Water Treatment Operator I-II

City of Tulare; Tulare (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Tulare is seeking a Water Treatment Operator I or II to operate and maintain treatment facilities, monitor SCADA systems, and ensure safe water quality for the community.

The role involves collecting samples, calibrating equipment, and performing preventative maintenance on pumps and chlorination systems. Entry‑level applicants may grow to journey level with certifications and experience; on‑site work with after‑hours standby is expected.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to completion of the 12th grade with training in drinking water quality, treatment, or distribution.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Class C California driver’s license.
• Operator I requires 1 year of general construction or mechanical maintenance experience.
• Operator II requires 3 years of public works or water system maintenance experience.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, test, and troubleshoot automated data logging, telemetry systems, and SCADA infrastructure.
• Collect field water samples, test for chlorine content, and operate chlorination equipment.
• Diagnose, maintain, and repair water pumps, motors, valves, regulators, and related equipment.
• Provide technical direction and training to lower-level staff (Operator II).
• Maintain digital logs and participate in after-hours emergency standby.

Skills

SCADA systems

Mechanical maintenance

Water treatment basics

Education

12th grade + water quality training

Tools

SCADA software

PLC hardware

Chlorination equipment

Job description

Build a stable career keeping our community safe: Join the City of Tulare as a Water Treatment Operator!

Are you a mechanically minded professional looking for a secure, hands‑on career with excellent growth potential? The City of Tulare is hiring for the Water Treatment Operator I/II series. Whether you are looking to break into the industry at the entry level (Operator I) or bring established journey‑level expertise (Operator II), this alternately‑staffed role allows you to grow your skills, earn advanced certifications, and directly protect the health and safety of our community's water supply.

Why This Role Matters

Water Treatment Operators are the frontline defenders of our city's public health. In this role, you will do much more than basic maintenance. You will operate high‑tech SCADA and PLC software systems, handle water safety calibrations, manage chlorination equipment, and perform skilled mechanical repairs on well pumps, motors, and treatment facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• System Operations & Tech: Monitor, test, and troubleshoot automated data logging, telemetry systems, and SCADA infrastructure.
• Water Quality Safety: Collect field water samples, perform chlorine content testing, and safely operate chlorination and chemical‑feeding equipment.
• Mechanical Maintenance: Diagnose and perform preventative maintenance on water well pumps, motors, valves, regulators, and pressure gauges.
• Team Leadership (Operator II): Provide technical direction, quality control, and safety training to lower‑level operations staff.
• Emergency Response: Maintain accurate digital logs and participate in an after‑hours emergency standby rotation to keep infrastructure running smoothly.

Position Requirements

Both Levels Require: Equivalent to completion of the 12th grade, supplemented by training in drinking water quality, treatment, or distribution. You must also possess or be able to obtain a valid Class C California driver’s license.

Water Treatment Operator I (Entry Level)

• Experience: 1 year of general construction or mechanical maintenance work using hand/power tools and operating light trucks.
• Certifications: Must obtain a Grade T1 Water Treatment and a Grade D1 Water Distribution certificate from the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) within 12 months of hire. (The City supports you through this during the probationary period!)

Water Treatment Operator II (Journey Level)

• Experience: 3 years of increasingly responsible experience in public works or water system maintenance, groundwater well sites, chlorination, and water testing.
• Certifications: Must already possess a Grade T2 Water Treatment and a Grade D2 Water Distribution certificate issued by the SWRCB.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

Water Treatment Operator I:

This is the entry-level class in the water treatment operator series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents with basic maintenance experience learn City infrastructure, systems, and facilities, use of tools and equipment, and a wide variety of practices and procedures. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with greater independence. This class is alternately‑staffed with Water Treatment Operator II and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining the knowledge, skill, experience, licenses, and certifications which meet the qualifications for and demonstrating the ability to perform the work of the higher-level class.

Water Treatment Operator II:

This is the journey-level class in the water treatment operator series responsible for providing day‑to‑day operations, maintenance and repair of assigned facilities, water distribution pipes, water well pumps, motors, controls, treatment equipment and related facilities, equipment, and systems. Responsibilities include inspecting, diagnosing, and attending to issues in a timely manner, and performing a wide variety of tasks in the maintenance and minor repair of assigned equipment, facilities, and systems. This class is distinguished from the Water Utility Supervisor in that the latter is the full supervisory-level class in the series responsible for organizing, assigning, supervising, and reviewing the work of assigned staff involved in water utility maintenance operations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from the Water Utility Maintenance Supervisor. May provide technical and functional direction and training to lower-level staff.

Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. The duties listed below represent the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Inspects, installs, repairs, maintains, calibrates, tests, and troubleshoots a wide variety of pneumatic and electronic recording, indicating, measuring, controlling, and test instruments including pressure regulators and gauges, valves and chemical feeding equipment.
• Performs preventative maintenance inspections and tests equipment, including metering and recording instruments, control apparatus, data logging and display equipment, communications and telemetry systems, Supervisor Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), and Programmable Logic Control (PLC) software and hardware, according to an established schedule; maintains documentation of changes; inspects facilities and equipment to determine the need for major maintenance or repair.
• Calibrates equipment and instruments on a routine schedule and after repairs; makes unscheduled or emergency repairs as required.
• Operates and maintains chlorination equipment including leak detection, changing tanks, and adjusting feed rate in accordance with water test results.
• Collects water samples; tests water for chlorine content; transports samples to the City lab.
• Maintains records of water pressure and water flow readings; monitors air level of surge tanks; adjusts as necessary.
• Operates and maintains a variety of vehicles, hand and power tools, and equipment.
• Performs safety and service inspections of assigned trucks and equipment; steam cleans, washes, and fuels equipment; assists in lubrication and maintenance of equipment.
• Reads and interprets maps, blueprints, sketches, and diagrams in the performance of the work.
• May perform general maintenance activities, including weed abatement, cleaning of well yards, fabricating buildings, and minor welding.
• Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions.
• Provides technical and functional direction to assigned water utility operations staff; reviews and controls quality of work of staff and consultants.
• Trains employees in work methods, use of tools and equipment, and relevant safety precautions.
• Responds to complaints and answers questions from public or escalates to supervisor, as necessary.
• Responds to operations, maintenance, and repair emergency situations as required.
• Participates in after‑hours standby rotation.
• Maintains computerized records and logs of daily activities; prepares reports as necessary.
• Observes safe work methods and makes appropriate use of related safety equipment as required.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, procedures, methods, equipment, materials, and tools used in the electrical and mechanical repair of minor and major equipment systems, including pumps, motors, generators, and pressure regulatory devices.
• Principles, practices, and methods related to the maintenance and repair of various data acquisition and control instrumentation.
• Use, testing, and operation of backflow prevention devices.
• The operation and minor maintenance of a variety of hand and power tools, vehicles and power equipment.
• Basic principles of supervision and training.
• Applicable Federal, State and local laws, ordinances, regulations, and guidelines relevant to assigned duties.
• Basic arithmetic related to mechanical, electrical, and electronic components.
• Safety equipment and practices related to the work.
• Safe driving rules and practices.
• Basic computer software related to work.
• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to:

• Inspect, operate, diagnose problems, and perform preventive maintenance and repair work onelectronicmeters and recording instruments and SCADA systems; take appropriate action when failures occur.
• Read and interpret gauges and other recording devices and interpret the information as it relates to repair and maintenance activities.
• Perform a variety of semiskilled and skilled tasks in the construction, maintenance, renovation, and repair of water distribution and treatment systems.
• Inspect, operate, diagnose problems, troubleshoot, and perform preventive maintenance and repair work on electrical and mechanical equipment, systems, and facilities.
• Perform a variety of minor fabricating and welding duties related to water system construction, maintenance, and repair.
• Inspect the work of others and maintain established quality control standards.
• Train others in proper and safe work procedures.
• Identify and implement effective courses of action to complete assigned work.
• Read and interpret plans, manuals, diagrams, blueprints, and technical regulations.
• Safely and effectively use and operate hand tools, mechanical equipment, power tools, and equipment required for the work.
• Perform routine equipment maintenance.
• Maintain accurate logs, records and basic written records of work performed.
• Operate a motor vehicle safely.
• Follow department policies and procedures related to assigned duties.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Organize own work, set priorities and meet critical time deadlines.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Water Treatment Operator I and II:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade supplemented by training in drinking water or wastewater quality, drinking water or wastewater treatment, drinking water distribution, or drinking water or wastewater facility operation.

Water Treatment Operator I:

One (1) year of experience of general construction or mechanical equipment maintenance work which involved the use of hand and power tools and the operation of light trucks.

Water Treatment Operator II:

Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in public works maintenance including water system maintenance, operation of chlorination facilities, operation of ground water well sites, and water sample testing experience equivalent to Water Treatment Operator I at the City of Tulare.

Licenses and Certifications:

Water Treatment Operator I/II:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a Class C California driver’s license.

Water Treatment Operator I:

• Within twelve (12) months of the date of entry into the position, must obtain a Grade I Water Distribution Operator Certificate issued by the State of California Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
• Within twelve (12) months of the date of entry into the position, must obtain a Grade I Water Treatment Operator Certificate issued by the State of California Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).

Water Treatment Operator II:

• Possession of a Grade II Water Distribution Operator Certificate issued by the State of California Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
• Possession of a Grade II Water Treatment Operator Certificate issued by the State of California Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).

Probationary Period/Certification:

If, at the conclusion of the initial probationary period, the employee has met all other performance and probationary requirements but has not yet obtained the required certification solely because the employee is awaiting the opportunity to complete the required State examination or testing, the Department shall request an extension of the probationary period in accordance with the Personnel Rules. The extension shall remain in effect only for the period reasonably necessary to allow the employee to complete the required examination or testing and obtain the certification. An extension shall not be granted when the employee has failed to satisfy any other performance, probationary, eligibility, or certification requirement. Failure to satisfy all the requirements within the applicable probationary period, including any authorized extension, may result in termination of employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in the field; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work, to work in confined spaces, around machines, and to climb and descend ladders, and to operate varied hand and power tools and construction equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above‑mentioned tools and equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 75 pounds and heavier weights with the use of proper equipment.

Environmental Elements

Employees work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical, and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives, and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.