Utility Operator

The City of Elkhart has an exciting opportunity to be part of an award-wining Water Quality Team as a Utility Operator. You can be part of our talented and highly skilled team protecting our drinking water supply as well as local rivers and streams.

Responsibilities of this position include:

• Monitor and control the Utility’s water system for efficient delivery of safe drinking water and optimum fire protection. Evaluates water system data obtained from SCADA central monitor and utilizes good judgment and technical expertise in controlling water production and treatment equipment. Responds to alarms and emergencies and notifies appropriate on-call personnel for emergency repairs.
• Perform wastewater and water process control tests such as, settleable solids, dissolved oxygen, pH, and chlorine residual, fluoride and phosphate. Collect samples and perform routine analysis for wastewater and water processes. Monitors SCADA, charts, graphs, totalizers, indicators, and chemical feed equipment. Records, analyzes, and reports data collected.
• Identify and troubleshoot process and equipment problems. Records and communicates significant process and equipment problems to supervisor to assure corrective action.
• Monitor the Utility’s Wastewater lift stations, responds to alarms, and notifies appropriate on-call personnel of emergencies.
• Communicate, cooperate, and coordinate with supervisory and other division personnel on a daily basis.
• Participate in general safety, wastewater and water industry training.
  
  
  

Qualifications for this opportunity include:

• Must have a valid Operator’s Driver’s License.
• Must have or achieve and maintain a Class I, II and III Wastewater Certification and within 2, 4 and 6 years respectively and WT3 Water Certification within 6 years.
• Two years’ experience or knowledge in operation of a wastewater treatment facility and/or water treatment facility preferred.
• Competitive shift differential and certification pay incentives as certification are achieved.
  
  
  

The City of Elkhart has an excellent PTO benefits package including:

• Up to 14 paid holidays a year
• Two weeks paid vacation after 90 days
• Paid sick time and bereavement
• Paid personal time after 1 year
  
  
  

The City of Elkhart also offers a very competitive medical benefits packages including:

• PPO or HSA Medical plan options
• Dental and vision benefits
• Salary continuance
• Short term disability
• Long term disability
• Group Life & AD&D Benefits
• Flexible spending account
• Accident and critical illness coverage
  
  
  

City Of Elkhart – Job Description

DEPARTMENT

Public Works

POSITION

Utility Operator

DIVISION

Environmental Resources, Operations Division

STATUS

Full-time

CATEGORY

Hourly, AFSCME

PG8 - PG10 ($28.11 - $29.80)

FLSA

Non-exempt

REPORTS TO

Operations Supervisor

DATE

2026

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Operations Supervisor or other assigned Supervisor, the Utility Operator is responsible for daily operation, permit compliance and selected preventive maintenance of the Wastewater Treatment Facility, Water Treatment Facilities and all associated equipment as directed.

Principal Duties And Responsibilities

• Monitor and control the Utility’s water system for efficient delivery of safe drinking water and optimum fire protection. Evaluates water system data obtained from SCADA central monitor and utilizes good judgment and technical expertise in controlling water production and treatment equipment. Responds to alarms and emergencies, and notifies appropriate on-call personnel for emergency repairs.
• Performs wastewater and water process control tests such as, settleable solids, dissolved oxygen, pH, and chlorine residual, fluoride and phosphate. Collect samples and perform routine analysis for wastewater and water processes. Monitors SCADA, charts, graphs, totalizers, indicators, and chemical feed equipment. Records, analyzes, and reports data collected.
• Identify and troubleshoot process and equipment problems. Records and communicates significant process and equipment problems to supervisor to assure corrective action.
• Monitor the Utility’s Wastewater lift stations, responds to alarms, and notifies appropriate on-call personnel for emergency repairs.
• Communicate, cooperate, and coordinate with supervisory and other division personnel on a daily basis.
• Participate in general safety, wastewater and water industry training.
  
  
  

Other Duties And Responsibilities

• Perform preventive and light corrective maintenance duties, such as cleaning, painting, equipment preventive maintenance and care, grounds maintenance, and snow removal.
• Is scheduled according to the needs of the Utility.
  
  
  

Education And Experience

• Must have a valid Operator’s Driver’s License.
• Must achieve and maintain a Class I, II and III Wastewater Certification and within 2, 4 and 6 years respectively and WT3 Water Certification within 6 years.
  
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Two years’ experience or knowledge in operation of a wastewater treatment facility and/or water treatment facility.
• Ability to enter data and print reports on PC’s and tablets.
  
  
  

Physical, Mental, And Visual Skills

• Ability to be mobile in a variety of work environments, including climbing steps, ramps and ladders, and entry of confined spaces.
• Possess sufficient physical strength and agility to occasionally lift and move materials up to 50 pounds.
• Stand on ladders or scaffolding to push/pull overhead with up to 50 lbs of force to operate valves.
• Logical or scientific thinking to solve problems and ability to solve algebraic and mathematic functions.
• Work in all kinds of inclement weather including rain, snow and heat for a minimum of 30 minute increments.
• Ability to read and understand O & M manuals, safety and personnel policies and procedures, facility diagrams and written instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, supervisors, other departments, contractors, consultants, and the public.
• Must be able to work with minimum supervision.
  
  
  

WORKING CONDITIONS

The water and wastewater treatment environments present chemical, biological, and physical hazards. Employees must be able to wear and/or use a variety of personal protective gear to prevent exposure to these hazards and understand and follow safety and maintenance procedures.

Drug Test Required

The City of Elkhart is a Drug Free Workplace. Therefore, a post offer, pre-employment drug screen is required. Random drug testing may be conducted after employment.

POLICY STATEMENT

• The incumbent is required to possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities, and the physical, mental, and visual skills described in this job description to perform the principal duties, responsibilities and essential job functions.
• This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent. Principal duties and responsibilities are intended to describe those functions that are essential to the performance of this job and “other” duties and responsibilities include those that are considered incidental or secondary to the overall purpose of this job.
• This job description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by the Mayor. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.