Water Systems Operator Senior

City of Phoenix; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 64,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Traditional pension

401(a) and 457 plans

Free Bus/Light Rail pass

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

The City of Phoenix Water Services Department is seeking a Water Systems Operator Senior to monitor and control water treatment and distribution facilities. You will operate SCADA systems, assess production needs, and coordinate with supervisors to meet daily water demands at multiple facilities.

Ideal candidates have experience with water systems, SCADA, and Data logging, with a valid driver’s license and the ability to work irregular shifts.

Qualifications

• Three years of experience operating a large public water system (serving 50,000+).
• Must have Grade 3 ADEQ Water Distribution Certification at hire and Grade 4 by end of probation.
• Background check required; city vehicle usage requires driving资格 and valid license.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and control water works facilities via SCADA.
• Assess daily production needs based on water demand and plant status.
• Communicate with supervisors and external agencies about production and demands.
• Work irregular hours, nights, weekends, and holidays on a rotating schedule.

Skills

SCADA experience

Water distribution knowledge

Driver’s license

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

About This Position

The City of Phoenix Water Services Department, one of the nation's largest potable water utilities, treats and delivers safe, reliable drinking water to 1.5 million customers across approximately 540 square miles. Phoenix Water Services also manages the sewer collection system and treats wastewater for 2.5 million residents in metropolitan Phoenix.

About This Position

The City of Phoenix Water Services Department, one of the nation's largest potable water utilities, treats and delivers safe, reliable drinking water to 1.5 million customers across approximately 540 square miles. Phoenix Water Services also manages the sewer collection system and treats wastewater for 2.5 million residents in metropolitan Phoenix.

Water Systems Operator Senior

The Water Systems Operator Senior performs daily monitoring and control of staffed and non-staffed water works facilities through the operation of a central computerized system, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA). Duties include monitoring drinking water storage and flow at the City's surface water treatment plants and remote water facilities to determine water production and pumping needs; interacting with supervisors regarding current water demands to determine daily plant production requirements; communicating with outside agencies; and monitoring operational set points and alarm levels.

This position requires working irregular hours, shifts, weekends, holidays, and evenings. Shift work will be assigned on a rotational basis.

Position Location: 24th Street Water Treatment Plant, Administrative Building (6202 N. 24th Street in Phoenix, Arizona).

IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Knowledge of the City of Phoenix water distribution system and remote facilities.
• Ability to move objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

SALARY

Pay Range: $30.92 to $47.95 per hour.

Hiring Range: $30.92 to $35.78 per hour.

Pay Range Explanation

• Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.
• Hiring range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.
• Promotions occur when the last two digits of the pay grade increase.
• Demotions occur when the last two digits of the pay grade decrease.
• Lateral transfers occur when there is no change to the last two digits of the pay grade.
• When there is a change in the first digit of the pay grade, there may also be a change to your classification or unit.

Benefits

• Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, click here for more details: Pension Information.
• 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions.
• Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans.
• Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan.
• Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually.
• Dental, vision, and life insurance options.
• Employer paid long-term disability.
• Free Bus/light rail pass.
• Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year.
• Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days.
• Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period.
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi.

For more details, visit: Unit 003 Benefits

Part-time employees are eligible for earned paid sick time, city training, and free or discounted bus and light rail fares.

Minimum Qualifications

• Three years of experience in the operation of a large public water system (serving 50,000 persons or more).
• Including experience with multiple pressure zones, pumping stations, large water storage reservoirs, transmission mains, well operation, elevated water tanks, metering stations, remote chlorination equipment, and large diameter control valves.
• Must possess a Grade 3 Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Water Distribution Certification at time of hire and obtain a Grade 4 Water Distribution Certification by the end of the probationary period.
• If you possess certification from another state or jurisdiction, please contact the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (http://www.azdeq.gov) for Arizona Request for Operator Certification Reciprocity procedures and certification equivalency.
• All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
• Thee positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions, click here.
• The City job description can be found here.

Preferred Qualifications

• Highschool diploma or GED.
• Related training for ADEQ certification maintenance.
• Experience with data logging and excel spreadsheets.
• Experience with water main maps, waternet, or related.
• SCADA experience.

RECRUITMENT DATES

Recruitment September 29, 2026. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.

This is a position-based recruitment and will not result in any ongoing eligibility list. This recruitment and any selection processes resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill other related vacancies within the organization now or in the near future.

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• If you require assistance at any stage of the application process due to an accessibility issue, please contact the Human Resources Department by phone at [phone] or by text at [phone]. You may also fill out and submit a Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.

REFERENCE

Water Systems Operator Senior, JC:50790, ID#62953, 09/15/2026, USM, RG, Benefits:003

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City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.