibration tests; and notify the City Finance Department about out-of-sequence or unlisted meters.
Contact customers about high bills, field-test meters, investigate complaints about pressure, water quality, and flow, conduct leak tests, explain results and problems, and make repairs as needed in conjunction with the city water system.
Install, relocate, read, and disconnect construction water meters; turn water service on and off; and maintain records such as Vacancy and Delinquency Lists.
Locate underground water mains and service lines.
Evaluate and establish traffic-control measures during distribution-system maintenance and repair.
Work with other divisions, including refuse customer service and special collections, wastewater sewer-lateral repair, and storm-water drain protection.
Perform shift work as applicable and fulfill standby or call-out responsibilities.
Provide minimal training to other employees as needed regarding repair, installation, and maintenance of water mains, services, hydrants, meters, and valves.
Perform related duties as assigned.