Water Distribution Operator

City of Avondale; Avondale (AZ); On-site; USD 46,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Avondale is seeking a Water Distribution Operator to operate, maintain, and repair the city’s water distribution system, including mains, hydrants, valves, meters, and appurtenances, under the Water Distribution Supervisor. The role involves on-call emergencies, system shutdowns, customer service investigations, and use of CMMS.

Safety procedures, strict SOP/JHA adherence, and potential confined-space work are required; ADEQ Grade I certification or ability to obtain within six

Qualifications

• Requires a High School diploma or GED equivalency.
• 1 year of experience operating and maintaining a water distribution system or related construction work.
• ADEQ Water Distribution Operator Grade I certification or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire and maintain throughout employment.
• Arizona Class A CDL with tanker endorsement or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Knowledge of basic mechanical/repair concepts; vocational training preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, and repair the City’s water distribution system including mains, hydrants, valves, meters and related appurtenances.
• Respond to emergencies; participate in on-call rotation and after-hours callbacks.
• Perform system manipulations, shutdowns, and customer service investigations as needed.
• Record labor, equipment, and asset data in the CMMS daily.
• Comply with SOPs/JHA and safety PPE requirements; may enter confined spaces per OSHA.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Education

High School diploma or GED

Vocational/Technical training (preferred)

Tools

CMMS software

Job description

The Water Distribution Operator performs a variety of daily tasks to operate, maintain, and repair the City's water distribution system. Work includes preventative and reactive O&M activities to ensure reliable system operation. Daily work tasks include repairs, replacements, and evaluation of the water mains, valves, hydrants, service lines, water meters, air release valves, blow-off valves, and other system appurtenances.

Under the direct supervision of the Water Distribution Supervisor, the Water Distribution Operator also performs system manipulations, system shutdowns, customer service investigations, and assists with other divisional tasks, including utility locating and marking and various water meter service activities.

The Water Distribution Operator is responsible for responding to emergencies and is required to participate in the ‘on-call’ program, responding to after-hours callbacks on a rotating schedule as needed. Work may be performed independently or in small teams.Performs predictive, preventative, and reactive operation and maintenance activities on the City’s domestic water system, including valve exercising, valve maintenance, hydrant maintenance, hydrant flushing, customer service investigations, and more.

Repairs main breaks, isolates broken mains, sets up traffic control, and operates equipment such as backhoes, combination jet/vacuum trucks, ditch witch units, dump trucks, utility service trucks, jackhammers, underground piercing units, pneumatic and electric power tools, and other equipment for distribution system repair.

Repairs and/or replaces water service lines, water valves, valve boxes, air release valves, blow-offs, pressure reducing valves, fire hydrants, and other system appurtenances.

Communicates planned and unplanned interruptions in water service to customers. Ensures work areas are clean and hazard-free after completion of each assignment.

Utilizes the City's CMMS software on a daily basis to accurately record and reflect proper equipment, labor, and asset utilization for each assignment.

Investigates customer complaints related to water service, such as low or high water pressure, water quality, air entrainment, system leaks, and more. Participates in the rotational ‘on-call’ program and responds to emergency callbacks as required.

Follows all standard operating procedures (SOP) and job hazard analysis (JHA) for distribution operations and maintenance. Safely performs work and utilizes required safety equipment (PPE) as required. Occasionally enters confined spaces by safely following OSHA safety regulations.

Performs other duties as required, including occasional chlorine residual testing, leak detection, and emergency system marking as required by Arizona811.

May be called upon to assist other divisions within the Department and performs other duties as required.

High School diploma or GED equivalency is required.

Work requires a knowledge or interest in basic mechanical and/or repair processes. Knowledge obtained through a vocational school or technical college is preferred.

One (1) year of experience in operating and maintaining a water distribution system, operating heavy equipment, and/or experience in a construction-related field is required.

An equivalent combination of education and job-related experience may be considered on a year-for-year basis.

Must possess an Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Water Distribution Operator Grade I Certification or be able to obtain the Certification within six (6) months of hire, and must be able to maintain certification for the duration of employment.

Must possess an Arizona Class ‘A’ CDL upon hire and must be able to obtain a tanker endorsement within six (6) months of hire and maintain the license for the duration of employment.