Lead Utilities System Operator

City of Pleasanton, CA; Pleasanton (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Pleasanton, CA, is seeking a skilled Lead Utilities System Operator to lead day-to-day operations for water distribution, wastewater collection, and storm drain systems. You will supervise crews, ensure safe, compliant work, and utilize SCADA systems to monitor and regulate critical infrastructure.

You will coordinate planning, procurement, and field service activities while maintaining records, handling emergencies, and delivering reliable utility services to the community.

Qualifications

• Two to three years journey level experience in operation and maintenance of water and/or sewer systems.
• Strong leadership skills to plan, organize crews, and promote safe work practices.
• Knowledge of safety, compliance, and regulatory requirements for public works utilities.

Responsibilities

• Plan, schedule, and monitor daily to monthly work of utility operations and maintenance crews.
• Coordinate resources, tools, and materials for safe, efficient work execution.
• Monitor water, sewer, and storm drain systems using SCADA control.
• Regulate water pressures and chemical residuals; perform complex maintenance and repair tasks.
• Oversee installation of backflow devices and manage related records.
• Collaborate with City staff, contractors, and field service personnel; respond to inquiries.

Skills

Water distribution

Wastewater collection

Storm drain systems

SCADA

Crew leadership

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

SCADA systems

Job description

The City of Pleasanton is excited to announce an opportunity for a skilled and experienced candidate as a Lead Utilities System Operator in the Public Works Department. In this role, you will lead and support the day-to-day operation, maintenance, and repair of the City’s water distribution, wastewater collection, and storm drain systems.

You will plan, schedule, coordinate, and monitor the work of operations and maintenance crews while helping ensure City utility infrastructure is safe, reliable, compliant, and responsive to community needs. This position combines hands‑on technical work with crew leadership, system monitoring, customer service, equipment operation, recordkeeping, and emergency response!

We're Looking for Someone Who Is

• An experienced utility professional with a strong background in water distribution, wastewater collection, and/or storm drain system operations and maintenance.
• A confident lead who can plan work, organize crews, provide instruction, and maintain a safe, productive work environment.
• Hands‑on and comfortable performing advanced maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and construction work in the field.
• Safety‑focused and prepared to work around traffic, heavy equipment, chemicals, confined spaces, excavation areas, high‑pressure systems, and other potentially hazardous conditions.
• Organized and dependable, with the ability to balance scheduled maintenance, urgent repairs, customer concerns, and occasional emergency callouts.
• Customer service‑minded, with strong communication skills when working with City staff, coworkers, contractors, and the public.
• Comfortable using SCADA, basic computer systems, two‑way radios, maps, blueprints, work orders, and operational records.

In This Role, You Will

• Plan, schedule, and monitor the daily, weekly, and monthly work of utility operations and maintenance crews.
• Organize work assignments and ensure crews have the appropriate tools, equipment, materials, and support needed to complete work safely and efficiently.
• Monitor the City’s water, sewer, and storm drain systems using a computerized SCADA control system.
• Regulate water pressures and chlorine and fluoride residuals within the water distribution system.
• Perform and oversee difficult maintenance, repair, and installation work involving water and sewer mains, laterals, meters, pumps, motors, valves, backflow devices, and related equipment.
• Coordinate USA underground utility‑marking assignments.
• Oversee and install backflow prevention devices.
• Operate and ensure the proper use of equipment associated with utility operations and maintenance activities.
• Evaluate and troubleshoot problems with pumping systems, control systems, valves, and associated equipment.
• Maintain system records, prepare reports, and complete operational documentation.
• Coordinate work with other Public Works staff, City departments, contractors, and field service personnel as needed.
• Respond professionally to customer inquiries and complaints related to utility service issues.
• Supervise and instruct assigned personnel while promoting safe work practices in potentially hazardous environments.
• Assist with planning, procurement, and operational needs related to the City’s utility systems.

A Few Reasons You'll Love Working With Us

• Meaningful public service: Your work directly supports safe, dependable water, wastewater, and storm drain services for Pleasanton residents and businesses.
• Leadership opportunity: You will guide and support utility crews while remaining connected to the technical, field‑based work of the division.
• Varied and challenging work: Each day may involve system monitoring, crew coordination, equipment repair, field response, customer service, and infrastructure maintenance.
• Technical growth: You will apply and expand your expertise in water distribution, wastewater collection, storm drain systems, SCADA operations, heavy equipment, and regulatory compliance.
• Community impact: You will help protect public health, maintain essential infrastructure, and ensure reliable service delivery throughout the community.

A Few Challenges You Might Face

• Coordinating work across complex water, sewer, and storm drain systems while responding to competing operational priorities.
• Leading crews through urgent repairs, service disruptions, emergency callouts, and changing field conditions.
• Working in construction zones, confined or hazardous environments, adverse weather, and around chemicals, traffic, high‑voltage wires, and high‑pressure utility systems.
• Balancing hands‑on operational responsibilities with crew supervision, recordkeeping, system monitoring, and customer response.

The Ideal Candidate Will Be

• Experienced at the journey level in the operation and maintenance of water and/or sewer systems.
• Knowledgeable in flow mechanics, chemical dosing, pump and motor maintenance, valves, backflow devices, and water and sewer main construction and repair.
• Familiar with state regulations governing public water distribution systems and sewer and storm drain collection systems.
• Skilled in using SCADA systems and evaluating pumping, control, and valve‑related issues.
• Able to read and interpret safety manuals, operating manuals, equipment manuals, work orders, maps, blueprints, and schematic diagrams.
• Able to safely operate power tools and heavy equipment, such as backhoes, skip loaders, and cranes.
• Effective at supervising and training staff, assigning work, and supporting a safe and respectful team environment.
• Professional, courteous, and responsive when communicating with supervisors, coworkers, contractors, and the public.
• Able to perform physical work throughout the day, including lifting, working on uneven surfaces, entering cramped areas, and climbing ladders or tanks as needed.
• Dependable, safety‑conscious, and prepared to respond to occasional emergency callouts or requests for guidance outside of regular work hours.

For more information about the position, please refer to the job description by visiting the following link

Education and Experience

• High school graduation or GED equivalent and two to three years' experience at the journey level in the operation and maintenance of water and or sewer systems.

License

• Valid class C California driver's license.
• State of California Grade II water distribution license is required at time of appointment.
• State of California Grade III water distribution license is required within one year of hire date.
• State of California Grade I water treatment license is required at time of appointment.
• State of California Grade II water treatment license is required within one year of hire date.
• A valid Backflow prevention certificate is required within two years of hire.
• A Grade I CWEA Sewer collection certification is required.
• Within one year must obtain a valid Class A California driver's license.