Water System Operator

POSITION DUTIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

Operates, monitors, and controls water treatment facilities, distribution systems, and related equipment. Makes necessary adjustments to ensure appropriate water supply, quality and pressure, and to maintain the integrity of the water system.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:*

Position Specific Summary

The Water System Operator at the City of Tucson's Water Department is responsible for operating, monitoring, and controlling water treatment facilities, distribution systems, and related equipment. This position is responsible for identifying problems within the water system and making appropriate adjustments to ensure appropriate water supply, quality, and pressure.

Work is performed under the Supervision of the Water Plant Supervisor. This position does not supervise.

Duties and Responsibilities

SCADA Operations (45%) - Essential

Utilizes (SCADA) to monitor and operate the Potable Distribution System and Advanced Oxidation Process Plant. Analyzes the reports to determine the required pumpage to meet daily demands.

Operates and monitors reservoirs to ensure our storage capacity meets system demand. Monitors and sustains pressure zones ensuring customers have satisfactory pressure. Exercises and operates potable groundwater wells to sustain Water Quality (WQ) standards and meet daily system demands.

Responds to SCADA alarms by making proper adjustments in the distribution system. Assesses real-time data from online water quality monitoring instruments and adjusts the chemical injection dosage to comply with local, state, and federal regulations. Makes system adjustments to accommodate the preventative maintenance, water quality sampling, and any miscellaneous work being performed by field staff.

Operates and monitors various wells, vessels, stations, and facilities to ensure proper flow and treatment. Utilizes the logs, notes, and various databases to document events and communicate with staff. Dispatches field crews to flush systems when chlorine residuals fall below or over action levels.

Plant Operations (30%) - Essential

Drives to various locations to collect, test, and analyze water samples. Adjusts chemical feed rates to comply with local, state, and federal regulations.

Customer Service (20%) - Essential

Receives and resolves service calls from internal and external customers providing accurate and timely information. Generates service requests when field staff reports activities requiring immediate attention.

Communicates with external utilities to monitor power outages, track external project progress, and resolve field issues. Notifies internal divisions of scheduled and unscheduled water outages. Receives and resolves after-hours emergency phone calls on nights, weekends, and holiday shifts.

Enters relevant information into SCADA and site-specific databases ensuring documentation of events is available for staff. Notifies appropriate parties of outages.

Other duties as assigned (5%) - Non-Essential

Performs all other duties and tasks as assigned. Assists with special projects and assignments. Represents the department at offsite events when needed.

Working Conditions

Some exposure to light physical or environmental conditions (noise, dust, weather, etc.). Department operates 24/7, 365 days per year and individuals in this position will be required to work 12-hour rotating shifts, weekends, holidays and on call shifts.

• All duties, responsibilities, and percentage of time listed are subject to change.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

6 months post high school

Work Experience:

Two (2) years of directly related experience

Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

ADDITIONAL MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

6 months post high school

or a related field.

Work Experience:

Skills:

License/Certifications:

Valid and unrestricted Class D Driver License

• Arizona Department of Transportation

• Motor Vehicle Division, Water Distribution Grade 2 Certification

• Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), Water Treatment Grade 2 Certification

• Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ)

Languages:

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Out of state or Equivalent of Water Treatment Grade 2 Certification accepted at the time of application.

• Out of state or Equivalent of Water Distribution Grade 2 Certification accepted at the time of application.

ADEQ Water Treatment Grade 3 and ADEQ Water Distribution Grade 3 Certification or equivalent state certification.

Two (2) years' experience in the water industry or related field.

One (1) year of experience working with SCADA or Telemetry Systems. Intermediate skills in MS Office and other computer software.

One (1) year of experience working with Sodium Hypochlorite, Hydrogen Peroxide, or disinfection chemicals.

ADDITIONAL POSITION INFORMATION:

Position Title:

Water System Operator

Department Name:

Water Utility

Department Link:

https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Water

FTE%:

100

FLSA:

Non-Exempt

Position Type:

Regular

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Minimum Hiring Salary: $21.96

Dependent upon experience, qualifications, and successful completion of any applicable job training

Full Hourly Range: $21.96 - 37.88 USD

In accordance with pay transparency, the salary reflected in this posting is the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. Salary placement is typically between the minimum and mid-point of the salary range.

The City of Tucson offers a generous benefits package for benefit-eligible positions.The comprehensive, flexible, and affordable coverage is designed to optimize health and well-being, security and future, and peace of mind. Benefits begin with medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and FSA coverage, surpassing your standard 401(k) program by offering a rich pension plan plus optional Roth and pretax deferred compensation savings.

With your well-being in mind, our paid time off program provides new hires with 38 paid days off in the first year of employment, with time off increasing steadily in subsequent years. We offer six weeks of paid parental leave, paid tuition reimbursement, student loan repayment, off- and on-the-job training, and opportunities to forge connections with peers and the community through employee resource groups and paid volunteer hours.

You can learn more about our benefits at https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Human-Resources/Employee-Benefit-Snapshot.

POSTING INFORMATION

Posting Close Date:

Applicants must submit their completed application by 07-28-2024 at 11:59 p.m. MST

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Please see the special application instructions below and follow the directions for applying to this position.

Special Instructions:

A resume and cover letter are required. Please submit an updated resume and cover letter that clearly details your experience directly related to water treatment, wastewater treatment, or distribution system operations or maintenance.

If you possess an ADEQ certification or equivalent state water certification in distribution or treatment, please ensure your resume and cover letter include the level (numerical or alpha) and type of (treatment, distribution, wastewater etc.) certification(s) you hold, the certifying agency, and your operator number or ID.

If you possess any of the preferred qualifications listed above and wish to receive consideration for the experience/qualifications, the information must be verifiable in your resume and cover letter.

The following pre-employment medical tests apply to this position:

• Basic Physical

• Non-NIDA Drug Test

• Respirator Physical

Background Check: This position has been designated to require a criminal background check.

CITY OF TUCSON IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy), national origin, veteran status, age, disability, genetic testing, or any other protected status. If you believe you have been a victim of discrimination, you may file a complaint with the City of Tucson's Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or Arizona Attorney General's Office of the Civil Rights Division (ACRD). Click for more information from ACRD about employment discrimination and how to file a complaint with ACRD

The City of Tucson employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The City of Tucson is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities or who require religious accommodation; please contact Human Resources at EmployeeLeaves@tucsonaz.gov or 520-791-2619.