Electrician - Operations Technician III/IV

At Western Municipal Water District (“Western Water”) we believe in a one-team mindset and prioritize collaboration within the department and throughout the agency (across people, processes, resources) — no silos here. Together, we work to understand and anticipate Western Water’s needs.

Who we are

Western Water is one of the largest public agencies in Riverside County providing water and wastewater (sewer) services to nearly one million people across 527-square-miles of inland southern California. Our customers are an essential partner in ensuring long-term water resiliency for our region. Together, the Western Water team is focused on being the definitive leader in water and wastewater (sewer) services, upholding the highest level of stakeholder trust, and ensuring an exceptional customer experience.

Western’s values include:

• Service Excellence
• Efficiency 
• Water Supply Reliability
• Fiscal Responsibility and Value
• Public Trust, Accountability and Transparency
• Environmental Stewardship
• Employee Empowerment
• Innovation

THE OPPORTUNITY

Western Water is seeking a journey- to advanced-level electrician to join our Electrical Services Team as an Operations Technician III or IV (Electrical Services). This position plays a vital role in ensuring the operational integrity, efficiency, and safety of electrical systems across our water and wastewater treatment facilities.

As part of the Electrical Services Team, you will focus exclusively on electrical systems and be responsible for maintaining the District’s water and wastewater infrastructure. This includes work on:

• 480V–5kV power distribution systems
• Switchboards, transformers, and grounding systems
• Motor control centers (MCCs)
• Variable speed drives (VFDs/VSDs)
• Emergency backup generators and UPS systems
• Solar electrical systems
• Process and safety instrumentation

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with power distribution systems, motors and motor controls, and be confident working independently in the field performing skilled electrical maintenance, repair, and installation work.

Operations Technicians receive their direction from a Senior Operations Technician as well as the Operations Supervisor. 

District employees are expected to work overtime, weekends, evenings and holidays as required to accommodate Western Water’s needs, in addition to responding as a Disaster Emergency Service Worker.

Examples of Duties:

The Operations Technician III is the full journey-level class in the Technician series. Under minimal guidance and direction, incumbents carry out duties and assignments requiring full technical knowledge and skill in the work of an assigned unit. Incumbents work under general supervision while exercising independent judgment within established functions and procedures.

The Operations Technician IV is the advanced-level class in the Technician series. Under general direction, incumbents work independently to carry out duties and assignments requiring advanced technical knowledge and skill. Incumbents exercise independent judgment in the interpretation of procedures and regulations, participate in special projects, and provide training to entry or journey level employees. Incumbents may provide oversight of operational areas or subordinate staff as assigned. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this classification.

• May perform grounds maintenance, weed abatement and facilities cleaning duties, some of which requires heavy manual labor.
• Operate a pager, cell phone, and a mobile and/or base station two-way radio for dispatching and routine communications.
• Investigate public complaints and recommend corrective action.
• Maintain accurate and legible records for timesheets, workload planning, and related documents in accordance with state and federal laws, regulations, and District policies and procedures.
• Utilize and maintain detailed records for use within the Computerized Work Management System (CWMS).
• Participate in safety training programs and other related functions.
• Inspect, operate, calibrate, and maintain light/heavy equipment linked to department functions.
• Perform inspections and maintenance of District facilities, equipment, tools, and vehicles.
• Monitor and utilize the District’s SCADA system as required by department or call team roles.
• Coordination and purchase of department supplies or equipment.
• Operate GPS equipment in order to locate and survey District systems as determined by department functions.
• Perform lockout/tag out (LOTO) procedures to block electrical and other energy sources utilizing District safety policies and procedures.
• Perform duties in confined spaces utilizing District safety policies and procedures.
• Perform a variety of semi-skilled and skilled maintenance, operational, and repair tasks involved in the District’s water or wastewater systems.
• Contingent upon meeting certification and experience requirements, employees may be assigned to the after hour response team to provide continuous operational services in accordance with the California Municipal Water District Act of 1911.
• Must maintain a valid California Driver License.

Electrical/Instrumentation Services Team:

 Working hours and schedules may change with operational need.

The Electrical/Instrumentation team is responsible for the maintenance for all Western Water pumping systems, process equipment, control systems and facilities. The department provides timely and cost effective testing, repair, maintenance, modification and installation of electrical power distribution, motors and motor controls, as well as, analytical, and process instrumentation. The performance of this team is essential to ensuring the reliability of Western Water’s assets for the purposes of providing consistent district services. Operation Technicians are expected to exercise their skills in the areas noted below:

• Perform preventative and predictive maintenance of district analytical instrumentation, safety instrumentation, process control instrumentation equipment, and facilities.
• Perform a wide variety of journey to advanced level electrical service and repair tasks to machinery, equipment, and electrical systems. Including 5KV power distribution systems, switchboards, motor control centers (MCC’s), VSD’s, transformers, power panels, grounding systems, generators, automatic transfer switches, uninterruptable power supply (UPS) systems, solar arrays etc.
• Maintain detailed records for use within the Computerized Work Management System (CWMS).
• Generate CWMS reports, conduct staff training, update assets, create templates, schedule routines, and work order flow development.
• Assist with research, writing, and maintaining of Energy Control Procedures (SOPs) for the District Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) program.
• Assignment to Call Team may be required.

Typical Qualifications:

• Know and understand District personnel rules, policies and labor contract provisions with the ability to exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
• Perform a variety of manual tasks for extended periods of time.
• Independently oversee and direct crews during after-hour activities and emergency response.
• Utilize exceptional customer service and communication skills both verbally and in writing, with the ability to cultivate professional business partnerships and inspire team collaboration.
• Think creatively and seek alternative solutions in order to produce results that benefit Western Water, its internal and external customers, while clearly articulating options to management and policy makers.
• Use modern office equipment including basic computer software applications, and those related to the field of work.
• Define and explain key processes and business requirements within the department.
• Make effective and engaging oral presentations clearly, logically and persuasively.
• Highly motivated professional who is a self-starter, resourceful and able to work independently with minimum supervision.

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, AND LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

Any combination of experience and education that provides the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, along with the specific licenses/certifications outlined below:

Operations Technician III~ Equivalent to High School Diploma.

~ Associate degree in related discipline, technical school, or apprenticeship program equivalent to 60 semester units may substituted for two years of professional experience.

~ Bachelor degree in Automation or Control technology or 120 semester units in a related field may substitute for three years of professional experience and immediate certification requirement. 

Successful completion of an accredited electrical/electronic technician apprenticeship program desired.

Two (2) years performing duties similar to an Operations Technician II. 

Operations Technician IV Three (3) years performing duties similar to an Operations Technician III.

Operations Technician IV Electrical Services Distribution 3(a)/ Electrical Certification

(a) Desirable.

* Certifications: 

Distribution = California State Water Resources Control Board Water Distribution Operator Certification

Electrical = any one or more of the following: C10 Electrical Contractor license, California Certified Electrician (General Electrician), California Water Environment Association Plant Maintenance Technologist, Electrical/Instrumentation, or other equivalent trade certifications

May be required to and be medically able to wear respirator and fall protection, to be annually fit tested, confined space entry trained and maintain facial hair such that it does not interfere with any respirator or SCBA sealing surface. Each may be required to be a member of the confined space rescue team at the sole discretion of the District.