Distribution Operator I​/II​/III

Eastern Municipal Water District

Perris, CA 92572

Distribution Operator I/II/III

Salary Range: $36.60 - $45.56

Close Date:
September 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Under direction, inspects, operates, maintains, services and performs operational repairs to facilities and equipment used in the storage, treatment and distribution of potable and reclaimed water; serves as a leader on assigned projects with responsibility for directing and reviewing the work of project staff; performs operational adjustments to the distribution system to ensure compliance with quality and regulatory requirements; responds to water leak and emergency repair situations;

and performs related duties as assigned.

This is the advanced-level classification in the Distribution Operator series responsible for performing the most complex work assigned to the series. Incumbents regularly work on tasks which are varied and complex, requiring considerable discretion and independent judgment. Positions in the classification rely on experience and judgment to perform the full range of water distribution related duties. Assignments are given with general guidelines and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines and methods to perform with considerable latitude for the exercise of independent judgment.

Work is typically reviewed upon completion for soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy and requirements. This class is distinguished from the Water Operations Supervisor in that the latter is a full-supervisory class with accountability and ongoing decision-making responsibilities associated with the work. Employees in this classification are subject to on-call, which may include rotating-duty schedule, weekends and 24-hour emergency call out with little or no notice.

Receives direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises technical and functional direction over and provides training to lower-level staff.

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 this position.

• Assists in the treatment and operation of systems through monitoring, inspecting and maintaining the potable and reclaimed water production, storage, pumping equipment and distribution systems, including reading meters, pressures, chlorine residuals, basic total dissolved liquids (TDS) and nitrate levels and samples.
• Learns to interpret, and determine problems in the system, from information on gauges, meters, charts and graphs; operates pumps, valves and related equipment to regulate flows and pressures.
• Learns to perform operational adjustments to the distribution system to ensure compliance with quality and regulatory requirements, including but not limited to, flushing trouble areas and pulling samples for lab and determining a plan to correct water quality problems; learns to calculate chemical treatment and blends at wells and make daily systems changes to plants, wells and storage sites.
• Learns to perform preventive maintenance program tasks on pumps, valves, engines, motors and related production, storage and distribution system equipment and facilities; learns to perform pump testing using various head and flow instruments.
• Learns to collect and analyze water samples from various locations within the distribution system to monitor and maintain water quality daily.
• Receives chemical shipments, participates in the unloading process and records into inventory; inspects shipments received for standards compliance.
• Learns to inspect production, treatment, storage and distribution facilities for maintenance and cleaning needs, including but not limited to climbing on top of tall steel tanks, climbing down into reservoirs, vaults and other confined spaces, working in large reservoirs, and climbing on ladders to inspect, service and clean pumps and other equipment or facilities; maintains building and grounds…