Operator - Utilities Water System Division

Operator - Utilities Water System Division

Salary

$29.92 - $35.58 Hourly

Location

600 S. 4th Street, Stoughton, WI

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

472

Department

Utilities

Opening Date

09/30/2026

Closing Date

10/14/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits

SUMMARY OF JOB

Join a team that values you as much as you value the community you serve!

The City of Stoughton offers an exceptional benefits package featuring very low-cost health coverage, dental at no cost to you, WRS Retirement participation, and competitive wages-all designed to support your well-being while you support ours.

The purpose of this position is to maintain and operate the water pumping, storage, and distribution systems, and the wastewater treatment facilities and sanitary sewer collection system for the City of Stoughton, with a focus on water distribution operations. This position is identical to other non-certified Operator positions in terms of job scope; however, it may differ in day-to-day duties and assignments, required qualifications, and certifications.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Core Duties and Responsibilities - The following duties are the primary duties of this position but do not compose an exclusive or all-encompassing list of duties. Other duties may be assigned or required to accomplish the main goals of this position.

• Provides safe drinking water conditions to protect Stoughton Utilities customers via obtaining and testing routine water samples, monitoring and recording well pump operations and storage tank volumes, monitoring and testing water and wastewater quality conditions, and monitoring and recording data and operations on the water/wastewater SCADA system.
• Ensures environmentally responsible wastewater treatment and discharge via obtaining and testing routine wastewater treatment samples throughout the treatment process, monitoring and recording plant operations and tank volumes, monitoring and testing wastewater influent and effluent quality conditions, and monitoring and recording data and operations on the water/wastewater SCADA system.
• Repairs and maintains water distribution mains, pumps, valves, curb stops, services, and hydrants. Installs and maintains water service connections. Performs routine maintenance to other water system infrastructure and equipment. Exercises system valves and flushes hydrants.
• Repairs and maintains sanitary sewer collection mains and pumps. Performs routine maintenance to sanitary sewer collection system infrastructure and equipment. Flushes, televises, cleans, and repairs the sanitary sewer collection system.
• Repairs and maintains pumps, motors, valves, flow meters, screens, and all other equipment at the wastewater treatment facility.
• Obtains and prepares samples of drinking water and wastewater treatment, and performs laboratory analysis including sample testing and calculations for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), suspended solids, pH levels, volatile solids, phosphorus, ammonia, fecal coliform, chlorine residual, fluoride content, industrial effluents, glucose glutamic acid, and other analysis as directed. Prepares graphs, charts, and reports from sample data, and reports out findings. Makes adjustments to drinking water and wastewater treatment operations and calculates amount of chemical additives according to test results.
• Prepares, or assists with the preparation of monthly water pumpage and wastewater treatment reports, and submits to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
• Maintains, calibrates, and repairs testing equipment. Maintains knowledge regarding testing requirements for wastewater treatment facilities. Cleans and maintains lab equipment. Prepares and sends EPA samples as directed.
• Operates the water/wastewater SCADA system to monitor system health, record data and equipment readings, operate controls, evaluate system performance, and investigate trouble conditions.
• Responds to customer inquiries and complaints and performs corrective measures. Communicates with customers as required to resolve inquiries and complaints, and to provide notice of planned system outages.
• Performs work tasks at active job sites to plan, direct, and oversee system and equipment maintenance and repair tasks. Works onsite to recommend operational changes and safety improvements, and to evaluate safety compliance.
• Attends and assists with utility-sponsored public events, prepares public educational materials and participates in outreach efforts, conducts system demonstrations and tours, and gives safety and conservation presentations.
• Completes and maintains work orders, timesheets, preflight checklists, tailgate meetings, inventory forms, and all other division paperwork, and maintains records and prepares reports as directed. Conducts system inspections and records findings.
• Maintains GIS software applications and databases, including service connection details, flushing and exercising maintenance records, televising records, equipment maintenance tasks, and other records as directed.
• Maintains an ability to work a flexible schedule to accommodate planned activities outside of the typical work schedule, including but not limited to planned customer outages or system maintenance work, as well as planned seasonal schedule changes and tasks.
• Maintains an ability to serve on standby on-call duty, scheduled on a rotational basis within the Water and Wastewater System Divisions. Maintains an ability, whenever possible to respond to utility emergencies and assist those serving on-call.
• Complies with all Stoughton Utilities safety programs, and guidelines and regulations set by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW). Ensures full Water and Wastewater System Divisions compliance of the same.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities - The following duties are necessary for operations, but may be shared with or performed by other employees. The listed duties do not compose an exclusive or all-encompassing list of additional duties. Other duties may be assigned or required to accomplish the main goals of this position.

• Disconnects water service to customers upon receipt of disconnection workorders due to delinquency or safety violations, and at customers' request. Conducts periodic reviews of disconnected properties for connection evaluation.
• Installs water meters at customer premises, including temporary and permanent services. Assists the meter technician with the maintenance and repair of water meters. Reconnects water services and transfers water meters.
• Maintains grounds and facilities, such as painting surfaces, ice and snow removal, custodial tasks, basic carpentry, basic commercial electrical maintenance, basic plumbing, and similar tasks as assigned.
• Provides emergency after-hours support to the Electric System Division, including basic system repair, traffic control and direction, site preparation and cleanup, equipment transport and operation, groundsman duties, and other tasks as directed. Provides local and regional emergency disaster response.
• Performs routine vehicle maintenance.
• Performs other Stoughton Utilities tasks as directed.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Training/Certifications

• High School diploma or equivalent, and one or more years water and/or wastewater operator experience.
• Demonstrated mechanical and/or plumbing aptitude.
• Commercial driver's license with tanker and air brake certification required.

JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication Skills

• Ability to perform mid-level data analysis, including the ability to audit, deduce, assess, conclude and appraise. Requires discretion in determining and referencing such to established criteria to define consequences and develop alternatives.
• Ability to classify, compute, and tabulate data and information, following a prescribed plan requiring the exercise of some individual judgment, with reference to established criteria/standards. Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure, and sort information, as well as assemble, copy, record, and transcribe data and information.
• Ability to utilize a variety of advisory data and information, such as work orders; utility maps and diagrams; construction specifications; blueprints; lab records and reports; facilities operation and maintenance manuals; technical operating manuals; city and utility policies and procedures; guidelines; non- routine correspondence; and safety rules and manuals.
• Ability to explain, demonstrate, and clarify to others within well-established policies, procedures, and standards, as well as the ability to follow specific instructions and respond to requests.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally with customers, department and all levels of City personnel, plumbers, contractors, regulatory representatives, and the general public.

Mathematical Ability

• Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; calculate percentages, fractions, and decimals; interpret and develop basic descriptive statistical reports; and may require the ability to perform mathematical operations with algebra.

Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability

• Ability to carry out directives without direct supervision. Ability to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution.
• Ability to apply principles of influence systems such as leading and teaching.
• Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness, and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory and judgmental criteria.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to operate equipment and machinery such as impact tools, sewer line jet truck, backhoe, roller, loaders, dump truck, forklift, wood chipper, meters, hand and power tools, snow plows and blowers, lab instruments, excavation hand tools, and other equipment requiring monitoring multiple conditions and making multiple, complex, and rapid adjustments. Ability to repair complex equipment and machinery.
• Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet, and limbs in performing skilled movements such as operating heavy excavation and pumping equipment.
• Ability to install and repair meters and perform coordinated activity, potentially in tight spaces.
• Ability to exert regular and sustained heavy physical effort in very heavy work, typically involving some combination of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lifting, carrying, pushing, shoveling and digging, and pulling heavy objects and materials in excess of 100 pounds.
• Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarities or differences between characteristics of color, shape, sound, texture, and odor associated with job-related objects, materials, and tasks.

Environmental Adaptability

• Ability to work under uncomfortable and potentially unsafe conditions that require exposure to severe environmental factors such as temperature variations, high winds, rain and snow, odors, toxic agents, noise, vibrations, wetness, dusts, machinery, explosives, gas, vehicular traffic, high voltage electrical currents, and disease. This exposure may cause discomfort and presents a high risk of injury or death.

FULL-TIME BENEFITS: 32+ Hours per Week

Effective 1-1-2026

The following benefits are offered to regular full-time (32+ hours per week/1664+ annual hours minimum) employees. Please note that this is a summary, and benefits are not guaranteed. Review the GHC HMO Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) document for coverage details or contact GHC directly.

HEALTH INSURANCE

Coverage is effective the day after hire; premiums are deducted monthly from the 1st payroll of the month.

GHC HMO - benefits listed for in-network providers only.

Employee responsibility toward monthly premium:Family $75.26Employee & Spouse $50.99Employee & Child(ren) $44.91Single $24.27

GHC PPO - This plan is available exclusively to employees who do not have any GHC locations in their area.

Employee responsibility toward monthly premium:Family $101.60Employee & Spouse $68.81Employee & Child(ren) $60.62Single $32.79

In-Network Provider Coverage ONLY - See SBC for details

Deductibles are $500/single - $1,000/family

$0 co-pay for preventative services

$30 co-pay on office visits

$30 co-pay on urgent care visits

$100 co-pay on emergency room visits (co-pay waived if admitted to hospital)

Prescription drug co-pays:

$10/Tier 1

$35/Tier 2

$60/Tier 3

$200 Specialty drugs

$5 RX Outcomes

Out of Pocket Limit $2850 Single/ $5700 Family

Note: Employee out-of-pocket qualified medical expenses can be run through the flexible spending plan (Section 125), which is managed through Employee Benefits Corporation (EBC). Enrollment into this plan occurs only during annual enrollment, which is November/December.

DENTAL INSURANCE

Coverage is effective the day after hire. The City covers 100% of the premium for dental coverage.

Note: Full-time employees pay no portion of the dental premium.

Delta Dental benefits listed for in-network providers only

Delta Dental In-Network Coverage:

There is no deductible for dental coverage.

Per person, per benefit accumulation period is $1,000.

Diagnostic and preventive procedures are paid at 100%;

Basic restorative procedures are paid at 80%;

Major restorative procedures are paid at 50%;

Orthodontic procedures are paid at 0%.

Check Up Plus - lets you obtain diagnostic and preventive services - including examinations, X-rays, regular cleanings, and other related treatments without the costs of those services applying to your individual annual maximum. The full value of your annual maximum is applied to the benefits you receive for base and major restorative services.

RETIREMENT Provider: Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)

The 2026 Wisconsin Retirement Rate is 14.40% for general employees. The employer and employee shares are equal at 7.20% each.

The 2026 Wisconsin Retirement Rate is 22.00% for protective employees. The employer share is 14.80% and the employee share is 7.20%.

Eligibility to Participate- from the ETF Your Benefit Handbook (ET-2119) Rev10/13

Depending on when you began your job, your job will have to meet one of these two standards for it to be covered under the WRS.

• One-third standard -- A position that is subject to the one-third standard meets WRS participation standards if you are expected to work at least one-third of full-time (600 hours for non-teaching employees) for at least one year from date of hire. You will remain eligible even if your job subsequently drops below one-third.
• Two-thirds standard -- A position that is subject to the two-thirds standard meets WRS participation standards if you are expected to work at least two-thirds full-time (1200 hours for non-teaching employees) for at least one year from date of hire. You will remain eligible even if your job subsequently drops below two-thirds.

If you were a continuing employee as of July 1, 2011, your job must meet the one-third standard. You will remain eligible even if your job subsequently drops below one-third.

If you were hired after July 1, 2011:

• If you were a participating employee before July 1, 2011, left WRS service, and did not take
• A separation benefit, and are now returning in a new job, your job must meet the one-third standard.
• If you were a participating employee before July 1, 2011, left WRS service, took a separation benefit, and are now returning in a new job, your job must meet the two-thirds standard.
• If you were not a participating employee before July 1, 2011, your job must meet the two-thirds standard.*

If you are not expected to meet these eligibility criteria when you are hired, you will not be enrolled in the WRS at that time. However, if you subsequently work at least 12 months, and in any 12-month period you meet the hours requirement, you are prospectively enrolled in the WRS. In this situation, your WRS coverage is not retroactive.

WRS Mandatory Employee Contributions

If your employment is eligible to be covered under the WRS, you must make employee-required contributions. These contributions are credited to your individual WRS account. These contributions are vested immediately.

Your contributions are calculated as a percentage of your WRS earnings. The contribution rates are different for each WRS employment category. The rates generally change from year to year based on the recommendation of the consulting actuary.

Your employer may have agreed to pay part or all of your employee-required WRS contributions on your behalf, pursuant to a contract or collective bargaining agreement entered into prior to June 29, 2011. In addition, certain employees retained the right to bargain with their employers after that date over who will pay the employee-required contributions. Please contact Human Resources for more information.

GROUP LIFE INSURANCE Provider: Employee Trust Funds (ETF)/Securian

The city pays for the basic premium: Premium based on salary and age. Each employee will receive $1,000 insurance for each portion of $1,000 in earnings the previous year.

Eligibility: First of the month following 30 days of employment (timely enrollment-within 30 days from hire). No evidence of insurability required if the employee files within 30 days from date of hire.

Coverage for spouse/dependent and additional units is available, as an employee deduction.

INCOME CONTINUATION INSURANCE Provider: Employee Trust Funds (ETF)

The city provides the 90-day waiting period without cost to the employee.

The 60 or 30-day waiting period is available with the employee paying the cost of the difference between the 90-day waiting period and the period selected. Eligibility: First of the month following 30 days of employment (timely enrollment-within 30 days from hire).

ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT Provider Employee Trust Funds (ETF)

Coverage is equal to the total amount of your group life insurance under the basic, supplemental and additional coverages. See The Wisconsin Public Employers Group Life Insurance Program Booklet ET-2101 Rev 1/2016 for further details.

VACATION

2 weeks + 3 days at hire and less than 4 full years of service (104 hours)

3 weeks + 3 days after 4 full years of service (144 hours)

4 weeks + 3 days after 9 full years of service (184 hours)

4 weeks + 4 days after 10 full years of service (192 hours)

4 weeks + 5 days after 11 full years of service (200 hours)

4 weeks + 6 days after 12 full years of service (208 hours)

4 weeks + 7 days after 13 full years of service (216 hours)

4 weeks + 8 days after 14 full years of service (224 hours)

• Vacation is effective as of January 1st each year*

Union-represented Police employees and Dispatchers have a separate vacation schedule.

SICK LEAVE is earned per month based on normally scheduled hours per day (i.e. 8 8-hour day earns 8 hours per month - 5-hour day earns 5 hours per month).

LENGTH OF SERVICE PAYMENT (longevity) The first length of service payment is $150.00 (for a 40-hour-per-week employee) after the employee has completed three full years of continuous full-time City employment prior to December 1 of the calendar year in which the payment is made. Subsequent length of service payments are increased by $50 for each additional year of continuous full-time employment. This amount is prorated for employees working less than a 40-hour week.

HOLIDAYS Employee is eligible for the listed paid holidays (in the Work Rules) based on the employees normal scheduled hours of work per week.

FUNERAL LEAVE Employee may take up to three (3) days for a death in the family based on the employees normal scheduled hours of work per week (family is defined in the Work Rules). 8 hours scheduled = 8 hours funeral leave per day, 6-hour regular day = 6 hours funeral leave per day.

HEALTH CLUB MEMBERSHIP Employees are eligible for a free membership to Anytime Fitness. Anytime also offers spouse and family discounts to City of Stoughton employees' families that reside in the same household. See the City of Stoughton Employee Health Club Membership Flyer in your new hire orientation packet. *This is not a guaranteed benefit and is subject to change at any time.

OTHER BENEFITS AVAILABLE The following benefits are available to employees and are 100% employee-paid if elected. These insurances are offered to complement our existing benefits package and to offer the group rates to all benefit-eligible employees.

• Flexible Spending (EBC) As stated above, eligibility for this benefit is only during annual enrollment in November/December for the next calendar year.
• AFLAC Short Term Disability, Accident, Cancer, etc.
• Legal Shield Legal advice and/ or ID Theft.
• Delta Vision (EyeMed) Vision Coverage.
• T-Mobile

Disclosure: Please note that this document serves as an overview and in no way should be used to determine coverage. Please refer to your plan documents and or contact the carrier for coverage, out-of-pocket expenses, co-pays, and insured amounts. This document is subject to change at any time and by no means serves as or is intended to serve as a contract.

Employer City of Stoughton

Address 207 S. Forrest St

Stoughton, Wisconsin, 53589

Phone 608 646 0272

Website https://www.cityofstoughton.com/hrrm