Operator Trainee Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Applications are accepted exclusively through the City of Ventura Career Site:
www.cityofventura.ca.gov/jobs. Submissions through other websites or methods will not be accepted.

Applications and supplemental questions will be accepted until Monday, June 29, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Pay & Benefits

• Water Distribution Operator Trainee - $28.19 - $34.27 Hourly DOQ

• Water Distribution Operator I - $31.30 - $38.05 Hourly DOQ

• Water Distribution Operator II - $33.57 - $40.80 Hourly DOQ

• Water Distribution Operator III - $35.28 - $42.89 Hourly DOQ

• Benefits

  • Medical Insurance (HMO, PPO options)

  • City Paid Dental and Vision Insurance

  • Life Insurance

  • Vacation & Holiday Compensation

  • Deferred Compensation

  • CalPERS Retirement

  • Wellness Program (access to gym facility and fitness classes)

  • Tuition Reimbursement & Bilingual Pay

About the Opportunity

The City of Ventura Water Department is hiring a Water Distribution Operator Trainee I/II/III. There is currently one vacancy that the City is looking to fill immediately.

This position performs a variety of duties related to installing, maintaining, repairing, and replacing water mains and service connections. Working as part of a crew, incumbents assist with repairing leaks in mains, lines, and valves, maintaining and replacing fire hydrants, performing excavation and maintenance activities using hand and pneumatic tools, operating motorized and mechanized equipment, repairing gate valves, chlorinating pipelines, testing hydraulic systems, and maintaining related water system facilities. Duties also include maintaining water infrastructure, caring for tools and equipment, and helping ensure the reliable operation of the City's water distribution system.

Positions are flexibly staffed through the Water Distribution Operator Trainee/ I/II/III levels and may be filled at any level, depending on the certifications, qualifications, experience, and demonstrated skills of the incumbent, as well as the staffing needs of the City.

Minimum Qualifications - Required

Water Distribution Operator Trainee: A combination of education, training, and/or experience equivalent to one year as a Maintenance Worker I.

Water Distribution Operator I: A combination of education, training and/or experience equivalent to 18 months of related maintenance experience or one year of experience as a Water Distribution Operator Trainee, and possession of a valid California Water Resources Control Board Grade D1 Water Distribution Operator certificate. Formal training in the following areas is highly desirable: confined space hazard prevention, asbestos safe handling and disposal, traffic safety control and flagging.

Water Distribution Operator II: A combination of education, training and/or experience equivalent to 18 months of related maintenance experience or one year of experience as a Water Distribution Operator I, and possession of a valid California Water Resources Control Board Grade D2 Water Distribution Operator certificate. Formal training in the following areas is highly desirable: confined space hazard prevention, asbestos safe handling and disposal, traffic safety control and flagging.

Water Distribution Operator III: Possession of a valid California Water Resources Control Board Grade D3 Water Distribution Operator certificate. Formal training in the following areas is highly desirable: confined space hazard prevention, asbestos safe handling and disposal, traffic safety control and flagging.

Incumbent may be required to work stand-by on rotational basis and report to work on a callback basis as needed within a designated time frame. Standby assignment is at the discretion of the Division Head.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATES

Certificates:

Water Distribution Operator Trainee: This is the entry-level class in the flexibly staffed Water Distribution Operator series. No certification required.

Water Distribution Operator I: Possession of a valid California Water Resources Control Board Grade D1 Water Distribution Operator certificate.
Water Distribution Operator II: Possession of a valid California Water Resources Control Board Grade D2 Water Distribution Operator certificate.
Water Distribution Operator III: Possession of a valid California Water Resources Control Board Grade D3 Water Distribution Operator certificate.

License:

Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license is required. Within 6 months of employment, incumbent is required to obtain and, thereafter, maintain a valid California Class A license with Auto Transmission and Air Brakes Restrictions - No Endorsement. (Department of Transportation (DOT), drug testing is required.)
A pre-employment medical examination and background check are required before an appointment is made.

About Ventura Water

Ventura Water provides drinking water to more than 109,000 people through approximately 32,000 water service connections. This complex water system has more than 391 miles of pipeline, 3 water treatment plants, 23 pump stations and 31 reservoirs. Our community relies on three 100% local water sources - the Ventura River, Lake Casitas, and local groundwater wells, as well as, providing reclaimed water from the Ventura Water Reclamation Facility to two municipal golf courses, the Ventura Marina area, and private customers for landscape irrigation. We maintain a full-service laboratory and monitor our water quality daily.

For more information about Ventura Water, visithttps://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/2268/Ventura-Water.

How to Apply

Submit an online City job application and supplemental questionnaire by the filing deadline atwww.cityofventura.ca.gov/jobs.

• It is important that your city job application show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess. Resumes, CVs, and cover letters may be attached to your application but will not be accepted in lieu of a completed job application or supplemental questionnaire. Submitting an incomplete application or supplemental questionnaire may disqualify you from further consideration in the recruitment process.

• After you apply, all future correspondence from the city will be via E-Mail. Please check your messages regularly and keep your contact information up to date using your on-line application.

Selection Process

• All applications and supplemental questionnaires submitted will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this job announcement. Candidates will be reviewed, and only those candidates determined to be most qualified based on experience, training, and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process. Candidates will be notified about their status after the filing deadline.

• Those candidates whose qualifications most closely match the requirements of the position will be invited to a qualifying panel interview process. Candidates will be notified of specifics after the examination process has been completed. Initial panel interviews may be conducted in-person or via video teleconference. Candidates will be notified of specifics at the appropriate time.

The Eligibility List established for this classification may be used to fill other regular and temporary vacancies at the discretion of the City.

THE SCHEDULE

The timeline dates are subject to change. Candidates will be notified as necessary.

• Monday, June 29, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. - Application Deadline. Applications and supplemental questionnaires must be submitted by this date to be considered for the position.

• Week of July 6, 2026 - Candidates will be notified by email of their status by this date.

• Week of July 13, 2026 - Oral Panel Interviews are tentatively scheduled for this date. Qualifying candidates will be notified by email or phone if they are invited to the panel interview process.

• Department Selection Interviews will be scheduled promptly after the oral panel interviews have been completed. Qualifying candidates will be notified by email if they are invited to the panel interview process.

• July 2026 - Candidates will be notified of the outcome of the interview by this date.

Additional Information

For additional information on the duties and responsibilities of the position, refer to the job descriptions located on the City's Career Page at City of Ventura Jobs or by viewing here Water Distribution Operator Trainee/I/II/III.

To learn more about the City's hiring process, visit the City of Ventura Hiring Process page.

Questions? Contact the Recruitment Team:

recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov

(805) 654-7802