WATER DISTRIBUTION OPERATOR I (OIT)
City Of Walla Walla
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Job summary
The City of Walla Walla is seeking an Apprentice Operator to support the Water Distribution System. The role involves assisting with meter maintenance, leaks, flushing, valve exercising, and hydrant work, along with manual labor as needed.
Supervision is provided by the Water Distribution Supervisor, with guidance from Operator III and Lead Operator. The position emphasizes safety, customer service, and teamwork in a public works setting.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Water Distribution Manager Level 1 certification or ability to obtain within 12 months.
- Water Distribution Manager Level 2 certification or ability to obtain within 36 months.
Responsibilities
- Support heavy equipment operation and underground excavation tasks.
- Assist in meter installations, repairs, and replacements.
- Perform system maintenance including line flushing and hydrant work.
- Respond to emergency calls for water distribution and service issues.
- Collect and report utility data using electronic work order software.
Skills
Education
Job description
Performs apprentice operator duties of Group A, Class 3 Water Distribution System. Executes a variety of responsibilities in support of the maintenance, repair and construction of the City’s water system. Assists work crews with departmental assignments such as meter maintenance and installation, fixing leaks, flushing, valve exercising and fire hydrant maintenance. Includes the performance of manual labor.
Performs apprentice operator duties of Group A, Class 3 Water Distribution System. Executes a variety of responsibilities in support of the maintenance, repair and construction of the City’s water system. Assists work crews with departmental assignments such as meter maintenance and installation, fixing leaks, flushing, valve exercising and fire hydrant maintenance. Includes the performance of manual labor.
Supervision is provided by the Water Distribution Supervisor; general direction and oversight are provided by the Operator III and Lead Operator positions.
- Employees of the City of Walla Walla are expected to model and foster the City’s core values: Service – Integrity – Collaboration – Equity – Leadership - Community
- Provide exemplary customer service to all individuals; actively participate in maintaining a positive customer service environment.
- Perform support and assistance for heavy equipment operation; assist and participate in underground excavation, including confined space entry. Operates heavy equipment such as dump trucks and wheel loaders; and may receive training or operate backhoe and excavation equipment.
- Participate in responsibilities related to system maintenance including line flushing, fire hydrant installation and repair.
- Assist with meter installations including large meter installations; assist with new and existing service assignments including meter repairs and replacements.
- Perform duties for general water distribution operation involving water pumps ranging from hand pumps to industrial gas-powered units, valve exercising equipment, metal detectors and atmospheric testers.
- Collect, report and process utility data using electronic work order software in combination with GIS mapping.
- Ensure the adherence to safe work practices and procedures by operations personnel.
- Respond to public inquiries with tact and courtesy; provide information within the area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
- Coordinate and respond to emergency calls for water distribution system operations and repairs.
- Participate in the inspection of the water distribution system.
- Respond to water customer inquiries and complaints; respond to service calls for main line breaks, service/meter leaks and system wide pressure and flow problems.
- May provide back-up services and/or assist other City Departments/Divisions.
- Demonstrate punctual, regular, and reliable attendance, which is essential for successful job performance.
- Present a positive, professional image; maintain cooperative and effective working relationships; assure excellent customer service with internal and external customers.
- Execute assignments, projects and job responsibilities efficiently and within defined timeframes; work independently and effectively with little direction.
- Demonstrate good judgment and employ critical thinking to execute duties, identify issues, seek solutions, and recommend improvements in support of departmental goals.
- Provide assistance to staff and higher-level management; participate in resolving operational or interpersonal concerns; participate in training, meetings, and on committees as assigned.
- Respect the value of diversity in the workplace and the community.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Ability to operate and maintain hand tools, power tools and a variety of specialized equipment.
- Utilize a variety of office equipment including desktop computers, copiers, scanners, and phones; utilize mobile devices including laptop computers and tablets for the purpose of asset management and job tracking.
- Knowledge of occupational hazards and standard safe work precautions; safety measures related to excavation; precautions related to work on or near a traffic right-of-way.
- Knowledge of applicable laws, codes, regulations; ability to follow policies and procedures.
- Demonstrate enthusiasm for continuous improvement and attentiveness to detail.
- Able to make use of technical and analytical skills; able to learn quickly.
A variety of hand tools, power tools, and specialized equipment including valve exercising equipment, water pumps, hand pumps, and industrial gas-powered pump units. Electronic devices and sensitive equipment such as atmospheric testers and metal detectors. Heavy equipment vehicles such as dump trucks, wheel loaders, back-hoes, and excavators. Standard office equipment such as desktop and laptop computers, copiers, scanners, and phones.
Walking, standing, bending, or crouching or kneeling down for extended periods of time; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate specialized equipment and execute repetitive hand movements; sitting for extended periods of time; seeing and hearing to identify information; speaking and writing to exchange information; pushing, pulling and lifting up to 75 pounds with assistance; operating assigned equipment and vehicles.
Outdoor work environment exposed to seasonal conditions and inclement weather, including driving a vehicle to conduct work in all weather conditions. Work may be performed around and within the proximity of moving objects including vehicles and related traffic hazards; excavations and confined space; dissatisfied or aggressive individuals.
High school diploma, GED or equivalent; and State of Washington Department of Health Water Distribution Manager Level 1 OIT or the ability to obtain within 12 months. Water Distribution Manager Level 2 OIT certification or the ability to obtain within 36 months. Valid state driver’s license and proof of good driving record; State Class A CDL with air brakes and tanker endorsement or the ability to obtain within 12 months. Any equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered that demonstrates possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Upon meeting all required qualifications for this position and the Water Distribution Operator II position, this position will be promoted to Water Distribution Operator II.
Experience in the maintenance and repair of water or related systems and components. Bilingual in Spanish.
The benefits listed below are those currently enjoyed by full-time AFSCME 1191W (American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees) City of Walla Walla employees. It is important to remember that over the course of time these benefits may change - they are not permanent. Benefits may change through the City Council or administrative action, contracts or changes mandated by state and federal law.
Employees are eligible the first of the month following the first day of employment.
Employees and all eligible dependents are covered for Medical, Dental, and Vision for only $231.03/month.
- Regence Blue Shield HealthFirst 250
- Kaiser (HMO) 200
eligible for H.S.A (City annually contributes $750 for an individual and $1500 for a family)
- Regence Blue Shield High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
- Kaiser High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) HMO
Delta Dental of Washington PPO. $2,000 per year max; Class I, II and III no deductible. Orthodontia paid at 50% max lifetime payment of $1,500 per covered member.
VSP and AWC Plan B. Well Vision Exam every 12 months - $0 copay. Prescription glasses $10 copay, plus various allowances for frames, lenses, and contacts.
Employees are eligible the first of the month following the first day of employment.
City paid: $50,000 Basic Life Insurance and $50,000 AD&D coverage.
Employee Voluntary: Supplemental Life/AD&D and Long-Term Disability coverage available at low premiums.
Employees are eligible with their first paycheck upon enrollment. No vesting requirements. The City will match an employee’s monthly contribution up to 3.5% of the employee’s monthly base rate of pay. Three options include Baker Boyer Bank - BPAS, MissionSquare, or the Washington State Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). Employee contribution options for pre-tax and Roth.
AFSCME employees (except for Emergency Services Dispatchers) are members of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). The City and the employee both contribute toward the plan. PERS provides regular retirement and disability retirement benefits. Rates effective as of 07/01/2025. (www.drs.wa.gov)
Plan II 5.38% 5.58% Plan III Employee Choice 5.58% (6 available options) Emergency Services Dispatchers, hired after June 1, 2024, will be enrolled into Public Safety Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS) Plan 2 retirement program through DRS.
Plan II 6.91% 7.11%
On January 1, each employee is eligible for 11 paid holidays per year as outlined below. Employees hired during the year are eligible for any remaining holidays following their start date.
New Year’s Day
Labor Day
Martin Luther King Day
Veterans Day
President’s Day
Thanksgiving Day
Memorial Day
Day after Thanksgiving Day
Juneteenth
Christmas Day
Independence Day
On January 1, each employee shall be granted thirty-two (32) floating holidays. Employees hired during the year shall receive prorated floating holiday hours following their start date. Floating holidays must be used by year-end or will be forfeited.
Full-time employees earn vacation leave in increments as outlined below. Vacation leave may be used as accumulated after completion of the initial (6) six months of employment. As of December 31st, no employee shall have an accumulated amount of vacation leave in excess of 240 hours. Additionally, employees may elect to cash out up to forty (40) hours of vacation time each year, provided the employee has taken forty (40) hours of vacation during the preceding calendar year.
0 – 4 years 5 – 9 years 10 – 15 years 16+ years 6.67 hours 10 hours 13.33 hours 16.67 hours
All Full-time Employees Earn 8 Hours Of Sick Leave Per Month To a Maximum Accrual Of 960 Hours. The City Also Offers a Sick Leave Cash-out Policy Of 25% Of Hours Over 960 At Year-end, And a Sick Leave Conversion Policy As Outlined Below
Hours Earned Converted to Vacation 480 Hours 1.33 Hours per Month 720 Hours 2.67 Hours per Month 960 Hours 4.00 Hours per Month
AFSCME employees will be paid longevity pay as outlined below:
5 years of service $40/per month
10 years of service $50/per month
15 years of service $60/per month
An employee's longevity shall be
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