Water Operator I

The City of Wentzville is seeking a Water Operator I to assist with maintaining and operating the citys water supply and distribution systems. Under direct supervision, this position performs essential tasks such as water main repair and installation, utility locating, meter maintenance, water testing, and general labor duties. This role is an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to gain hands-on experience in public utilities while contributing to the community's safe and efficient water distribution.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Customer Service & Teamwork: Provide professional and respectful service in interactions with co-workers, residents, and the public.
• System Maintenance & Repair: Assist with inspecting, maintaining, and repairing water mains, service lines, hydrants, and valves.
• Hydrant & Valve Operations: Help maintain fire hydrants, exercise valves, flush hydrants for water quality, and perform minor repairs as needed.
• Utility Locating & GIS Mapping: Identify and mark city utilities (valves, hydrants, water/sewer mains, manholes, meter structures) and update GIS records.
• Meter Services: Assist in meter reading, installations, replacements, leak detection, and non-payment disconnects for utility billing.
• Excavation & Restoration: Participate in hand, equipment, and hydro excavation; perform yard restorations including sod installations, vegetation control, and maintenance of city water division properties.
• Equipment Operation: Operate light and heavy equipment including front loaders, skid loaders, forklifts, and dump trucks as needed.
• Regulatory Compliance: Assist with DNR and EPA water testing, backflow prevention inspections, and reporting functions.
• Safety & Compliance: Follow all safety protocols, procedures, and policies to maintain a safe working environment.
• Ancillary Duties
• On-Call & Emergency Response: Participate in an on-call rotation with a required response time of 30 minutes or less.
• Winter Operations: Respond to snow emergencies on a 24-hour call basis (for full-time employees), including snow plowing and salt spreading.
• Administrative Duties: Maintain accurate records of work performed and provide progress updates as needed.

The City of Wentzville is committed to being an employer of choice, offering prosperous and meaningful career opportunities and flexibility. The City offers excellent benefits, including health, vision, dental, employer-paid life insurance, long-term disability, a retirement pension, 13 paid holidays, five personal days, vacation time, sick time, tuition reimbursement, an employee assistance program, a discounted recreation center membership and much more.

This job posting will remain open until filled.

Job Qualifications Education, experience, and training that are required or desirable in order to effectively perform the job at the time of hire. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered. Additional requirements and/or substitutions may be requested and require the approval of HR.

• Minimum one year experience in the inspection, maintenance, and repair of the water distribution system, or other relevant experience required.
• Job-relevant certification/license, vocational/technical program completion, or completion of apprenticeship preferred.
• Valid Class A CDL with airbrakes and tanker endorsement preferred, or ability to obtain within 180 days of employment required.
• Valid drivers license is required.
• Certification in Water Distribution DS-I testing within 180 days of employment required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills, and abilities commonly associated with this position.

• Ability to provide exceptional service to internal and external customers.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with supervisors, co-workers, and customers by telephone, in writing, and in person.
• Ability to use good judgment and think rationally in difficult or stressful situations.
• Ability to develop goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish work, as well as concentrate on multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to work under direct supervision and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Ability to follow standard operating procedures and systems to accomplish tasks.
• Basic knowledge in the use of general computer programs and applications, including email and mobile apps
• Ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions.
• Ability to safely drive vehicles used to transport materials, tools, and equipment
• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential job duty. Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable.