System Operator/Inspector

Employment Opportunity

System Operator / Inspector

APPLICATION DEADLINE: July 30, 2026, or earlier upon receipt of the first 40 applications.

 SALARY RANGE: $7,171 to $8,718 per month

 GENERAL PURPOSE

Under general supervision, performs a variety of semi-skilled and skilled duties in the maintenance, and repair of the District’s high pressure water transmission pipeline, hydroelectric generator and other major water delivery components; monitors and makes necessary adjustments to water delivery system and hydroelectric generator to insure correct operation using manual or SCADA systems; patrols District facilities checking for nearby construction activities and responds to Dig Alerts.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

System Operator / Inspector is the skilled journey-level class in this series. Assignments vary, encompass a variety of routine tasks, may require detailed instructions, and requires sound judgment and initiative. This class differs from the Senior System Operator/ Inspector in that incumbents in the latter class require a higher skill level and are assigned complex projects requiring knowledge of the full range of the District’s system equipment and facilities, operations, standards and procedures.

Employees in this class typically report to the Supervising System Operator/ Inspector.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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 class.

1.         Performs routine skilled duties in the distribution of non-potable water throughout the District’s system, including operation of the District water transmission pipeline, pressure reducing, turnout and metering stations and the hydroelectric plant; monitors and regulates water flow into and throughout the transmission system using control valves and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system instrumentation; operates valves to move water from one pressure zone to another; interprets gauges, meters and graphs and other monitoring and recording devices; depending on level, performs basic troubleshooting of readings outside normal parameters, makes manual adjustments or assists in resolving problems and failures; notifies the Supervising System Operator of serious issues in accordance with established protocols.

2.         Acknowledges and responds to systems alarms of lower levels of significance or notifies the Lead or Supervisor; assesses conditions and situations based on SCADA information and transmission system knowledge; makes routine decisions on required adjustments to system operations; drives to field sites to assess conditions and either make adjustments and repairs or calls for assistance.

3.         Conducts visual field inspections of pipeline, motors, sensors, valves, gaskets and related transmission system facilities and equipment on a scheduled basis; performs preventative maintenance activities as assigned; calibrates, services and makes equipment repairs; assists in removing and re-installing parts and equipment sent out for contractor repair.

4.         May respond to Dig Alerts; uses pipe locator and marks location of District pipeline for field construction, street improvements and all construction being performed near District pipeline. Monitors the work of contract personnel engaged in maintenance and repair projects, and notifies higher level personnel of areas of concern.

5.         Reads and interprets valve sheets, blueprints, contract drawings, facility record drawings, as-builts and other records.

6.         Inspects, services, and repairs all emergency equipment and standby generators; troubleshoots electrical or mechanical problems in control panels, transfer switches, valve operators, motors, relays, etc.; disassembles and assembles various valves for repair and maintenance; performs routine facilities maintenance including plumbing, electrical and painting; performs maintenance on hydroelectric generator by changing bearing oil, service needle, and deflector operators; inspects energy dissipater, runner, and wheel.

7.         Operates a District vehicle when traveling to various facilities; operates and maintains hand and power tools required for the work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

1.         Principles and procedures in the operation of transmission system, valves, electric motors, diesel engines and electronic, computerized and manual control systems.

2.         Principles, methods, materials, tools and equipment used in the construction and/or mechanical electrical and plumbing trades.

3.         Principles and practices of surveying.

4.         Functions and servicing requirements of the equipment in a high pressure water transmission system.

5.         Local, state and federal laws and regulations regarding the production, storage and transmission of water, including the Safe Drinking Water Act and relevant EPA regulations.

6.         Mathematical concepts including determining areas, volumes, flow rates, conversions between various units of measure, and basic statistics.

7.         Safety practices and procedures related to the work.

8.         Uses and operation of SCADA control instrumentation and standard business software.

Safety policies and safe work practices applicable to the work, including OSHA r

Ability to:

1.         Operate a wide variety of transmission system equipment, including digital control equipment and troubleshoot and resolve system and equipment malfunctions and failures.

2.         Read and assess the significance of control system meters, gauges and other components and diagnose conditions and problems.

3.         Operate common construction and surveying tools, pipeline and underground utility locators.

4.         Make mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.

5.         Calibrate, service and repair transmission system facilities and equipment.

6.         Operate and maintain a variety of hand and power tools applicable to the work.

7.         Read and accurately interpret valve books, blueprints and schematic drawings.

8.         Prepare clear and concise records and reports.

9.         Exercise independent judgment and initiative within established procedures and guidelines, consistent with level of personal certification.

10.   Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

11.   Understand and follow written and oral instructions.

12.   Operate a computer and standard business software.

13.   Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work.

Education, Training and Experience:

Graduation from high school or GED equivalent and some college level water and/or engineering course and at least two years of progressively responsible experience in the maintenance, operation, repair and/or construction of water systems facilities and equipment; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

 Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

A valid California Class C driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the District’s vehicle insurance program at the time of appointment and as a condition of continued employment.

Possession of a valid California State Water Resources Control Board Distribution Operator Grade D1 Certificate or Water Treatment Operator Grade T1 Certificate is required at the time of appointment. Distribution Operator Grade D2 or Water Treatment Operator Grade T2 is highly desirable.

Biennial certification in CPR and First Aid is required within six (6) months of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment. 

Must maintain a residence enabling them to report to District Headquarters within one (1) hour of being called for emergency response. Residence within approximately 25 miles of District Headquarters is generally expected to meet this requirement.

Must participate in the District’s rotating on-call program and be available to respond to after-hours, weekend, holiday, and emergency call-outs. When assigned on call, the employee must be fit for duty, accessible by telephone or other District-approved communication methods, and able to report to District Headquarters within one (1) hour of notification.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk or hear conversations and distinguish equipment operating sounds and signal warnings; use hands and fingers to handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; perform

repetitive movements of hands or wrists; climb or balance on ladders or stairs; stoop, kneel, bend at the waist, crouch or crawl; and smell. The employee is regularly required to lift up to 75 pounds unaided and occasionally up to 100 pounds with assistance.

Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, use of both eyes, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

 Mental Demands:

While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; observes and interprets conditions and situations; performs highly detailed work; deals with changing deadlines, constant interruptions and multiple concurrent tasks; responds to emergency situations; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with contractors and/or the public and dissatisfied/abusive individuals.

 WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee works in a water facility and field environment where the noise level is usually moderately quiet. The employee regularly works in outdoor weather conditions; extreme heat or cold; wet, humid conditions; on ladders/scaffolding or in high, precarious places; on uneven or slippery surfaces; near moving mechanical parts, moving equipment and heavy traffic. The employee is exposed to fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is frequently exposed to loud or prolonged noise, and equipment with heavy vibrations. The employee may be at risk of electrical shock.

Work requires responding to emergency call-outs.

BENEFITS

Work Schedule: 4/10 schedule, Monday through Thursday.

 CalPERS Retirement: 2%@62 formula for PEPRA employees; 2%@55 for Classic employees.

Deferred Compensation: A 457 voluntary plan where employees can elect to defer compensation up to the IRS limits.

 Medical: Anthem Blue Cross PPO medical insurance and health reimbursement for employees and qualified plan participants.

Life Insurance: Basic life insurance coverage at no cost for a full-time employee.

11 paid Holidays, paid vacation, and sick leave.

APPLICATION PROCESS

For more information, visit www.sgvmwd.com. To apply, submit completed employment application and resume via email to careers@sgvmwd.com. Application deadline is Thursday, July 30, 2026.