Water Distribution Operator

Job Overview

The Water Distribution Operator performs a variety of daily tasks to operate, maintain, and repair the City’s water distribution system. Work includes preventative and reactive O&M activities to ensure reliable system operation.

• Operate, maintain, and repair the City’s water distribution system, including water mains, valves, hydrants, service lines, water meters, air release valves, blow‑off valves, and other system appurtenances.
• Perform system manipulations, system shutdowns, customer service investigations, and assist with other divisional tasks such as utility locating, marking, and water meter service activities.
• Respond to emergencies and participate in the on‑call program, responding to after‑hours callbacks on a rotating schedule.
• Perform predictive, preventive, and reactive operation and maintenance activities, including valve exercising, valve maintenance, hydrant maintenance, hydrant flushing, and customer service investigations.
• Repair main breaks, isolate broken mains, set up traffic control, and operate equipment such as backhoes, combination jet/vacuum trucks, ditch witch units, dump trucks, utility service trucks, jackhammers, underground piercing units, pneumatic and electric power tools, and other equipment for distribution system repair.
• Repair and/or replace water service lines, water valves, valve boxes, air release valves, blow‑offs, pressure‑reducing valves, fire hydrants, and other system appurtenances.
• Communicate planned and unplanned interruptions in water service to customers.
• Maintain a clean and hazard‑free work area after completion of each assignment.
• Use the City’s CMMS software daily to accurately record equipment, labor, and asset utilization for each assignment.
• Investigate customer complaints related to water service such as low or high water pressure, water quality, air entrainment, system leaks, and more.
• Follow all standard operating procedures (SOP) and job hazard analysis (JHA) for distribution operations and maintenance; use required safety equipment (PPE) and, when necessary, safely enter confined spaces following OSHA safety regulations.
• Perform occasional chlorine residual testing, leak detection, and emergency system marking as required by Arizona
  811.
• Assist other divisions within the Department as needed.

• High School Diploma or GED equivalency.
• Knowledge or interest in basic mechanical and/or repair processes; preferred knowledge obtained through a vocational school or technical college.
• One (1) year of experience operating and maintaining a water distribution system, operating heavy equipment, and/or experience in a construction‑related field.
• An equivalent combination of education and job‑related experience may be considered on a year‑for‑year basis.
• Must possess an Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Water Distribution Operator Grade I Certification or be able to obtain the Certification within six (6) months of hire, and maintain certification for the duration of employment.
• Must possess an Arizona Class ‘A’ CDL upon hire and be able to obtain a tanker endorsement within six (6) months of hire and maintain the license for the duration of employment.