Laborer (Operator I-II)

cityofbelen; Belen (NM); On-site; USD 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Belen's Water Department seeks a Laborer (Operator I-II) to perform semi-skilled duties across water systems, maintenance, and environmental protection. This full-time role requires a high school diploma or GED and a valid NM driver license, with on-call duties and potential CDL preference.

Responsibilities include constructing and maintaining water infrastructure, installing and testing equipment, operating department machinery, and responding to water breaks.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED; plus, one (1) year additional education.
• A valid New Mexico driver license required.
• Commercial Driver's License preferred.
• Willing to obtain Water Level I/Waste Water Level ICertification within eighteen (18) months of hire.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and the public.
• Ability to work independently and to complete daily activities with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Follows policies and procedures as set forth by the City of Belen.
• Performs routine duties within the water department; assists to construct and maintain water systems; performs simple janitorial work; assures proper installation and maintenance of water systems equipment.
• May assist in the installation of water systems; selects line sizes, spacing, type and control equipment; install, tests and maintain systems utilizing low operating features.
• May operate in confined spaces.
• May operate water department equipment.
• May perform general repair and clean up duties after water breaks.
• May perform seasonal duties such as snow removal; water line winterization.
• Reads and installs community water utilization meters.
• Scheduled for on call on off-hours.
• Shall respond to water breaks on all off hours when needed.
• Assists with City functions.
• Performs related duties as required.
• May operate around sewer breaks or sewer back up

Skills

Oral and written communication

Education

High School diploma or GED

One year additional education

Water Level I/Waste Water Level I Certification (within 18 months)

Tools

Commercial Driver's License

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Laborer (Operator I-II)

FULL-TIME REGULAR

Deadline: Applications are due by Monday August 17, 2026 no later than 5:00PM

Starting annual salary $38,251-$47,236 ($18.39-$22.71 an hour) hourly rate depends on water level certifications

Department: Water Department

Supervised Received: Water Supervisor

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

Performs a variety of working level semi-skilled duties related to the water system(s), construction, installation, maintenance, and general environmental protection.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Follows policies and procedures as set forth by the City of Belen.
• Performs routine duties within the water department; assists to construct and maintain water systems; performs simple janitorial work; assures proper installation and maintenance of water systems equipment.
• May assists in the installation of water systems; selects line sizes, spacing, type and control equipment; install, tests and maintain systems utilizing low operating features.
• May operate in confines spaces.
• May operate water department equipment.
• May perform general repair and clean up duties after water breaks.
• May perform various seasonal duties such as; snow removal; water line winterization, etc.
• Reads and installs community water utilization meters.
• Scheduled for on call on off-hours.
• Shall respond to water breaks on all off hours when needed.
• Assists with City functions.
• Performs related duties as required.
• May operate around sewer breaks or sewer back up

QUALIFICATIONS

• High School diploma or GED; plus, one (1) year additional education.
• A valid New Mexico’s driver license required.
• Commercial Driver's License preferred.
• Willing to obtain Water Level I/Waste Water Level ICertification within eighteen (18) months of hire.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and other City personnel and the public.
• Ability to work independently and to complete daily activities according to work schedule with minimal supervision.
• Must complete a background investigation.
• Must pass drug and alcohol test and subsequent random testing.

EQUIPMENT USED:

Knowledge to include use of common hand and power tools, maintenance and use of motor equipment, two-way radios, ladders, work tools (shovel, pick, screwdrivers, wrenches, & pliers, etc), street and water equipment and maintenance (heavy) equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to read, write, walk, sit, talk, or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands or fingers to handle, feel or operate equipment and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to push, pull, stoop, bend or kneel. The employee must occasionally lift up to 60 pounds and move up to 60 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee works both inside, but mostly outside in varying weather conditions including cold, hot, wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the work environment varies depending on activities scheduled; may be extremely quiet to extremely noisy.