Water Distribution Operator I/II

Water Distribution Operator I/II

Salary

$73,352.18 - $101,910.51 Annually

Location

1541 Second Street, Napa, CA

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

26-UT45-01

Department

Utilities

Division

UTILITIES WATER DISTRIBUTION

Opening Date

10/30/2026

Closing Date

11/29/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

DESCRIPTION

Water Distribution Operator I: $73,352.18 - $88,617.42 Annually

Water Distribution Operator II: $84,355.40 - $101,910.51 Annually

UPCOMING SALARY INCREASES:

2.5% Salary Increase effective January 2027

3.5% Salary Increase effective July 2027

3.25% Salary Increase effective July 2028

2.85% Salary Increase effective July 2029

PRIOR YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE VACATION ACCRUAL CREDIT:

Full-time service in a City, County, State, Federal Agency, or Special District may be counted towards vacation accrual tiers at the City of Napa

Are you experienced in repairing water meters and underground distribution pipelines? Do you have general construction and field maintenance experience? Has your positive attitude and calm demeanor allowed you to excel in dynamic environments? Are you someone who is dependable, motivated, and takes pride in being a valuable member of a hardworking team?

Join the City of Napas Water Distribution Division and employ your technical skills to better serve our community!

The City of Napa Utilities - Water Distribution Division is seeking to fill multiple openings for a Water Distribution Operator I/II to install, operate, maintain, and repair the City's water distribution system and water meters. These positions will be primarily assigned to construction and repair of underground distribution pipelines. We are looking for individuals who are eager to support various aspects of water distribution operations in order to make repairs, perform job site safety, install trench shoring, and implement temporary traffic control zones. The ideal candidate will be a strong problem solver, utilizing mechanical skills and repair experience to better serve our community.

Our Water Distribution Operators are responsible for maintaining and repairing water mains, service laterals, fire hydrants, valves, meters, meter vaults and other water system facilities using a wide variety of hand tools, pneumatic tools, and hydraulic tools such as jackhammer, shovel, spade, and tamper. As a Water Distribution Operator I/II, you will set up traffic control including signs and barricades, and direct traffic around work sites; operate large trucks and medium-sized construction equipment such as loaders, backhoes, trenching machines, compressors, slope mowers, harvesters, and excavators; participate in the excavation of concrete, pavement, dirt and backfills open trenches and complete surfaces "to-finish" as appropriate; and operate leak detection and pipe locating equipment. You will work in collaboration with your fellow team members in the Utilities Department, as well as other departments in order to ensure success and safety for residents.

Special Requirements:

Water Distribution Operator I and II - Possession at the time of hire and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C Driver's License is required. Possession within six (6) months of hire and continued maintenance of a California Class B Commercial Driver's License with Tanker Endorsements is required.

Water Distribution Operator I - Possession within six (6) months of hire and continued maintenance of a Grade D1 Water Distribution Operator Certificate issued by the State of California is required.

Water Distribution Operator II - Possession within six (6) months of hire and continued maintenance of a Grade D2 Water Distribution Operator Certificate issued by the State of California is required.

• TENTATIVE TIMELINE FOR TESTING - PLEASE SAVE THE BELOW DATES ON YOUR CALENDAR!*

PERFORMANCE EXAM IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2026 AND WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2026.

The Performance Exam is tentatively scheduled to take place on TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2026 and WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2026. During the Performance Exam, candidates will be asked to participate in a hands-on skills testing component where you will perform a variety of tasks related to duties of this role, such as interacting with tools and equipment as applicable to the Water Distribution Operator I/II position.

In-Person Panel Interviews are tentatively scheduled to take place on TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2026 and WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2026.

Ideal candidates for the Water Distribution Operator I/II role will have shown success in demonstrating the following competencies:

• Technical Knowledge and Skill - Technical, functional, and/or professional skill or knowledge in position-related areas; keeping up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise; using knowledge to accomplish results.
• Decision Making - Identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; compares information from different sources to draw conclusions and develop appropriate solutions.
• Safety Focus - Knows conditions that affect the team or self under normal conditions and conditions that occur in crisis situations; skilled in identifying conditions that might cause hazards.
• Collaborating - Working cooperatively with others to help a team or work group achieve its goals.
• Emotional Intelligence - Establishing and sustaining trusting relationships by accurately interpreting and perceiving own and others emotions and behavior; using insights to effectively manage own responses so that ones behavior matches ones values and delivers intended results.
• Adaptability - Maintains effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjusts effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures; adapts quickly to change and easily considers new approaches.
• Planning and Organizing - Establishes a course of action to ensure work is completed efficiently through prioritizing, leveraging resources, and staying focused.

BENEFITS PACKAGE:

In addition to the competitive salary and upcoming salary increases listed above, the City of Napa offers an attractive benefits package including:

• Vacation Leave - New employees can accrue up to 104 vacation hours annually.

• Prior Years of Public Service Vacation Accrual Credit - Full-time service in a City, County, State, Federal Agency, or Special District may be counted towards vacation accrual tiers at the City of Napa.

• Paid Holidays - 15 paid holidays per year.

• Personal Leave - 4 hours per year.

• Sick Leave - Employees can accrue up to 96 hours annually.

• Dental and Medical Insurance Plans - The City provides significant contributions to dental and medical plans.

• Retirement - The City participates in the CalPERS retirement pension system.

• Deferred Compensation Program - Employees are eligible to enroll in a 457 Plan and the City contributes $83.33 per month to a 457 plan.

• Life Insurance and AD&D - $50,000 of coverage paid for by the City.

• Phone Stipend - Up to $110 per month

• Tuition Reimbursement- $2,000 per year

• Stand By Pay - $525 per week as assigned

Please visit our Benefits Webpage to view a full list of benefits offered for this position.

FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULE:

Additionally, our Utilities Department offers the flexibility of a 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off) which allows employees to enjoy a three-day weekend every weekend to promote work/life balance.

Positions in this classification are flexibly staffed. This position may be hired at the I or II level depending upon qualifications and experience.

Please click here to view the full job description for Water Distribution Operator I.

Please click here to view the full job description for Water Distribution Operator II.

This recruitment and examination is being conducted to fill multiple vacancies for Water Distribution Operator I/II, and may be used to fill future similar vacancies as they occur during the active status of the employment list. The active status of this employment list will be six (6) months unless abolished sooner or extended beyond that date in accordance with the Civil Service Rules.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

MISSION STATEMENT for the City of Napa

Rooted in public service, our mission is to grow a vibrant, sustainable community for all who live in, work in, and visit the City of Napa, through thoughtful leadership and dedication to excellence.

CORE VALUES for the City of Napa

• Integrity - Consistently demonstrating the highest level of ethical conduct with accountability and pride.

• Service - Engaging in meaningful work to care for our community through resourceful dedication and humble actions.

• Inclusion - Creating a sense of ease and belonging through respect, acceptance, and mindfulness of our collective diversity.

• Collaboration - Working together with a shared purpose while respectfully considering all voices to achieve common goals, solutions, and greater outcomes.

• NOTE: CITY OF NAPA EMPLOYEES SHOULD USE A PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS DURING THE APPLICATION PROCESS*

SELECTION PROCESS

The City of Napa utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad outreach efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to take part in a process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, an eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments and eligible lists may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

Candidates who have participated in a testing process for a recruitment are not eligible to re-take the same test within six (6) months.

What happens next?

• We will review your application and all supplemental materials to select the best qualified applicants to continue in the selection process. Application appraisal includes a review of qualifications, education, training, and experience related to the job, as well as supplemental questions if applicable.
• Applicants moving forward in the selection process may be asked to participate in any combination of the following (at any phase of the selection process): online assessment, written examination, job-related exercise, phone interview, and panel interview. These testing steps may be conducted on a pass/fail basis, and/or percentage-based scoring methodology.
• Based on the City Charter, the final phase of the selection process is the Probationary Period, which in most cases is six (6) months but may be twelve (12) months depending on the classification.
• When three or fewer candidates are available, the testing procedures outlined in the Job Announcement may be waived by the Human Resources Department.

Language Equity

• If you need assistance with the recruitment and selection process in Spanish, contact us at 707-257-9505. These requests will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• Si necesita ayuda con el proceso de reclutamiento y selección en español, contáctenos al 707-257-9505. Estas solicitudes se evaluarán caso por caso.

Reasonable Accommodations

The City of Napa Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate qualified disabled applicants. Individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation in the testing process must inform the HR Department in writing by the final filing date. A Reasonable Accommodation Request Form is available from HR and may be obtained by calling 707-257-9505, or dial 7-1-1 for the California Relay Service, offering free text-to-speech, speech-to-speech, and Spanish-language services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Follow this link for more detailed information.

01

What type of valid California Drivers License do you currently have?

• Class C
• Class B
• Class A
• I do not have a valid Drivers License.
• I have a valid out-of-state Drivers License.

02

Do you possess a valid Grade D1, D2, or higher Water Distribution Operator Certification issued by the State of California?

If yes, please identify the grade and operator number.

If no, please write N/A.

03

Please indicate your highest level of education.

• I do not have a High School Diploma, GED, or high school proficiency certificate.
• I have received my High School Diploma, GED, or high school proficiency certificate.
• Some college or higher.

04

Please describe your experience working in water distribution system operations including underground pipelines and water meters.

05

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in a typical outdoor environment on a year-round basis, subject to typical street or field noise, traffic conditions, and exposure to loud equipment and machinery, dust, dirt, fumes, vibrations and other conditions typical to a heavy construction site. Work is performed in ground excavations, potentially wet environments and around pressurized water pipes and adjacent utilities including sewer, natural gas, electric, communication lines and storm drains.

Positions require responding to emergencies and working outside of normal business hours including evenings and weekends.

Positions are subject to standby assignments, and those so assigned shall meet residency requirements of the MOU. Travel is rare.

If selected for this position, would you be able to accommodate both the work schedule and working conditions?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Napa

Address 1541 Second Street

Napa, California, 94559

Phone 707-257-9505

Website http://www.cityofnapa.org/jobs