Systems Operator Padre Dam Municipal Water District

San Diego County Water Authority; Santee, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Padre Dam Municipal Water District is seeking a Certified Systems Operator to monitor and operate the potable water distribution system, ensuring regulatory compliance and water quality under general supervision. The role emphasizes safe, reliable service and collaborative teamwork.

Requirements include a valid California Water Resources Control Board Water Distribution Operator Grade D3 or higher and experience with pumps, lift stations, controls, and SCADA systems.

Qualifications

• Candidate must have High School Diploma or GED and an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid California Driver’s License and California State Water Resources Control Board Water Distribution Operator Grade D3 or higher are required.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, operate, and adjust potable water distribution systems to ensure regulatory compliance and water quality.
• Collect water quality samples and document operational data; respond to alarms and customer inquiries.
• Support wastewater collection system operations, including influent pump stations and lift stations, ensuring proper wet well levels and pump flows.
• Assist in after-hours callouts and coordinate with contractors to maintain system reliability.

Skills

SCADA monitoring

Water distribution

Emergency response

Maintenance experience

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Equivalent education/experience

Tools

SCADA

Pumps & motors

Job description

Padre Dam Municipal Water District is seeking aCertifiedSystems Operatorto play a vital role in delivering safe, reliable potable water to our community. This position is ideal for a motivated professional who holds aSWRCB Water Distribution Operator Grade IIIcertificate (or higher) and has experience operating and maintaining wastewater collection and water distribution systems.

This role offers a collaborative, safety-driven work environment that values teamwork, accountability, and continuous learning, with opportunities to grow skills and take on increased responsibility over time. If you’re passionate about protecting public health through dependable drinking water and wastewater collection service and ready to make an impact every day, we’d love to hear from you.

Successful Candidates will be invited to interview late March 2026.

This position is eligible for appointment within the following Salary Grades:

• o Salary Grade 24 – $39.71 – $56.17
• o Salary Grade 26 – $42.35 – $59.91

Future Salary Increase: June 2026 – 3.25% to base pay

Systems Operators may receive additional pay for hours worked.

Note: The following are estimated hourly rates.
Duty Shift Premium
3%
Adjusted Hourly Rate

Grade 24: $40.90 – $57.86

Grade 26: $43.62 – $61.71
Systems Operators may also be eligible for a minimum of seven (7) hours of Overtime per Duty Shift

*For additional information on our performance merit system and benefits available to Padre Dam Municipal Water District employees, please refer to theBENEFITStab of this posting.

The Position:

Under general supervision, the Systems Operator is responsible for monitoring, operating, and adjusting the potable water distribution system to ensure consistent service, regulatory compliance, and maintaining water quality. Duties include monitoring system performance through SCADA, adjusting flows and pressures from reservoirs, turnouts, and control facilities, collecting water quality samples, documenting operational data, and responding to customer inquiries and system alarms. Systems Operators are responsible for monitoring, operating, identifying system issues and determining adequate solutions for the District’s wastewater collection systems to include the influent pump station, sewage lift stations, and related control systems to ensure proper wet well levels and pump flows. The position also supports emergency response activities, including after-hour callouts, and works closely with other operators, supervisors, and contractors to maintain system reliability.

Knowledge, Skills, Training, Experience & Licensing

Training/Experience Required:

• 1. High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.); AND,
• 2. One year of related basic repair and maintenance experience; OR,
• 3. Two years’ experience in installing and repairing pumps, motors and related systems OR,
• 4. An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Licensing Requirements:

• 1. Valid California Driver’s License.
• 2. California State Water Resources Control Board Water Distribution Operator Grade D3 or higher.

NOTE: A CWEA Mechanical Technologist Grade II, CWEA Collections System Maintenance Grade I, or California State Water Resources Control Board Water Treatment Operator Grade T1 certificate is highly desirable.