What are the responsibilities and job description for the Water Operator I position at City of Watsonville?
The City of Watsonville's Water Division is seeking a Water Operator to help support the drinking water system and its facilities. Our mission is to provide safe, clean drinking water for our community. We are looking for a talented and motivated individual to join our group of skilled operators, where forward-thinking and data-driven “outside the box” ideas are encouraged. We are public servants who work hard and play hard, striving for a healthy work-life balance. This position offers career growth with opportunities for higher certifications, continuing education, and professional development. Watsonville is optimally located on Monterey Bay, between the cities of Santa Cruz and Monterey. Many of us enjoy the outdoor recreational activities the region offers such as surfing, trail running, mountain biking, and hiking.
DMV Printout Required With Application
Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
LICENSE
A valid Class C California Driver’s License including a safe driving recordOther Requirements:
DMV Printout Required With Application
DEFINITION
To operate, inspect, maintain, and repair the City’s water slow sand filtration plant and distribution system including storage reservoirs, wells, booster stations, control valves, associated controls and supervisory control data acquisition system.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This job class is the entry and training level classification in the water operations series and performs unskilled operational and maintenance tasks while learning semi-skilled and the more skilled tasks for the day-to-day operations of the City’s slow sand filter plant and water distribution system. Employees in this classification are expected to study and attend classes on their own time and are required to obtain a grade D2 Water Distribution Operator certification and a grade T2 Water Treatment Operator certification from the California Department of Health Services within 18 months of initial employment.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
- Receives close supervision from the Senior Water Operator and direction from the Water Operator II.
Duties may include but are not limited to the following:
- Uses a computer to monitor and operate the water system
- Assists in the operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment related to the operation of a slow sand filter plant, well sites and pumping stations
- Performs a variety of preventative maintenance work and inputs work performed into a computerized maintenance management program
- Conducts regular inspections of all plant equipment and pump stations to assure proper operations, and adjusts equipment as needed
- Cleans, lubricates, adjusts, operates, and assists in making repairs to water pumps, hydraulically operated valves, engines, chlorinators, and related equipment
- Tests auxiliary equipment such as natural gas, propane, and diesel engines to ensure proper operation
- Performs basic laboratory tests as required to monitor filter plant and distribution system
- Monitors chlorination process and regulates dosages
- Checks equipment oil levels and changes oil and filters as needed
- Performs a variety of general maintenance work such as painting, cleaning, and grounds keeping
- Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Knowledge of:
- basic computer skills
- basic math skills in algebra
- basic operating principles of valves, pumps and motors
- basic building and grounds maintenance
- safe work practices
- safe use of hand tools and power tools
Ability to:
- obtain a Grade T2 Water Treatment Operator certificate and a Grade D2 Water Distribution Operator certificate within 18 months of employment
- work safely
- operate, maintain, and make repairs to pumps, motors, compressors, and other mechanical equipment
- operate a desktop computer and applicable computer software programs as required to control the treatment plant and water distribution system
- generate correspondence, emails, memos, reports, maintain maintenance records and to perform other similar tasks as required
- skillfully use a variety of tools and equipment related to water plant maintenance and operations
- read and understand meters, gauges, and recording devices
- regulate chlorine dosages in water systems
- maintain accurate records
- understand and carry out oral and written directions
- interact tactfully and courteously with the public
- establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties
- perform physical tasks involving frequent bending, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling of weights up to 80 pounds
- climb vertical ladders to heights of over 30 feet
- drive an automobile
- use a keyboard
- grasp with right and left hands
- hear and distinguish various sounds, such as abnormal equipment sounds, voices of co-workers in noisy environments, pager, cell phone, etc.
Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
- One year of previous work experience working with pumps, motors, and other mechanical equipment
LICENSE
A valid Class C California Driver’s License including a safe driving recordOther Requirements:
- high school diploma or GED
- must be clean-shaven at all times as required to wear respiratory protection equipment
- willingness to take “on call” duty 24 hours a day for seven day intervals and be within a 45-minute response time under normal traffic conditions
- willingness to work nights, weekends, holidays and overtime as needed during emergencies and while taking “on call” duty
- must be willing to study and attend classes on own time and obtain sufficient education to meet the minimum education qualifications for examination by the California Department of Health Services, for both the Grade D2 Water Distribution Operator Certification and the Grade T2 Water Treatment Operator Certification within the first 12 months of employment (typically one 3-unit, 36 hour course covering the fundamentals of drinking water treatment). As knowledge, background and skills increase, the incumbent will be required to obtain a Grade D2 Water Distribution Operator certification and a Grade T2 Water Treatment Operator certification from the California Department of Health Services within 18 months of initial employment.
Supplemental Information:
The candidate will be appointed for a 12-month probationary period. Names of successful candidates who do not receive a job offer will be placed on an employment list which normally remains effective for one year. The Human Resources Department may abolish an Employment list at any time the needs of the City so require. This position is represented by the Operating Engineers Local Union No.3 bargaining group.
Prior to appointment to the position of Water Operator I, a medical examination and Department of Justice Livescan fingerprinting will be required.
The City of Watsonville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages workplace diversity. The City of Watsonville is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act by including people with disabilities in all of its programs and activities.
NOTE: THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CONTRACT, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AND ANY PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVISED WITHOUT NOTICE.
Prior to appointment to the position of Water Operator I, a medical examination and Department of Justice Livescan fingerprinting will be required.
The City of Watsonville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages workplace diversity. The City of Watsonville is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act by including people with disabilities in all of its programs and activities.
NOTE: THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CONTRACT, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AND ANY PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVISED WITHOUT NOTICE.
Salary : $67,122 - $89,960
