Water Distribution Operator I

Job Description

Description

The City of Tustin’s Public Works Department is currently seeking a dedicated and motivated individual for the position of Water Distribution Operator I. This opportunity is ideal for someone interested in building a career in the water industry while performing hands-on work that supports the delivery of safe and reliable water service to the Tustin community.

As a Water Distribution Operator I, you will perform a variety of semi-skilled and skilled duties in support of the operation, maintenance, and repair of the City’s water distribution system and related facilities, while developing valuable technical skills in municipal water operations. This position is ideal for an individual who takes pride in maintaining essential public infrastructure and understands the importance of providing safe and reliable water service to the community. Responsibilities include assisting with the installation, maintenance, and repair of water mains, service lines, valves, hydrants, meters, and other system components; responding to water-related service needs; and performing a variety of field duties to help ensure the safe and efficient operation of the City’s water distribution system.

This recruitment may close at any time upon receipt of a sufficient number of qualified applications. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply promptly.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong willingness to learn, the ability to follow established procedures and safety practices, and a commitment to completing work accurately and efficiently. The ideal candidate will also be a positive and reliable team member who communicates effectively, works well with others, and is comfortable performing physically demanding work in a variety of outdoor conditions. A strong mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and an interest in developing the technical knowledge and skills necessary for a career in water distribution are highly desirable.

THE CITY

Tustin is a vibrant and charming city nestled in the heart of Orange County. The City remains true to its quaint heritage while warmly welcoming neighbors and planning for purposeful growth in the future. Called home by a passionate and diverse community, Tustin is a place for all generations and every walk of life. Behind this beloved community, there is a team of practiced public servants who steward the City’s future while maintaining its unique charm and rich history. By balancing the needs of today with optimism for tomorrow, the City of Tustin works to realize its vision of a safe, high-quality and thriving community.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Application materials will be carefully reviewed to identify candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for this position. Individuals who are best qualified will be invited to participate in a panel interview, tentatively scheduled for the week of November 16, 2026. Candidates may also be required to participate in a performance test as part of the selection process.

All candidates who successfully pass the panel interview will earn placement on an eligible list, which will be valid for one (1) year and may be used to fill current and future vacancies in the Water Distribution Operator classification.

Examples of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performs construction, maintenance, and repair activities of City water utilities systems and facilities to ensure safe and efficient access for the public, including residential and commercial water meters, valve cans, meter boxes, and water distribution lines, services, valves and fire hydrants

• Performs water valve maintenance, including various types of lines and valves, locating and raising valves that are not exposed, operating automated machines to exercise valves on an annual basis, and maintaining records of valves

• Repairs concrete after water distribution system maintenance, including sidewalk panels and temporary street patches

• Uses valve-turning equipment to isolate and shut down pre-designated water lines for routine maintenance and in emergency situations; provides explanations to the public during shut-downs

• Performs water meter maintenance, including installing new meters, repairing leaks, and replacing meters as necessary; performs shut-downs of services, as required

• Operates and maintains specialized vehicles and a variety of light, medium, and heavy equipment related to the construction, maintenance, and repair of water utilities systems and facilities

• Operates a variety of hand and power tools and equipment related to work assignment as instructed

• Observes safe work methods and makes appropriate use of related safety equipment as required

• Maintains public facilities, shop and garage areas, storage sites, and other work areas in a clean and orderly condition, including securing equipment at the close of the workday

• Installs street barricades and cones and controls traffic around work sites and special events to ensure safe conditions for the general public and City workers

• Maintains accurate logs and records of work performed and materials and equipment used

• Performs related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for acceptable job performance. Example combinations include:

Education and/or Experience:
Graduation from high school or equivalent, and two years of experience in the installation, repair, and maintenance of water services, mains, meters, valves, hydrants, and related equipment and/or facilities.

Special Requirements
Possession of a Class C California driver's license and ability to obtain a Class B within one year of appointment and satisfactory driving record.

Certification

Possession of or ability to obtain within one year of appointment a D1 Distribution Systems Certificate from the California State Water Resources Control Board.

Individuals holding a Class A or B license are subject to random drug/alcohol testing pursuant to Department of Transportation guidelines/requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

To view the knowledge, skills, & abilities required of the position, please follow the link here.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

Information on the physical demands, mental demands, and work environment can be found by following the link here.

The City of Tustin is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

The City of Tustin offers a comprehensive compensation and benefit program that includes:

FLEXIBLE BENEFIT PLAN
The City provides a specific dollar amount to each employee to use toward the purchase of individual or family health coverage, dental plans, vision coverage, additional life insurance, deferred compensation, and other optional benefits. Currently, the flexible benefit amount for Employee + 2 is $2125 per month.

The City contracts through CalPERS medical program (PEMHCA) which offers multiple PPO and HMO options for health insurance providers. Employees also have the choice of Delta Dental PPO or HMO plans.

RETIREMENT
Employees will be enrolled in a defined benefit (pension) plan with the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). CalPERS determines the retirement plan in which a new employee will be enrolled based on the individual's membership status with CalPERS or a reciprocal retirement system on the individual's first day of employment with the City.

Classic CalPERS members will be enrolled in the 2% @ 60 plan, with an employee contribution of 10% (pre-tax). New CalPERS members, as defined by the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 ("PEPRA"), will be enrolled in the 2% @ 62 plan, with an employee contribution of 7.25% (pre-tax). The City does not participate in Social Security, though participation Medicare is mandatory (1.45% employee contribution).

DEFERRED COMPENSATION
Employees may defer earnings, on a pre-tax basis, into a 457 deferred compensation program. This is an optional program and the City contracts with Nationwide Retirement Services.

GENERAL LEAVE
General Leave may be used for vacation and/or illness. Annual accrual amounts increase from 160 to 248 with years of service.

HOLIDAYS
The City has 13 paid holidays per calendar year.

LIFE INSURANCE
Full-Time employees receive a $100,000 life insurance policy.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY
The Long-Term disability program provides 60% of the employees' income when the employee becomes disabled because of an illness, injury or accident.

ALTERNATIVE WORK SCHEDULE
The 9/80 alternative work schedule is available for most full-time positions.

RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE
Employees who retire from the City of Tustin with ten (10) years of full-time service and continue enrollment in the City's health plan are eligible for reimbursement of $250 per month toward retiree health insurance costs. Employees first hired into a benefitted position with the City of Tustin prior to July 1, 2011 are eligible for this benefit after five (5) years of service.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
After passing the probationary period, employees may request reimbursement up to a maximum of $4000 per calendar year for tuition and related expenses when attending a community college or four year university.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Employees are enrolled in an Employee Assistance Program that provides a variety of legal and counseling services.

MEDICARE
All newly hired employees contribute a portion of gross salary for Medicare coverage. The employee contribution to Medicare is 1.45%.

SECTION 125 MEDICAL & DEPENDENT CARE PROGRAM
The section 125 program is optional for employees and provides a method to pay medical and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.

SPECIALITY PAY
The City has specialty pay for designated positions. Examples of specialty pay include Bilingual Pay, Water Certificate Pay, Stand-by Pay, Call-Back Pay, and Shift Differential.

Closing Date/Time: 10/26/2026 5:00 PM Pacific