Water System Operator III

Phelan Pinon Hills Community Services District; Phelan (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Phelan Pinon Hills Community Services District is seeking an experienced Water System Operator III to join the Water Operations team in California. The role involves operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of water production and distribution systems, with leadership responsibilities as needed.

The position requires hands-on field work with pumps, meters, valves, SCADA/telemetry, and related equipment, as well as participation in the 24-hour on-call rotation and regulatory reporting.

Qualifications

• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in water system operations, maintenance, and repair.
• California T2 Water Treatment Operator Certificate required.
• California D3 Distribution Operator Certificate required.
• Valid Class A CDL with HAZMAT and Air Brake endorsements.
• Ability to obtain San Bernardino County Backflow/Cross-Connection Tester Certification.
• Advanced SCADA experience.
• Experience operating heavy equipment such as backhoes and excavators.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Construction project management and pipeline inspection experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Operate, inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair water production and distribution facilities.
• Perform complex maintenance and repairs on pumps, motors, valves, generators, chemical feed systems, and related equipment.
• Operate backhoes, excavators, dump trucks, and other specialized equipment.
• Install and repair water lines, meters, hydrants, valves, and other distribution components.
• Assist with water system construction projects.
• Operate and monitor advanced SCADA/telemetry systems and GIS applications.
• Collect water quality samples and monitor chlorine levels and treatment requirements.
• Investigate leaks, pressure problems, meter issues, and other water system concerns.
• Respond to water system emergencies and participate in on-call rotation.
• Prepare written reports, service records, and regulatory documentation.
• Assist with water conservation enforcement and customer education.
• Lead in absence of Lead Water System Operator III or Assistant Water Operations Manager.

Skills

SCADA experience

Heavy equipment operation

Leadership/field supervision

Education

California T2 Water Treatment Operator Certificate

California D3 Distribution Operator Certificate

Class A CDL w/ HAZMAT & Air Brake

Job description

Job Summary

Are you an experienced water operator with strong construction, heavy equipment, troubleshooting, and water distribution experience?We are looking for a skilledWater System Operator IIIto join our Water Operations team.

The Water System Operator III is an advanced-level field position responsible for the operation, maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of the District's water production and distribution systems. This position performs complex work independently and provides field leadership to other Water System Operators as needed.

The position performs hands‑on work involvingwater system construction and maintenance, heavy equipment operation, pumps and motors, wells, booster stations, reservoirs, valves, water meters, SCADA/telemetry systems, and water quality monitoring. The WSO III also responds to system emergencies, participates in the District's on-call rotation, prepares required reports, and assists with regulatory compliance and water conservation activities.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoyshands‑on field work, operating equipment, solving complex problems, and working on a wide variety of water system projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate, inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair water production and distribution facilities.
• Perform complex maintenance and repairs on pumps, motors, valves, generators, chemical feed systems, and related equipment.
• Operate backhoes, excavators, dump trucks, and other specialized equipment.
• Install and repair water lines, meters, fire hydrants, valves, and other distribution system components.
• Assist with and perform water system construction projects.
• Operate and monitor advanced SCADA/telemetry systems and GIS applications.
• Collect water quality samples and monitor chlorine levels and treatment requirements.
• Investigate leaks, pressure problems, meter issues, and other water system concerns.
• Respond to water system emergencies and participate in the 24-hour on-call rotation.
• Prepare written reports, service records, and regulatory documentation.
• Assist with water conservation enforcement and customer education.
• Take a leadership role when working with other Water Operators and serve as lead in the absence of the Lead Water System Operator III or Assistant Water Operations Manager.
• Perform all work in accordance with District safety standards, policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum offive (5) years of progressively responsible experience and/or trainingin water system operations, maintenance, and repair.
• California T2 Water Treatment Operator Certificate.
• California D3 Distribution Operator Certificate.
• ValidClass A California Commercial Driver's License (CDL)with HAZMAT and Air Brake endorsements.
• Ability to obtain San Bernardino County Backflow/Cross-Connection Tester Certification.
• Advanced SCADA experience.
• Experience operating heavy equipment, including backhoes and excavators.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Construction project management and pipeline inspection experience is desirable.

Schedule & Working Conditions

Typical7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m*., Monday through Friday, with every other Friday off.

*Mandatory participation in the on-call rotation, which requires working after-hours, weekends, and holidays. Employees must be able to respond to an assigned work location withinone hour.

This is a hands‑on field position involving heavy manual labor and outdoor work in varying weather conditions. Work may occur in remote, desert, and mountainous areas and may involve exposure to dust, noise, chemicals, moving mechanical equipment, electrical hazards, and uneven terrain. The position requires the ability to lift up to 100 pounds and work at sustained heights.