Utility Operator

Job Description

Utility Operator 3

Competition Number: 26/168

Posting Scope: Internal / External

Posted Date: September 8, 2026

Closing Date: September 29, 2026, 4:30 PM PST

Department: Engineering & Public Works

Work schedule: Monday to Friday (40 hour work week) – Continuous (Full-Time)

Salary: $51.22 per hour, Pay Grade 14

Job Code: 765

Employee Group: This is a CUPE Local 50 position

Number of Vacancies: 1

The City of Victoria is hiring a Utility Operator 3 to lead high-performing utility operations crews responsible for delivering essential water, wastewater, and stormwater services to the community. As a Utility Operator 3, you will provide day-to-day leadership for complex construction, maintenance, and emergency response activities - coordinating resources, ensuring public health and regulatory compliance, and championing a strong safety culture.

This role is ideal for an experienced utility professional who excels at leading teams, mentoring staff, making sound operational decisions, and driving projects to successful completion in a dynamic field environment.

If you bring extensive experience with underground utility systems, proven leadership on water, wastewater and stormwater construction sites, and hold relevant EOCP certifications in water distribution and wastewater collection, we encourage you to apply.

Leads the work of a crew carrying out installation, rehabilitation, repair, inspection, testing and operation of Water, Wastewater, and Storm systems.

• Plan, assign, direct, inspect and participate in the work of up to 8 staff involved in the construction, repair and operation of sanitary sewer, storm drain and water distribution systems.
• Perform tasks related to the installation, control, and operation of water distribution, wastewater collection, and stormwater drainage systems under a variety of field and site conditions, including operating vehicles and equipment for material transport, excavation, and pipe installation.
• Act as Prime Contractor, ensuring the safety of crews and the public during construction and excavation activities involving City and third-party equipment.
• Ensure compliance with legislative standards and public health and safety regulations by adhering to best practices for drinking water, sanitary sewer, and storm infrastructure operations.
• Monitor schedules, procedures, and performance standards to ensure objectives are met.
• Read and interpret engineering plans for system design, location of utilities and completion of work; mark-up issued for construction drawings to reflect installation; adjust plans as required in coordination with engineers when conflicts arise.
• Conduct daily construction and site safety meetings and attend and participate in pre-construction meetings for large Capital projects.
• Provide training and guidance on proper and safe work methods.
• Contribute to employee performance evaluations and development plans.
• Coordinate and order parts, materials, staff resources, and equipment for job sites.
• Manage documentation, including equipment rental forms, material slips, contractor time sheets, soil disposal manifests, traffic management plans.
• Liaise with external agencies, contractors, and City departments to provide technical input and ensure project timelines and designs are followed.
• Respond to public inquiries and complaints and communicate impacts of service interruptions or installations.
• Maintain and update a variety of records and reports for maintenance and new installations, complete after-action reports detailing construction methods, update maps, drawings, and software programs as required.
• Respond to emergency calls for service.
• Exercise Direct Responsible Charge (DRC) authority to make on-site operational decisions in accordance with the provincial Environmental Operators Certification Program (EOCP) regulations.
• Actively seek and participate in learning activities to maintain relevant industry knowledge and acquire the required annual training for maintenance of valid Certification.
• Perform related duties where qualified.

Planned work assignments are reviewed by a supervisor; however, the Operator 3 holds on-site responsibility for job execution.

Issues such as extensive changes to project design and scheduling for planned work discussed with supervisor.

Acts independently under DRC authority to make operational decisions, as defined by the EOCP.

Lift and move heavy materials and equipment. (often)

Perform…