What are the responsibilities and job description for the Water Operator I - IV position at City of Rapid City, SD?

Salary : $21.48 - $30.68 Hourly

Location : 300 Sixth Street Rapid City, SD

Job Type : Full Time

Job Number : 202500019

Department : Public Works

Division : Water

Opening Date : 02 / 03 / 2025

Closing Date : 3 / 3 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Mountain

Description

ABOUT US

The Water Division operates and maintains Rapid City's water collection, treatment, and distribution systems, provides metering and billing services, and partners with other divisions on capital and special projects, water system expansion, and the acquisition of water rights.

Please visit the for additional information.

The City of Rapid City offers fantastic benefits including employer-paid health insurance premiums, 6% employer-matching retirement, life insurance benefits, short-term disability, and generous vacation and sick leave time off. Starting level and wage depend on qualifications and experience. Check out the Benefit tab for a full list of benefits.

Union

This position is part of the AFSCME Union. Applications received within the work unit will be considered first.

Position Details

ABOUT OUR JOB

The Water Operator is responsible for performing a variety of semiskilled, skilled, technical duties and manual labor tasks in the operation and maintenance of the City's water or wastewater treatment plants and facilities and specialized work in the operation of wells, booster stations and reservoirs.

Water Operator I :

Operates and maintains water reclamation facilities or water treatment facilities and related water production facilities.
Performs visual checks of facilities for equipment and / or treatment malfunctions and assists in repairing or correcting malfunctions.
Operates equipment, which can include the following dependent on division; pickup truck, lawn care equipment, forklift, dump truck, sludge tankers, backhoe and other related equipment.
Collects, records, and maintainsrecords, logs and additional plant performance information.
Performs maintenance, repair and janitorial duties as needed.
Interacts with and enter information into plant SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system.
Collects and analyzes samples and performsrequired testing.

Water Operator II : All above duties plus :

Calibrates and make changes to various plant and field instrumentation.

Performs preventative maintenance on related equipment.

Uses additional equipment and other tools to fabricate or repair components.

May do plumbing, carpentry and concrete work.

Water Operator III : All above duties plus :

Troubleshoots and repairsrelated equipment and process failures.

Installs and sets up new equipment and machinery for proper running performance.

Performs changesto treatment processes and equipment to enhance performance.

Calibrates influent flow rate changes, airflow changes, adjustments of WAS and RAS rates and UV system.

Water Operator IV : All above duties plus :

Assists supervisor in developing and carrying out safety and employee training.

Serves as lead person in absence of supervisor.

Serves as the safety supervisor and becomes the trained competent person for confined space entry, scaffolding, fall protection, etc.

Serves on safety and other committee meetings as needed. Communicates committee activities to plant staff and supervision and represents staff feedback effectively in meetings.

Reviews design plans and drawings for water CIP projects. Ensures operations staff feedback is communicated to design engineer and project manager for incorporation into final project.

Acts as project coordinator between operations, engineers and contractors on water production and / or CIP projects.

Additional Information

ABOUT YOU

We understand your time is valuable, so we encourage you to apply if you possess the following minimum requirements :

Water Production I :

High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and

Experience as required by the South Dakota Department of Natural Resources.

Ability to obtain the South Dakota Class I Water Certification within 18 months of hire date.

Water Operator II :

High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and

Three years experience in Class I water operations or two years in a Class II or higher facility.

Ability to obtain Class II Water Operator's Certification within 18 months of hire date.

Water Operator III :

Completion of two years of college or vocation school majoring in engineering, environmental sciences, or related fields or

Four years experience including at least two years of experience in a Class I or higher facility; or Six years of experience, with at least three years at a class II plant or higher.

Must possess a South Dakota Class III Water Certification.

Water Operator IV :

Completion of a four year degree at a college or vocational school majoring in engineering, environmental science, or related fields and

Four years experience including at least two years of experience in a Class III or higher facility; or Eight years of experience, with at least four years at a class III plant or higher.

Must possess a South Dakota Class IV Water Certification.

City of Rapid City Benefit Summary

Explore the benefits that are offered to the City of Rapid City's full-time, and part-time benefited employees.

Health Care Program

Health - The City of Rapid City is a self-funded healthcare program. As such, we are able to offer heavily discounted premium rates for our employees and their dependents(s). Choose between a High Deductible Healthcare Program (HDHP) or our Traditional Health Care Plan both of which are covered through Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS).

Dental - Dental coverage is through Delta Dental of South Dakota with a base and enhanced plan option. Competitive plan prices are available to City Employees.

Vision - Vision coverage is through Avesis with a base and enhanced plan option. Competitive plan prices are available to City Employees.

Flexible Spending Accounts - Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a tax-saving tool that lets you pay for medical or dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Employees who wish to participate can use these funds to pay for Medical, Dental, Vision, and other healthcare-related expenses.

Health Savings Account - Health Savings Accounts (HSA) is a tax savings tool available to individuals who hold High Deductible Healthcare Plans (HDHP). This plan allows you to designate and put aside pre-tax dollars to use for qualified medical expenses. Employees who enroll will enjoy a city contribution of up to $500 into their HSA account.

Coverage for Health, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Accounts, and Health Savings accounts starts on the first of the month following the employee's start date.

Retirement Plan

The City of Rapid City participates in the South Dakota Retirement System (SDRS). The South Dakota Retirement System (SDRS) is a cost-sharing, multiple employers, public employee retirement system. Members of SDRS include full-time employees of State City and County Governments and other public entities. Through this pension plan, employees contribute 6% (8% for public safety) with the City matching that contribution percentage. The vesting schedule through SDRS is 3 years. Retirement benefits are payable for the member's lifetime.

The City also offers additional retirement options through the South Dakota Retirement System Supplemental Retirement Program. Employees are automatically enrolled and contribute to a 457 (b) at $25 monthly. This supplemental program is a great opportunity to save additional funds on top of the main SDRS account and allows contributors to save more on a pre-tax or post-tax basis.

Paid Time Off

Vacation - At the start of employment through the first four years City employees accrue vacation at the rate of 3.08 hours per pay period equaling 80.08 hours yearly. Vacation accruals increase with longevity.

Sick Leave - City Employees earn Sick Leave which is accrued at the rate of 2.16 hours per pay period, with unlimited rollover.

Short-Term Disability - City employees earn short-term disability leave at a rate of 2.16 hours per pay period with unlimited rollover. This benefit is paid at 100% of the employee's wage at the time of usage. Restrictions apply.

Holidays - The City of Rapid City observes 11 Holidays per calendar year. City employees are eligible for paid holidays starting at the beginning of employment. Personal holidays are given to City Employees based on their union contract.

Life Insurance

The City partners with MetLife to provide a $35,000 basic life, accident, and D&D insurance policy for employees. Optional coverage for spouse and dependent(s) can be elected.

Wellsteps

Rapid City has a wellness program through Wellsteps, where they help you make small changes that will make a big difference in your life from physical fitness, to financial, and mental fitness. They cover all aspects of your life, so you can live life to its fullest! Prizes are offered on varying levels of participation.

AFLAC

The City partners with AFLAC to provide additional insurance coverage. From a traditional Cancer policy, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital, to additional Short-Term Disability and Life insurance coverages, they have what you need. The coverages are transferable and premiums can be payroll deducted.

For a more detailed overview of our benefits package, click on the weblink

click

If you have specific questions, contact Human Resources.

Salary : $35,000

Apply for this job

Receive alerts for other Water Operator I - IV job openings

Water Operator I - IV

What are the responsibilities and job description for the Water Operator I - IV position at City of Rapid City, SD?

What is the career path for a Water Operator I - IV?

Job openings at City of Rapid City, SD

Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Water Operator I - IV jobs in the Rapid, SD area that may be a better fit.

We don't have any other Water Operator I - IV jobs in the Rapid, SD area right now.

AI Assistant is available now!