Water System Operator I/II

Job Description:

Water System Operator I/II

Description

JOB SUMMARY

The City of Manhattan Beach is seeking a team-oriented Water System Operator I/II to join our dynamic Water Section in the Public Works Department! We're eager to find a collaborative team player who has great communication skills, experience with water distribution systems, a positive, solution-focused attitude, and a commitment to outstanding customer service.

The Water Section of the City of Manhattan Beach Public Works Department provides services to ensure that the City’s water supply is of the highest quality and meets all state and federal water quality requirements. Water treatment in the City of Manhattan Beach generally consists of supplemental chlorination and blending of the City's imported and well waters. The City’s three water storage facilities have a combined capacity of nearly 10 million gallons. The City’s Water Plant Operators sample water on a weekly basis throughout the City and send these samples to an independent laboratory for analysis. Manhattan Beach maintains an excellent record for having provided safe, high-quality water to its residents for 100 years.

THE POSITION
Under general supervision, the Water Systems Operator I/II performs a variety of heavy manual, semi-skilled, and skilled work in the installation, maintenance, construction, operation, modification, repair, and testing of water distribution systems, facilities, equipment, and components.

Level I:
Under immediate supervision, the Water Systems Operator I performs basic job duties and assists with more complex job functions. Participates in both classroom and field training to enhance knowledge of water distribution operations.

Level II:
Under general supervision, the Water System Operator II performs the more complex duties of the classification.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.

• Operates a variety of power, pneumatic, and hydraulic tools related to construction equipment used in the operations and maintenance of the water distribution system, such as chemical and oil sprayers, compressors, generators, chainsaws, trenchers, root saws, vibratory compactors, jack hammers, horizontal boring tools, pipe cutters, rock drills, impact wrenches, concrete saws and tapping machines.
• Loads, inspects, transports and operates trucks and heavy equipment of various sizes and weights, including water tankers, flatbeds, forklifts, mobile cranes, skip loaders dump trucks, backhoes and other equipment.
• Loads and unloads equipment, tools, gravel, sand, and other products, supplies or materials related to light and heavy duty maintenance and repair activities.
• Cleans and maintains equipment and tools.
• Performs maintenance, installation and repair of water mains, water services, meters, and appurtenance including excavation, backfilling, and compaction of short trenches; cuts, threads, fits and joins pipes and tubing, and makes taps on water mains.
• Reads, interprets, corrects, and maintains construction drawings, street maps, atlases, as-builts, survey markings and underground utility markings/signage in performance of work.
• Responds to water related emergency situations and performs emergency work.
• Sets up safety barricades, delineators, cones, sign boards, flagging, warning signs, traffic trench plates, and directs traffic to designate jobsites in accordance with applicable work zone safety standards.
• Performs routine inspection and preventative maintenance on assigned equipment, referring defects or needed repairs to supervisor; maintains records related to inspections, maintenance, and workload activities.
• Performs confined space entry work, utilizing proper safety techniques and equipment in accordance with departmental safety policies and procedures.
• Performs a variety of functions associated with the water distribution system, including but not limited to meter repair and replacement, small and large-valve maintenance and replacement, hydrant flushing, hydrant flow testing, repairing and replacing vaults, obtaining water quality samples, perform turn-on and offs.
• May train employees in work methods and procedures, use of tools and equipment, and relevant safety precautions.
• Other duties of this position include marking Underground Service Alerts (USAs), and removing and pouring concrete.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES

Education/Training/Experience:
A high school diploma or G.E.D. is required.

• Water System Operator I: A minimum of one (1) year full-time equivalent paid work experience is required in one or more of the following areas: pipeline construction; installation, maintenance and repair of water meters, services, mains, valves, production and/or distribution systems; or closely related work in water treatment, water distribution, or plumbing.
• Water System Operator II: A minimum of one (1) year full-time equivalent paid experience as a Water System Operator I or equivalent is required. Experience is required in one or more of the following areas: pipeline construction; installation, maintenance, and repair of water meters, services, mains, valves, production, and/or distribution systems; or closely related work at a water treatment or water distribution facility.

Licenses/Certificates/Special Requirements:

• Water System Operator I:
  Valid California Class C driver’s license is required at time of appointment.
  Class B Commercial driver’s license is required within one year of appointment.
  SWRCB Water Distribution Operator I (D1) is required within one year of appointment.
• Water System Operator II:
  Valid California Class B Commercial Drivers’ License is required at the time of appointment.
  SWRCB Water Distribution Operator II (D2) is required at the time of appointment.

All positions may be required to work shifts, including daytime, nighttime, weekends, and/or holidays and must have the ability to be assigned “stand-by”.

In accordance with California Government Code Section 3100, City of Manhattan Beach employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to protect the health, safety, lives, and property of the people of the State.

Knowledge of:
Construction safety regulations / practices, safety hazards, traffic control, and use of safety and personal protective equipment; basic principles of water distribution systems; methods, tools, and equipment used in maintenance, construction and repair work; inspecting a construction site in preparation for equipment operation to ensure adequate clearances such as underground service alerts; techniques of carpentry plumbing, painting and welding; principles and procedures of asphalt paving and patching, street and infrastructure construction and maintenance; and inspecting a construction site in preparation for equipment operation to ensure adequate clearances such as underground service alerts, and safety precautions and practices necessary when operating and working with tools, vehicles, and heavy/light duty equipment.

Ability to:
Perform construction, modification, maintenance and repair work on streets, water distribution systems, lift, carry, and move heavy objects, perform heavy semiskilled labor, perform strenuous manual labor at varied locations; follow, understand, and communicate written and verbal instructions; establish and maintain good working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, and the general public; represent the Department in a professional manner when dealing with customers, outside contractors and agency officials: recognize and be alert to hazardous situations; and follow verbal and written instructions and work cooperatively with others.

Skill in: The safe operation of tools, machinery and equipment necessary to work on the water distribution system.

The City of Manhattan Beach offers a generous benefits package to full-time and eligible employees including PERS medical plans, dental, vision, long-term and short-term disability, tuition reimbursement, and more.
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To see detailed information about Teamsters bargaining unit benefits, please visit our benefit page on the City's official website.

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Part-time employees are enrolled in PARS (Public Alternate Retirement System). All part-time and seasonal employees contribute 7.5% each pay period on a pre-tax basis. If an employee reaches 1,000 hours within a fiscal year (July 1st to June 30th) or is already a CalPERS member, then they are enrolled in CalPERS (Public Employees Retirement System).

The City complies with California Labor Code 245-249 by providing paid sick leave for part-time hourly employees accordingly.

The City of Manhattan Beach does not provide medical/dental/vision benefits to part-time employees. Eligible employees enrolled in CalPERS may opt into a CalPERS medical plan.

Closing Date/Time: 10/13/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$64,548.00 - $88,596.00 Annually