Water Technician I or II

North Central Association of Assessing Officers; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 56,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site fitness center

Wellness program

Paid holidays

Paid parental leave

Paid time off

Pension plan

Job summary

City of Wauwatosa Water Utility seeks a Water Technician to join a dedicated public works team. The role covers operation and maintenance of the water distribution system, customer service, and on-call emergency response.

Starting wages range from $27.03 to $30.03 per hour for Technician I and $31.16 to $34.62 for Technician II, with potential increases based on performance. Benefits include wellness program, paid holidays, and pension plan.

Qualifications

• Physical stamina for heavy manual outdoor work.
• Lift/carry up to 80 lbs occasionally, 50 lbs frequently, 25 lbs consistently.
• Basic computer and math skills required.
• Adequate mechanical abilities/aptitude.
• Availability for overtime and off-hours.
• Periodic call-ins during emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and repair water distribution system components.
• Operate municipal vehicles and heavy equipment.
• Safely work around underground utilities and traffic.
• Follow DSPS/OSHA safety regulations, including trench safety.
• Inspect, repair, and install water mains, valves, hydrants, meters.
• Record and maintain water infrastructure data and as-built drawings.
• Respond to customer concerns and emergency situations.

Skills

Physical stamina

Lifting and carrying

Basic computer skills

Mechanical aptitude

Overtime commitment

Emergency call-ins

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Two years’ heavy manual/semi-skilled experience (preferred)

Tools

None

Job description

Position Overview

The City of Wauwatosa is more than an employer – it’s a community. The City of Wauwatosa is a progressive, full-service municipal organization. We believe all employees are leaders and place tremendous value in our most important resource: our people! Be a part of a team that strives to find new and better ways to improve our residents’ experiences.

If you are dependable, team-oriented, communicate well, and like to work outside, come work for the City of Wauwatosa Water Utility! The Water Technician position performs duties in the operation and maintenance of the utility’s water infrastructure system. This position performs customer service, semi-skilled and manual work, reports for duty in emergency situations, and operates a wide variety of tools and equipment.

The starting salary for this position is $27.03 to $30.03 for a Water Technician I and $31.16 to $34.62 for a Water Technician II depending on the selected candidate's experience and qualifications. Further increases to the top of the range, which is $34.55 in 2026 for the Water Technician I & $39.81 for Water Technician II, will be based on the employee's performance post hire. This is complemented by an excellent benefits package, a robust wellness program, an on-site fitness center, a workplace health clinic, paid holidays, paid parental leave, paid time off, a pension plan, and the opportunity to work with dedicated professionals who have a passion for public service.

Work Schedule

• Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with paid lunch.
• Some required overtime; mainly during the winter season.

Essential Functions

• Work as part of a maintenance crew or independently in the construction, repair, and maintenance of the water distribution system.
• Operate a wide variety of municipal vehicles and other heavy construction equipment including dump truck, front end loader, drill rig, water leak locating devices, magnetic locators, underground utility line locators, pneumatic shoring, trench boxes, valve maintenance machine, cut-off saws, snow plows, a variety of pumps and various hand tools.
• Proficient and safe operation around existing conditions such as underground utilities and traffic.
• Knowledge and compliance with DSPS/OSHA safety regulations, especially regarding trench safety.
• Ability to safely perform confined space entry and trench excavation work on a routine basis.
• Report, repair and replace defective water mains, water service laterals, water valves, valve boxes, and fire hydrants.
• Record and maintain water infrastructure records for accurate as-built drawings.
• Flush water distribution system.
• Assist with Diggers Hotline locates as needed.
• Install, read, replace and repair water meters in residential, commercial and industrial buildings ranging in size from 5/8” to 6”.
• Check for non-compliant water cross connections in buildings.
• Test existing and repaired water meters utilizing meter test bench.
• Submit reports of daily work activities.
• Investigate and resolve customer concerns.
• Ability to respond to emergency situations that require working nights, weekends and holidays.
• Perform semi-skilled, heavy manual labor outdoors regardless of weather.
• Utilize the City’s Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) system to effectively and efficiently complete work within the department.
• Utilize mobile devices for daily assignments and to complete work orders.
• Provide support and assistance to other public works departments.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience Requirements:

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Two years’ experience in the performance of heavy manual or semi-skilled tasks and operation of heavy or medium duty trucks preferred.

Licenses, Certifications, And Other Requirements

• A valid Wisconsin Driver’s License.
• A Class B CDL must be obtained within one year of employment. That time frame may be extended depending on the availability of internal training resources.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Qualifications

In order to perform the functions and responsibilities of the position (listed above) the following knowledge, skills, and abilities are essential.

• Possess the physical stamina and demands necessary to perform heavy manual labor for extended periods of time outdoors in variable weather conditions.
• Lift, carry and move up to 80 pounds occasionally, 50 pounds frequently, and 25 pounds consistently.
• Basic computer and math skills.
• Must have adequate mechanical abilities or aptitude.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position, significant overtime, and off hours.
• Must be available for periodic call-ins during emergency situations.

In evaluating candidates for this position, The City of Wauwatosa may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position.

Additional Information

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk; reach with hands and arm, climb to perform work in manholes or pits. The employee is frequently required to bend, squat, stoop or perform work in tight places or a confined space such as trench excavations. The employee must consistently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, 50 pounds frequently and 80 pounds occasionally. Specific vision abilities required by this job include near vision, far vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The employees must be able to work long consecutive hours as required by the nature of the emergency. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.