Water Operator

General Description:

Sierra Park Water Company, Inc. (Company) is seeking a Water Distribution Operator to join our team as an Independent Contractor. In this capacity, you will work independently under the general supervision of the Company Engineer and will operate, repair, and maintain the Company’s water distribution system and (future) treatment facilities. Located in a peaceful forest setting in the Sierra Nevada mountains, this small Class D water utility supplies drinking water from two groundwater wells to a small residential community with about 350 connections, many of which are vacation homes, in rural Tuolumne County, about 20 miles east of Sonora, California.

Responsibilities – the essential work includes the following duties:

• Performs daily tasks of monitoring the operations of the Company water distribution system, including wells, pumps, storage tanks, distribution lines and treatment plant facilities for proper, efficient, and safe function.
• Inspect equipment and facilities, such as wells, pumps, motors, valves, filters, meters, and related equipment, and perform repairs and regularly scheduled preventative maintenance, including flushing and exercising of valves.
• Conducts maintenance activities outlined in the Company Operations Plan and reports to Company Engineer any needs identified for extraordinary maintenance and repairs.
• Adhere to all operational requirements stipulated by Regional, State and Federal regulatory agencies.
• Reads meters, shuts services off, seals services, and/or removes meters as directed.
• Schedule and test operating and auxiliary equipment.
• Record readings from meters, gauges, and recording charts.
• Make necessary system adjustments to maintain proper operating conditions.
• Inspect pump stations, pumps, motors, valves, filters, meters, and related equipment, and perform repairs and regularly scheduled preventative maintenance.
• Collect samples for laboratory tests and perform the appropriate analysis for the operator’s grade level.
• Check safety precautions and maintain safe working conditions.
• Keep accurate records and logs for submission of operations reports and input data into the plant computer systems.
• Respond to customer inquiries and reports about high or low water pressure and potential leaks in the distribution system. Perform repairs, as needed, on Company facilities. 
• Maintains tools and equipment.
• Cleans, repairs, installs and/or replaces water meters and parts.
• Shuts down main lines in emergencies and notifies regulatory agencies, and Company Engineer, as required.
• Operates backhoe, generators and other equipment.
• Perform a variety of maintenance on treatment plant, plant equipment, and plant grounds.
• May be needed for emergency call-outs on nights and weekends.
• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications – the following achievements, certification and licenses are required:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
• Must possess a Grade I Distribution Certificate issued by the California Department of State of California State Water Resources Control Board. Achievement to a D2 license is desirable over time.
• Grade I Water Treatment Plant Operator’s Certificate is desirable, but not required. Achievement to a T1 is desirable over time.
• Must possess a valid California Class C driver’s license, have a satisfactory driving record, and be insurable by the Company to operate vehicles.

Knowledge, skills and abilities – The following is representative of the requirements necessary to perform the work. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Knowledge of procedures for repairing, replacing, constructing, and maintaining facilities associated with water distribution and treatment.
• Knowledge of uses, purposes and maintenance of hand and power tools.
• Knowledge of operation and use of a wide variety of light and moderately heavy power-driven equipment.
• Knowledge of safety practices, safe work methods and safety regulations pertaining to the work.
• Ability to perform strenuous manual labor, often exposed to inclement weather conditions.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and respectful working relationships.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service and maintain courteous relations.

 Physical Demands – The following is representative of the requirements necessary to perform the work. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Sitting; standing; walking; walking over uneven ground; crawling, lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying (up to 50 lbs.), kneeling; stooping; bending; squatting; close and distance vision; use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, controls, and input meter readings into data recording device; driving vehicle.

Environmental Demands:

Outside:           Drives a vehicle with majority of work outside in a variety of weather conditions ranging from snow to 100+F.

Inside:            Seldom works indoors in a temperature-controlled environment.

Fumes/Gases:   Exposure to various vapors from internal combustion engines; exposure to dust generated during construction operations; exposure to fumes from weed control chemicals and waste treatment and collection.

Noise/Vibration:    Moderate exposure to noise, and moderate vibration from tools and equipment.

Experience: Experience in underground and above ground construction, working on installation, testing, maintenance and repair of pipelines and facilities or similar type work is desired.

Operators must complete the designated number of contact hours (i.e., continuing education/training requirements) as determined by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to maintain the required certifications. Certifications are required as a condition of the contract; failure to comply with SWRCB regulations pertaining to required certifications for the job will result in termination of contract.

Work Hours: As an independent contractor, establishes work hours and schedule in accordance with the requirements of the job. Contractor is responsible for conducting daily tasks and/or ensuring that responsibilities are adequately covered by an alternate contractor or assistant.

Compensation:  Hourly wage negotiable based on experience and qualifications.