Operator in training

The Position

Join our dynamic team as a Water Distribution Operator-in-Training, II, or III and embark on a rewarding career with the City of Santa Cruz in water system management.

The current vacancy is for Water Distribution Operator-in-Training / II / III in the Water Distribution Division with the Water Department.

The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Water Distribution Operator vacancies during the life of the list.

The eligibility list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.

Under supervision, this position performs a variety of semi-skilled and skilled assignments in the construction, maintenance, and repair of City water distribution systems, streets and sidewalks;

and performs related work as assigned.

Recruitment #24-096

This recruitment will close without notice once 50 applications have been received or at 5 pm PST on Thursday 06 / 06 / 24, whichever occurs first.

IMPORTANT DRIVER’S LICENSE INFORMATION : Possession of a valid California Class A driver's license is not required at time of application;

however, it does require a valid Class A license with appropriate endorsements within 12 months. A DMV printout is not required at the time of application, but the selected candidate will be required to provide a DMV printout at the time of appointment.

Selection Timeline : (The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director.)

This recruitment will close without notice once 50 applications have been received or at 5 pm PST on Thursday, 06 / 06 / 24, whichever occurs first.

All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5 : 00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit : Application - online application only.

Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online application process.

Response to supplemental questions - will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

• Week of 06 / 10 and 06 / 17 / 24 : Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position.
• Week of 07 / 08 / 24 : Applicants will be notified of their status in the recruitment and interviews for top candidates will be tentatively scheduled.

The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and / or performance exam.

Typical Duties

May include, but are not limited to, those duties below.)

Installs, connects, relocates, and replaces water mains, service lines, valves, pumps, meter boxes, and fire hydrants;

cuts and fits pipes and makes taps.

• Repairs leaks on water mains.
• Notifies customers of water shutdowns.
• Exercises valves by hand or with hydraulic equipment; marks valves to indicate direction of opening and number of turns to open.
• Flushes water system through valves and hydrant.
• Paints valves, pumps, piping and building interiors and exteriors.
• Measures and records the location of valves, hydrants and blow-offs.
• Under direction, may : flow test hydrants; locate and mark existing water mains, meters, valves, and other facilities for City crews and independent contractors using a sonic and / or magnetic pipe locator;

and perform various water quality field tests.

• Constructs and repairs sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and retaining walls.
• Shovels, rakes and spreads dirt, sand, gravel, asphalt, and other materials.
• Participates in digging, widening and backfilling trenches and other excavations.
• Loads, unloads, and operates pick-ups and trucks to transport maintenance supplies, materials, and equipment.
• Places traffic control flags, signs and cones to direct traffic around work sites; may direct traffic.
• Uses general carpentry and mechanical hand tools such as brooms, rakes, shovels, ladders, hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, saws, drills, wrenches, and related equipment.
• Operates equipment such as air compressors, pneumatic hammers, powder activated hammers, chain saws, concrete saws, pipe cutters, sprayers, compactors, forklifts, rollers, and related equipment.
• Performs routine maintenance and repair of hand and power tools.
• Safely operates equipment and tools used.
• Removes, repairs, and patches asphalt and concrete surfaces.
• Tactfully responds to questions and comments from the public.
• May prepare and keep written records and make material and equipment requests.
• May occasionally perform simple fabrication and repair of equipment, tools, parts, and accessory items using arc and gas welding.
• May, under direction and on an irregular basis, operate equipment such as backhoes, front-end loaders, and trucks.
• May, in the absence of a supervisor, contact City Departments or other agencies when shared jurisdiction over a repair is apparent.
• May be required to perform duties related to confined space entry.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position requires sitting, standing, walking on level, uneven and slippery surfaces, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping and making repetitive hand movements in the performance of daily duties.

The position also requires both near and far vision when operating assigned equipment. Acute hearing is required in both the office and the field.

The ability to lift, carry and push tools, equipment and supplies weighing up to 75 pounds is also required. Additionally, the incumbent in this outdoor position works in all weather conditions, including wet, heat, and cold.

The incumbent may be exposed to fumes, dust chemicals, and air contaminants. May be exposed to biohazards and / or hazardous chemicals.

The nature of the work may also require the incumbent to climb ladders, use power and noise producing tools and equipment, drive motorized vehicles and work in heavy vehicle traffic conditions.

Minimum Qualifications

The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following :

Education and Experience :

Water Distribution Operator OIT / II / III

• High school diploma or tested equivalent; and
• Six (6) months paid manual labor experience.

Knowledge :

Water Distribution Operator OIT / II / III :

• Proper use and care of common hand and power tools.
• Basic mathematical principles, including fractions, decimals, proportions, measurements, and volume and area calculations.
• Safety procedures for operating equipment and power tools.

Water Distribution Operator II / III :

• Basic techniques, equipment, and materials used in the construction, maintenance, and repair of water distribution systems.
• Basic mechanical and hydraulic principles.
• Water distribution operation, including piping, sources of supply, water quality, disinfection, water-related electricity, and the operational principles of pumps and motors.
• Water distribution mathematics, including water terms and definitions, water measurements, water pressure, formulas, units, and conversion factors.
• Safety principles related to traffic control, confined space entry, and trenching and shoring.

Water Distribution Operator III :

Providing guidance and direction to lower-level workers in the necessary on-the-job training required for mandatory state certified water distribution operations.

Abilities :

Water Distribution Operator OIT / II / III :

• Safely perform heavy manual labor (which involves frequent bending, pulling, pushing, lifting, and carrying of up to approximately 75 pounds).
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Read, interpret, and record data.
• Perform mathematical calculations.
• Learn the more complex principles, practices, techniques, and regulations pertaining to water distribution operations.
• Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.
• Work effectively independently and as a member of a crew.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and act in a courteous and tactful manner with those contacted in the course of work.
• Operate power tools and equipment to perform a variety of semi-skilled tasks.
• Perform basic maintenance and repair on tools and equipment.
• Read and interpret basic sketches, drawings, specifications, technical manuals, and regulations.
• Recognize unusual or dangerous operating conditions and make sound judgments within established guidelines.

Licenses and Certificates :

Water Distribution Operator-in-Training / II / III

Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver’s license. Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Restricted Automatic class A driver’s license with tanker, 5th wheel, and air brake endorsements OR a California Unrestricted Class A driver’s license within 12 months of hire. 1

Water Distribution Operator-In-Training

Must obtain a D2 Water Distribution Operator certificate issued by the State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB) within eighteen months of hire.

Water Distribution Operator II

• Possession and continued maintenance of a D2 Water Distribution Operator certificate issued by the State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB).
• Must obtain a D3 Water Distribution Operator certificate issued by the State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB) within eighteen months of hire or of promotion.

Water Distribution Operator III

• Possession and continued maintenance of a D3 Water Distribution Operator certificate issued by the State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB).
• One year of operator experience working as a certified D2 operator, D3 or higher operator, or temporary D3 operator for a D2 system or higher.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must reside within a 30-minute response time by the end of the 6-month probationary period.
• Willingness to perform on-call duty assignment and call-back work as assigned, which may include holidays, weekends and evenings.
• Willingness to wear a uniform and personal, protective equipment (PPE).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Certification in First Aid and CPR
• Underground Construction / Utility Experience
• Safety procedures for placement and use of traffic delineation
• 1 The salary for this classification includes compensation for the CA class A driver’s license with tanker, 5th wheel and air brake endorsements;

therefore, no separate, additional pay applies.

Career Ladder

• Deputy Director / Operations Manager
• Superintendent of Distribution
• Water Distribution Supervisor V-Chief Distribution Officer
• Water Distribution Supervisor IV
• Water Distribution Crew Leader IV
• Water Distribution Crew Leader III
• Senior Water Distribution Operator
• Water Distribution Operator III
• Water Distribution Operator II
• Water Distribution Operator-in-Training

Last updated : 2024-05-17