Water Systems Operator I/II/III

About the Department

The Environmental Services Department (ESD) is a national leader in pollution prevention, watershed protection, utility service provision, and climate action. Together, ESD employees positively impact every resident and business in San Jose.  

Our department is an exceptional place to start or grow your career. We have a supportive leadership team, numerous professional growth opportunities, and an inclusive workplace culture that is welcoming of your talents! We offer an array of meaningful career paths and value flexibility – offering possible hybrid work and alternative work schedules in select roles. Additionally, the City benefits, as well as 15 paid holidays! 

To learn more about ESD, follow @sjenvironment on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and San Jose Environmental Services on LinkedIn.

Position Duties

The Environmental Services Department is currently seeking to fill one (1) full-time Water Systems Operator I/II/III vacancy. 

Salary Range

Water Systems Operator I annual salary range is $85,945.60 – $104,769.60  

• Water Systems Operator II annual salary range is $96,304.00 – $117,374.40
• Water Systems Operator III annual salary range is $101,171.20 – $123,260.80

The Environmental Services Department is recruiting for a Water Systems Operator in the Water Resources Division.  

The Water Resources Division is comprised of three sections: Potable Water Supply and Engineering (Municipal Water System), Water Recycling (South Bay Water Recycling), and Systems Operations and Maintenance.  

The Water Resources Division provides potable water service through the Municipal Water System to the communities of Evergreen, North San Jose/Alviso, Edenvale, and Coyote. It consists of 311 miles of pipeline, 15 pump stations, 14 wells and 18 reservoirs, serving a growing population of over 125,000, with over 26,500 potable water accounts, in a 33.3 square mile service area. The Water Resources Division also provides recycled water service through the South Bay Water Recycling program and system to the Cities of San Jose, Santa Clara, and Milpitas. The recycled water system consists of 105 miles of pipeline, 4 pump stations and 3 reservoirs, serving over 530 recycled water accounts. The Operations and Maintenance Section is responsible for operating and maintaining the potable and recycled water systems, preventative maintenance, and customer service.

The position performs mechanical and technical work of moderate difficulty in performing field and shop work in servicing and maintaining City of San Jose water services, equipment, and devices for the potable and recycled water systems.

Typical duties include:  

• Check and maintain pumps and equipment in the main water system plant and other various field stations for proper operation.
• Repairs and replaces defective meters, lids, and boxes in the field, and repairs, rebuilds and tests meters that are brought in from the field due to malfunction.
• Installs water meters, boxes, and lids, as required, for new construction.
• Tests and calibrates compound, displacement type, and turbine meters in the system according to American Water Works Association specifications.
• Operates, maintains, and repairs valves and hydrants of all types.
• Reads and records data from water meters, pressure gauges, tank level indicators and well level indicators.
• Responds to and corrects malfunctions and emergencies such as water main breaks, service leaks, water quality complaints and broken hydrants.
• Takes water samples for bacteriological testing, and makes routine chemical analyses of water for fluoride, chlorine, and other constituents.
• Responds to consumer complaints, (such as high bills, high or low pressure, bad taste, odor, color, noise, leaks, or no water)
• Performs occasional landscape maintenance at water system facilities sites.

The position requires both scheduled and unscheduled standby and overtime work.

Depending on the work group, assignments will be made to any shift needed for an around-the-clock operation. Incumbents must also be available for work on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays.  

This position is required to comply with Municipal Water Systems Standby Policy which is for one continuous week scheduled from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. weekdays and 24 hours on weekends and/or holidays during that week and requires being able to respond to system emergencies within 45 minutes upon being notified. 

Duties require a heavy level of physical exertion, including exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects (e.g., large hand tools, pipes, or other water equipment). Incumbents work with large industrial equipment and machinery, in confined spaces, outdoors, and around hazardous materials. Incumbents may be required to utilize self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) equipment, which requires the ability to pass an annual fit and spirometry test. 

The ability to perform the essential physical functions of the job will be determined by a post-offer medical examination conducted by City of San Jose Employee Health Services.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.  

Minimum Qualifications

Water Systems Operator I  

Experience: One (1) year general experience in maintenance, repair and installation in the water utility industry or similar industrial work environment.  

Licensing/Certifications: 

• Possession of a valid driver’s license authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in California.
• Possess and maintain valid California State Water Resources Control Board Operator (SWRCB) Distribution Operator Grade 1 certification.
• Possess and maintain valid SWRCB WaterTreatment Operator Grade 1 certification.

Water Systems Operator II  

Experience: One (1) year experience in potable water distribution or treatment operations experience at a distribution or treatment facility.  

Licensing/Certifications: 

• Possession of a valid driver’s license authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in California.
• Possess and maintain valid SWRCB Distribution Operator Grade 2 certification.
• Possess and maintain valid SWRCB Water Treatment Operator Grade 1 certification.
• Possession of a valid California Class A driver’s license. 

Water Systems Operator III  

Experience: One (1) year experience as a Water Systems Operator II for the City of San José. 

Licensing/Certifications: 

• Possession of a valid driver’s license authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in California.
• Possess and maintain valid SWRCB Distribution Operator Grade 3 certification.
• Possess and maintain valid SWRCB Water Treatment Operator Grade 1 certification.
• Possession of a valid California Class A driver’s license.

Water Systems Operator I/II/III

CA Driver’s License: Possession of a valid driver’s license authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in California.

Physical requirement: Ability to perform the essential physical functions of this position will be determined by a post-offer medical examination conducted by City of San Jose Employee Health Services. 

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. 

Competencies  

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.  Desirable competencies for this position include: 

Job Expertise – demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, including water regulations, safety management, water sampling and treatment best practices, meter reading technologies, water systems maintenance and repair practices and equipment, chlorination and disinfection specifications, chemical analysis, and water system hydraulics, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.  

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant’s training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job-specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.
 
If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection, or the hiring process please contact Anthony Vu at Anthony1.Vu@sanjoseca.gov

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility:  Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent, or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.  

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third-party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application.  If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided.  IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.