Salt Water Disposal Operator Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $27.85 - $31.56 Hourly
Location : Public Works - 10355 N. 121st Ave. El Mirage, AZ
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: FY27-00009
Department: Public Works-Operations (Water)
Opening Date: 08/07/2026
Closing Date: 8/28/2026 5:00 PM Arizona
Summary
The is responsible for the safe, efficient, and regulatory-compliant operation and maintenance of municipal water treatment and distribution systems. This position serves as a senior operator, providing technical expertise, mentoring junior staff, coordinating daily operations, and ensuring the continuous delivery of high-quality drinking water. The Senior Utilities Operator monitors system performance, troubleshoots operational issues, operates heavy equipment, maintains equipment, and responds to emergencies while promoting a culture of safety and operational excellence.
JOB CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY
Job Classification Title: Utilities Operator
Working Title(s): Utilities Operator 2, Senior
FLSA Status: NE
Safety Sensitive: Yes
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Organizational Role: Paraprofessional-Operational
Supervision Exercised: None
Budget Authority: None
Competency Rank(s): Utilities Operator 2, Senior
New Hire Salary Range: $27.85 - $31.56 per hour
Salary range: $27.85 - $38.99
Employee Benefits Overview:
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health, well-being, and professional growth:

• Health & Wellness:
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) & Flexible Spending Plan (FSA)
  • Telemedicine
  • Wellness programs (early detection, lifestyle modification, disease management)
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Life Insurance:
  • Employer-paid basic life and AD&D insurance, plus supplemental life options
• Retirement:
  • Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)--mandatory program, shared employee/employer contributions
• Supplemental Benefits:
  • Employee recognition & reward program
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Discounted Northwest Valley YMCA membership
• Paid Leave:
  • Holidays: 10 City Holidays
  • Vacation: 80 hours per year, increases with length of service
  • Sick Leave: 96 hours per year
  • Service Leave: 10 hours per year

Additional information is available at:
Benefits are subject to change.
Experience a workplace that values and invests in your well-being!
About us:
Welcome to the City of El Mirage
Considered the gateway to the Northwest Valley of the Greater Phoenix Metro Area, El Mirage has grown from a small town, dependent on agriculture, to a diverse urban economy with a population of more than 35,000. The City's mission is to enhance the quality of life through leadership, partnerships, and the efficient delivery of outstanding service to our diverse community.
This job classification description is intended to be generic in nature and not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. The essential duties and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) designation may vary based on the specific tasks assigned, as determined by the City of El Mirage.
This is the second level in a four level Maintenance and Operations - Utilities classification series devoted to performing one of the following primary functions: (1) operating a wastewater treatment plant; or (2) maintaining water production and distribution systems and the wastewater collection system; or (3) performing sampling and laboratory testing; evaluating results and preparing analytical reports to ensure compliance with State and Federal regulations; or (4) maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing plant equipment. This classification level has three competency ranks.
Essential Functions
The following is intended to describe the core work functions of this classification. While the level and broad nature of essential duties may not change, specific work tasks will vary over time depending on the City's needs.
POSITION-SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Inspects and maintains water distribution/collection system, lift stations, and flood irrigation systems.
• Performs emergency line repairs, and replacement.
• Inspects hydrants, manholes, sewers, and valves.
• Performs utility locates and blue staking.
• Vacuums and jets lines.
• Maintains wells and well sites.
• Tests and treats water at wells.
• Operates and maintains process equipment.
• Follows standard operating procedures for operation, repair, and maintenance activities.
• Reads and interprets technical manuals and instructions.
• Enters data and maintains logs and records.
• Provides customer service.
• Performs related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE

• Methods, equipment, materials, tools, and standard practices for the operation of water/wastewater systems.
• Water and wastewater facilities emergency procedures.
• Occupational hazards and applicable safety principles and practices.
• Uses and properties of supplies and equipment.
• Blue stake laws and underground utility identification practices.
• Proper use and disposal of hazardous materials in accordance with established guidelines.
• Confined space entry procedures, as assigned.
• Safe driving practices and geography of the city.
• Maintaining logs and records.
• Basic math is used to calculate measurements, add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
• Operation of small hand and power tools.
• Operating a computer.
• SCADA systems.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• OSHA Traffic Control Safety
• OSHA Trench Work Safety practices

SKILLS

• Following directions and meeting standards.
• Operating assigned tools and equipment.
• Operating heavy equipment.
• Inspecting facilities and grounds to identify repair issues.
• Comprehending reference books and manuals as assigned.
• Reading and interpreting instrumentation and equipment controls.
• Calculating measurements, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Maintaining logs and records.
• Communicating effectively to exchange and receive information and instructions.
• Operating a computer and specialized software.
• Interpreting and applying applicable laws, codes, regulations, and standards.
• Providing customer service as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:
High school diploma or GED and 2 years of treatment or collection/production/distribution operator experience; or an equivalent combination of directly related education and experience.
Certifications/Licenses:

• ADEQ Water Distribution Grade 2 certification at the time of appointment and ADEQ Wastewater Collection Grade 1 certification within 12 months of appointment.
• Arizona Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with tanker endorsement at the time of appointment.

Safety Sensitive Assignment(s):

• Utilities Operator 2, Senior.

CONTINUING EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Maintain all certifications/licenses required at job entry or within a specified timeframe unless replaced by higher licensure/certification.

ADA INFORMATION
Type of Work:
Very Heavy Work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or more than 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
Physical Requirements:
The following physical activities are essential to the performance of the job: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, repetitive motions.
The following physical activity may be performed but is not essential to the job: crawling.
Work Environment/Conditions:
Based on assignment may be primarily outdoors or split roughly the same inside/outside (including being in a vehicle). Environmental conditions may include moderate exposure to hazardous physical conditions, atmospheric conditions, hazardous materials, extreme temperatures, and seldom exposure to inadequate lighting, restricted movement in the workspace, and intense noise.
Supplemental Information
The City reserves the right to:

• Consider only the most qualified applicants for the succeeding examination processes.
• Application and review (Training and Experience Evaluation).
• Interview.
• Appointment subject to successful completion of a pre-employment background examination.

All communication regarding application status and interview notifications will be sent via email-please monitor your junk/spam email for communication, as it will come from a system-generated source.
When advised, reasonable accommodations will be made in order for a qualified applicant with a disability to participate in any phase of the recruitment process. Please contact Human Resources to request an accommodation.
The City of El Mirage is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The City of El Mirage offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees including:
Holidays
The City provides paid time off to eligible employees on the holidays listed below.

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Presidents' Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans' Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Thanksgiving Recess
• Christmas Day

Paid Leave

• Vacation: 80 hours per year (or according to MOU), increases with length of service
• Sick Leave: 96 hours per year (or according to MOU)
• Executive Leave or Service Award Leave Personal Hours: Up to 40 hours per fiscal year (according to policy or MOU)

Health and Wellness

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Telemedicine
• Flexible Spending Plan (Health Care or Dependent Care)
• Wellness program which focuses on early detection, lifestyle modification, and disease management
• Employee Assistance Program: Employees and household members are eligible for 6 free counseling sessions (per presenting issue).

Life Insurance

• Employer Paid Basic Term Life and AD&D Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance Programs

Retirement

• Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in statute. Public Safety Retirement System (PSPRS) for sworn Police and Fire employees.
• Deferred Compensation Plans

Supplemental Benefits

• Step Pay Plan (MOU Fire and Police employees)
• Employee Recognition and Reward Program
• Career Development Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Trip Reduction Program (Police Department Only)
• Uniform Allowance (according to policy or MOU)
• Northwest Valley YMCA membership at reduced rates for El Mirage employees and their families

Additional Information
The City of El Mirage is a member of the Arizona Metropolitan Trust (AzMT), an employee benefits consortium. Additional information is available at:
Benefits are subject to change.
Refer to the Personnel Policy Manual for current policy provisions and/or Memorandum of Understandings for Police and Fire.
01
Do you certify that the information provided in this application is accurate and up to date as of the date of submission?

• I agree
• I do not agree

02
Please indicate years of experience as a collection/production/distribution/treatment operator or an operator in a related field.

• No experience
• Less than two years
• Two years or more

03
In response to the previous question, describe where you gained this experience and your specific responsibilities. If none, please write NONE.
04
Do you possess a valid Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Water Treatment or Water Distribution Grade 2 or higher certification?

• Yes
• No

05
If you answered yes to the question above, please identify the certification(s) you possess and the expiration date(s); otherwise indicate N/A.
06
Have you operated heavy equipment during the repair or replacement of water service lines or mains?

• Yes
• No

07
In response to the previous question, describe where you gained this experience and your specific responsibilities. If none, please write NONE.
08
Have you operated a sewer jetting truck while jetting sewers?

• Yes
• No

09
In response to the previous question, describe where you gained this experience and your specific responsibilities. If none, please write NONE.
10
Have you performed a wet tap on a water main?

• Yes
• No

11
In response to the previous question, describe where you gained this experience and your specific responsibilities. If none, please write NONE.
12
Do you have a valid Arizona Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL)?

• Yes, I currently possess a valid Arizona Class A Comm