Entry Level Water Operator Jobs in Georgia (NOW HIRING)

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Cumming, GA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 03201
Department: Water Department-Maintenance
Opening Date: 07/23/2026
Closing Date: 8/23/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Position Information
The purpose of this classification is to operate equipment and perform work associated with installation, repair, and maintenance of water/wastewater utilities. Under direct supervision, this position performs the full range of Water Service and Wastewater duties.
This is the entry level grade in the Water Equipment Operator series, however, depending on prior experience/training and certifications the department reserves the right to hire candidates and promote accordingly.
The Forsyth County Water & Sewer Department has approved the following promotional track ladder effective March 1, 2023 :
Water Equipment Operator I - Non-exempt starting at $45,702.00/yr.
$45,702.00 (base comp) + $1,000 (Class B/Restricted Class A CDL license supplement) or $3,000 (Unrestricted Class A CDL license supplement) = $45,702.00-$48,702.00
Minimum requirement included high school diploma or GED; and entry level experience and/or training involving plumbing or water utility maintenance is desirable; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver's license. May require possession and maintenance of valid Department of Transportation Flagging certification.
Water Equipment Operator II - Non-exempt starting at $47,390.00yr.
$47,390.00 (base comp) + $1,000 (Class B/Restricted Class A CDL license supplement) or $3,000 (Unrestricted Class A CDL license supplement) = $47,390.00 - $50,390.00
Minimum requirement includes high school diploma or GED; supplemented by one (1) year previous experience and/or training involving plumbing or water utility maintenance; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver's license. Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia Department of Transportation Flagging certification, must possess and maintain either a Georgia Water Distribution System Operator certification, or a Georgia Wastewater Collection System Operator certification.
Water Equipment Operator III - Non-exempt starting at $49,080.00/yr.
$49,080.00 (base comp) + $1,000 (Class B/Restricted Class A CDL license supplement) or $3,000 (Unrestricted Class A CDL license supplement) = $49,080.00 - $52,080.00
Minimum requirement includes high school diploma or GED; supplemented by two (2) years previous experience and/or training involving plumbing or water utility maintenance; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia Department of Transportation Flagging certification, must possess and maintain both a Georgia Water Distribution System Operator certification and a Georgia Wastewater Collection System Operator certification.
Essential Functions
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Drives/operates a variety of heavy/medium equipment or large vehicles with specialized functions involving performing or maneuvering to exacting tolerances and specifications, driving/maneuvering in and around confined spaces, routine operation to drive from point to point, or operation of complex, moderately complex, or basic maneuvering mechanisms to perform work tasks.
Installs, maintains, and repairs water/wastewater utility lines and mains; locates water lines, sewer lines, and other utilities using metal locator or probing rod; excavates around utility lines, cables, gas mains, and service lines; digs out pipes, services lines, and meters; operates tapping machine to connect services into main lines; attaches water meters to service lines; digs trench lines using backhoe; installs water lines; extends existing water lines for services; repairs and maintains service lines and mains; repairs leaks on water mains and service lines to meters; flushes water lines and mains; repairs water line leaks; performs flow tests, pressure tests, or chlorination tests; assembles hydrants, valves, meters, and backflow devices; installs fire hydrants, service lines, water meters, and manholes; repairs water meters as needed.
Operates, inspects, repairs, and maintains water/wastewater pumping stations and tanks; maintains water tanks, water lines, and sewer lines; utilizes sewer camera to inspect sewer lines; repairs and flushes clogged wastewater lines and pumps; utilizes jetter to unclog sewer mains; checks belts of pump station motors; tests gas/oxygen levels when working in confined spaces.
Performs landscaping tasks associated with projects; restores landscaping to acceptable condition at end of projects by replacing sod, planting grass, raking ground surfaces, or spreading straw; assists in maintaining easements or areas surrounding hydrants.
Maintains current records of location of water lines; locates water lines for contractors or other individuals.
Tests meters and services to ensure proper operations, proper pressure levels, and accurate readings.
Disconnects or reconnects water service to troubleshoot leaks and conduct repairs; locks/unlocks meters relating to non-payment of water accounts as appropriate; records beginning/ending meter readings of meters as appropriate.
Performs customer service functions; provides assistance and information related to meters, consumption, leaks, department procedures, or other issues; responds to routine questions, complaints, or requests for service; initiates problem resolution.
Maintains adequate inventory levels of tools, parts, and supplies on utility truck; ensures availability of adequate materials to conduct work activities; initiates requests for new/replacement materials.
Transports, loads, and unloads various equipment and materials used in projects.
Operates a variety of equipment and tools associated with work activities, which may include a utility truck, dump truck, six-wheel truck, tractor, trailer, backhoe, trencher, boring machine, tapping machine, jetter, sewer camera, gas sensor, oxygen equipment, air compressor, radio communications equipment, meter locator, probing rod, mud pump, water pump, pipe wrench, pick ax, shovel, plumbing tools, or mechanic tools.
Performs general/preventive maintenance tasks necessary to keep equipment in operable condition, which may include inspecting equipment, refueling vehicles, checking/replacing fluids, greasing equipment, washing/cleaning equipment, or cleaning work areas; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety; reports faulty equipment.
Assists with traffic control at work sites; flags traffic through/around work sites; sets up safety cones, barricades, barrels, and road/warning signs; assists other equipment operators in maneuvering equipment within work sites.
Follows safety procedures, utilizes safety equipment, and monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees, the public, and other individuals.
Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, logs, checklists, work orders, hydrant charts, valve charts, flow charts, wastewater pump charts, tank charts, meter readings, vehicle maintenance reports, manhole reports, inventory records, timesheets, or other documents.
Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, work orders, maps, as-built drawings, manuals, regulations, policies, procedures, catalogs, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
Communicates via telephone and/or two-way radio; provides information and assistance; records/relays messages; responds to requests for service or assistance.
Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, builders, developers, customers, vendors, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
BENEFITS PROVIDED BY FORSYTH COUNTY TO FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES:
Personal Leave Accrual
Personal leave shall be accrued as follows:
0 - 4 Years - 20 days per year - 6.16 hours per pay period
5 - 14 Years - 25 days per year - 7.70 hours per pay period
15+Years - 30 days per year - 9.24 hours per pay period
Observed Holidays
New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving (2), and Christmas (2).
Medical Insurance
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners offers employees a choice of two medical plans offered by Aetna and a plan offered by Kaiser Permanente.

• Aetna Choice POS II - $2000 Individual Deductible (Basic Plan)
• Aetna Choice POS II - $1000 Individual Deductible (Plus Plan)
• Kaiser Permanente HMO- $0 Individual Deductible

Dental Insurance
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners offers two dental plans from Delta Dental:

• Base $1,000 Plan
• Buy-Up $1,500 Plan

Vision Insurance
The vision plan offered by Forsyth County Board of Commissioners is administered by Aetna and will offer office visit copays for exams, as well as copays for lenses, frames, and contacts.
Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners recognizes the importance of basic life insurance for all of its employees. The Board provides term life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) protection for each full-time employee. This is a County-paid benefit.
Disability Insurance - Short Term and Long Term
100% paid by Forsyth County. Eligibility begins date of hire.
Short Term Disability - 60% of weekly earnings to a maximum of $1,000.00 a week. Eligibility begins 14 days after an accident or sickness and has a benefit period of 24 weeks.
Long Term Disability - 60% of monthly earnings to a maximum of $5,000.00 a month. Eligibility begins at 26 weeks to coordinate with the end of Short Term benefits and continues 24 months (Own Occupation).
Additional Life Insurance and AD&D
Rates vary based on amount of coverage selected. Additional life insurance may be purchased for employee, spouse, and children.
Retirement Plan (401K)
Fully vested at five years of employment - 20% graduated vesting annually. Eligible to begin contributions immediately upon hire.
Six Months through One Year of County Service
Forsyth County matches your contributions, dollar for dollar, up to 5% of your pay. That's a 100% return on the first 5% of pay you save.
Years One through Five
Forsyth County "seeds" your account with 5% of your pay each year, and matches 100% of what you contribute, up to 5% of your pay.
Years 5 through 10
The County continues its automatic "seed" contribution of 5% of pay, matches up to the first 5% of pay that you contribute, then adds a 50% match up to the next 5%.
After 10 Years of Service
You continue to receive a 100% County match on the first 5% of pay you contribute, and 50% on the next 5% of pay you save. But now, the automatic contribution the County makes to "seed" your account each year increases to 7.5% of your pay.
01
Do you have a high school diploma or a G.E.D?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

03
Is your GA license a CDL?

• Yes
• No

04
Do you possess a valid Class II Wastewater System Operator license and/or Wastewater Collection System Operator certification?

• Yes
• No

Required Question