Water System Operator

City of Tucson; Arizona; On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Pension plan

Paid time off

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Volunteer hours

Job summary

The City of Tucson is seeking a Water System Operator to operate water treatment facilities and distribution systems, leveraging SCADA to ensure safe, reliable water delivery. The role requires collaboration with field crews and precise data monitoring.

Responsibilities include maintaining water quality, adjusting pumps and chemical feeds, and responding to alarms while complying with regulatory standards. The position is full-time with comprehensive benefits and opportunities for certification.

Qualifications

• Education: Six months post high school.
• Experience: Two years relevant experience.
• License: Valid and unrestricted Arizona Class D Driver License.
• Equivalency: Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor water treatment facilities and distribution systems using SCADA.
• Analyze data and adjust pumpage and chemical doses to meet daily demands.
• Respond to SCADA alarms and coordinate with field staff for maintenance and outages.
• Record events in logs and communicate with staff for timely action.
• Dispatch field crews to flush systems and collect samples as needed.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and safety procedures.

Skills

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Six months post high school

Arizona Driver License (Class D)

Tools

SCADA

Telemetry systems

Job description

Posting Close Date Applicants must submit their completed application by 10-31-2026 at 11:59 p.m. MST.

Required at the time of application:

• Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Water Treatment Grade 2 or equivalent out-of-state water certification
• Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Water Distribution Grade 2 or equivalent out-of-state water certification

Required within 12 months of hire as a condition of probation and must be maintained throughout employment in this classification:

• ADEQ Water Treatment Certification Grade 3
• ADEQ Water Distribution Certification Grade 3

Pre-employment medical tests apply to this position:

• Basic Physical
• Non-NIDA Drug Test
• Respirator Physical

About this job

The Water System Operator at the City of Tucson’s Water Department is responsible for operating, monitoring, and controlling water treatment facilities, distribution systems, and related equipment. The Water System Operator is responsible for identifying problems within the water system and making appropriate adjustments to ensure appropriate water supply, quality, and pressure. Work is performed under the Supervision of the Water Plant Supervisor. This position does not supervise. Essential duties include but are not limited to: Utilizes (SCADA) to monitor and operate the Potable Distribution System and Advanced Oxidation Process Plant. Analyzes the reports to determine the required pumpage to meet daily demands. Operates and monitors reservoirs to ensure our storage capacity meets system demand. Monitors and sustains pressure zones ensuring customers have satisfactory pressure. Exercises and operates potable groundwater wells to sustain Water Quality (WQ) standards and meet daily system demands. Responds to SCADA alarms by making proper adjustments in the distribution system. Assesses real‑time data from online water quality monitoring instruments and adjusts the chemical injection dosage to comply with local, state, and federal regulations. Makes system adjustments to accommodate the preventative maintenance, water quality sampling, and any miscellaneous work being performed by field staff. Operates and monitors various wells, vessels, stations, and facilities to ensure proper flow and treatment. Utilizes the logs, notes, and various databases to document events and communicate with staff. Dispatches field crews to flush systems when chlorine residuals fall below or over action levels. Drives to various locations to collect, test, and analyze water samples. Adjusts chemical feed rates to comply with local, state, and federal regulations. Receives and resolves service calls from internal and external customers providing accurate and timely information. Generates service requests when field staff reports activities requiring immediate attention. Communicates with external utilities to monitor power outages, track external project progress, and resolve field issues. Notifies internal divisions of scheduled and unscheduled water outages. Receives and resolves after‑hours emergency phone calls on nights, weekends, and holiday shifts. Enters relevant information into SCADA and site‑specific databases ensuring documentation of events is available for staff. Notifies appropriate parties of outages. Performs all other duties and tasks as assigned. Assists with special projects and assignments. Represents the department at offsite events when needed.

Working Conditions

Some exposure to light physical or environmental conditions (noise, dust, weather, etc.). This unit operates 24/7, 365 days per year and individuals in this position will be required to work mandatory 12-hour rotating shifts, weekends, holidays and on‑call shifts. This position is also classified as Safety Sensitive and is subject to pre‑employment and random drug testing. All duties and responsibilities listed are subject to change.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Six (6) months post high school
• Experience: Two (2) years relevant experience
• License Requirement: Valid and unrestricted Arizona Class D Driver License
• Equivalency: Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted on a year‑for‑year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• ADEQ Water Treatment Grade 3 and ADEQ Water Distribution Grade 3 Certification or equivalent state certification.
• Two (2) years’ experience in the water industry or related field.
• One (1) year of experience working with SCADA or Telemetry Systems.
• One (1) year of experience working with Sodium Hypochlorite, Hydrogen Peroxide, or disinfection chemicals.

Position Details

Job Profile J4053 - Water System Operator To view the full job profile including classification specifications and physical demands click https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Human-Resources/Tucson-Talent.

Compensation Grade G105 Hourly Range $21.96 - 32.94 USD The City of Tucson considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Non‑Exempt Position Type Regular Time Type Full time Department Department Link NA Background Check This position has been designated to require a criminal background check. The City of Tucson is a Second Chance Employer.

Benefits

• The City of Tucson offers a generous benefits package for benefit‑eligible positions.
• The comprehensive, flexible, and affordable coverage is designed to optimize health and well‑being, security and future, and peace of mind.
• Benefits begin with medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and FSA coverage, surpassing your standard 401(k) program by offering a rich pension plan plus optional Roth and pretax deferred compensation savings.
• With your well‑being in mind, our paid time off program provides new hires with 38 paid days off in the first year of employment, with time off increasing steadily in subsequent years.
• We offer twelve weeks of paid parental leave, paid tuition reimbursement, student loan repayment, off‑and‑on‑the‑job training, and opportunities to forge connections with peers and the community through employee resource groups and paid volunteer hours.
• You can learn more about our benefits at https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Human-Resources/Employee-Benefit-Snapshot.

Citizenship

The City of Tucson employs only U.S. Citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. Citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Status. The City of Tucson does not offer visa sponsorship.

Equal Opportunity/Disability/Veterans Employer

The City of Tucson is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer. The City does not discriminate based on race , color , religion , sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy), national origin, veteran status, age, disability, genetic testing, or any other protected status. If you believe you have been a victim of discrimination, you may file a complaint with the City of Tucson's Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or Arizona Attorney General's Office of the Civil Rights Division (ACRD).

ADA Accessibility Complaint Form

The City of Tucson is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities or who require religious accommodation; please contact Human Resources at [e-mail] or 520-791-2619.

City Organization

The City of Tucson, founded in 1775 and incorporated in 1877, is a City Manager‑led Mayor and Council government organization comprised of over 5,000 dedicated employees.

Tucson Community

The City of Tucson is recognized as a Top 20 “Best City in America” by Resonance Consultancy. Tucson, Arizona, is a thriving center for bioscience, aerospace/defense, optics, mining, and logistics. With a city population of more than 540,000 and a regional population of more than 1 million, Tucson has 330-plus days of sunshine a year and is surrounded by majestic mountain ranges. A small‑town feel with big‑city amenities complements its natural beauty. You can learn more about Tucson, Arizona. Visit Tucson, Arizona. For system related questions please contact [e-mail]. For general Human Resources questions please contact 520‑791‑4241.