Position Summary
WaterWorkforce, Inc. is seeking an experienced water distribution professional to support the City of Hawthorne’s water distribution system. Depending on the selected candidate’s experience, certifications, technical expertise, and leadership background, this position may be filled at either the Distribution Operations Lead or Senior Lead Operator level.
This position serves as a field and technical leader responsible for supporting the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the water distribution system. Responsibilities include coordinating daily field activities, directing construction and maintenance work, responding to emergencies, providing technical guidance to operators, and supporting regulatory compliance and water-quality requirements.
Candidates selected at the Senior Lead Operator level will be expected to provide a higher level of technical leadership, assist the Operations Supervisor with complex operational decisions and field coordination, mentor Lead Operators and other personnel, and may serve as Acting Operations Supervisor when needed.
Key Responsibilities
Field Operations Leadership
- Assign and coordinate daily field activities, work assignments, staffing, equipment, and materials.
- Provide technical leadership and operational support to distribution personnel.
- Coordinate construction, maintenance, repair, and service activities.
- Review work orders, field reports, inspection records, and system conditions.
- Coordinate activities with production, treatment, maintenance, contractors, and customer service personnel.
- Assist with establishing operational priorities and resolving field issues.
- Provide direction during emergency repairs and service restoration activities.
- Senior-level candidates may assist the Operations Supervisor with complex operational decisions and provide guidance to other Lead Operators.
Distribution System Operations
Oversee and coordinate activities involving:
- Water main repairs.
- Service line installations and repairs.
- Meter installations and maintenance.
- Valve exercising, maintenance, and replacement.
- Hydrant maintenance and repairs.
- Leak investigations.
- Distribution system flushing.
- System shutdowns and valve isolations.
- Service interruptions and restoration of water service.
Ensure repairs and installations are properly disinfected, flushed, sampled, documented, and returned to service.
Review distribution maps, valve records, construction plans, specifications, and as-built drawings as needed.
Investigate pressure, flow, leakage, and service-related issues and assist with determining appropriate corrective actions.
Support water-loss reduction and distribution system preventive-maintenance programs.
Water Quality & Regulatory Compliance
- Support distribution system water-quality monitoring and bacteriological sampling activities.
- Monitor chlorine residuals and ensure proper flushing and disinfection procedures are followed.
- Assist with investigating water-quality concerns and customer complaints.
- Support compliance with applicable California drinking-water regulations, Title 22 requirements, and AWWA standards.
- Assist with regulatory inspections, reporting requirements, and corrective actions.
- Ensure accurate completion of operational records, sampling documentation, work orders, and field reports.
Maintenance & Asset Management
- Coordinate preventive and corrective maintenance activities for distribution system infrastructure.
- Assist with planning repairs and replacement of water mains, valves, hydrants, meters, and service lines.
- Coordinate or support contractor activities and field oversight.
- Assist with asset-condition assessments and infrastructure replacement planning.
- Support capital improvement projects involving distribution system facilities.
- Review completed work orders, material usage, and maintenance documentation.
Emergency Response
- Respond to water main breaks, pressure losses, service interruptions, and water-quality emergencies.
- Make or assist with operational decisions during outages and emergency conditions.
- Provide technical direction during emergency repairs and system restoration.
- Coordinate shutdowns, system isolation, flushing, sampling, public notifications, and return-to-service activities as appropriate.
- Assist with coordinating personnel, contractors, equipment, and materials during emergencies.
- Participate in standby and after-hours emergency response activities.
- Support post-incident review and improvements to emergency-response procedures.
Safety & Field Coordination
- Promote compliance with WaterWorkforce safety policies and applicable Cal/OSHA requirements.
- Ensure proper traffic control, excavation safety, trench protection, confined-space procedures, and personal protective equipment are used.
- Conduct or support jobsite safety briefings and pre-task planning.
- Identify unsafe conditions and take appropriate corrective action.
- Promote safe equipment operation, vehicle use, and jobsite practices.
Training & Development
- Mentor and train distribution operators and field personnel.
- Provide technical guidance related to water main repairs, disinfection, sampling, valve operations, maintenance, and emergency response.
- Assist with certification advancement and employee development.
- Promote safety, professionalism, teamwork, and operational excellence.
- Assist with the development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures and field checklists.
- Senior Lead candidates may provide mentoring and technical guidance to Distribution Lead Operators and assist with more advanced field and operational training.
Required Qualifications
Candidates will be considered for the appropriate level based on their overall qualifications and experience.
Distribution Operations Lead
- California Water Distribution Operator Grade D3 Certification.
- California Water Treatment Operator Grade T2 Certification.
- Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible water distribution or water utility operations experience.
- Strong hands-on experience with water main repairs, service installations, valves, hydrants, meters, and distribution system maintenance.
- Working knowledge of distribution system operations, disinfection, flushing, sampling, and service restoration.
- Ability to coordinate field crews, equipment, and emergency-response activities.
- Ability to read and interpret distribution maps, plans, and utility records.
- Valid California Driver License.
Senior Lead Operator
Candidates considered for the Senior Lead Operator level should possess the qualifications above, plus:
- Minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible water distribution or water utility operations experience.
- Minimum two (2) years of lead operator or comparable leadership experience.
- Advanced knowledge of distribution system operations, hydraulics, disinfection, flushing, sampling, and service restoration.
- Extensive experience coordinating field crews, contractors, equipment, and emergency-response activities.
- Strong knowledge of California drinking-water regulations and applicable distribution system standards.
- Demonstrated ability to resolve complex operational and field issues.
- Experience mentoring or providing technical direction to other operators.
- Ability to assist management with operational planning and serve in an elevated leadership capacity when needed.
Preferred Qualifications
- California Water Treatment Operator Grade T3 Certification.
- Class A or B Commercial Driver License.
- Heavy equipment experience.
- Advanced water distribution certifications.
- Experience with utility construction, infrastructure rehabilitation, or capital improvement projects.
Position Level
The final position title and level will be determined based on the selected candidate’s certifications, years of experience, demonstrated technical knowledge, leadership experience, and ability to independently manage complex distribution-system operations.
Qualified candidates may be hired as either:
Distribution Operations Lead
or
Senior Lead Operator – Distribution Operations
Candidates do not need to meet the Senior Lead Operator criteria to be considered for the Distribution Operations Lead position.
Pay: $40.00 - $61.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
License/Certification:
- Grade 3 Distribution & Grade 2 Treatment Certificate (Required)
Work Location: In person
