Utility Operator

REPORTS TO: Assistant Water Superintendent
SCHEDULE: Full-time
STANDARD HOURS PER WEEK: 40.00
OVERTIME STATUS: Non-Exempt
PRIMARY LOCATION: Kenedy, TX, 78119
TRAVEL: Up to 40% of the time
STARTING SALARY RANGE: $18.00

Summary/Objective:

The Water Treatment Utility Operator is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and monitoring of the city’s water treatment plant and distribution system to ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality drinking water to residents and businesses. This position assists in treatment process adjustments, equipment maintenance, regulatory compliance, and water quality testing, ensuring adherence to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and environmental safety regulations. Key responsibilities include monitoring water production, adjusting chemical feed systems, maintaining treatment equipment, collecting and analyzing water samples, and troubleshooting operational issues. The Water Treatment Utility Operator also assists in system repairs, pipeline maintenance, and emergency response efforts to ensure uninterrupted water service and regulatory compliance.

This position is structured to allow for progressive responsibility and skill development, with three career progression levels:

• Utility Operator Trainee – Entry-level role focused on learning treatment processes, assisting with routine maintenance, and developing the technical knowledge required for full operator responsibilities. Must obtain a Class D Water Operator License within six (6) months.
• Utility Operator – Fully competent role responsible for day-to-day operations of the treatment plant and distribution system. Must hold a Class C Water Operator License or obtain it within eighteen (18) months.

Success in this role is demonstrated through adherence to water quality standards, efficient plant operations, and proactive maintenance efforts that support public health and environmental protection. This job description outlines key responsibilities but is not exhaustive. Additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned or required as necessary.

Supervisory Status:

This position carries no authority over personnel supervision.

Essential Functions:

The essential functions below describe the core responsibilities of the position. Progression through the levels of Utility Operator Trainee, Utility Operator, and Senior Utility Operator is defined by increasing autonomy, expertise, and leadership within these functions. Trainees primarily assist with tasks, Operators perform them independently, and Senior Operators optimize processes and oversee system performance.

• Operates and maintains water treatment processes, assisting with, independently managing, or optimizing the chemical treatment, filtration, and disinfection of drinking water to meet TCEQ and EPA regulatory standards.
• Monitors and analyzes water quality, assisting with, independently conducting, or optimizing sample collection, laboratory testing, and process adjustments to ensure compliance with safe drinking water regulations.
• Performs preventative and corrective maintenance on treatment infrastructure, assisting with, independently troubleshooting, or optimizing the operation of pumps, valves, chemical feed systems, and plant equipment.
• Maintains and supports water distribution system operations, assisting with, independently repairing, or optimizing water main valves, hydrants, storage tanks, and pressure management to ensure uninterrupted service.
• Responds to emergencies and system failures, assisting with, independently mitigating, or leading response efforts for contamination events, pump failures, and main breaks to protect public health and system integrity.
• Documents and reports operational data, assisting with, independently completing, or overseeing regulatory compliance reports, plant logbooks, and performance records to maintain accurate historical data and meet TCEQ reporting requirements.

Minimum Experience:

The Utility Operator position follows a structured progression from Trainee to Senior Operator. Each level requires increasing experience, licensure, and technical expertise as outlined below:

Utility Operator Trainee

• Experience: No prior experience required; however, hands-on exposure to mechanical, maintenance, or utility work is preferred.
• Education: A high school diploma or GED is required.
• Licenses & Certifications:
• Must obtain a TCEQ Class D Water Operator License within six (6) months of hire.
• Must possess a valid Texas Class C driver’s license.

Utility Operator

• Experience: A minimum of six (6) months of hands-on experience in water or wastewater treatment operations, maintenance, or utility fieldwork.
• Education: A high school diploma or GED is required.
• Licenses & Certifications:
• Must hold a TCEQ Class C Water Operator License or obtain one within eighteen (18) months of hire.
• Must possess a valid Texas Class C driver’s license.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Principles of water treatment processes, including filtration, chemical dosing, disinfection, and distribution system hydraulics.
• TCEQ regulations, EPA drinking water standards, and compliance reporting requirements for public water systems.
• Operation and maintenance of water treatment plant equipment, including pumps, motors, valves, chemical feed systems, and storage tanks.
• Water sampling techniques and laboratory analysis, ensuring accurate measurement of turbidity, chlorine residuals, pH, and other water quality parameters.
• Basic mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, troubleshooting treatment equipment and infrastructure issues.
• Safety regulations and best practices, including handling hazardous chemicals, confined space entry, and lockout/tagout procedures.

Skills in:

• Monitoring and adjusting water treatment processes, ensuring efficient operation and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Operating and maintaining mechanical equipment, including pumps, chemical feed systems, and water distribution infrastructure.
• Conducting routine laboratory tests, interpreting results, and adjusting treatment processes to maintain water quality.
• Using SCADA systems and digital monitoring tools to track system performance and detect potential operational issues.
• Effective verbal and written communication, maintaining accurate logbooks, preparing regulatory reports, and coordinating with city officials and regulatory agencies.
• Time management and prioritization, handling multiple work assignments while responding to system emergencies and maintenance needs.

Ability to:

• Independently operate and troubleshoot water treatment systems, ensuring continuous and compliant water production.
• Interpret water quality data and make process control adjustments, maintaining compliance with TCEQ and EPA regulations.
• Work safely in hazardous conditions, following established safety protocols when handling chemicals and operating heavy equipment.
• Respond to emergency situations, including main breaks, pump failures, and water contamination incidents.
• Maintain accurate operational records, preparing compliance reports and tracking system performance data.

Work Schedule:
The standard work schedule for the position is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility required for evenings, weekends, and on-call duties. Due to the nature of municipal water operations, both positions are subject to emergency callouts for water main breaks, leaks, pressure fluctuations, treatment system malfunctions, and other infrastructure failures that require immediate attention to ensure uninterrupted service and public health compliance. The role requires 24/7 on-call availability on a rotating or assigned basis, ensuring a rapid response to emergency repairs, contamination concerns, equipment failures, and severe weather impacts affecting the city’s water distribution and treatment systems. This is an on-site position with no remote or hybrid work options, as physical presence is required for system monitoring, emergency response, regulatory compliance, and personnel oversight.

Work Environment:

The Water Treatment Utility Operator works in a combination of indoor (40%) and outdoor (60%) environments, including water treatment plants, pump stations, storage tanks, and field service locations. Work is performed in varying weather conditions (50%), including extreme heat, cold, rain, and high humidity. This position involves moderate to high noise levels (50%), particularly around pumps, motors, chemical feed systems, and heavy equipment. Operators are frequently exposed to hazardous conditions (40%), including chemical handling, high-pressure systems, moving mechanical parts, and confined spaces, necessitating strict adherence to safety protocols and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Physical Demands:

The Water Treatment Utility Operator role requires frequent physical activity (80%), including standing, walking, bending, crouching, and climbing to operate and maintain treatment plant equipment, storage tanks, and distribution system components. Prolonged periods of standing (50%) are required while monitoring treatment processes, adjusting equipment, or performing system maintenance. Operators must frequently lift and carry (40%) tools, chemical containers, and equipment, with occasional lifting of over 50 pounds (20%), such as pumps, valves, and chemical drums. Reaching, pushing, and pulling (30%) is required when handling system components, adjusting feed rates, or operating valves and machinery. Fine motor skills (50%) are needed for operating lab equipment, adjusting controls, and handling small mechanical components, while gross motor skills (70%) are required for maneuvering heavy objects, operating treatment plant equipment, and conducting infrastructure maintenance. The role demands high visual acuity (80%) for reading gauges, detecting leaks, analyzing water quality samples, and ensuring equipment function, and hearing acuity (70%) is required to monitor alarms, receive verbal instructions, and ensure safety in high-noise environments. Due to the physically demanding nature of the role, stamina and endurance (60%) are essential for completing tasks efficiently in varied environmental conditions. Operators must also be prepared to work in confined spaces (15%), such as treatment basins and underground vaults, and at elevated heights (10%), such as storage tanks and pump stations.

Disclaimer:

The City of Kenedy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City of Kenedy provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities during all phases of employment. The City of Kenedy will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Applicants or employees requiring accommodations should contact the City of Kenedy at (830) 583-2230 or via email at applications@kenedytx.gov.

All employment offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment process, including a drug screening conducted in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, a job-related pre-employment physical examination consistent with ADA requirements, and a criminal history check conducted in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and other applicable fair hiring practices and regulations. Pre-employment screenings, including drug testing and physical examinations, will be conducted in accordance with the ADA and other applicable regulations, ensuring they are job-related and consistent with business necessity. The City of Kenedy will provide applicants with the required notices and obtain written authorization prior to conducting any background check, in compliance with FCRA requirements. Employment with the City of Kenedy is at-will and may be terminated by either party at any time, with or without cause or notice. This policy may not be altered except by a written agreement signed by the City Manager.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $18.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18