WATER DISTRIBUTION OPERATOR II

City of Walla Walla; Washington; On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Walla Walla seeks a journeyman level Water Distribution Operator to perform skilled construction and maintenance on the city’s water system. You will operate heavy equipment, install meters, and respond to leaks, hydrant maintenance, and on‑call emergencies.

Applicants should have CDL Class A, WA DOH Level 2 certification, and strong knowledge of SCADA/CMMS. Safety, documentation, and teamwork are essential in this role.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and 12 months water distribution experience.
• Three years of heavy equipment operation in residential/commercial settings.
• Valid CDL Class A with air brakes and tanker endorsement (WA).
• State DOH Water Distribution Manager Level 2 certification or actively pursuing.
• Experience with safety procedures and confined space/ excavation practices.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment (wheel loader, backhoe, excavator) for distribution work.
• Install and repair meters, hydrants, and water service lines.
• Maintain records, print as-built drawings, and report data in GIS/CMMS.
• Respond to emergency calls and participate in on-call rotation.
• Train junior operators and ensure safe work practices.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

SCADA & CMMS usage

GIS mapping

Inspections & maintenance

Troubleshooting & diagnostics

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

CDL Class A with air brakes and tanker endorsement

WA DOH Water Distribution Manager Level 2 certification

Tools

SCADA

GIS mapping

GPS recording devices

Electronic locating equipment

CMMS software

Job description

NATURE OF POSITION

Performs journeyman level operator duties of Group A, Class 3 Water Distribution System. Performs a variety of skilled duties related to the most significant and complex construction and maintenance repairs of the City’s water operations systems. Works with assigned crew on projects such as meter maintenance and installation, leak repairs, flushing, valve exercising and fire hydrant maintenance; to include the operation of heavy equipment and the performance of manual labor.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Supervision is provided by the Water Distribution Supervisor; general direction and oversight is provided by theWater Operator III and Lead Operator positions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Employees of the City of Walla Walla are expected to model and foster the City’s core values: Service – Integrity – Collaboration – Equity – Leadership - Community

1. Provide exemplary customer service to all individuals; actively participate in maintaining a positive customer service environment.
2. Perform underground excavation in residential and commercial areas including confined space entry; operate heavy equipment including wheel loader, backhoe, and excavator.
3. Perform responsibilities related to general water distribution operation and maintenance; flush and clean water distribution systems; install and repair fire hydrants.
4. Install new meters including large meters; execute new and existing service assignments including meter repairs and replacements.
5. Operateleak detection equipment including electronically enhanced listing devices;utilize underground electronic locator equipment, valve exercising equipment, and other tools used in system maintenance programs.
6. Perform welding for fabrication and repairs.
7. Collect, capture, process, and report utility data using electronic work order software in combination with GIS mapping.
8. Ensure the adherence to safe work practices and procedures by operations personnel.
9. Assist in training assigned water distribution operators in maintenance, repair methods and techniques; inspect work and recommend modifications as appropriate.
10. Maintain detailed and comprehensive records and drawings related to the water distribution system operations, including installation, repair, and maintenance activities.
11. Respond to public inquiries with tact and courtesy; provide information within the area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
12. Participate in the inspection of the water distribution systems.
13. Request City utility locates with 811 One Call Center, providing township, range, location, and type of work to be performed including start dates. May assist in locating underground City-owned utilities.
14. Respond to customer inquiries, complaints, and emergency calls; respond to service calls for main line breaks, service/meter leaks and system wide pressure and flow problems.
15. Participate in the seven (7) day on-call rotation. Respond to emergency calls off-hours for operations and repair of the Water Distribution system.
16. May provide back-up services and/or assist other City Departments/Divisions.
17. May be assigned responsibilities for Water Distribution Operator III in his/her absence.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Demonstrate punctual, regular, and reliable attendance which is essential for successful job performance.
2. Present a positive, professional image; maintain cooperative and effective working relationships; assure excellent customer service with internal and external customers.
3. Execute assignments, projects, and job responsibilities efficiently and within defined timeframes;work independently and effectively with little direction.
4. Demonstrate good judgment and employ critical thinking to execute duties, identify issues, seek solutions, and recommend improvements in support of departmental goals.
5. Provide assistance to staff and higher-level management; participate in resolving operational or interpersonal concerns; participate in training, meetings, and on committees as assigned.
6. Respect the value ofdiversityin the workplace and the community.
7. Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

1. Knowledge of applicable federal, state, local laws, codes, and regulations; occupational hazards and standard safe work precautions; safety measures related to excavation; precautions related to work in traffic.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of public works water systems, underground water, power and street lighting systems, and understanding of the operational characteristics of water including gravity, pumped delivery, pressure control and reduction.
3. Technical and analytical skills to operate specialized equipment including sensitive computerized instrumentation devices to extract data and accurately utilize device outputs for analysis.
4. Ability to coordinate logistics and navigate the layout of systems using Water Distribution, Sanitary Sewer, Street Lighting, and Stormwater mapping; read and interpret operational and technical manuals, maps, blueprints, drawings, and diagrams; prepare as‑built drawings for atlas updates.
5. Demonstrated knowledge of metal detectors; atmospheric tester tools; ability to operate GPS recording devices, meter testing, and chlorine residual analyzer equipment.
6. Utilize software programs, electronic browsers, SCADA, and Computer Maintenance Management Systems; coordinate and implement new installations for water distribution systems.
7. Familiar with business management principles and able to perform administrative work including record keeping, reporting, and budget control, familiar with modern office procedures, methods, computers and standard office equipment operations.
8. Diagnose and troubleshoot problems; independently perform difficult and complex tasks.
9. Ability to operate and maintain hand tools, powertools and a variety of specialized equipment.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

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, backhoes, excavators, and wheel loaders. Standard office equipment such as desktop and laptop computers, copiers, scanners, and phones.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Outdoor work environment exposed to seasonal conditions and inclement weather, including driving a vehicle to conduct workin 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.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

High school diploma, GED or equivalent, and 12 months Water Distribution or Treatment Plant experience and an additional 24 months of direct water system related experience. Three years of heavy equipment operation in residential and commercial settings. Valid state driver’s license and proof of good driving record. Class A, CDL with air brakes and tanker endorsement. Valid State of Washington Department of Health Water Distribution Manager Level 2 certification. Certificates in Competent Person for excavation and confined space. 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.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

State of Washington Department of Health Water Treatment Plant Operator Level 2 certification. Foreman or lead experience of a field crew in a water distribution system. Bilingual in Spanish.