Water System Operator 2026

City of Marietta, GA; Marietta (GA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Marietta, GA is seeking a journeyman-level Operator in the Water and Wastewater Department to service, repair, and maintain municipal water and wastewater systems. The role reports to a designated Foreperson and requires strong hands-on skills with heavy equipment and safety compliance.

The position includes operating backhoes, dump trucks, and related machines; installing taps, testing hydrants, and performing pump station inspections.

Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Must have or obtain a Class A Georgia Commercial driver's license within six months of hire.
• Seven-year driving history with no DUI in last five years.
• Georgia State Board Distribution or Collection certification within two years of training.
• Trenching, confined space and shoring certification.
• Georgia DOT Flagging certification.
• Knowledge of safety rules for water/wastewater construction, maintenance and repair.
• Ability to operate heavy equipment (backhoe, dump truck, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Repairs broken water or wastewater mains and related service connections.
• Replaces, raises or lowers water or wastewater appurtenances as assigned.
• Relays water and wastewater mains and services and cleans obstructions with high-pressure jetting equipment.
• Installs water and wastewater taps for new services.
• Installs and services fire hydrants including flow/pressure tests.
• Performs high-pressure cleaning of wastewater mains.
• Inspects and cleans pump stations and tank sites; installs valves and performs clean-outs.
• Operates heavy construction equipment as required (backhoe, dump truck, etc.).
• Drives dump truck and trailer to transport equipment, materials and debris as needed.
• Builds and maintains master meters and concrete settings.
• Digs grass around pump stations and tanks; works on-call rotating schedule.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Backhoe operation

Truck operation

Safety procedures

Ditch digging

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

CDL Class A license

Gas detector

Tamps, concrete saws

Job description

Rate of Pay: $20.75 - $23.67
Status: Open Until Filled

This is a journey level position in the Distribution or Collection Division within the Water and Wastewater Department and is responsible for the service, repair and maintenance of the wastewater and water systems. This position reports to an assigned Water and Wastewater Foreperson.

• Repairs broken water or wastewater mains and related service connections.
• Replaces, raises or lowers water or wastewater appurtenances as assigned.
• Relays water and wastewater mains and services and cleans out obstructions from wastewater mains and services with a high-pressure water jetting machine.
• Installs water and wastewater taps for new services.
• Installs and services fire hydrants which include performing flow and pressure tests.
• Performs high pressure water and chemical cleaning of wastewater mains.
• Inspects and cleans water and wastewater pump stations and tank sites. Installs valves and performs wastewater clean-outs as required.
• Drives dump truck and trailer (as needed) to deliver and pick up heavy equipment, materials and job debris as needed. Operates all related construction equipment including, backhoe, boom truck, dump truck, hydraulic rod machine, boring machine, and tapping machine as required.
• Builds and maintains master meters and concrete settings as required.
• Cut grass around water and wastewater pump stations and tanks sites as assigned.
• Ability to work "on call" on a rotating basis as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Must have a high school diploma or GED and minimum experience of at least one year as an Apprentice System Operator or equivalent water and wastewater construction experience, to include skill in the operation of all related heavy equipment. Must be able to successfully pass a skills competency test in operating heavy equipment including back hoes, dump and winch trucks, tractors, and related power tools such as tamps, concrete saws, tapping machines, and gas detector before the completion of the working test
• All newly hired employees must have "Class A" Georgia Commercial driver's license or obtain within six months of hire. Employees promoted to this position from within Water and Wastewater Department must obtain a CDL within the lesser of the remaining amount of time allotted for their previous position to obtain a CDL or six months from date of promotion.
• Must have satisfactory seven-year driving history to include no DUI's in the last five years.
• All newly hired employees must have a Georgia State Board Distribution or Collection certification or obtain this within two years of completion of the scheduled training class. Employees promoted to this position from within Water and Wastewater Department must have the certification or must obtain certification within the remaining amount of time allotted in their previous position.
• Must have or obtain a trenching, confined space and shoring certification within work test period.
• Must have or obtain a Georgia Department of Transportation Flagging certificate within working test period.
• Knowledge of all safety rules and procedures related to water and wastewater construction, maintenance and repair.
• Skill in digging ditches with a backhoe around lines belonging to other utilities
• Knowledge and skills required to install and maintain water and wastewater systems, features and appurtenances.
• Must be able to work a rotating "on call" schedule as assigned.
  Disclaimer
  Successful candidates are required to submit to drug screen, physical exam, & background inquiry.