Utility Operator

City of Plymouth, MN; Plymouth (MN); On-site; USD 56,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Pension Plan

Paid Time Off

Job summary

City of Plymouth, MN seeks a skilled Water Operator to operate, monitor and maintain municipal water treatment plants, wells, and storage facilities. You will respond to alarms, troubleshoot controls, and ensure safe, compliant operations 24/7.

The role requires handling chemicals, health and safety practices, and coordination with other city divisions. You will perform sampling, documentation, and SCADA tasks while maintaining permanent records and meeting state requirements.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to follow safety policies and procedures.
• Ability to interpret data and alarms from SCADA.
• Must obtain required MDH Operator Certificates within specified timelines.
• Ability to work overtime and varying shifts.

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor and maintain water treatment plants and related systems.
• Respond to alarms and emergencies.
• Collect water samples and perform routine laboratory tests.
• Maintain accurate records and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Customer focus

Communication

Independent judgment

Safety consciousness

Team coordination

Education

Class B CDL license

MDH Water Operator Certificate

MDH Class A readiness

Tools

SCADA

Asset management software

Work management systems

Electrical/mechanical equipment handling

Job description

At the City of Plymouth, we all work together to add quality to life. This mission and our guiding values – CIVIC: customer focus, integrity, visionary, inclusion and connection - shape our work as we advance the City Council's strategic priority to be a city of choice. We are seeking candidates who are eager to adopt and champion our mission and values.

Pay Range:

$40.44 - $44.23 Hourly

Job Description:

Primary Objective of Position

Under general supervision, perform skilled work in the operation, monitoring, inspection, maintenance, and repair of municipal water treatment plants, wells, pumping facilities, storage facilities, treatment equipment and related systems. Exercise independent judgment in evaluating operating conditions, adjusting treatment processes, troubleshooting equipment and control systems, responding to emergencies and maintaining compliant water system operations.

Major Areas of Responsibility

Provide exceptional customer service to internal and external customers.

• Interact with others in a manner that is professional and inspires open communication.
• Help create and maintain a respectful workplace culture and champions diversity and inclusion.
• Participate in citywide training designed to strengthen competencies in areas such as communications, leadership, decision-making and problem solving.

Control, operate, monitor and maintain municipal water production, wells, treatment and storage systems and make needed adjustments.

• Operate, monitor and control municipal water treatment, supply, storage and distribution systems to maintain safe, reliable, adequate service; adjust as needed to meet demand and quality requirements.
• Operate and monitor machinery and equipment including chemical feed equipment, vertical turbine pumps, high services pumps, submersible pumps, generators, pressure filters, gravity filters, valves, generators, actuators, meters and other treatment and pumping equipment.
• Add and regulate the proper amount of treatment chemicals, establish or adjust chemical feed rates as appropriate, verify treatment residuals and accurately document chemical usage.
• Monitor and control water treatment, well, pumping, storage and distribution system operations using the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system and other computerized control systems, commonly referred to as Operational Technology (OT); interpret alarms, trends, process data, flow rates, pressures, levels, chemical feed rates and water quality information to maintain reliable system operation.
• Maintain safe, reliable operations during maintenance activities, construction interruptions, electrical work, SCADA updates, equipment outages and other operational disruptions.
• Independently identify, report and correct abnormal water quality, treatment and equipment conditions; promptly notify appropriate personnel of issues affecting system operations.
• Operate and monitor generators and make necessary adjustments to maintain reliable emergency power.

Perform water quality monitoring, sampling and regulatory compliance activities.

• Collect water samples and make routine laboratory tests and analysis, as well as all required state sampling.
• Monitor and optimize treatment processes and water quality to ensure operating conditions efficiently and effectively remain within established and regulatory parameters.
• Maintain accurate, timely records of sampling, laboratory results, operating logs and readings, chemical usage, and operating conditions; perform facility operations, testing, and reporting in accordance with Minnesota Department of Health requirements, applicable state and federal regulations, permits, operating procedures, city policies and safety practices.

Perform preventive maintenance, troubleshooting and/or repair on water production equipment, facilities, grounds and related infrastructure.

• Inspect and calibrate water quality monitoring instrumentation and related equipment, including flow meters, pressure transmitters, chemical feed equipment, analyzers and controls equipment.
• Inspect equipment, facilities, and grounds to identify maintenance, repair, safety, and security needs; independently diagnose and troubleshoot when problems arise.
• Maintain, repair, adjust and repair machinery, mechanical systems, electrical equipment, pumps, valves, chemical feed systems, instrumentation and other plant equipment; determine when additional assistance is required and coordinate or arrange for repairs as directed.
• Utilize the city’s asset management and work management software for preventive maintenance, recordkeeping, daily rounds, inspections and other assigned tasks.
• Perform general custodial and housekeeping duties necessary to maintain clean, safe and orderly plant facilities and grounds.
• Troubleshoot and maintain controls equipment, SCADA infrastructure, OT, and apply cybersecurity practices to ensure reliable and secure water production operations.

Maintain plant security, respond to emergencies and perform standby/on-call duties.

• Assist with facility security by monitoring security systems, controlling access, operating gates and intercoms and responding to alarms and system malfunctions.
• Monitor plant, well, storage and distribution systems for abnormal conditions; promptly assess and respond to alarms and emergencies by independently evaluating conditions, taking appropriate corrective action within required timeframes, notifying appropriate personnel and authorities and documenting responses.
• Perform independent standby/on-call duties as determined by supervisor including evenings, weekends, holidays and other nonstandard hours as assigned. Respond to emergency calls within the city’s required response time.

Other duties

• Provide operational information and feedback for emergency response planning, construction projects, studies, budgeting efforts, general planning efforts and other initiatives.
• Monitor inventories of chemicals, supplies and tools.
• Provide training, technical assistance and work direction to other employees as assigned.
• Assist other divisions with snow and ice control and other emergency or seasonal operations as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to perform in accordance with the City of Plymouth’s CIVIC values (customer focus, integrity, visionary, inclusion and connection) and comfort with supporting and advancing the city council’s strategic priorities.
• Minnesota Class B CDL driver’s license or the ability to obtain one within nine (9) months of hire date.
• Class B Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Water Supply System Operator Certificate, or the ability to obtain the certificate within nine (9) months of hire.
• Ability to obtain a Class A Minnesota Department of Health Water Supply System Operator Certificate within 24 months of hire or after obtaining Class B Minnesota Department of Health Water Supply System Operator Certificate and maintain all required certifications thereafter.
• Must be able to work overtime and/or varying shifts to meet public service needs; must respond to calls within the city’s required response time.
• Must have and demonstrate an ability to:
  • Understand and follow oral and written instructions; communicate effectively orally and in writing; and exercise sound independent judgment in daily operations and assigned projects.
  • Operate computers and peripheral devices and use job-related software, including email, word processing, databases, SCADA, asset management, and work management systems.
  • Understand and follow safety policies and procedures, including chemical handling, fall protection, lockout/tagout, and confined-space entry; safely work around hazardous chemicals, electrical and mechanical equipment, confined spaces, elevated structures, ladders, and heavy equipment using required personal protective equipment.
  • Use any and all types of hand tools effectively and efficiently to complete work functions.
  • Perform basic mathematical calculations, including addition, subtraction, flow rate calculations, and interpretation of data tables.
  • Read and interpret water system and treatment plant plans, specifications, maps, and as-built drawings.

Desired Qualifications

• Class A Minnesota Department of Health Water Supply System Operations Certificate.
• Minnesota Class A CDL driver’s license.
• Advanced knowledge of chemistry, mathematics, electricity, mechanical systems, and instrumentation as they apply to the operation of water treatment and water supply facilities.
• Advanced experience operating and monitoring SCADA or other computerized industrial control systems.
• Advanced experience performing water quality sampling, laboratory testing, equipment calibration, preventive maintenance, or related water treatment activities.
• Experience with cybersecurity practices, programming, automation, industrial control systems, and controls equipment used in water treatment, water supply, or other utility systems, including the ability to monitor, troubleshoot, modify, and support SCADA, PLCs, HMIs, telemetry, instrumentation, and related control systems.

Physical Requirements

Frequent (Usually required for the job): standing, sitting, walking, climbing, lifting, pushing/pulling, carrying, climbing, kneeling (bending leg at knee and resting on knee), crouching (bending at knees), reaching (extending hands and arms in any direction), handling objects (grasping, turning or otherwise using hands or hand), repetitive hand motion, use of arm muscles over extended periods (use of leg muscles over extended periods, overhead work (over shoulder height) and stationary desk or bench work with neck bent forward.

The employee must be able to lift and/or carry items weighing up to 50 pounds. Items lifted and/or carried include vials for water testing, various tools, pipe wrenches, water valves, scaffolding and ladders.

The employee must be able to climb fixed ladders and access elevated work areas on water towers and related structures, including ascending and descending substantial vertical distances. Requires the ability to safely use fall‑protection equipment, maintain balance and stability at elevation, and perform essential job duties while working at heights.

Working outdoors in various weather conditions; working indoors; outdoors; operating forklifts, machinery and vehicles; working with chemicals, to include liquid bleach (sodium hypochlorite), sodium permanganate, zinc orthophosphate and hydrofluosilicic acid (fluoride), as applicable to the city’s treatment processes; working near fumes and/or vapors and driving city vehicle or personal vehicle to perform essential functions of position.

Benefit Information

The City of Plymouth offers a comprehensive benefits package developed with input from employees through robust benefits committee meetings. The following is a summary of available benefits. For more detailed plan information, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail].

Insurance Benefits

• Health Insurance: HealthPartners coverage with three network options, ranging from narrow to open access, providing a range of premium costs.
• VEBA Health Reimbursement Account (HRA): Employer-funded, tax‑free account that can be used to help pay eligible medical expenses, including deductibles, coinsurance, and other out‑of‑pocket expenses such as dental and vision care.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): Medical and Dependent Care FSAs.
• Dental Insurance: Coverage provided by Delta Dental.
• Basic Life, AD&D, and Long-Term Disability: Coverage provided to all employees.
• Voluntary Life Insurance: Additional coverage available for purchase.
• Voluntary Vision Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Retirement and Medical Savings Plans

• PERA Pension: Pension benefits through the Public Employees Retirement Association of Minnesota.
• Deferred Compensation: 457 retirement savings opportunities available through multiple vendors.
• Post-Employment Health Care Savings: Tax‑free savings opportunities for eligible employees who transfer severance payments to a VEBA HRA.

Leave and Time Off

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST): Starting at 23.75 days per year, accrued each pay period.
• Extended Illness Leave: 40 hours per year, accrued each pay period, up to a maximum of 600 hours. This benefit provides income continuation during a period of personal illness or injury.
• Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.

Benefits may vary based on applicable labor agreements and the FTE status of the position.