
City of San Luis Obispo
Water Supply Operator (SBP)
Please Apply at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/slobispo/jobs/5152644/water-supply-operator-sbp
Closing Date 12/9/2025 5:00 PM Pacific
JOB SUMMARY:
To perform a variety of responsible and complex operation and maintenance duties at the City’s Whale Rock Reservoir and raw water delivery system. Employees in this job class perform a wide variety of operations and maintenance tasks from the semi-skilled and skilled level to professional journey level. Employees in this classification must be available to work on any assigned shift that may include working on evenings, holidays, and weekends. This job class includes responsibility for the performance of the full range of the classification’s tasks and duties, ultimately performing at a journey level of classification. Appointment to a level in this job class is based upon achieving and maintaining a specified level of competence, professionalism and performance as defined through a skills-based-pay rating system.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:
This classification is a “Skills Based Pay” advancement series. Employees in this classification who are part of a series shall have the opportunity to advance within the series to the highest working class. Such advancement shall be based on their attainment and demonstrated performance of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, and/or required certification, and the recommendation of the department head.
SUPERVISION:
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Employees in this classification receive supervision from the Water Supply Supervisor within a framework of standard policies and procedures. Incumbents in this classification may work independently while on mandatory standby/callout.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks that may be found in positions of this class.)
- Performs a variety of duties from semi-skilled to the more complex maintenance and operations in support of the water supply facilities including the dam, reservoir, surrounding lands, outlet works, supply pipeline and appurtenances, pump stations, and fishing facility.
- Directs and participates in the maintenance of a variety of equipment used for proper water supply service including valves, automatic control valves, pumps, motors, motor controllers, transducers, engine generators, meters, piezometers, etc.
- Inspects Whale Rock equipment and structures daily to determine maintenance requirements, and performs lake security patrols by boat and automobile.
- Monitor dam stability through piezometer and underdrain readings, and by survey measurement of the dam structure.
- May schedule, assign, direct, train and monitor the work of a maintenance crew in the safe and proper maintenance of the Whale Rock facilities.
- Performs a variety of duties from semi-skilled to the more complex maintenance and operations in support of the water supply facilities including the dam, reservoir, outlet works, pipeline and appurtenances, pump stations, and fishing facility.
- Perform daily patrol of reservoir and surrounding lands, record climatological readings, water level, etc.
- Check water supply pumps and equipment for proper operation.
- Determine daily pumping and pump run requirements to meet the requirements of multiple water agencies.
- Maintain and repair a variety of tools and equipment specific to water supply operations.
- Exercise gate, butterfly, and automatic control valves, inspect and ensure proper operation, and repair as necessary.
- Field locate and mark pipeline and other facilities as required for Underground Service Alert.
- Perform inspections of hydraulically operated butterfly valves and structural integrity of the water intake tower in a confined space.
- Monitor dam stability through piezometer and underdrain readings, and by survey and internal measurement of the dam structure.
- Perform general grounds maintenance and repair of the onsite residence and facilities.
- Perform landscape maintenance, brush control, and rodent control at the reservoir.
- Monitor reservoir water quality by scheduled representative sampling of the lake at various depths.
- Accurately maintain records and logs associated with the water supply facility.
- Assist in an onsite steelhead spawning program.
- Prepare and monitor an annual fishing program for public use.
- Assist Water Supply Supervisor and Water Division Manager in the development of capital projects, major equipment repairs and replacement and in coordinating capital projects with Utilities and Public Works engineering staff.
- Responsible for the performance of work in a safe and proper manner of an assigned shift; conducts safety training for employees; trains new employees in proper and safe work methods and water supply facility maintenance.
- Participate in the mandatory standby/callout rotation for the division.
- Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of water supply operations and maintenance procedures, methods, and techniques.
- Advanced maintenance, repair, and adjustment principles of mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and instrumentation systems commonly used in water supply systems.
- State and Federal standards and requirements related to dams and water supply system operations and maintenance.
- Safe work practices such as confined entry procedures, personal safety equipment, etc.
- General record keeping procedures and systems including database and computer applications
- Basic supervisory skills
Ability to:
- Safely and effectively perform complex and skilled maintenance functions related to water supply operations and facilities.
- Accurately diagnose a variety of operational problems and make complex adjustments based on observed and recorded data and analysis.
- Read and interpret blue prints and construction drawings.
- Read and interpret gauges, meters, recorders, and other measuring devices.
- Work any assigned shift.
- Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and other safety equipment as required, and conform to the City’s facial hair requirements for use of respiratory equipment.
- Meet the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform required duties.
- Use applicable computer software programs and equipment including a telemetry system to maintain and update logs, records, charts, and preventive maintenance schedules.
- Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of the required duties.
- Express ideas clearly and concisely in written and oral form with good command and use of the English language.
- Provide excellent customer service and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers, management, members of the public, the community and agency representatives.
- Recognize problems and make decisions, use tact, good judgment, resourcefulness and diplomacy in resolving conflict situations.
- Lift fifty pounds during the course of a normal workday.
TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
High school graduation or G.E.D. supplemented by specialized training related to maintenance technologies such as systems design and maintenance, electrical systems maintenance, maintenance of water systems, maintenance of pumping systems, instrumentation maintenance, water supply structure maintenance;
or
Two years of work experience in the actual maintenance and repair of pumps, motors, valves, instrumentation systems, electrical systems and facilities associated with a water supply facility or comparable industrial maintenance experience;
or
An equivalent combination of education and experience.
POSSESSION AND MAINTENANCE OF:
- A valid Class “C” driver’s license.
THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE A FINAL OFFER IS MADE:
- Pre-employment Physical
- Live scan Fingerprinting (DOJ)