Water Distribution Operator Trainee​/I​/II​/III; Ventura Water

Position: Water Distribution Operator Trainee/I/II/III (Ventura Water)
Applications are accepted exclusively through the City of Ventura Career Site: . Submissions through other websites or methods will not be accepted.

Applications and supplemental questions will be accepted until Monday, June 29, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.Pay & Benefits Water Distribution Operator Trainee - $28.19 - $34.27 Hourly DOQWater Distribution Operator I - $ 31.30 - $ 38.05 Hourly DOQWater Distribution Operator II - $ 33.57 - $ 40.80 Hourly DOQWater Distribution Operator III - $ 35.28 - $42.89 Hourly DOQBenefits

Medical Insurance (HMO, PPO options)
City Paid Dental and Vision Insurance Life Insurance Vacation & Holiday Compensation Deferred Compensation

CalPERS Retirement Wellness Program (access to gym facility and fitness classes)
Tuition Reimbursement & Bilingual Pay About the Opportunity The City of Ventura Water Department is hiring a Water Distribution Operator Trainee I/II/III . There is currently one vacancy that the City is looking to fill immediately.

This position performs a variety of duties related to installing, maintaining, repairing, and replacing water mains and service connections. Working as part of a crew, incumbents assist with repairing leaks in mains, lines, and valves, maintaining and replacing fire hydrants, performing excavation and maintenance activities using hand and pneumatic tools, operating motorized and mechanized equipment, repairing gate valves, chlorinating pipelines, testing hydraulic systems, and maintaining related water system facilities.

Duties also include maintaining water infrastructure, caring for tools and equipment, and helping ensure the reliable operation of the City's water distribution system.

Positions are flexibly staffed through the Water Distribution Operator Trainee/ I/II/III levels and may be filled at any level, depending on the certifications, qualifications, experience, and demonstrated skills of the incumbent, as well as the staffing needs of the City.

Minimum Qualifications – Required Water Distribution Operator Trainee : A combination of education, training, and/or experience equivalent to one year as a Maintenance Worker I.Water Distribution Operator I : A combination of education, training and/or experience equivalent to 18 months of related maintenance experience or one year of experience as a Water Distribution Operator Trainee, and possession of a valid California Water Resources Control Board Grade D1 Water Distribution Operator certificate.

Formal training in the following areas is highly desirable: confined space hazard prevention, asbestos safe handling and disposal, traffic safety control and flagging.

Water Distribution Operator II : A combination of education, training and/or experience equivalent to 18 months of related maintenance experience or one year of experience as a Water Distribution Operator I, and possession of a valid California Water Resources Control Board Grade D2 Water Distribution Operator certificate. Formal training in the following areas is highly desirable: confined space hazard prevention, asbestos safe handling and disposal, traffic safety control and flagging.

Water Distribution Operator III :
Possession of a valid California Water Resources Control Board Grade D3 Water Distribution Operator certificate. Formal training in the following areas is highly desirable: confined space hazard prevention, asbestos safe handling and disposal, traffic safety control and flagging.

Incumbent may be required to work stand-by on rotational basis and report to work on a callback basis as needed within a designated time frame. Standby assignment is at the discretion of the Division Head.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATES Certificates :

Water Distribution Operator Trainee :
This is the entry-level class in the flexibly staffed Water Distribution Operator series. No certification required.

Water Distribution Operator I :
Possession of a valid California Water Resources Control Board Grade D1 Water Distribution Operator certificate.

Water Distribution Operator II :
Possession of a valid California Water Resources Control Board Grade D2 Water Distribution Operator certificate.

Water Distribution Operator III :
Possession of a valid California Water Resources Control Board Grade D3 Water Distribution Operator certificate.

License:

Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license is required. Within 6 months of employment, incumbent is required to obtain and, thereafter, maintain a valid California Class A license with Auto Transmission and Air Brakes Restrictions - No Endorsement. (Department of Transportation (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). drug testing is required.)A pre-employment medical examination and background check are required before an appointment is made.

About Ventura Water Ventura Water provides drinking water to more than 109,000 people through approximately 32,000 water service connections. This complex water system has more than 391 miles of pipeline, 3 water treatment plants, 23 pump stations and 31 reservoirs. Our community relies on three 100% local water…