The Position

THE BENEFITS OF CITY EMPLOYEMENT:
In addition to offering a challenging, rewarding work environment and excellent salary, the City of Santa Rosa provides a generous suite of benefits, including retirement through CalPERS, a competitive leave accrual package, your choice of three health plans, a flexible spending program, employer contributions to a Retiree Health Savings plan, and top of the line employer paid (FREE) vision and dental coverage. More information regarding benefits associated with this position can be found on our Miscellaneous Employee Benefits Page.

Additional benefits include:

• 12 paid holidays annually, plus 2 to 3 "floating holidays per year depending on years of service"
• $500 Annual wellness bonus
• The City is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) Employer
• Paid Family Leave

ABOUT THE POSITION:
In this role, you will perform the essential tasks necessary to construct, maintain, and operate the water delivery and wastewater collection systems of the Water Department. This is the entry-level class in the Utility System Operator series.  Utility Systems Operator I's (USO) are expected to acquire the technical knowledge and skills needed for promotion through extensive and systematic on-the-job training. USO's are required to perform specialized, utilities-related maintenance functions necessary to ensure efficient operation on all local water delivery, water quality and wastewater collection operations. Promotion to the higher level occurs once an employee completes a three (3) year apprenticeship program and meets the established criteria.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:
The ideal candidate will be:

• Ambitious, self-motivating, and possess a strong work ethic
• Driven to help others and serve your local community
• Mechanically inclined and possess an aptitude for problem-solving
• Motivated by physical work and providing quality product
• Driven to provide exceptional customer service and possess strong interpersonal skills
• A team player
• Quick to learn, retain, and implement safe working practices

FROM THE STAFF:
"When I started working for Santa Rosa Water I had limited experience in the water and wastewater fields. It has been a great experience. I found myself surrounded by mentors willing to teach me and let me take ownership of different assignments. There have been many opportunities to further my career and I am still happy to be with Santa Rosa Water".- Employee of the USO Team

"As a veteran, I was pleased to have found, again, that culture where you work side by side with people for a common good.  Where you know they have your back and they know you have theirs.  I really enjoy serving the community again as a civil servant". - Veteran Employee of the USO team

HOW TO APPLY:
Please complete a thoughtful, thorough Supplemental Questionnaire submission. As part of the selection process, your responses to these questions will be scored using criteria specific to this position. Incomplete responses, or responses such as "See Resume" may not be considered.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. 

THE SELECTION PROCESS:
The selection process will include a minimum qualifications assessment; and may also include an application and supplemental questionnaire review, followed by department selection interviews. 

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

• Repair and maintain water and wastewater facilities and infrastructure using hand tools, heavy equipment and specialized machinery.
• Install, repair and replace underground water and wastewater mains and service laterals, using basic plumbing tools, tapping machine, pipe cutters, threader, reamer, pipe wrenches and assorted pneumatic and hydraulic tools.
• Analyze repair options and implement repairs for both water and wastewater system operations including a large number of pressure zones, reservoir operations, and pump station operations and maintenance.
• Operate and monitor automated systems in the Water Supply and Water Distribution sections.
• Provide face-to-face customer service.
• Enter cumulative data and produce reports.
• Install and monitor traditional and automated water meters and meter boxes.
• Test and repair water meters.
• Collect and document water samples to determine water temperature and levels of pH, chlorine, and contaminates such as lead and copper.
• Follow procedures to document and ensure the accuracy of sampling.
• Follow safe work practices and observe safety rules and precautions.
• Determine and set up safe work zone traffic control and maintain a safe work environment.
• Notify the public of utility-related activities that impact traffic and utility operations.
• Repair concrete curbs, streets and sidewalks after utility maintenance work is completed using gas operated or hand tampers.
• Dig and shore trenches, using shoring jacks, timbers, ladders and plywood.
• Work in confined space environments such as manholes, vaults, water storage tanks and sewer lift station dry wells.
• Detect levels of gas and quality of air in vaults and confined work spaces.
• Maintain pumping stations and perform preventive maintenance on alarm systems, motors, pumps, gauges, air compressors, chlorine application devices, and hydraulic valves.
• Inspect water, urban recycled water and wastewater systems for leaks, construction flaws or root invasions.
• Remove and replace manhole frames and covers.
• Turn, install, check, tighten, repair and replace water valves, using wrenches and valve keys.
• Check and maintain camera and flow monitoring equipment.
• Use video camera to film pipeline inspections,
• Utilize and understand basic electronic communication and reporting tools such as the City's Intranet, e-mail, timecard systems, and asset management systems.
• Enter electronic data on various computer applications used in the course of the work.
• Repair, maintain and install fire hydrants, using flow meter, spanner, valve key and hydrant wrench.

• Perform related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

License or Certificate: This classification requires the use of a City vehicle while conducting City business. In order to drive, individuals must be physically capable of operating City vehicles safely and must possess, or have the ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California motor vehicle operator’s license.

Possession, and maintenance throughout employment in this class, of a valid Class A California Commercial driver’s license, and any endorsement deemed necessary to operate all vehicles utilized by the local water, wastewater sections, will be required prior to completion of the probationary period.  Subsequent to the probationary period, employees must also have the ability to obtain any additional endorsements determined to be required to operate these vehicles.

Possession of First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification issued by the American Red Cross is desirable.

Possession of a valid, Grade I, Water Distribution Operator’s certificate issued by the State of California and a Grade I Wastewater Collection Certificate, issued by the California Water Environmental Association, or subsequent licensing body, must be obtained by the end of the third year of employment. 

Additional Information

Santa Rosa – A Wonderful City to Call Home
The City of Santa Rosa is located just 55 miles north of San Francisco and 30 miles east of the Pacific Ocean with a population of approximately 180,000. Santa Rosa is the seat of Sonoma County and the center of trade, government, commerce, and medical facilities for the North Bay. The surrounding area is home to over a hundred wineries and vineyards and many beautiful parks and recreational facilities, including golf courses. Santa Rosa is in the center of a nationally recognized cycling area. We boast many attractions associated with large cities, including a symphony, performing arts center, theater productions and internationally recognized restaurants, yet still retain the warmth and small town feel of decades past. Santa Rosa has been named one of the 50 greenest cities in the United States with one of the top five mid-sized downtowns in California.