Demo

Water Distribution System Operator Trainee S/S

City of Columbia SC
Columbia, SC Full Time
POSTED ON 7/16/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 8/14/2026
Description

This position installs, tests, inspects, locates, troubleshoots, evaluates, maintains and repairs all components and assets associated with standard operational and maintenance practices of the water distribution system; and performs related duties as required.

The work is considered medium-to-heavy in nature and involves walking, standing, stooping, lifting, digging, pushing or raising objects and involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a recurring basis and 50 to 100 pounds of force on an occasional basis. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, fingering, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Work environment may involve exposure to bright/dim light, dusts and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, extreme noise levels, vibration, fumes and/or noxious odors, traffic, moving machinery, electrical shock, heights, animals/wildlife, toxic/caustic chemicals, confined spaces, disease/pathogens, dangerous gases. Work involves light to heavy equipment and machinery that could result in bodily harm to co-workers or others. Safe and secure work environment that may periodically have unpredicted requirements or demands. Work is dynamic and requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

Essential Job Functions

  • Installs, tests, inspects, locates, troubleshoots, evaluates, maintains and repairs all components and assets associated with standard operational and maintenance practices of the water distribution system;
  • Operates, evaluates and maintains light equipment in operation and maintenance of the water distribution system;
  • Loads/unloads materials onto/from vehicles;
  • Drives and operates trucks and other vehicles; operates various hand and power tools as necessary to accomplish tasks;
  • Maintains assigned trucks and equipment; performs cleaning, preventive and routine maintenance and simple repair work as required;
  • Uses hand and power tools in various manual tasks as required;
  • Performs general manual labor tasks as required;
  • Inspects equipment to ensure proper and safe working condition; reports defects or required maintenance to the supervisor;
  • Assists co-workers with various duties as required;
  • Maintains accurate and complete work records as required;
  • Prepares and submits detailed work records and reports;
  • Works according to set procedures under close supervision;
  • Receives and responds to inquiries, concerns, complaints and requests for assistance in areas of responsibility;
  • Attends meetings, training, etc., as appropriate to enhance job knowledge and skills;
  • Performs all duties in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and standards of quality and safety;
  • May be required to work additional hours, holidays, weekends, nights and on-call rotation as needed in order to accomplish assigned work;
  • Required to work on call rotation; and
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

  • High school diploma or GED;
  • No prior experience required;
  • Must obtain DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) medical examiner’s certificate within thirty (30) days from date of hire;
  • Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License;
  • Must possess or obtain a South Carolina Class “A” CDL the timeframe required in the CDL Program;
  • Must possess or obtain Asbestos certification, A Frame certification, and Trench and Shoring certification within one (1) year from date of hire;
  • Upon completion of probationary period and/or completion of the CDL Program, optionally register for the Water Distribution System Operator Training Program

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

  • Ability to read simple sentences, instructions or work orders; writing simple sentences and completing simple job forms; speaking simple sentences using basic grammar;
  • Ability to speak or signal to people to convey or exchange information of a general nature;
  • Knowledge of personal computer equipment with skill in doing data entry and in the use of Microsoft Office preferred 2000, utilizing Outlook, word processing and spreadsheet software programs preferred;
  • Knowledge of addition and subtraction, multiplication and division; ability to capture accurate measurements and calculate ratios, rates and percentages;
  • Knowledge of basic algebra involving variables and formulas and/or basic geometry involving plane and solid figures, circumferences, areas and volumes, and/or computing discounts and interest rates;
  • Ability to perform simple, repetitive manual, clerical or operating tasks following a few definite procedures; requires minor short-term planning; requires little attention for accurate results;
  • Ability to handle or use machines, tools or equipment requiring little or no prior experience, such as hand tools;
  • Ability to perform routine work using common sense; and
  • Ability to follow instructions and orders of supervisor.

The City of Columbia is proud to offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees. This package includes health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

Part-time or temporary employees, including interns, are not eligible for City benefits.

To Learn More Details, Visit Our Benefits Page At

https://hr.columbiasc.gov/benefits/

01

Do you have a High School diploma or GED?

  • Yes
  • No

02

Do you have a valid Driver's License?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Required Question

Salary.com Estimation for Water Distribution System Operator Trainee S/S in Columbia, SC
$50,287 to $67,032
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Water Distribution System Operator Trainee S/S?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Water Distribution System Operator Trainee S/S career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$50,084 - $69,688
Income Estimation: 
$54,660 - $73,879
Income Estimation: 
$50,084 - $69,688
Income Estimation: 
$54,660 - $73,879
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at City of Columbia SC

  • City of Columbia SC Columbia, SC
  • Description This position performs technical engineering and/or environmental work related to compliance with the City Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Syste... more
  • 12 Days Ago

  • City of Columbia SC Columbia, SC
  • Description This position performs semi-skilled and unskilled maintenance work to support the operations of assigned division or department; and performs o... more
  • 13 Days Ago

  • City of Columbia SC Columbia, SC
  • Description This position responds to calls within jurisdiction for fire suppression, hazardous materials responses and rescue operations; provides crowd a... more
  • 13 Days Ago

  • City of Columbia SC Columbia, SC
  • Description This position responds to calls within jurisdiction for fire suppression, hazardous materials responses and rescue operations; provides crowd a... more
  • 13 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Water Distribution System Operator Trainee S/S jobs in the Columbia, SC area that may be a better fit.

  • City of Columbia Columbia, SC
  • This position installs, tests, inspects, locates, troubleshoots, evaluates, maintains and repairs all components and assets associated with standard operat... more
  • 4 Days Ago

  • City of Columbia Columbia, SC
  • This position installs, tests, inspects, locates, troubleshoots, evaluates, maintains and repairs all components and assets associated with standard operat... more
  • 15 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!