Utility System Technician - All Levels (Water Systems Operations)

City of Arvada; United States; On-site; USD 34,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Arvada is seeking candidates for a Water Systems Technician path with three defined levels: Associate, Journey, and Senior. The role covers maintenance of water infrastructure, customer service responses, and equipment operation.

Advancement depends on licenses, certifications, education, and performance. Positions offer a Monday–Friday schedule with on-call and overtime opportunities and require protective PPE knowledge and safety compliance.

Qualifications

• Public works knowledge related to water systems.
• Ability to obtain and maintain required licenses.
• High school diploma or GED.

Responsibilities

• Maintain water system infrastructure including repairs, valve rotation, service line maintenance, hydrant cleaning, meter work and related tasks.
• Respond to customer service calls on water issues and meet with customers.
• Operate and maintain equipment such as dump trucks, forklifts, backhoes and power tools.
• Inform supervisor or senior technician of repair needs and priorities.
• Perform shop and yard maintenance and 24/7 on-call readiness.
• Frequently operate a City vehicle to job sites.

Skills

Public works knowledge

Water distribution basics

Customer service

Education

High School/GED

Job description

Pay Range: $24.41-33.38 Hourly

2026 Hourly Pay Ranges

• - Associate (Entry Level): $24.41-33.38
• - Journey (Mid-Level): $26.91-36.80
• - Senior (Advanced Level): $29.67-40.57

The hourly range listed in this posting reflects the Associate level. Applicants with relevant experience, certifications, or a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) may qualify for placement at a higher career level and corresponding salary.

The City will support your professional development by helping you pursue Colorado Water Distribution and/or Wastewater Collection Operator Certifications and a Class A Commercial Driver’s License.

Career Levels and Advancement

This position offers a defined career path with three levels, providing opportunities to build skills, gain experience, and advance over time.

• - Associate (Entry Level): Gain hands‑on experience in water system maintenance, repair, and construction while developing foundational skills.
• - Journey (Mid‑Level): Apply your knowledge and experience to perform a broader range of tasks with greater independence.
• - Senior (Advanced Level): Apply advanced technical knowledge and experience to perform complex work and support water system operations.

Advancement is based on established requirements, which may include education, licenses, certifications, job knowledge, experience, and performance.

Enjoy a regular Monday-Friday day schedule, with additional earning opportunities through on‑call assignments and overtime.

Essential Job Functions

• - Performs maintenance of the water system infrastructure including but not limited to such programs as main failure repairs, valve rotation, service line maintenance, fire hydrant cleaning, painting and maintenance, water main flushing, utility locations, air‑vacuum valve maintenance, water meter and transponder installation, meter pit repairs, vault repairs, irrigation ditch maintenance, all excavation repairs and maintenance of the water system.
• - Responds to customer service calls on the system, including water pressure, out of water, main failure, water quality and other like problems and meets with customers.
• - Operates, inspects, and maintains assigned equipment, including but not limited to tandem axle dump truck with trailer, small portable vacuum unit, forklift, jackhammer, metal detector, paint sprayer, air tester, air blower, front‑end loader, large portable vacuum machine, backhoe, valve rotation machine, concrete cutting saw, portable hoist, power washer, hydraulic tamper, hydraulic hand tools, service line freeze kit and snow removal equipment.
• - Informs utility supervisor, utility foreman, or senior utility system technician of repair needs.
• - Performs shop and yard maintenance.
• - Frequently operates a personal or City‑owned motor vehicle to drive to and from work locations.

Other Job Functions

• - Completes required training units to maintain State of Colorado certification and to meet City of Arvada policies.
• - Accepts and works after hour emergency calls and scheduled shifts for snow removal and rotating on‑call shifts that are 24/7 and 365 days a year
• - Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• - Knowledge of public works and of water transmission and distribution systems construction, operation, and maintenance.
• - Knowledge of the use of equipment used to maintain water distribution systems.
• - Knowledge of computer hardware and software to maintain a records system.
• - Knowledge of city safety policies and procedures.
• - Knowledge of flagging, signing, and coning. Ability to obtain and maintain required licenses and certifications for the position.
• - Ability to effectively utilize appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• - Good customer service skills and ability to adapt and change focus to meet customer needs.
• - Ability to effectively communicate information, both verbally and in writing, to support organizational objectives and interact with all levels of personnel within the city in a positive and cooperative manner.
• - Must be able to operate a motor vehicle.

Associate Level:

License & Certification

Must have or obtain within one (1) year of employment:

• - Colorado Class 1 certification in Water Distribution and/or Wastewater Collection
• - BNSF Railroad Safety Certification.
• - Union Pacific Railroad Safety Certification.
• - Flagger Certification.
• - Forklift Operators Certification.
• - First Aid/CPR/AED.
• - Incident Command System (ICS) IC-100.
• - A valid Colorado CDL Class A drivers license.
• - A valid Colorado driver’s license and acceptable driving record is required.
• - This is a safety sensitive position requiring participation in a pre‑employment, for‑cause and random drug testing program.

Education Degree

• - High School/GED

Education Required

• - Yes

Work Experience Related

• - General experience in Public Works construction and/or maintenance.

Journey Level :

License & Certification

Must have:

• - Colorado Class 2 certification in Water Distribution and/or Wastewater Collection or Water Treatment Class B certification.
• - BNSF Railroad Safety Certification.
• - Union Pacific Railroad Safety Certification.
• - Flagger Certification.
• - Forklift Operators Certification.
• - First Aid/CPR/AED.
• - Incident Command System (ICS) IC-100.
• - A valid Colorado CDL Class A drivers license.
• - A valid Colorado driver’s license and acceptable driving record is required.
• - This is a safety sensitive position requiring participation in a pre‑employment, for‑cause and random drug testing program.

Education Degree

• - High School/GED

Education Required

• - Yes

Work Experience Related

• - Two (2) years experience in Public Works construction and/or maintenance. Or, a combination of experience and education necessary to qualify for the class 2 certification.

Senior Level:

License & Certification

• - State of Colorado Water Distribution Class 3 and/or Wastewater Collection Class 3.
• - BNSF Railroad Safety Certification.
• - Union Pacific Railroad Safety Certification.
• - Flagger Certification.
• - Forklift Operators Certification.
• - First Aid/CPR/AED.
• - Incident Command System (ICS) IC-100.
• - A valid Colorado CDL Class A drivers license.
• - A valid Colorado driver’s license and acceptable driving record is required.

- This is a safety sensitive position requiring participation in a pre‑employment, for‑cause and random drug testing program.

Education Degree

• - High School/GED

Education Required

• - Yes

Work Experience Related

• - Four (4) years of public works construction and maintenance experience, or a combination of education and experience as necessary to obtain Class 3 certification.

Work Experience Preferred

• - Class 4 Water Distribution or Wastewater Collection certification.

All Levels:

Other Qualifications

• - Must pass a criminal background check and a driving record check, if required by the position.

Physical Demands

• - Strenuous to extreme physical effort that includes frequent use of heavy objects (e.g., 50+ pounds) and may also use heavy tools or require strenuous application in awkward positions. In addition, all CDL positions require successful completion of a physical examination with a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug screen to ensure the employee meets the medical standards necessary for safe vehicle operation.

Hazards

• - Occasional hazards that are predictable or well protected against (Hazardous waste, ladders, cleaning supplies, trips and falls).

Work Environment

• - Regular exposure to heat and noise along with working outside in the elements.

The City of Arvada offers a robust Total Rewards package.

Vision: We Dream Big and Deliver

Mission: We are dedicated to delivering superior services to enhance the lives of everyone in our community.

Values:

• - Innovation : We excel in creativity, flexibility and the use of best practices while valuing diverse backgrounds, ideas and perspectives.
• - Passion : We are a high performing, inclusive team inspiring each other to pursue excellence.
• - Opportunity : We value our diversity, embrace possibilities, face challenges, persevere and take action to deliver quality results.

The City’s Core values are in every employee’s individual Performance Plan which helps us to reinforce our expectations for living and working by our Core Values.

Every City employee is expected to perform his/her job to the highest professional standards. This includes upholding the City’s values with integrity and accountability, acting in a manner that is respectful and inclusive towards others, and adhering to the City’s policy on employee conduct as detailed in the personnel rules sec. 70-143.

The City is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.