Water Maintenance Program Lead Worker

City of Bellevue, Washington; Bellevue (WA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime opportunities

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Retirement plans

Paid holidays and leave

Clothing/boot allowance

CDL training support

Job summary

The City of Bellevue is seeking a Water Utilities Program Lead Worker to join the Water Maintenance team. The role involves hands-on field leadership, directing a small crew, and overseeing water infrastructure programs to keep drinking water safe for thousands of homes and businesses across broad service areas.

The position emphasizes safety, teamwork, and public service, with opportunities for training, CDL support, and growth within Utilities.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• At least 3 years of experience in drinking water infrastructure.
• Proven leadership ability: leads small crews, mentors, and makes sound decisions under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Lead, train, and motivate crew members while ensuring safety and compliance.
• Coordinate and perform repairs on hydrants, valves, mains, meters, and service connections.
• Support preventive and corrective maintenance programs, including system flushing.
• Work with contractors, inspectors, and Water Quality staff on shutdowns and field issues.
• Use mobile technology to document, track, and report work.
• Operate equipment such as dump trucks, backhoes, and hydro excavators.
• Respond to emergencies like water main breaks or weather events.
• Communicate effectively with the public, supervisors, and other city staff.

Skills

Strong communication

Plan & organize

Reading maps/drawings

Documentation

Lead small crews

Mentoring/training

Decision making under pressure

Overtime readiness

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Office

Field reporting tools

Job description

New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Job Summary

Do you thrive in a hands-on leadership role, working outdoors, and making a direct impact in your community? Join the City of Bellevue Utilities Department as a Water Utilities Program Lead Worker. As part of our Water Maintenance team, you’ll help keep drinking water safe and reliable for more than 43,000 homes and businesses across 600+ miles of water main. This journey-level position provides an opportunity to lead small crews, oversee critical water maintenance programs, and respond to real-world challenges in the field.

We Offer

• Competitive pay with guaranteed overtime opportunities
• Excellent benefits for you and your family: medical, dental, vision, and multiple retirement plans
• Generous paid time off: 12 holidays, 16 personal hours, and monthly vacation/sick leave accrual
• Annual clothing and boot allowance (brands like Carhartt, 5.11, etc.)
• Growth opportunities with training, certifications, and CDL support
• A culture of teamwork, safety, and public service

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

As a Program Lead Worker, you’ll guide a small crew in daily field work and help manage water infrastructure programs. You will:

• Lead, train, and motivate crew members while ensuring safety and compliance.
• Coordinate and perform repairs on hydrants, valves, mains, meters, and service connections.
• Support preventive and corrective maintenance programs, including system flushing.
• Work with contractors, inspectors, and Water Quality staff on shutdowns and field issues.
• Use mobile technology (iPads, iPhones) to document, track, and report work.
• Operate equipment such as dump trucks, backhoes, and hydro excavators.
• Respond to emergencies like water main breaks or weather events.
• Communicate effectively with the public, supervisors, and other city staff.

This is a hands-on leadership role - our lead workers work alongside their crews.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• At least 3 years of experience in drinking water infrastructure.
• Demonstrated leadership ability, including:
  • Leading small crews in the field, setting clear expectations, and ensuring work is completed safely and efficiently.
  • Mentoring, training, and motivating team members while promoting a positive and productive work environment.
  • Making sound decisions under pressure, prioritizing work, and adapting to changing field conditions.
  • Holding team members accountable, providing constructive feedback, and supporting professional growth.
  • Balancing hands-on field work with leadership responsibilities and leading by example.

Skills & Abilities

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to plan, organize, and complete work efficiently.
• Comfortable using Microsoft Office and field reporting tools.
• Ability to read and interpret maps, drawings, and records.
• Attention to detail with strong documentation and recordkeeping skills.
• Proven ability to lead small crews, set clear expectations, and ensure safe, efficient completion of work.
• Skilled at mentoring, training, and motivating team members while fostering a positive team environment.
• Able to make sound decisions under pressure and adapt to changing conditions.
• Demonstrated accountability: providing feedback, holding team members responsible, and leading by example.
• Willingness to work overtime, nights, weekends, and respond to emergencies.

Licenses & Certifications

• Valid Washington driver’s license at hire with a good driving record.
• Ability to obtain a Class A CDL with tanker endorsement within 1 year (paid training provided).
• Ability to obtain Washington Flagger’s Certificate within 12 months.
• Selected candidates may be subject to pre-employment physical, agility, and drug/alcohol testing (per CDL regulations).

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions

• Physical outdoor work in all weather conditions.
• Frequent lifting up to 90 lbs., climbing, pulling, pushing, and confined-space entry.
• Exposure to traffic, equipment, underground utilities, and chemicals.
• Must be able to respond to 24-hour emergency calls.

HIRING PROCESS

The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics. To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible.

• Answer the Supplemental Questions when requested which can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting.
• We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage, unless otherwise stated in the job description.
• Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
• All positions require the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.
• Some positions may require completion of a criminal background check prior to start employment
• Some positions may require obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL), licensures, or additional certifications.

At the City of Bellevue, you'll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision. The six essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions, our interactions, and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is: Exceptional Public Service, Stewardship, Commitment to Employees, Integrity, Innovation, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. You'll work in an environment that is innovative, collaborative, future focused, and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. It's what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.

The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 425-452-6838 or [e-mail]. If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.

The City of Bellevue participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/IER_RightToWorkPoster.pdf

https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RighttoWorkPosterES.pdf

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