WATER SERVICES OPERATOR II, III, or IV in St. George, Utah at St. George, City of (UT)

Job Title: WATER SERVICES OPERATOR II, III, or IV
Salary Range: $48,320.00 - $58,873.00 Annually
Location: Water Distribution - St. George, UT
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202600073
Department: WATER SERVICES

Job Description: Position Summary

Salary and Benefits
Water Services Operator II Starting Salary: $48,320/year
Individuals hired in this position have the opportunity to progress up to $72,480/year, which is the maximum salary for this position as of December 2025.

Water Services Operator III Starting Salary: $53,336/year
Individuals hired in this position have the opportunity to progress up to $80,004/year, which is the maximum salary for this position as of December 2025.

Water Services Operator IV Starting Salary: $58,873/year
Individuals hired in this position have the opportunity to progress up to $88,309/year, which is the maximum salary for this position as of December 2025.

Benefits: Full City Benefits Package. The City of St. George covers 100% of the premiums for the High Deductible health plan for full-time employees and their qualified dependents. New hires also receive 2 weeks of vacation time during their first year of employment, one of which is available to the employee on the first day of employment. To find out more about our benefits package, please visit our website at careers.sgcity.org.

Position Summary
Under general direction of Water Services Supervisor, performs water maintenance work for the City of St. George, including repairs to mains, hydrants, valves, and wells. This is skilled water maintenance and construction work requiring working knowledge of methods and materials used in water system maintenance and repair.

Essential Functions/Typical Working/Mental Demands/Working Conditions

Essential Functions (Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. The list of tasks is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

1. Places barricades, signs, and traffic cones around work sites to protect operators and public. Locates and marks water lines using computer, electronic locator, or metal detector.
2. Excavates trenches and installs shoring, tests for hazardous soil conditions and atmospheres, and detects hazardous atmospheres and corrects before confined space entry. Conducts safety inspections, follows safety rules for waterworks facilities, and conducts tailgate safety meetings.
3. Lays, connects, flushes, cleans, tests, repairs, taps into, and disinfects culinary and irrigation water mains. Troubleshoots to locate the causes of water quality complaints and discusses with the public their concerns regarding water.
4. Reads and updates water distribution system maps and as-built plans per City specifications and codes. Helps in building and developing springs in accordance to state and federal regulations.
5. Operates and maintains well pumps, hydro-pneumatic pressure tanks, storage tanks, pressure regulating valves, and air relief valves.
6. Protects water mains and storage facilities from electrolysis corrosion effects. Troubleshoots cathodic protection equipment.
7. Collects and transports water samples and tests for chlorine residuals. Calculates mix rate for cleaning and disinfecting storage tanks and reservoirs; calculates dosage rates; and safely loads and unloads chlorine cylinders and other dry and liquid chemicals, herbicides, and rodenticides.
8. Observes pump motors to detect unusual noises, vibrations, or excessive heat; troubleshoots and corrects minor electrical and mechanical equipment problems; starts up or shuts down pumps as necessary to regulate system flows and pressure; adjusts valves to regulate tanks and reservoirs; adjusts and cleans pump seals, packing glands, and mechanical seals; and repairs and overhauls pumps, motors, chlorinators, coolers, and control valves.
9. Keeps daily records and prepares daily reports. Estimates and justifies requests for supplies and equipment.
10. Performs general maintenance duties, including carpentry, plumbing, asphalt repairs, and concrete and block construction. Operates and maintains light and heavy equipment.
11. Reads and repairs residential, commercial, and irrigation meters; sets and replaces meter yokes and boxes; installs and replaces services; installs and repairs fire hydrants; and notifies property users of service interruptions.
12. Performs other related duties as required.

Typical Physical/Mental Demands/Working Conditions
Required to push, pull, or lift very heavy weights in excess of 100 lbs. occasionally, and/or up to 50 lbs. of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 lbs. of force constantly to move objects. Significant standing, walking, or sitting uncomfortably for extended periods. Physical demands include climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, handling, fingering, and feeling. Exposure to atmospheric conditions such as fumes, noxious odors, dusts, mists, gases, and poor ventilation that affects the respiratory system, eyes, or the skin; constant or intermittent sounds or a pitch or level sufficient to cause marked distraction or possible hearing loss; hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy conditions caused by weather; health and occupational hazards such as chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, asbestos, confined spaces, rattlesnakes, spiders, and endangered species; and stress as a result of human behavior.

Note:

• Employees in this classification are required to be on periodic standby or to respond to emergencies.
• Employees in this classification are required to pass a respiratory physical test.

Qualifications

Qualifications
Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Experience: Experience related to duties listed for this position is preferred.
Licenses and/or Certifications:

• Must obtain UDOT Flagger certification (As soon as class is available)
• Must possess or obtain a valid Utah Commercial Driver License (CDL) learner permit with tanker endorsement and air brake certified within 30 days of hire, and must possess or obtain a valid Utah Class A Commercial Driver License (CDL) Tractor/Trailer with tanker endorsement within six (6) months of hire.

Operator II
Must acquire Grade II certificate within six (6) months. Failure to do so may result in loss of position. All accredited certifications must be kept current.
Operator III
Career progression; moves to Operator III when Grade III certification is acquired. All accredited certifications must be kept current. Failure to do so may result in loss of position or demotion to Operator I or II.
Operator IV
Career progression: moves to Operator IV when Operator IV certification is acquired and has a minimum of two years experience working in a City of St. George water distribution system. Accredited certifications must be kept current. Failure to do so may result in loss of position or demotion to Operator I or II or III.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of:

• Hand and power tools.
• Basics of conducting safety meetings.
• Customer service.
• Basic arithmetic and algebra.

Ability to:

• Operate and maintain well pumps, hydro-pneumatic pressure tanks, storage tanks, pressure regulating valves, and air relief valves.
• Collect and transport water samples. Test for chlorine residuals.
• Learn to use backhoes, forklifts, loaders, and dozers.
• Calculate mix rate for cleaning and disinfecting storage tanks and reservoirs; calculate dosage rates; and safely load and unload chlorine cylinders and other dry and liquid chemicals, herbicides, and rodenticides.
• Use computers, electronic locators, and metal detectors.
• Read and understand water billing.
• Understand state and federal regulations pertaining to water distribution work and endangered species.
• Learn and apply OSHA standards pertaining to water distribution work.
• Read and repair residential, commercial, and irrigation meters; set and replace meter yokes and boxes; install and replace services; install and repair fire hydrants; and notify property users of service interruptions.
• Read and write in English at a business level.
• Relate well and communicate effectively with other operators, supervisors, and the public on the technical level expected for this position.
• Respond to emergencies within 15 minutes, including 24-hour call-out and standby, according to a rotating schedule.
• Complete minor records and prepare inventory forms.

Benefits for full-time employees:

Health Care

The City of St. George covers 100% of the premiums for the High Deductible health plan for full-time employees and their qualified dependents. The City also offers two Traditional medical plans. Employees have the option to upgrade to one of the City’s Traditional medical plans with a lower deductible by paying a premium for the selected plan. The City also offers voluntary benefits including dental insurance, vision insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, and retirement savings plans at the employee’s cost and discretion. Health care coverage begins the first day of employment.

Retirement

The City fully funds an employee pension plan through Utah Retirement Systems for each active full-time employee.

Paid Time Off

Paid time off (PTO) hours are accrued according to the number of hours paid. Based on a full 40-hour work week, paid time off is accrued as follows: 2 weeks for years 0 through 3.99, 3 weeks for years 4 through 11.99, and 4 weeks for 12+ years.

Holidays

The City has 13 paid holidays each year. If unused, holiday time can be used as Paid Time Off.

Sick Leave

The City provides 12 days of sick leave each year. You can accrue sick leave without limit.

Life Insurance

All active full-time employees enrolled in the employer sponsored medical plan are provided with $50,000 worth of life insurance. Spouses and dependents are provided with $5000 and $2500 respectively. Full-time employees are also provided with an AD&D policy for $50,000.

Long Term Disability

All active full-time employees enrolled in the employer sponsored medical plan are provided with LTD insurance benefits.

Educational Assistance Program

The City offers a reimbursement of 75% of the tuition and required student fees, up to $2,000 per fiscal year, for pre-approved courses for full-time employees when the employee meets the eligibility requirements. This reimbursement is not a guarantee, it is subject to the approval of the Department Head. Reimbursement will be reduced by any other financial aid that does not have to be repaid, such as the GI Bill, scholarships and grants.

Employee Assistance Program

The City offers an Employee Assistance Program to give full-time employees an additional level of support for personal, financial, and family issues. The Employee Assistance Program is 100% Confidential, offers a 24/7 Crisis Support Line, and there are no limits for sessions with a licensed counselor.

Recreation Benefit

Free or discounted access to all 4 City Golf Courses, swimming pools and Recreation Center is available to all full-time employees.

Note: Golf course privileges are based on availability. Employees can book a tee-time within 24 hours or the same day, but may be turned away if there are no available tee-times. If you happen to be golfing with at least 2 paying customers; tee times can be set with more advance notice, but are still based on availability. Red Hills Golf Course will not be available to schedule tee times in advance --- walk on play based on availability only.

Voluntary Benefits

Short-Term Disability, Supplemental Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Accident Insurance, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance; each are available on a voluntary basis to all Active Full-Time employees enrolled in an employer sponsored medical plan.

PDF of this information is available