Lead Water System Operator

JOB SUMMARY

The City of Manhattan Beach is actively seeking an experienced Lead Water System Operator to join our dynamic team in the Water Section of the Public Works Department! We are looking for a collaborative team player with strong communication skills, experience working in a boutique high-service-level community, technical knowledge in the field, and a predisposition to customer service.

THE POSITION
Under general supervision, the Lead Water System Operator performs highly-skilled work in water operations and oversees field operations either with single or multi-person crews. The position plans, supervises, schedules, coordinates and participates in the installation, repair, and maintenance of water service laterals, small and large valves, fire hydrants, meters, and water pumps. This position performs the basic job duties of the Water Supervisor position and assists with more complex job functions.

THE DIVISION
The Water Section of the City of Manhattan Beach Public Works Department provides services to ensure that the City’s water supply is of the highest quality and meets all state and federal water quality requirements. Water treatment in the City of Manhattan Beach generally consists of supplemental chlorination and blending of the City's imported and well waters. The City’s three water storage facilities have a combined capacity of nearly 10 million gallons. The City’s Water Plant Operators sample water on a weekly basis throughout the City and send these samples to an independent laboratory for analysis. Manhattan Beach maintains an excellent record for having provided safe, high-quality water to its residents for 100 years.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

T he 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 the class.

• Leads and reviews the work of staff involved in the maintenance, repair, and construction work by providing technical training, guidance, advice and assistance.
• Develops work plans and schedules and coordinates personnel and resources/equipment.
• Assists in the coordination of daily activities with contractors, vendors, utilities, City or County inspectors, other City departments, divisions, and sections to properly plan jobs and minimize damage to public or private property as well as minimizing inconvenience to the public.
• Trains employees in work methods and procedures, use of tools and equipment, and relevant safety precautions.
• Evaluates and recommends changes to work methods, practices, and priorities; Develops work plans and schedules, and coordinates personnel and resources and/or equipment.
• Reviews plans for projects; plans, estimates time and material costs, and recommends materials needed for each project; maintains accurate records and reports on the materials used in the installation and maintenance of the water system.
• Operates a variety of power, pneumatic, and hydraulic tools related to construction equipment used in the operations and maintenance of the water distribution system, such as chemical and oil sprayers, compressors, generators, chainsaws, trenchers, root saws, vibratory compactors, jack hammers, horizontal boring tools, pipe cutters, rock drills, impact wrenches, concrete saws and tapping machines.
• Loads, inspects, transports and operates trucks and heavy equipment of various sizes and weights, including water tankers, flatbeds, forklifts, mobile cranes, skip loaders dump trucks, backhoes and other equipment.
• Loads and unloads equipment, tools, gravel, sand, and other products, supplies or materials related to light and heavy duty maintenance and repair activities.
• Exercises independent judgment when making decisions involving specific water and related job functions, which could impact Department operations or the public.
• Performs maintenance, installation and repair of water mains, water services, meters, and appurtenance including excavation, backfilling, and compaction of short trenches; cuts, threads, fits and joins pipes and tubing, and makes taps on water mains.
• Reviews as-built drawings, blueprints, and maps to verify accuracy; recommends necessary corrections, and maintains construction drawings, street maps, atlases, as-builts, survey markings and underground utility markings/signage in performance of work.
• Responds to water related emergency situations and performs emergency work.
• Monitors work sites and ensure adherence to safe work practices for traffic control, safety barricades, delineators, cones, sign boards, flagging, warning signs, traffic trench plates, in accordance with applicable work zone safety standards.
• Performs routine inspection and preventative maintenance on assigned equipment, referring defects or needed repairs to supervisor; maintains records related to inspections, maintenance, and workload activities.
• Performs confined space entry work, utilizing proper safety techniques and equipment in accordance with departmental safety policies and procedures.
• Performs a variety of functions associated with the water distribution system, including but not limited to meter repair and replacement, small and large-valve maintenance and replacement,, hydrant flushing, hydrant flow testing, repairing and replacing vaults, obtaining water quality samples, perform turn-on and offs.
• Other duties of this position include marking Underground Service Alerts (USAs), and removing and pouring concrete.
• Serves as a liaison between the City and vendors.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES

Education/Training/Experience:

• A high school diploma or G.E.D. is required.
• A minimum of five (5) years full-time equivalent paid work experience as a Water System Operator I/II or three (3) years of fulltime equivalent experience as a Water System Operator III is required.
• Experience with SCADA and Microsoft Office is desirable.

License/Certificates/Special Requirements:

• A valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License with tanker endorsement at the time of appointment.
• SWRB Water Distribution Operator III (D3) is required at the time of appointment.
• SWRCB Water Treatment Operator II (T2) or higher is required within one year of appointment.
• This position may be required to work shifts, including daytime, nighttime, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Must have ability to be assigned “stand-by”, which includes responding to calls within 30 minutes of being called.
• In accordance with California Government Code Section 3100, City of Manhattan Beach employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to protect the health, safety, lives, and property of the people of the State.

Knowledge of:
Construction safety regulations/practices, safety hazards, traffic control, and use of safety and personal protective equipment; basic principles of water distribution systems; methods, tools, and equipment used in maintenance, construction and repair work; inspecting a construction site in preparation for equipment operation to ensure adequate clearances such as underground service alerts; basic techniques of carpentry plumbing, painting and welding; principles and procedures of asphalt paving and patching, street and infrastructure construction and maintenance; and inspecting a construction site in preparation for equipment operation to ensure adequate clearances such as underground service alerts, and safety precautions and practices necessary when operating and working with tools, vehicles, and heavy/light duty equipment.

Ability to:
Perform construction, modification, maintenance and repair work on streets, water distribution systems, lift, carry, and move heavy objects, perform heavy semiskilled labor, perform strenuous manual labor at varied locations; analyze complex operational and administrative problems, evaluate alternatives and recommend or implement effective courses of action; follow, understand, and communicate written and verbal instructions; ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, and the general public; represent the Department in a professional manner when dealing with customers, outside contractors and agency officials; read and understand the importance of following the safety data sheets (SDS) in the event of the exposure to hazardous chemicals; r ecognize and be alert to hazardous situations; and act as Water Supervisor on small projects and with minimal supervision.

Skill in: The safe operation of tools, machinery, and equipment necessary to work on the water distribution system.

The City of Manhattan Beach offers a generous benefits package to full-time and eligible employees including PERS medical plans, dental, vision, long-term and short-term disability, tuition reimbursement, and more.
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To see detailed information about Teamsters bargaining unit benefits, please visit our benefit page on the City's official website.

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Part-time employees are enrolled in PARS (Public Alternate Retirement System). All part-time and seasonal employees contribute 7.5% each pay period on a pre-tax basis. If an employee reaches 1,000 hours within a fiscal year (July 1st to June 30th) or is already a CalPERS member, then they are enrolled in CalPERS (Public Employees Retirement System).

The City complies with California Labor Code 245-249 by providing paid sick leave for part-time hourly employees accordingly.

The City of Manhattan Beach does not provide medical/dental/vision benefits to part-time employees. Eligible employees enrolled in CalPERS may opt into a CalPERS medical plan.

Closing Date/Time: 10/19/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of Manhattan Beach

• 3108025258

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