WATER SYSTEM OPERATOR I/II

Job Description:

WATER SYSTEM OPERATOR I/II

Description

Description:

This position is represented by Service Employee International Union position (SEIU)

City of Palo Alto Utilities
The City of Palo Alto Utilities is hiring for a Water Systems Operator II/Water Systems Operator I. The City of Palo Alto is the only city in California that offers a full array of utility services to its citizens and businesses. Because of this, the City has a unique opportunity to partner with the Palo Alto community to enjoy the benefits and achievements of reliable, homegrown, and environmentally focused utilities. Palo Alto has a tradition of over 100 years of successful public utility operations. It is a tradition that continues to provide the Palo Alto community with safe and reliable utility service, local decision-making over policies, utility rate-making, environmental programs, and customized services.

The Position
Under general supervision incumbents perform a variety of semi-skilled maintenance: operate, inspect, clean and repair various systems and components of the water distribution system to insure the delivery of high quality water. Current opening is for a Water System Operator II. Will fill as a Water System Operator I with qualified candidate. Promotional opportunity to Water System Operator II upon qualification. Additional responsibilities involve water sampling, testing, monitoring and operating the city's SCADA system, responding to water system emergencies and investigation customer complaints. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Ideal Candidate Water Systems Operator II

• Shall have a minimum of four years of experience in the drinking water industry and two of those years working as a State Certified Distribution Operator D3.
• Mechanically inclined and knowledgeable in water hydraulics.
• Experience using basic hand and power tools.
• Work as an on-call Shift Operator nights, weekends and holidays.
• The ability to run the distribution system remotely via SCADA.
• Self-motivated as this position involves testing and/or troubleshooting a wide variety of equipment and components used in the City's water distribution system without immediate supervision
• Possess full knowledge of drinking water compliance sampling and its associated documentation procedures.
• Possess good communication skills and experience in customer service.

Ideal Candidate Water System Operator I

• Shall have a minimum of two years of experience in the drinking water industry.
• Show mechanical aptitude and have some knowledge of water hydraulics.
• Experience using basic hand and power tools.
• Self-motivated as this position involves testing and/or troubleshooting a wide variety of equipment and components used in the City's water distribution system without immediate supervision.
• Possess knowledge of water sampling and its associated documentation procedures.
• Possess good communication skills.

Shift Information: M-F; 6:30am-4pm. 9/80 schedule Off every other Friday

Essential Duties:

Water Systems Operator II

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Follows guidelines for proper documentation of water samples collected from sites and delivers to lab or performs tests on-site for state compliance of chlorine level, fluoride, coliforms and temperature according to State and Federal requirements
• Periodically, performs maintenance such as lubrication of various types of pumps, motors and valves; plumbing and facilities; drains booster pumps for winter; drains, inspects, and cleans reservoirs
• Operates and maintains pumps, valves, blowers, S/B generators, compressors, piping, feeders, chlorinators, and other auxiliary equipment to regulate and control the flow of water through the treatment plants distribution system and related facilities
• Maintains pumps, motors, valves, solenoids, altitude valves, and meters; removes, disassembles, overhauls, repairs, replaces, and installs as needed
• Monitors and maintains chemical treatment / disinfection equipment equipment/controls at eight (8) sites and delivers chemical containers
• Visually inspects and monitorsvarioustelemetry and scada system devices controlling the water treatment plants and distribution system
• Responds to emergency repairs and instructs work crews on proper disinfection of affected water lines and follows proper sampling techniques to insure water quality standards are met
• Adjusts pressure control settingsthroughout City assuring proper pressures to customers
• Investigates consumer water quality complaints and answers questions on water issues
• Maintains basic operational records such as operating logs, maintenance of work performed, and records readings from a variety of gauges, meters, or charts. Downloads testing equipment data to designated laboratory computer
• Learns and receives training in advanced operational and technological developments in the water industry

Water Systems Operator I

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Operates and maintains the undirectional flushing program
• Operates and maintains water receiving stations, booster stations and pressure reducing stations
• Performs testing and sampling on-site for state compliance of chlorine, monochloramines, fluoride, nitrites, nitrates, ammonia, pH, coliforms, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, and temperature; etc.
• Performs tests using laboratory testing equipment
• Operates and maintains air relief valves, blowoffs, hydrants and other distribution system components
• Operates and maintains dechlorination equipment and chemicals
• Operates and maintains on-line monitoring devices, portable devices and laboratory equipment
• Visually inspects and monitors various telemetry and scada system devices controlling the water distribution sys tem
• Responds to water system emergencies as needed
• Follows Department of Health sampling techniques to insure water quality standards are met
• Investigates consumer water quality complaints and answers questions on water quality issues
• Maintains basic operational records such as operating logs, maintenance work performed, and records readings from a variety of gauges, meters, or charts. Downloads testing equipment data to designated laboratory computer
• Water Sampling
  

Related Functions:

• Performs related duties and responsibilities as required
  

For Full Job Description:

Water Systems Operator II Click Here
Salary $92,851.20 - $113,984.00 Annually

Water Systems Operator I Click Here
Salary $81,286.40 - $99,798.40 Annually

Minimum Qualifications:

Water Systems Operator II
Sufficient education, training and/or experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:

• High School Graduate or GED
• Two years experience in related field

Special Requirements:

• Ability to pass drug test as mandated by the Department of Transportation
• Possession of Grade T2 Water Treatment Operator Certificate issued by the State of California. A Grade D3 Water Distribution Operator Certificate issued by the State of California
• Will be required to meet Department of Health continuing education credits to maintain proper certification
• Possession of a valid Class C California driver's license with hazardous materials endorsement
• Will be required to work on-call weekends, extended hours, and holidays as assigned or required
• Color vision for color comparison chemical tests
• Ability to wear OSHA approved respiratory equipment and breathing apparatus

Water Systems Operator I
Sufficient education, training and/or experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:

• High School Graduate
• Experience of one year in a related field such as mechanical, environmental, operations

Special Requirements:

• Possession of Grade D2 Water Distribution Operator Certificate or ability to obtain within one year issued by the State Department of Health of California
• Will be required to meet Department of Health continuing education credits to maintain proper certification
• Possession of a valid Class C California driver's license with hazardous materials endorsement
• Will be required to work on-call, weekends, extended hours and holidays as assigned or required
• Color vision for color comparison chemical tests
• Ability to wear OSHA approved respiratory equipment and breathing apparatus.

Supplemental Information:

Benefits: Fantastic benefits package, to learn more click HERE .
Compensation (SEIU): Comprehensive compensation plan, to learn more click HERE.

The Selection Process:

• Applicants will receive recruitment status notifications via email. Governmentjobs.com account also has notification status updates.
  
• Applicants will be screened throughout the posting process and highly qualified candidates may be invited to interview at any time after the posting closes.
  
• The screening process for this position typically may include a virtual recorded interview and/or panel interviews preceding final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.
  
  

Our online application system is provided by NeoGov . If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.

The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

For more details visit our Careers Page, by clicking HERE.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking HERE.

Closing Date/Time: 9/27/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$92,851.20 - $113,984.00 Annually