Lead Water Distribution Operator

Lead Water Distribution Operator

Salary

$6,160.03 - $7,487.48 Monthly

Location

Victorville, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2026-063

Department

Water

Opening Date

09/29/2026

Closing Date

10/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Max Number of Applicants

100

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Summary

Under limited supervision of the assigned supervisor, the Lead Water Distribution Operator leads and participates in the work of water service crews responsible for the construction, maintenance, repair and operation of the water distribution system and related facilities. This position operates specialized equipment, ensures proper work procedures are followed in the field, and serves as a primary point of contact for field-related issues during daily operations.

This is a lead-level position that provides functional direction to a small team of employees without full supervisory authority or responsibility for formal personnel actions, such as conducting performance evaluations, hiring, or taking disciplinary action. The Lead Water Distribution Operator coordinates daily work activities and ensures that work is completed safely and in accordance with established standards, specifications, policies, and procedures. The position monitors job-site safety and work quality, assists with field-task planning, coordinates material and equipment needs, and provides technical guidance and training to staff. The Lead Water Distribution Operator also serves as a field point of contact and communicates with contractors, developers, utility companies, customers, and other stakeholders as needed.

Essential Functions

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Leads water service crews in the installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of water distribution system components, including water mains, service lines, meters, valves, hydrants, and related infrastructure.
• Plans, coordinates, and assigns daily work activities, schedules, and priorities to promote the efficient completion of projects and service requests.
• Provides input regarding project planning, including estimates of labor, materials, equipment, and other resource needs.
• Ensures required permits, including excavation and encroachment permits, are obtained and that work is performed in compliance with applicable codes, regulations, safety standards, specifications, and established work procedures.
• Monitors work sites for safety, quality, and compliance with project specifications, including excavation, trenching, shoring, backfilling, compaction, and surface restoration activities.
• Operates and oversees the use of heavy equipment, tapping machines, and a variety of construction tools and equipment used in water system installation, maintenance, and repair.
• Performs and directs field activities, including drilling and tapping water mains, installing service lines and valves, conducting pressure tests, performing leak detection, and completing water system repairs.
• Oversees system flushing, main cleaning, valve exercising, and other preventive maintenance activities to support water quality and system reliability.
• Provides technical guidance and on-the-job training to new and less experienced staff regarding proper work techniques, safety procedures, equipment operation, and applicable policies and standards.
• Responds to and coordinates customer service-related field activities, including addressing water leaks, service interruptions, pressure concerns, and other water distribution system issues.
• Coordinates with contractors, developers, utility companies, and other stakeholders to promote safe, efficient, and coordinated field operations.
• Utilizes software applications, including GIS, MUNIS, and spreadsheets, to record work activities, track service requests and work orders, document field conditions, and prepare basic reports.
• Participates in emergency response activities and the on-call rotation, as assigned.
• Safely operates City vehicles and equipment.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or GED equivalent and three (3) years of experience in the installation and repair of water services and meters and/or the operation of a backhoe and/or skip loader, including at least one (1) year of experience in a lead, senior, or supervisory capacity.

License(s)/Certifications:

• Must possess a valid California Class C driver's license at the time of hire and maintain a valid license throughout employment with the City of Victorville.
• May be required to obtain and maintain a valid California Class A driver's license, as assigned or required by the position.
• Must possess a California State Water Resources Control Board Water Treatment Operator Grade 2 certification.
• Must possess a California State Water Resources Control Board Distribution Operator Grade 3 certification.
• California State Water Resources Control Board Water Distribution Operator Grade 4 certification is desirable.

Knowledge of:

• City policies, procedures, standards, and specifications governing water distribution operations.
• Water distribution systems, including tools, equipment, materials, and methods used in their construction, maintenance, operation, and repair.
• City boundaries and the location of water system infrastructure and assets, including meters, valves, hydrants, mains, service lines, and related facilities.
• Confined-space entry procedures, including permit-required and non-permit required spaces.
• Tools and equipment used in the construction, maintenance, and repair of water mains, services, meters, hydrants, and valves.
• The operation, care, maintenance, and servicing of heavy power-driven equipment used in the construction, maintenance, and repair of water systems.
• Basic record-keeping and report-writing practices related to field activities and project documentation.
• Principles and practices of operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing water distribution systems and related facilities.
• Welding techniques and practices applicable to water system construction and repair.
• Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and standards governing water quality, water use, environmental compliance, and workplace safety.
• OSHA and other applicable safety regulations governing construction, maintenance, excavation, and repair activities.
• The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for mapping, monitoring, documenting, and tracking water distribution networks and infrastructure.

Skill and Ability to:

• Provide professional and responsive customer service and address customer concerns appropriately.
• Lead, train, and provide direction to staff while promoting teamwork and effective working relationships.
• Handle situations requiring diplomacy, fairness, firmness, sound judgement, and professionalism.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, with employees, supervisors, contractors, customers, and the public.
• Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with supervisors, coworkers, contractors, other agencies, and the public.
• Safely operate City vehicles, power-driven equipment, hand tools, and power tools used in water distribution system maintenance and repair.
• Read and interpret plans, drawings, maps, logs, specifications, and other technical documents.
• Apply safe work practices and ensure compliance with applicable safety standards and procedures at job sites.
• Operate technology-based equipment and software used to document work, track progress, manage work orders, and monitor water distribution systems.
• Maintain accurate records of work performed, including installations, inspections, maintenance activities, repairs, and service requests.
• Organize and prioritize multiple tasks and assignments while exercising independent judgment and initiative within established policies and procedures.
• Provide clear instructions and information to coworkers and other personnel and verify understanding when appropriate.

Physical Demands & Working Environment

(Must be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.)

• This position works primarily in an outdoor environment and is regularly exposed to weather conditions, including wind, heat, cold, and rain.
• Physical demands include sitting, standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, as well as using hands and fingers to handle, feel, grasp, and operate objects, tools, equipment, and controls.
• Heavy Work: Exerts 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally (up to 1/3 of the workday), and/or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the workday), and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly (2/3 or more of the workday) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Medium Work and may include use of a hand dolly to move objects weighing up to 160 pounds.
• May be exposed to machinery and moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibration, intense noise, travel, and environmental conditions including wide temperature variations, fumes, smoke, grease, odors, and dust.
• Must have the ability to see and hear within the normal range, with or without correction, and communicate verbally and in written form with great facility and must be able to be understood.
• Must have the stamina to work extended hours and overtime, when assigned, and be willing to work an irregular schedule that may include weekends, holidays, evenings, and/or varying shifts.
• May be required to wear respirators and other personal protective equipment (PPE). Certain PPE, including tight-fitting respirators, may require compliance with applicable facial-hair grooming requirements to ensure a proper fit and effective protection.

SALARY: Employees typically start at Step 1 of the established salary range for their classification. Salary ranges are subject to the Citys approved salary schedule and applicable salary adjustments. Part-time employees are generally hired at an hourly rate and are not eligible for City benefits or merit-based salary increases.

VACATION: Paid vacation is earned by full-time, non-represented employees based on years of full-time City of Victorville service:

• 0-5 years: 80 hours annually
• 6-10 years: 120 hours annually
• 11-15 years: 160 hours annually
• 16+ years: 200 hours annually

Vacation is accrued each pay period. Employees may accumulate vacation up to the applicable maximum accrual, which ranges from 160 to 400 hours, depending on years of service.

SICK LEAVE: Full-time, non-represented employees accrue 96 hours of paid sick leave annually. Part-time employees are eligible for up to 40 hours of paid sick leave, subject to applicable eligibility requirements.

HOLIDAYS: Eligible full-time employees receive 14 paid holidays per year, consisting of 13 designated holidays plus one floating holiday. The floating holiday may be taken after six months of service. Employees required to work on an approved holiday may be eligible for premium holiday pay at one-and-one-half times their regular rate of pay, subject to applicable eligibility and scheduling provisions.

MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: Medical, dental, and vision coverage is available to full-time employees and their eligible dependents. Effective July 1, 2026, the City provides a $1,200 monthly fringe benefit toward medical, dental, and vision coverage. Employees enrolled in medical coverage who have qualifying out-of-pocket premium costs may also be eligible for a City subsidy of 50% of the total out-of-pocket cost, up to an additional $1,200 per month, subject to applicable provisions. Employees who waive City medical coverage may receive a maximum cash benefit of $400 per month. The waiver benefit may be used toward dental and vision coverage, with any remaining balance available for a flexible spending account or taxable income, subject to applicable rules.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS: Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are available for pre-tax health care and dependent day-care expenses. The City pays the monthly administrative fee associated with the accounts.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION - 457 PLAN: Full-time employees may voluntarily participate in a City-approved 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, including Roth contribution options. Eligible employees may contribute up to the applicable annual IRS limit, with additional catch-up contributions available to eligible employees.

LIFE INSURANCE: The City provides employer-paid group term life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage for full-time employees. Coverage is equal to one times the employees annual salary, up to a maximum of $250,000. Employees may elect additional supplemental life and AD&D coverage at their own expense.

RETIREMENT - CALPERS: The City participates in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Retirement formulas depend on membership status and employee classification.

Miscellaneous Employees:

• Classic Members: 2.5% @ 55; employee contribution of 8%
• PEPRA/New Members: 2.0% @ 62; employee contribution is one-half of the total normal cost

Safety Employees:

• Classic Members: 2.0% @ 50; employee contribution of 9%
• PEPRA/New Members: 2.7% @ 57; employee contribution is one-half of the total normal cost

The City does not participate in Social Security. Employees hired after April 1, 1986 contribute 1.45% of base salary as a matching contribution for Medicare coverage.

RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS: Eligible City retirees may receive a City contribution toward retiree medical insurance based on years of service. For employees hired prior to July 1, 2024, the City contribution begins at eight years of service and ranges from 25% to 100% based on years of service. For employees hired on or after July 1, 2024, eligibility begins at 15 years of service, with the City contribution ranging from 50% to 100% based on years of service. Eligible retirees must have been enrolled in the Citys medical coverage for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to retirement.

SHORT-TERM DISABILITY: Short-Term Disability (STD) is an employee-paid, post-tax benefit. Benefits may begin after a seven-day waiting period and continue for up to 13 weeks for a qualifying illness or injury. STD provides 60% of weekly base pay, with a maximum benefit of $1,600 per week. Part-time employees are not eligible for STD.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY: Long-Term Disability (LTD) is a City-paid benefit for eligible full-time employees. Coverage begins after 90 days of disability and provides 66.67% of monthly salary, subject to a maximum benefit of $5,000 per month.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: The City provides a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for full-time employees and eligible dependents, including counseling and support services for personal, family, and work-related concerns.

LEAVE BENEFITS: Eligible employees may receive additional leave benefits, including:

• Paid Parental Leave: Up to four weeks of paid maternity, paternity, or adoption leave for eligible non-represented full-time and part-time employees. Paid Parental Leave is compensated at 60% of weekly earnings and is coordinated with applicable sick and/or vacation leave.
• Bereavement Leave: Non-represented full-time employees may receive up to 80 hours of paid bereavement leave per occurrence. Part-time employees may receive up to 56 hours per occurrence, based on applicable provisions.
• Reproductive Loss Leave: Employees who have been employed by the City for at least 30 days may receive up to five days of unpaid reproductive loss leave following a qualifying reproductive loss. Available paid leave may be used during this period.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: Eligible full-time and part-time, non-represented regular employees may receive tuition reimbursement after one year of full-time service. Courses and schools must be approved in advance and generally must be job-related and toward a related degree. Eligible educational expenses may be reimbursed up to $5,000 for full-time, $2,500 for part-time, per fiscal year, subject to applicable requirements.

BILINGUAL PAY: Full-time and part-time employees who demonstrate proficiency in a qualified foreign language and meet the Citys testing requirements may receive $50 per month in bilingual pay, subject to Department Head recommendation and departmental need. Spanish is currently the qualified language.

STABILITY PAY: Non-represented employees may receive annual stability pay after 10 years of City service, based on the following schedule:

• 10-14 years: $500 annually
• 15-19 years: $1,000 annually
• 20+ years: $1,500 annually

ADDITIONAL PAY & STIPENDS: Eligible employees may receive additional compensation or stipends for qualifying assignments and job duties, including:

• Weekend differential: 5% additional pay for qualifying weekend hours.
• Standby pay: $300 per week or $42.86 per day for eligible employees.
• Cell phone/technology stipends: Available for certain positions based on job requirements.
• Vehicle stipends: Available for certain positions requiring use of a personal vehicle.
• Uniform and safety shoe reimbursement: Available to eligible employees based on position requirements.

BENEFITS DISCLAIMER: The benefits summarized above are intended as an overview and are not a complete description of all benefits available to City employees. Benefits are subject to applicable laws, City resolutions, policies, plan documents, eligibility requirements, and may be amended or changed by the City.

01

Do you possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent? IMPORTANT: Proof of education MUST be submitted with your application to be considered for this position. Acceptable documentation includes a high school diploma, GED certificate, college transcripts, and/or a college degree.

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess a minimum of three (3) years of experience in the installation and repair of water services and meters, and/or the operation of a backhoe and/or skip loader? IMPORTANT: Your qualifying experience MUST be clearly reflected in your application to be considered for this position.

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess a minimum of one (1) year of experience in a lead, senior, or supervisory capacity? IMPORTANT: Your qualifying experience MUST be clearly reflected in your application to be considered for this position.

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess a valid California State Water Resources Control Board Water Treatment Operator Grade 2 (T2) certification? IMPORTANT: Proof of the required certification MUST be submitted with your application to be considered for this position.

• Yes
• No

05

Do you possess a valid California State Water Resources Control Board Distribution Operator Grade 3 (D3) certification? IMPORTANT: Proof of the required certification MUST be submitted with your application to be considered for this position.

• Yes
• No

06

Do you possess a valid California State Water Resources Control Board Water Distribution Operator Grade 4 (D4) certification? IMPORTANT: A D4 certification is desirable but is NOT required for consideration for this position. If you possess a valid D4 certification, please attach proof of certification to your application.

• Yes
• No

07

Do you possess a valid California Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL)? IMPORTANT: This qualification is not required for consideration. Applicants who do not possess a Class A CDL may still be considered for the position. The selected candidate may be required to obtain and maintain a valid California Class A CDL, as assigned or required by the position.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Victorville