Utilities Operator

Utilities Operator

Salary

$51,022.40 - $75,920.00 Annually

Location

111 Gillingham Lane Sugar Land, TX

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2400328

Department

Water Utilities

Division

Surface Water Operation

Opening Date

08/12/2026

Closing Date

8/22/2026 5:00 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The City of Sugar Land is seeking a full-time Surface Water Operator in the Utilities Department.

Join a critical operations team dedicated to protecting public health and delivering safe, reliable water service to the community.

This position plays a key role in the day-to-day operation of a state-of-the-art membrane treatment plant, supporting essential processes through hands-on monitoring, testing, troubleshooting, and system control. Working closely with experienced operators and supervisors, you will gain valuable technical experience in a dynamic, around-the-clock environment. This role is ideal for individuals who are dependable, detail-oriented, and motivated to contribute to a 24-hour operation that truly makes a difference offering variety, responsibility, and the opportunity to grow within a vital public service.

Why Should You Join Our Team?

Our trailblazing culture focuses on our employees, our citizens and the services we provide to our community. We are a data-driven and innovative full-service municipality located approximately 20 miles southwest of downtown Houston that invests in our team and offers real opportunities for career growth. We pay our Surface Water Operators a starting salary of $51,022 - $75,920 depending on your qualifications and experience. We also offer great benefits and perks available on your first day of employment, including: City-subsidized health benefits; life and disability insurance; a variety of voluntary benefits; a robust pension plan with TMRS to set you up for a fulfilling retirement; a down-to-earth casual environment and dress code; and a positive team-oriented culture stemming from a long-term commitment to innovation and inclusion.

Benefits At-A-Glance:

• City-subsidized Medical and Dental Insurance with a variety of plan options;
• City-paid Basic Life Insurance @ 1x your annual salary and Long-term Disability;
• Voluntary Vision, Supplemental Life Coverage (for you and your family), Aflac indemnity plans such as Accident, Cancer, Hospitalization and Critical Illness, Short Term Disability and pre-paid legal benefits through Legal Shield;
• 9 paid holidays and up to 3 floating holidays to use at your discretion;
• A generous vacation package with accruals starting on day 1;
• Paid sick leave;
• Paid Parental Leave;
• A robust pension plan with TMRS includes your 7% contribution with 2:1 match by the City;
• You won't contribute to Social Security, but you can further your retirement income by contributing to a Deferred Compensation (457b) plan;
• Longevity pay for each month of service after your first 13 months of employment;
• On-site Wellness facilities and programming (mind, body spirit & financial preparedness); and
• Access to multiple mental health benefits and resources, including a robust EAP…

If we have your attention… Please. Continue. Reading!

Our City Mission: WE ARE TRAILBLAZERS! Relentless in Our Pursuit of Good so that Our Employees, Residents, and Businesses Can Enjoy a Life Better than They Can Even Imagine.

Our Employee Values: Our values ignite passion, drive, and a sense of purpose, fostering a thriving and successful organizational culture!

We follow the BLAZE Values:

Bold: We encourage each other to be bold in our ideas, decisions, and actions. We embrace innovation and take risks to drive progress.

Loyal: We are loyal to each other, the City and our Mission and Vision. We support each other to foster a cohesive and collaborative work environment. We celebrate our successes and address the challenges facing us, together.

Adaptable: We are resilient because we adapt to changing landscapes and market dynamics. We are flexible and understand the need for work-life balance. We embrace new technologies and evolving trends.

Zealous: We are committed to excellence in all endeavors. We encourage each other to strive for the highest standards of public service, quality, and performance. We hold ourselves, and each other, accountable for our words and actions.

Empowered: We are empowered with the necessary resources, opportunities, and responsibilities to excel in our roles. We seek out opportunities for development and growth, and help others do the same. We are inclusive, we embrace our differences and recognize the strength that comes from different perspectives and experiences.

We are TrailBLAZErs!

Are we the right fit for YOU?

Ask yourself: Do you enjoy working with people? Are you organized and detail-oriented? Can you manage your time well and prioritize multiple tasks effectively? Do you embrace change? Do you enjoy working in a professional AND casual environment? Are you an advocate of team-work? If so, please consider applying for the Surface Water Operator position today!

As a Surface Water Operator, you will:

• Develop the knowledge and skill for the essential operations of the membrane treatment plant and facilities in accordance with State and Federal regulations.
• Uses Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) to assist with operating/monitoring treatment process, adjusts chemicals and treatment equipment in accordance with regulatory permits
• Performs laboratory duties, maintains instruments, monitors quality control, collects samples and conducts analysis
• Enters sample analysis into daily log and ensures accuracy of all shift records/reports on their shift
• Provides and accepts plant turnover to the preceding/on-coming operator team
• Troubleshoots equipment and process control problems
• Monitors and adjusts plant parameters to sustain quality and regulatory compliance
• Performs preventative maintenance on pumps, motors, and tanks. Clean and service all areas throughout the plant
• Regular on-site attendance is an essential function of this position.
• Required to work as an essential employee before, during and after an emergency or disaster, whether natural or acts of war.
• Stay abreast of, and comply with, all City and departmental policies and procedures.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by Assistant Director and/or their designee(s).

Education

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.

Operator I

• Two (2) years of experience in surface water treatment plant operation and maintenance, or one (1) year of direct experience at the City of Sugar Land Surface Water Treatment Plant.
• Municipal or government experience preferred.
• Must possess a valid Texas Driver License.
• Must possess a TCEQ Class C Surface Water Operator License.

Operator II

• Four (4) years of experience in surface water treatment plant operation and maintenance.
• Municipal or government experience preferred.
• Must possess a valid Texas Driver License.
• Must possess a TCEQ Class B Surface Water Operator License.

Operator III

• Eight (8) years of experience in surface water treatment plant operation and maintenance.
• Municipal or government experience preferred.
• Must possess a valid Texas Driver License.
• Must possess a TCEQ Class A Water Operator License.

The citizens of Sugar Land depend on City employees before, during and after an emergency or disaster to provide or restore essential public services for the health, safety and quality of life for our community. In the event of a wide scale emergency that could impact our community, all employees must be ready to assist in managing the crisis and will be considered essential for the continuity of governmental operations.

Our success is achieved by the courage to do things differently and accept that failure will occur on the path to innovation.

The City of Sugar Land is an equal Opportunity employer.

CITY OF SUGAR LANDs OVERVIEW OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

• Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS)

Employee contribution: 7%

City matches 2:1 with 5-year vesting

Retirement Eligibility:

1) Age 60 + vested; or

2) 20 years of service, any age

• HOLIDAYS

The City recognizes 10 Holidays per calendar year, which includes one floating Holiday. In lieu of a floating holiday,

firefighters will receive September 11th, Patriot Day, as a fixed holiday.

• VACATION - Other than Public Safety

0 -2nd Year 10 days per year

3 -10 Years 15 days per year

11+ Years 20 days per year

• VACATION - Public Safety

First Year 10 days per year

2-10 Years 15 days per year

11+ Years 20 days per year

• SICK LEAVE - Other than Firefighters

8 hours per month, to a maximum of 1,040 hours

• SICK LEAVE - Shift Firefighters

12 hours per month, to a maximum of 1,456 hours

• SICK LEAVE INCENTIVE PROGRAM

Annual conversion of sick leave to vacation

Sick Days Used from 01/01 to 12/31 Eligible Sick Days for Conversion

1 day or less taken 3 days

Up to 2 ½ days 2 days

More than 2 ½ days and up to 4 days 1 day

More than 4 days 0 day

• LONGEVITY PAY

After one year of employment, employees will receive an annual payment of $4.00 per month of employment with the City for the first 25 years of continuous employment (maximum of $1,200 annually). Qualified employees receive longevity payments each December.

• 125 CAFETERIA PLAN

Premium contributions for the medical and dental plans as well as Flexible Spending Accounts and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts are available to all full-time employees through this arrangement.

• GROUP HEALTH & DENTAL

The City contributes to employee and dependent coverage in the HMO, HDHP and dental plans offered.

Medical HSA KelseyCare Gold KelseyCare Blue Employee Only $101.44 $19.56 $0.00 EE + Spouse $346.60 $144.55 $96.48 EE + Child(ren) $257.51 $106.09 $66.79 EE + Family $454.39 $202.24 $141.00 Dental DPPO DHMO Employee Only $7.35 $3.14 EE + Spouse $18.49 $5.89 EE + Child(ren) $17.90 $8.45 EE + Family $31.41 $10.33 Vision Plan Employee Only $7.35 EE + Spouse $18.49 EE + Child(ren) $17.90 EE + Family $31.41

• VISION CARE PLAN

Employees can voluntarily elect to purchase vision care insurance for themselves and their eligible dependents.

• AFLAC PLANS

Employees can voluntarily elect to purchase through payroll deduction: Accident, Cancer, Critical Illness, and Hospital policies for themselves and their eligible dependents. (Rates are age-banded. Employee must contact representative directly for rates and enrollment.)

• BASIC LIFE and AD&D

The City provides all employees annual salary of life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) coverage of one-time annual salary with a minimum of $50,000.

• LONG TERM DISABILITY

The City provides employees with Long Term Disability in the amount of 60% of your salary (depending on position category) to a maximum of $7,500 per month. Benefits begin after 90 days of disability and may continue to Social Security Normal Retirement Age (SSNRA) if you qualify. LTD is designed to replace a reasonable portion of your income in case of

serious injury or sickness whether on or off the job. Benefits will be offset by any payments from SS, Workers Comp and other income offsets.

• SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE and AD&D

Employees can elect supplemental life insurance and AD&D coverage up to $750,000 for themselves and up to $250,000 for their spouse; as well as $15,000 of life insurance for child(ren).

• SHORT TERM DISABILITY

This optional benefit allows employees to receive 70% of their weekly salary, to a maximum of $1,500 per week (tax free), following either Option A: a 30-calendar day elimination period; or Option B: a 7-calendar (injury) or 14-calendar (illness) elimination period, for a maximum of 90-calendar days from on-set per qualifying incident.

• PRE-PAID LEGAL PLAN

Employees can voluntarily elect to participate in a legal access/assistance plan at a base cost of $7.87 per pay period. Optional plans are also available. (Employee must contact representative directly for rates and enrollment.)

• DEFERRED COMPENSATION

Employees are allowed to contribute to this optional program at a minimum set by the plan administrator and a maximum set annually by the IRS. Currently the City contracts with 2 administrators for this program: Dearborn & Creggs ($50 per month minimum contribution); and ICMA-RC ($1.00 per month min. contribution). The maximum contribution for 2023 is $19,500

and $6,500 for age 50 + catch-up.

• CREDIT UNIONS

Houston Federal Credit Union: (866) OUR-HFCU

Brazos Valley Schools Credit Union: (855) 391-2149

• EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE

The EAP is designed to provide employees and their dependents with professional, cost-effective assistance in resolving difficult personal problems. Individual, voluntary involvement in the EAP is confidential. The Citys EAP administrator is Alliance Work Partners (AWP) at 1-800-343-3822. Registration code: AWP-COSL-3822

01

Do you currently possess a TCEQ Class C Surface Water Operator License?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Sugar Land

Address 2700 Town Center Blvd., N

Sugar Land, Texas, 77479

Phone (281) 275-2735

Website http://www.sugarlandtx.gov