Distribution Operator I/II

Water Otter Job Board; San Clemente (CA); On-site; USD 77,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of San Clemente is seeking a Distribution Operator I/II to maintain and support the water distribution system. This role involves hands-on field work, meter reading, repair, and coordination of repairs with the Utilities team.

Operator I/II responsibilities include installing and servicing meters, leak detection, equipment operation, and contributing to capital projects. A four-day workweek, 10 hours per day, and weekend coverage are part of the schedule.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent with related training.
• Experience with water systems, construction, or utilities is desirable.
• Willingness to obtain required certifications within 12–18 months.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and repair water lines, valves, hydrants, meters, pump stations, and reservoirs.
• Read, inspect, repair, and replace water meters.
• Perform leak detection surveys and utility mark-outs.
• Support fire hydrant inspection, repair, and flushing.
• Operate construction and maintenance equipment and tools.
• Create and update work orders in the CMMS-Lucity system.
• Assist with capital improvement projects and field maintenance.
• Respond to public inquiries with professional service.
• Follow safety procedures and maintain safe field conditions.

Skills

Water distribution systems

Meter reading and repair

Field maintenance experience

Safety-minded

Equipment operation

Communication skills

Education

High School Diploma

Grade I Water Distribution Operator Certificate

Grade II Water Distribution Operator Certificate

Tools

CMMS-Lucity

Job description

Description

The City of San Clemente is excited to announce we are currently accepting applications for the position of:

Distribution Operator I/II (Public Works, Utilities/Water)

Distribution Operator I: $36.85-$44.79/hourly

Distribution Operator II: $39.67-$48.20/hourly

The City of San Clemente is looking for a dependable, safety-minded, and hardworking individual to join our Utilities team as a Distribution Operator I/II.

This is an exciting opportunity to perform meaningful, hands‑on work that directly supports public health, reliable water service, emergency readiness, and the daily operations of our community. Distribution Operators help maintain the City's water distribution system, water lines, valves, hydrants, meters, pump stations, reservoirs, and related facilities.

If you enjoy working outdoors, operating equipment, solving problems, learning technical skills, and being part of a team that provides an essential public service, this may be a great opportunity for you.

This position works a four (4) day workweek, 10 hours each day. Enjoy a 3-day weekend, every weekend!

What You\'ll Do:

As a Distribution Operator, you will help support the operation, maintenance, construction, and repair of the City's water distribution system. Duties may include:

• Maintaining and repairing water lines, valves, hydrants, meters, pump stations, reservoirs, and related facilities
• Reading, inspecting, repairing, and replacing water meters
• Performing leak detection surveys and utility mark‑outs
• Supporting fire hydrant inspection, repair, and flushing activities
• Operating construction and maintenance equipment, vehicles, hand tools, and power tools
• Creating and updating work orders in the City\'s maintenance management system
• Assisting with capital improvement projects and field maintenance activities
• Responding to public inquiries and providing helpful, professional service
• Following safety procedures and supporting safe working conditions in the field

At the Distribution Operator II level, employees may perform more advanced assignments, work more independently, operate specialized equipment, assist with training lower-level staff, explain work methods and procedures, and help support operational decisions to water system performance, water quality, flows, pressures, and system reliability.

Essential Functions

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

• Assist with the maintenance and repair of the City\'s the water distribution system and water filtration plant including water lines, valves, and hydrants; ensure safe working conditions of system; make recommendations for improvements.
• Read water consumption meters; turn on and off meters as needed; inspect meters to ensure accurate readings; repair and replace faulty meters.
• Assist with the maintenance and operation of pump stations; record data; generate work orders for maintenance and repairs.
• Operate various construction and maintenance equipment, including high velocity cleaning equipment, skid steer, front end loader and backhoe tractor equipment, dump trucks; use and maintain hand and power tools and assigned equipment; perform preventive maintenance on equipment.
• Maintain fire hydrant inspection program; inspect fire hydrants; ensure water quality and proper fire hydrant operation; make repairs as necessary.
• Utilize proper safety precautions related to all work performed.
• Assist in the construction of capital improvements projects.
• Perform leak detection surveys using various sound sensitive leak detection equipment.
• Perform Utility mark‑outs related to water in accordance with Common Ground Alliance best practices and California law.
• Generate preventive and corrective work orders using the City\’s CMMS-Lucity to document and track the work performed.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Participation in the City\'s on‑call rotation is required, including responding to after‑hours water system emergencies, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Typical Qualifications

The ideal candidate is someone who:

• Takes pride in providing reliable public service
• Enjoys hands‑on field work and working outdoors
• Is dependable, safety‑focused, and willing to learn
• Has experience with water systems, construction, maintenance, utilities, or related field work
• Can operate tools, vehicles, and equipment safety and effectively
• Communicates well with coworkers, supervisors, and members of the public
• Can stay organized, follow procedures, and document work accurately
• Is interested in building a career in water utilities and obtaining required certifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Distribution Operator I

Experience:

One (1) year of responsible experience performing field maintenance work, construction, plumbing or related work is desirable.

License/Certification Requirements:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain within 12 months of employment, a valid Grade I Water Distribution Operator Certificate issue by the California State Water Resources Control Board.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class B Driver License within 18 months from date of appointment.

Distribution Operator II

Experience:

Two (2) years of responsible experience performing field maintenance work, construction, or related work on water distribution facilities or similar systems is desirable

License/Certification Requirements:

• Possession of a valid Grade II Water Distribution Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.
• Possession of a valid Grade I Water Treatment Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class B Driver License within 18 months from date of appointment.

(Both Distribution Operator I and II)

Education/Training:

High School Diploma, or equivalent, supplemented by specialized training in maintenance, construction, water distribution, utilities, or a related field.

For more information, you can review the full Classification Specification: here.

Supplemental Information

Prior to employment, the prospective candidate must successfully complete a background review, medical examination, including drug screen, and be fingerprinted, all at City expense. If selected, acceptable identification showing entitlement to legally work in the United States will be required.

SELECTION PROCESS

• Applications and Supplemental Questions will be reviewed and evaluated for relevant education and experience.
• Candidates considered to have the best qualifications will be invited to participate in the selection process.
• The selection process will consist of an Oral Interview weighted at 100%.
• An eligibility list will be established and may be used to fill future vacancies.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Environment:

Work involves working within an indoor office, laboratory environment, water treatment plants, and water operations facilities. Work involve exposure to water, mud, sewage, noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases, traffic, chemicals, machinery, dirt, vibration head, cold and dampness; exposure to biological hazardous environments. Work may take place in inclement weather conditions; at elevated heights on scaffolding and/or ladders; within confined spaces, underground, on slippery or uneven surfaces; and/or around heavy construction equipment.

Physical Requirements:

Essential functions require:

• Str