Water Quality Technician

Water Quality Technician

Come be a part of our Public Works team and see what makes Fountain Valley a nice place to live and work! Interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately, as this recruitment may close without prior notice or if enough qualified applications have been received. First review of applications: Wednesday, June 24, 2026 The City of Fountain Valley The City of Fountain Valley is nestled in the heart of Orange County. With approximately 57,000 residents, the City is only 7 miles from the beach with countless restaurants, entertainment venues, shopping centers, and Disneyland within a 15-mile radius of the City, providing many options for a rich work-life balance.

About the Role

The City of Fountain Valley Public Works Department is seeking a dedicated and motivated Water Quality Technician to join our team. This position performs a variety of skilled and technical tasks in the administration of the City's Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Programs, including the enforcement of City, County, State, and Federal codes and regulations preventing pollution or contamination hazards due to cross connections from entering the City water system. In addition, this role ensures the quality and integrity of the City's water supply by performing technical work assignments to implement and administer the water quality monitoring program within the City's water facilities. Key responsibilities include:

• Reads, interprets, and implements changes in state and federal water regulations.
• Develops, implements, and maintains water quality monitoring programs related to potable and recycled water use and consumption.
• Interprets complex water quality regulatory requirements and develops and maintains up-to-date procedures for compliance.
• Prepares, reviews, summarizes, synthesizes, and submits reports, correspondence, and statistical data regarding water quality, cross connection, potable and recycled water programs to various local, state, and federal regulatory agencies.

Excellent benefits include:

• 4/10 schedule (off Fridays)
• 4% base salary increase in July 2026
• CalPERS retirement (2%@60 for Classic or 2%@62 for PEPRA)
• CalPERS medical HMO/PPO plan options, dental, life insurance, vision, and optional AFLAC insurance
• Matching deferred compensation employer contribution (up to $225 per month)
• City-paid long-term disability insurance
• Generous leave accruals
• 11 paid holidays, including one floating holiday

Job Overview

• Conducts technical inspections and enforces City, County and State laws and regulations preventing contamination from entering the City water system.
• Performs computer data entry and is responsible for maintaining up-to-date computerized information.
• Performs semi-skilled and skilled manual tasks relating to such activities as inspections, tests, maintenance and repair of water lines, backflow devices, valves, engines, wells, reservoirs, pumps and lift stations and water meters and connections.
• Collects water samples at all City sources (updating sites as necessary) including wells, reservoirs and import connections and related laboratory activities maintaining rigorous quality control; validates results of test samples and reports all monitoring data to various regulatory agencies.
• Collects chlorine residual and bacteriological samples after completion of repairs of existing water mains and fire hydrants.

Other job-related duties:

• Schedules and conducts surveys of public and private facilities of possible cross connections.
• Collects water samples for bacteriological, general physical, general chemical tests, and other constituents as required by state or federal regulations.
• Restores and disconnects services.
• Shuts off and repairs broken water mains, services and meters.
• May be called on to assist Water Division production and distribution personnel.
• Schedules and conducts shut-down tests as required by local and State health authorities on premises using reclaimed water.
• May assist in researching, preparing and maintaining a variety of reports, correspondence and related documents as required by City, County, State and Federal Codes and Regulations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualification Guidelines

Education: High school graduation or equivalent. College-level coursework in water technology or a related field is highly desirable.

Experience: At least three (3) years of experience in municipal water operations is required.

License required: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and a satisfactory driving record is required to perform the essential functions of this position, including travel between City locations to collect water samples. The City will evaluate whether alternative means of transportation would allow an individual to perform these essential functions in accordance with applicable law.

Certification required: (Incumbents must maintain, at all times, the certification(s) required for this job description.)

• Backflow Prevention Device Tester Certification from the American Water Works Association, or other State-approved agencies and registration with the Orange County Health Care Department for testing within Orange County is required.
• State Water Distribution Operator Certification Grade II is required at time of appointment.
• State Water Distribution Operator Certification Grade III is required within the one year probationary period.
• State Water Treatment Operator Certification Grade I is required within the one year probationary period.
• American Water Works Association Cross Connection Specialist Certification is required within the one year probationary period.

Special requirement: Must be available for standby duty and is subject to periodic call-out during regular off-time hours to assist in emergency repairs.

Note: This job announcement is not intended to include a complete listing of all responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the position. To access the full class specification, please click on the following link: Water Quality Technician.

Recruitment Information

To be considered for this excellent opportunity, please complete and submit the online employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and/or supplemental questionnaire. To ensure timely and successful submission of your online application, please allow ample time to complete your application and consider having your profile created and/or updated before applying for the position. Once your application has been successfully submitted, you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email. If you require technical assistance, please review the Government Jobs Online Employment Application Guide or contact their toll-free Applicant Support line at (855) 524-5627. Questions regarding this recruitment should be sent to hr@fountainvalley.gov.

Selection process: The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, panel interview, and performance exam. The employment application and supplemental questions will be evaluated based on the employment standards and minimum qualifications listed above. All employment offers made by the City are contingent upon establishing proof of a prospective candidate's legal authorization to work in the United States and successfully completing all components of the pre-employment process, which may include but is not limited to: reference checks, California Department of Justice (DOJ) criminal history check (Live Scan fingerprinting), post-offer drug test, and pre-employment medical examination. The City of Fountain Valley is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Candidates with a disability who may need accommodations during the selection process must notify the Human Resources Department at least 72 hours in advance of the exam date. Note: The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained within may be modified or revoked without notice. Please carefully review the list of required materials before submitting an application.