CANAL OPERATOR

San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority

Mountain House (CA)

On-site

USD 58,000 - 71,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Vacation leave

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Job summary

San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority is seeking a Canal Operator to manage irrigation water flow through the Delta Mendota Canal and related facilities in Tracy. The role requires at least two years of canal operation experience and a valid California driver license.

Starting salary is $64,879.76, with benefits outlined in the selection process. Typical duties include ensuring safe water delivery, routing flow, and performing maintenance on facilities.

Qualifications

Two years in canal system operation and maintenance of irrigation facilities for a water district or related entity.

Responsibilities

Ensures the safe and proper flow and delivery of irrigation water in assigned areas of responsibility.
Locks and unlocks facilities as needed.
Maintains proper water elevations within various facilities to maintain proper distribution of water and to minimize losses.
Patrols and safeguards facilities and equipment, noting unsafe or improper conditions or failures.
Performs miscellaneous maintenance such as trash removal, signage replacement, fence repair, painting.

Skills

Two years canal operation

Job description

CANAL OPERATOR - TRACY

Application Deadline: 12:00pm on Monday, November 30, 2026

Starting Salary (depending on experience, generally at Step I): Salary Grade7: $64,879.76

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of education and experience which would likely provide the necessary knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Two (2) years in canal system operation and maintenance of irrigation facilities for a water district or related entity.

License Requirement

Driver License: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License may be required at the time of appointment. Failure to obtain or maintain such required license(s) may be cause for disciplinary action. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a physical disability will be considered for accommodation on a case-by-case basis.
Possession and proof of a good driving record as evidenced by freedom from multiple or serious traffic violations or accidents for at least two (2) consecutive years. Failure to obtain or maintain such required license(s) may be cause for disciplinary action. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a physical disability will be considered for accommodation on a case-by-case basis. The driving record will not contribute to an increase in the Authority's automobile insurance rates.

Abbreviated Job Description

Under general direction of the Water Operations Superintendent, the Canal Operator regulates the flow and distribution of irrigation water through the Delta Mendota Canal and related facilities; performs related work as required.

Examples of duties

The duties listed below are illustrative only and are not meant to be a complete and exhaustive listing of the duties and responsibilities of the classification.

Ensures the safe and proper flow and delivery of irrigation water in assigned areas of responsibility.
Locks and unlocks facilities as needed.
Maintains proper water elevations within various facilities to maintain proper distribution of water and to minimize losses.
Patrols and safeguards facilities and equipment, noting unsafe or improper conditions or failures.
Performs miscellaneous maintenance such as: trash removal, signage replacement, fence repair, painting.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requires the Knowledge of

Basic hydraulics and water flow.
Basic arithmetic.
Mechanical principals.
Various types of water gates, diversions, and turnouts.
Methods used in balancing water flow.
Geography of the local area.
Tools and equipment used in repairing leaks to ditches and canals.
Proper work safety standards.

Must possess the Ability to

Apply knowledge of operating principles of agricultural and irrigation systems, mechanical systems applicable to irrigation water flows including distribution and diversion.
Compute basic mathematics and practices.
Use tools and equipment specific to agricultural and irrigation distribution systems.
Keep records and prepare routine reports.
Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Occasionally required to work irregular or extended work hours.
Regularly and consistently meet attendance/punctuality requirements.
Follow instructions, work independently and cooperatively with others.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers, outside agencies, and the public.

Typical Physical Activities include, but are not limited to

Works in areas that are designated as confined spaces, which may be below water level.
Travels daily in remote areas by automobile in conducting Authority business, up to eight hours per day.
Works in an environment with exposure to dust, dirt, and significant temperature changes between cold and heat.
Must be able to carry push, pull, reach, and lift equipment and parts weighing up to 50 pounds.
Sufficient manual dexterity to allow for daily, repetitive use of hands and feet.
Stoops, kneels, crouches, crawls, climbs, reaches, sits, stands and walks for extended time periods.
Communicates orally with Authority staff and the general public in face-to-face, one-on-one settings.
Regularly uses a telephone/cellular phone for communication.
Uses office equipment such as computer terminals, copiers, and FAX machines.
Hearing and vision within normal ranges with or without correction.

Environmental Factors include

Exposure to the sun: 90% to 100% work time spent outside a building and exposed to the sun. High temp: Considerable work time in manual labor in temperatures between 80-100 degrees. Cold temp: Considerable work time in manual labor in temperatures 40 degrees and below. Humidity: Work in areas with unusually high humidity. Fog: Considerable time spent driving in foggy conditions with poor visibility. Noise: Occasionally there are unusually loud sounds. Slippery surfaces: Occasional work on unusually slippery or unstable surfaces. Oil: Some parts of the body in contact with oil or grease occasionally. Dust: Works and drives in or around areas with minor to severe amounts of dust. Electricity: Considerable time spent opening electrical/control panels to access control switches and/or pushbuttons. Rotating machinery: Considerable time spent around rotating shafts, cable drums, and high-speed gear boxes. Venomous insects, spiders, and snakes: Considerable time spent in and around the habitat of hornets, wasps, venomous spiders and snakes. Trespassers: Occasional interactions with unauthorized persons on check structures, right-of-ways, and other Authority maintained facilities.

SELECTION PROCESS

Meeting the minimum qualifications for this position does not guarantee that you will be selected for further consideration. Only those individuals most suited to our particular needs will advance to any skills test and/or oral interview.

Should you feel you need special accommodations for the skills test and/or interview, due to a qualifying disability, please contact the Human Resources Department at (209) 826-9696.

Verification of Employment

The Authority conducts verification of a candidate's employment history, education and training and other information contained in the application and any other materials submitted by a candidate

Conditional Offer of Employment

An offer of employment will be conditional upon legal ability to work in the United States and verification of a candidate's employment history, education and training, other information contained in the Employment Application, and any license requirements. This organization participates in E-Verify.

BENEFITS

Holidays

Employees receive eleven (11) paid holidays, including one (1) floating holiday.

Vacation & Medical Leave

Vacation leave is accrued at the rate of 80 hours per year up through year four 4. At year five (5), leave increases to 120 hours per year. At ten (10) years of service, vacation leave is accrued at the rate of 140 hours and at fifteen (15) years of service, vacation leave increases to a maximum of 160 hours per year.

Medical leave accrues at the rate of eight (8) hours per month.

Retirement Benefits

401(a) Defined Contribution Plan: A 401(a) Defined Contribution Plan is funded by the Authority contributing equal to 8% of your gross base annual salary
457 Deferred Compensation Plan: The 457 Deferred Compensation Plan is an optional voluntary plan, that employees can opt to contribute to. This plan offers a Roth option.
Upon retirement, a Retirement Health Savings (RHS) Plan is available

The total combined contributions for the 401(a) or the 457 Deferred Compensation Plans by the Authority will amount to a maximum of 13% of your gross base annual salary. All contributions under both plans vest immediately to you.

NOTE: You should be aware that the Authority does not participate in Social Security. This may affect Social Security benefits upon retirement.

Health Benefits