Utilities Operator 2, Senior (Water)

City of El Mirage; El Mirage (AZ); On-site; USD 58,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

ASRS retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays

Job summary

City of El Mirage is seeking a Senior Utilities Operator to oversee safe, efficient operation and maintenance of municipal water treatment and distribution systems. The role involves mentoring junior staff, coordinating daily operations, and ensuring continuous delivery of high-quality drinking water.

The senior operator will monitor system performance, troubleshoot issues, operate heavy equipment, and respond to emergencies while upholding safety and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED and 2 years of treatment/production/ distribution operator experience.
• ADEQ Water Distribution Grade 2 certification required at appointment, plus ADEQ Wastewater Collection Grade 1 within 12 months.
• Arizona CDL with tanker endorsement at appointment.

Responsibilities

• Inspects and maintains water distribution/collection system, lift stations and irrigation systems.
• Performs emergency line repairs and replacements.
• Inspects hydrants, manholes, sewers and valves.
• Operates and maintains process equipment and reviews SOPs.
• Reads manuals, enters data, and maintains logs/records.
• Provides customer service and supports safety and compliance.

Skills

Following directions

Meeting standards

Operating assigned tools

Operating heavy equipment

Inspecting facilities

Reading instrumentation

Interpreting manuals

Calculating measurements

Maintaining logs

Effective communication

Computer/software operation

Interpreting laws and standards

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or GED

2 years operator experience

Equivalent education/experience

Job description

Summary

The Utilities Operator 2, Senior is responsible for the safe, efficient, and regulatory-compliant operation and maintenance of municipal water treatment and distribution systems. This position serves as a senior operator, providing technical expertise, mentoring junior staff, coordinating daily operations, and ensuring the continuous delivery of high-quality drinking water. The Senior Utilities Operator monitors system performance, troubleshoots operational issues, operates heavy equipment, maintains equipment, and responds to emergencies while promoting a culture of safety and operational excellence.

Job Classification Summary

Job Classification Title: Utilities Operator

Working Title(s): Utilities Operator 2, Senior

FLSA Status: NE

Safety Sensitive: Yes

Distinguishing Characteristics

Organizational Role: Paraprofessional-Operational

Supervision Exercised: None

Budget Authority: None

Competency Rank(s): Utilities Operator 2, Senior

New Hire Salary Range

$27.85 - $31.56 per hour

Salary range: $27.85 - $38.99

Employee Benefits Overview

• Health & Wellness:
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) & Flexible Spending Plan (FSA)
  • Telemedicine
  • Wellness programs (early detection, lifestyle modification, disease management)
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Life Insurance:
  • Employer-paid basic life and AD&D insurance, plus supplemental life options
• Retirement:
  • Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)--mandatory program, shared employee/employer contributions
• Supplemental Benefits:
  • Employee recognition & reward program
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Discounted Northwest Valley YMCA membership
• Paid Leave:
  • Holidays: 10 City Holidays
  • Vacation: 80 hours per year, increases with length of service
  • Sick Leave: 96 hours per year
  • Service Leave: 10 hours per year

Additional information is available at: http://www.azmt.org/city-of-el-mirage/.

Benefits are subject to change.

Experience a workplace that values and invests in your well-being!

About Us

Welcome to the City of El Mirage

Considered the gateway to the Northwest Valley of the Greater Phoenix Metro Area, El Mirage has grown from a small town, dependent on agriculture, to a diverse urban economy with a population of more than 35,000. The City's mission is to enhance the quality of life through leadership, partnerships, and the efficient delivery of outstanding service to our diverse community.

This job classification description is intended to be generic in nature and not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. The essential duties and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) designation may vary based on the specific tasks assigned, as determined by the City of El Mirage.

This is the second level in a four level Maintenance and Operations - Utilities classification series devoted to performing one of the following primary functions: (1) operating a wastewater treatment plant; or (2) maintaining water production and distribution systems and the wastewater collection system; or (3) performing sampling and laboratory testing; evaluating results and preparing analytical reports to ensure compliance with State and Federal regulations; or (4) maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing plant equipment. This classification level has three competency ranks.

Essential Functions

The following is intended to describe the core work functions of this classification. While the level and broad nature of essential duties may not change, specific work tasks will vary over time depending on the City’s needs.

POSITION-SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Inspects and maintains water distribution/collection system, lift stations, and flood irrigation systems.
• Performs emergency line repairs, and replacement.
• Inspects hydrants, manholes, sewers, and valves.
• Performs utility locates and blue staking.
• Vacuums and jets lines.
• Maintains wells and well sites.
• Tests and treats water at wells.
• Operates and maintains process equipment.
• Follows standard operating procedures for operation, repair, and maintenance activities.
• Reads and interprets technical manuals and instructions.
• Enter data and maintains logs and records.
• Provides customer service.
• Performs related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE

• Methods, equipment, materials, tools, and standard practices for the operation of water/wastewater systems.
• Water and wastewater facilities emergency procedures.
• Occupational hazards and applicable safety principles and practices.
• Uses and properties of supplies and equipment.
• Blue stake laws and underground utility identification practices.
• Proper use and disposal of hazardous materials in accordance with established guidelines.
• Confined space entry procedures, as assigned.
• Safe driving practices and geography of the city.
• Maintaining logs and records.
• Basic math is used to calculate measurements, add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
• Operation of small hand and power tools.
• Operating a computer.
• SCADA systems.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• OSHA Traffic Control Safety
• OSHA Trench Work Safety practices

SKILLS

• Following directions and meeting standards.
• Operating assigned tools and equipment.
• Operating heavy equipment.
• Inspecting facilities and grounds to identify repair issues.
• Comprehending reference books and manuals as assigned.
• Reading and interpreting instrumentation and equipment controls.
• Calculating measurements, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Maintaining logs and records.
• Communicating effectively to exchange and receive information and instructions.
• Operating a computer and specialized software.
• Interpreting and applying applicable laws, codes, regulations, and standards.
• Providing customer service as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: High school diploma or GED and 2 years of treatment or collection/production/distribution operator experience; or an equivalent combination of directly related education and experience.

Certifications/Licenses

• ADEQ Water Distribution Grade 2 certification at the time of appointment and ADEQ Wastewater Collection Grade 1 certification within 12 months of appointment.
• Arizona Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with tanker endorsement at the time of appointment.

Safety Sensitive Assignment(s)

• Utilities Operator 2, Senior.

Continuing Employment Requirements

• Maintain all certifications/licenses required at job entry or within a specified timeframe unless replaced by higher licensure/certification.

Type Of Work

Very Heavy Work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or more than 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Physical Requirements

The following physical activities are essential to the performance of the job: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, repetitive motions.

The following physical activity may be performed but is not essential to the job: crawling.

Work Environment/Conditions

Based on assignment may be primarily outdoors or split roughly the same inside/outside (including being in a vehicle). Environmental conditions may include moderate exposure to hazardous physical conditions, atmospheric conditions, hazardous materials, extreme temperatures, and seldom exposure to inadequate lighting, restricted movement in the workspace, and intense noise.

Supplemental Information

• Consider only the most qualified applicants for the succeeding examination processes.
• Application and review (Training and Experience Evaluation).
• Interview.
• Appointment subject to successful completion of a pre-employment background examination.

All communication regarding application status and interview notifications will be sent via email—please