Water Quality Technician / Senior Water Quality Technician

The City of Garden Grove is now accepting applications for:

 WATER QUALITY TECHNICIAN / SENIOR WATER QUALITY TECHNICIAN

Deadline to apply for this recruitment is Monday, October 5, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PST.

Click here to apply online: Join Our Team 

The Public Works Department is responsible for the maintenance and construction of all municipal facilities and equipment and associated infrastructure. This includes streets, sidewalks, parks, public buildings, street trees, flood control channels, traffic signals and City-owned vehicles and equipment. Additionally, the department is responsible for the City’s water system and managing trash and recycling services.

Under general supervision, the Water Quality Technician coordinates and conducts the testing, monitoring, and reporting of water quality control data. The Senior Water Quality Technician is distinguished from the Water Quality Technician by its greater complexity of projects and expectations of working in a lead capacity. Depending on the qualifications of the person selected for the job, positions can be  filled at the Water Quality Technician or Senior Water Quality Technician level.

We currently have one full-time opening and we anticipate creating an eligibility list from this recruitment that may be used to fill current and future vacancies for this classification, so apply now!

Essential Duties

Water Quality Technician – $5,970 – $8,821/month

• Perform sampling and in-house precision analysis for key constituents within the water delivery system as required by State and Federal mandate;
• Respond to water quality complaints;
• Monitor the cross-connection control program, hazard assessments and program administration including data entry of test report findings; performing difficult and non-routine surveys and inspections and performing cross-connection surveys and testing as needed;
• Review and perform implementation of Federal and State legislation for impact on local programs;
• Prepare and coordinate contracts for laboratory services;
• Coordinate public relations efforts with respect to water quality;
• Prepare and transmit all required reports to other agencies on water quality items;
• Operate water production facilities as required;
• Perform other related duties as required.

Senior Water Quality Technician – $6,931 – $10,240/month

In addition to the Water Quality Technician duties listed above:

• Oversee sampling and in-house precision analysis for key constituents within the water delivery system as required by State and Federal mandate;
• Oversee the cross-connection control program, including the performance of more difficult or non-routine surveys and inspections, hazard assessments and program administration as required; and
• Act as liaison with State and County health departments within the scope of established programs.

Requirements

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCAITON:

WATER QUALITY TECHNICIAN

• Education: An Associate’s degree or equivalent with major course work in water utility science or a related field is required. Possession of Grade 1 Water Distribution (D1) and Grade 1 Water Treatment (T1) certificates is required. 
• Experience: Two (2) years of water utility experience is required. Some water quality-related experience is highly desirable. 

SENIOR WATER QUALITY TECHNICIAN 

• Education: An Associate’s degree or equivalent with major course work in water utility science or a related field is required. Possession of Grade 1 Water Distribution (D1) and Grade 2 Water Treatment (T2) certificates is required. Possession of a Grade 2 Water Distribution (D2) certificate or higher is considered highly desirable.
• Experience: Three (3) years of water utility experience including at least two (2) years in water quality-related area (administrative reporting, or cross-connection) is required. 

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Test analysis procedures for routine and critical water quality factors; bacteriological, chemical, physical, and cross-connection control standards for potable water supplies; reporting practices and procedures for water quality data; water works operating practices; good customer service techniques and principles.

ABILITY TO:

Communicate effectively in both written and oral formats; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; work independently and use good judgment in carrying out complex instructions with a minimum of detailed supervision; commit to providing quality customer service; respond within one hour for cross-connection and backflow-related incidents.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Must possess a Class C California driver’s license and an acceptable driving record in order to operate a City vehicle. An acceptable driving record is one that has three (3) or fewer DMV points issued within the past five (5) years, and no more than one (1) DUI within the past ten (10) years. 

WATER QUALITY TECHNICIAN: Certification as a Cross-Connection Control Specialist and Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (recognized by the State Water Board) is highly desirable.

SENIOR WATER QUALITY TECHNICIAN:  Certification as a Cross-Connection Control Specialist and Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (recognized by the State Water Board) is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Incumbents in this classification stand, sit, climb stairs, stop/bend/lean, speak clearly, hear normal voice conversation, distinguish shades/color vision, see long distance, use a telephone, work on a personal computer, drive a vehicle, and operate mobile or motorized equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment described here is representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Incumbents in this classification work inside, work alone/no one nearby, with chemicals, direct contact with public, near electrical hazards, with inadequate lighting, hands in water, and may be required to work overtime and be on-call.

Other Important Information

HOW TO APPLY:

Online applications can be completed by visiting: www.ggcity.org/hr. Questions regarding this position may be sent via email to ggjobs@ggcity.org. City Hall is open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and every other Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The deadline to apply is Monday, October 5, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PST.

Online application packets must include:

• a completed online employment application,
• a completed supplemental questionnaire,
• a copy of your California Water Distribution Operator Certification (D1 or higher),
• a copy of your Water Treatment Operator Certification (T1 or higher),
• a copy of your Cross-Connection Control Specialist Certification (if applicable),
• a copy of your Back Flow Prevention Assembly Tester Certification (if applicable).

The job application must be completely filled out. A resume may be submitted but cannot substitute for the application or for some of the other required information. Be sure to detail any education, training or other relevant course work that would make you a particularly strong candidate.

Your application will be reviewed very carefully, and only those who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to further testing.

THE SELECTION PROCESS:

Selection process may consist of:

• Written exam – tentatively scheduled in-person for Thursday, October 15, 2026
• Oral panel interview – tentatively scheduled in-person for November 5, 2026

Candidates who may need accommodations during the selection process must contact the Human Resources Department at ggjobs@ggcity.org at least one week prior to any test dates.

CANDIDATES WILL ONLY RECEIVE COMMUNICATION THROUGH EMAIL. Candidates should be diligent in checking their email and spam mail for notices.

If there are any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the Human Resources Department at ggjobs@ggcity.org.

NEPOTISM POLICY:

The City has adopted a Nepotism Policy that may affect the status of a candidate’s application. Please refer to the Garden Grove Municipal Code 2.44.440 Nepotism Policy for more information.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

The City of Garden Grove is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, marital status, religion, ancestry, national origin, medical condition, non-disqualifying disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, military/veteran status, or other protected class covered by appropriate law.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER:

Per Government Code 3100, in the event of a disaster, employees of the City of Garden Grove are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

Benefits

VACATION

Accrues at the following rates:

• 80 hours upon completion of one (1) year
• 120 hours after one (1) year – 10 hours per month
• 132 hours after four (4) years – 11 hours per month
• 144 hours after nine (9) years – 12 hours per month
• 156 hours after eleven (11) years – 13 hours per month
• 168 hours after fourteen (14) years – 14 hours per month
• 186 hours after sixteen (16) years – 15.5 hours per month
• 207 hours after nineteen (19) years – 17.25 hours per month
• 246 hours after twenty-four (24) years – 20.6 hours per month

HOLIDAYS: 14 paid holidays a year (up to 125 hours)

SICK LEAVE: Accrues at 8 hours for each full calendar month of service.

CAFETERIA PLAN HEALTH INSURANCE: The City provides each eligible employee a fringe benefit allocation to purchase benefits for themselves and their dependents. Any unused portion of the allowance may be put into a deferred compensation plan, or taken as cash at the end of the year, or invested into a Flexible Reimbursement Account in which employees may tax-defer funds to use to pay for childcare or to cover those health and dental care expenses (deductibles, etc.) that are not reimbursed by an insurance carrier.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PROGRAM: Employees may contribute to a 457(b) account up to the maximum as determined by the IRS annually. There is no City contribution.

RETIREMENT:

Tier I – Employees hired prior to January 1, 2013, are covered by the “2.5% at 55” single highest year option of the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) plan. Employees contribute eight percent (8%) of salary to PERS on a tax-deferred basis. Employees hired after January 1, 2013 that have already been enrolled in CalPERS or another reciprocal retirement system and do not have a break in service of more than six (6) months may be hired into Tier I. The plan also includes the 1959 Survivor Benefit (Indexed Level), and $5,000 death benefit.

Tier II – Employees hired after January 1, 2013, are covered by the “2% at 62” three highest year average option of the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) plan. Employees contribute half of the normal cost to PERS on a tax-deferred basis. The plan also includes the 1959 Survivor Benefit (Indexed Level), and $5,000 death benefit.

BILINGUAL INCENTIVE: Employees may receive $85 per pay period if designated by the department head and certified by Human Resources to use bilingual verbal and translation abilities for languages such as Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, or other designated languages. A designated and certified bilingual employee required to utilize his/her verbal-only bilingual abilities (Vietnamese, Korean, Spanish and/or any other language designated by the City Manager) on City business will be paid $65 each pay period.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: Employees who successfully pass probation may receive up to $3,000 per year for pre-approved completed coursework toward a college degree.

RIDESHARE PROGRAM: Incentives in the form of various gift certificates and transportation subsidies are provided to encourage ride sharing and other types of alternate commuting modes.

Please visit the City’s website for more information: https://ggcity.org/hr/salary-and-benefits

THE BENEFITS LISTED ABOVE ARE ONLY RELEVANT TO FULL TIME EMPLOYEES. BENEFITS FOR PART-TIME BENEFITED AND NON-BENEFITED EMPLOYEES WILL DIFFER FROM THOSE OF A FULL TIME EMPLOYEE.