Operator III (Water Operations)

Job Description:

Operator III (Water Operations)

Description

General Description

The District:

Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) is a progressive, values-driven agency, with an international reputation for its leading-edge financial management practices, water recycling program, water use efficiency practices, water banking, urban runoff treatment, and energy generation and storage. Established in 1961 as a California Water District under the provisions of the California Water Code, IRWD is an independent special district serving central Orange County. IRWD provides high-quality drinking water, reliable sewage collection and treatment, ground-breaking recycled water programs, and environmentally sound urban runoff treatment to its customers. As an independent, not-for-profit public agency, IRWD is governed by a publicly elected five-member Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the District's policies and decision-making. Day-to-day operations are supervised by the General Manager. Additional information can be found at the District's website: www.IRWD.com.

IRWD Corporate Values

Irvine Ranch Water District believes that its values drive the character, culture, and capacity of our organization. IRWD was built on values, and we weave them into the fabric of everything we do. Values are the ingredients in our recipe for both institutional and individual success. They are a code of conduct to promote positive outcomes for others and ourselves. They are more than words on a wall or a website. We live by them every day. We pledge to keep them relevant in an ever-changing world.

IRWD's employees enjoy working in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where they form strong bonds with fellow employees. To ensure effective communication and promote a collaborative team environment, employees report to work each day in the office or in the field, depending on their positions.

The Position
Under general supervision, monitor, analyze and control the domestic and irrigation water systems through direct field control devices or through the use of the computer-based regional telemetry control system.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Under general supervision, incumbents in this classification assist the Water Operations Supervisor in coordinating pipeline shutdowns and start-up of new facilities and may act in a lead capacity as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Patrols the District's water system and takes corrective measures to ensure its continued efficient operation and to maintain water quality standards.
  
• Performs routine water quality sampling and adjusts chemicals to comply with Federal, State, and local regulations.
  
• Performs the chlorinating and testing of pipelines and reservoirs; checks chlorine dosage rates; weighs cylinders; records daily usage.
  
• Reads and documents critical water system pressures, flows, reservoir elevations, and water quality.
  
• Operates, maintains, and monitors chlorination, chloramination and de-chlorination facilities, pumping stations, wells, hydro-electric pump stations, pressure regulating/flow control structures, and reservoirs.
  
• Meets with customers regarding complaints and resolves the problems.
  
• Maintains daily journals and other control data to document the progress and completion of projects. Participates in pipeline shutdowns and startup of new facilities.
  
• Responsible for the maintenance of tools and supplies assigned to vehicles.
  
• Conducts accurate physical and chemical tests of water.
  
• Works according to safety standards under potentially hazardous conditions.
  
• Take readings from meters, gauges, graphs, and related instrumentation.
  
• Troubleshoot variations in operating conditions, report findings to the Water Operations Supervisor and make recommendations to prevent a process imbalance or upset.
  
• Performs lab tests and analyzes data to determine unit process and overall treatment efficiency.
  
• Participates in the scheduled emergency standby program.
  
• Complies with District work-related safety practices and attend relevant safety training.
  
• Responsible for all other work-related duties.
  

Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, Irvine Ranch Water District employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

Minimum Education, Training and Experience

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:

• High school graduation or equivalent required. Experience and education equivalent to one (1) college-level course in Water Treatment is required.
  
• One (1) college course in System Hydraulics is required.
  

Experience:

• Three (3) years of experience in water distribution/treatment systems operations is required.
  

License / Certifications:

• Valid Class C California Driver's License.
• California State Water Resources Control Board Grade 3 Water Distribution Certification & California State Water Resources Control Board Grade 3 Water Treatment Certification.

Knowledge of:

• Keyboarding abilities sufficient to perform the job.
  

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively with all levels of office/field employees and management.
• Represent the District professionally when dealing with outside suppliers and customers.
• Explain, demonstrate, and clarify to others within well-established policies, procedures, and standards, as well as the ability to follow specific instructions and respond to simple and complex requests from others.
• Add, subtract, multiply, divide, and calculate percentages, fractions, and decimals.
• Effectively use computer systems and software applications relevant to the work performed, such as MS Office Suite (Word, Excel).
• Use good personal judgment and discretion in performing all job functions.

Additional Information

Physical Requirements

Ability to lift 50 lbs. and up to 80 lbs. with assistance on a routine basis. Must be certified annually to wear respiratory equipment. Must be clean-shaven so that facial hair does not interfere with the fit of self-contained breathing apparatus.

Environmental Adaptability

Employees primarily work in an environment where noise levels may be higher than in the typical office environment. They also work in conditions that may expose them to hazardous materials and environment.

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTION
All applicants are required to complete and submit a District application form online and answer the supplemental questionnaire. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application. Resumes or faxed copies will not be accepted in lieu of the District online application. To apply, click on the "Apply" link located at the top of this page.

New users must create an account first. Click on this link for instructions on how to set up your account and apply for the first time: Online Employment Application Guide

Applications will be reviewed by the Human Resources Department and the subject matter expert. Those applicants possessing the most pertinent qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process, which will include:

Oral Interview Examination (tentatively scheduled for February 27, 2025) : will evaluate the candidates' experience, training, education, and abilities in relation to those factors which are essential for successful performance on the job.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as you will not receive communications by any other method.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Irvine Ranch Water District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you consider yourself a person with a disability, you may contact the Human Resources Department for a reasonable accommodation.

IRWD offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. These benefits include the following: retirement benefits; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; anda variety of other benefits. Benefits may vary based on employment status. This benefits overview is intended to be a summary, is not intended to be all-inclusive,and may not be applicable to all employees.

Retirement
Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013:
The District, in compliance with the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2012 (PEPRA), implemented a third tier for new employees hired on or after January 1, 2013. New employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who have not been in PERS membership or in membership with a reciprocal retirement system within 6 months of hire date will receive benefits under the California Public Employees Retirement System at a 2 percent at age 62 formula. This formula gradually increases to a maximum benefits of 2.5 percent at age 67. Final compensation calculations will be based on the highest three-year average of regular recurring pay. The District pays the employer's share of these costs. The employee share of the pension cost of 7.50% is paid in full by the employees hired under this formula.

Employees hired on or after September 29, 2012 or "Classic" PERS members hired on or after January 1, 2013:
On September 24, 2012, the IRWD Board of Directors approved the addition of a second tier to the CalPERS retirement benefits. New employees hired on or after September 29th through December 31, 2012, and employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who have been in PERS membership or in membership with a reciprocal retirement system, will receive benefits under the California Public Employees Retirement System at 2 percent at age 60 formula. This formula gradually increases to a maximum benefit of 2.418% at age 63. The District pays the employer share of these costs and the employee share of the pension cost of 7% is paid in full by the employees hired under this formula. Final retirement compensation calculations are based on the highest three-year average of regular, recurring pay.

IRWDdoes not participate or pay into Social Security except for the Medicare portion.

Medical Insurance
IRWD contracts with CalPERS for medical insurance coverage. Employees may elect coverage from a variety of PPO and HMO plans. The employee and District contribution for health insurance varies by plan.Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Dental Insurance
IRWD contracts with Delta Dental for dental coverage.IRWD pays 100% of the premium for dental coverage for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Vision Insurance
IRWD contracts with the EyeMed for vision coverage. IRWD pays 100% of the premium for vision coverage for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Life Insurance
Elgible employees are provided with life insurance coverage equal to three or four times their annual salary, depending on their level of compensation. Eligible dependents are also covered for a flat benefit amount. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Deferred Compensation
Participation in adeferred compensation plan is available through Empower Retirement. Enrollment is voluntary and contributions are employee-paid and subject to IRS limits. The District matches employee contributions up to 3% of base pay after 1 year of employment.

Paid Vacation
Eligible employees begin accruing vacation benefits at the rate of 80 hours per year for the first 5 years of employment. Employees accrue 120 hours per year after 5 years of employment and 160 hours per year after 10 years of employment.

Paid Holidays
The District offers 11 scheduled paid holidaysplus one personal holiday per year.

Sick Leave
Eligible employees accrue 96 hours of sick leave annually.

Flexible Spending Accounts
Eligible employees may elect to participate in the District's Flex Advantage program. This program allows employees to deposit pre-tax dollars into special accounts to be used for a variety of purposes, including paying for qualified miscellaneous health care expenses and dependent care expenses. IRWD contracts with a third party administer to process payments from employee accounts using claim forms or a Flex Spending debit card.

Educational Assistance
The District will share in the pre-approved educational costs of tuition and books for employees who wish to attend college or take certification classes.

Closing Date/Time: 2/17/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$87,152.00 - $123,884.80 Annually