Utilities Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $34.12 - $37.96 Hourly
Location : Public Works - 10355 N. 121st Ave. El Mirage, AZ
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: FY27-00011
Department: Public Works-Operations (Water)
Opening Date: 08/27/2026
Closing Date: 9/17/2026 5:00 PM Arizona
Summary
The Utilities Operator Leadcoordinates and oversees utility operations, maintenance, and related projects involving wastewater collection systems, water production, and distribution systems. This position provides day-to-day leadership and coordination of utility crews, contractors, equipment, and resources to ensure projects and emergency repairs are completed safely, efficiently, and in a timely manner while maintaining reliable utility services.
New Hire Salary Range: $34.12 - $37.96 per hour
Salary range: $34.12 - $47.77 per hour
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 is the third level in a four-level Maintenance and Operations-Utilities classification series. Positions at this level serve as leads in the operation and maintenance of the City's water, wastewater, or meter systems, and related infrastructure, and/or are responsible for overseeing and coordinating technical utility projects and programs.
Employees in the classification perform advanced technical duties, provide guidance to field staff, support project planning and implementation, and ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with applicable standards and regulations.
JOB CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY
Job Classification Title: Utilities Operator, Lead
Working Title(s): Utilities Operator Lead
FLSA Status: NE
Safety Sensitive: Yes
Pay Grade: 13
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Organizational Role: Paraprofessional-Operational
Supervision Exercised: Lead
Budget Authority: None/Data Entry; Track/Monitors
Competency Rank(s): N/A
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

• Coordinates collection/distribution/production systems maintenance, repairs, and preventative maintenance, and participates in the same, as assigned.
• Monitors SCADA and maintains optimal treatment processes.
• Maintains grounds and facilities by cleaning and repairing buildings, completing grounds maintenance, landscaping, and painting.
• Collects water/wastewater samples.
• Trains lower-level staff in work processes and methods.
• Performs quality assurance review on work performed by others and makes corrections.
• Operates and troubleshoots process equipment.
• Operates a motor vehicle.
• Operates heavy equipment. (Backhoe, Excavator)
• Inspects, repairs, and calibrates equipment.
• Works with contractors and vendors and coordinates project schedules or repairs/installations.
• Monitors work order information and updates records.
• Reads and interprets technical manuals and instructions.
• Enters data and maintains logs and records.
• Provides customer service.

• Performs related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE

• Principles and practices of leading and coordinating the work of others, as assigned.
• Training and coaching strategies.
• Read maps, diagrams, and technical and operational manuals.
• Quality assurance methods.
• Methods, equipment, materials, tools, and standard practices for operating water/wastewater systems or metering infrastructure.
• Water meter mechanics.
• 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 following 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.
• Project coordination and technical understanding of utility systems.
• Budget and documentation management.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

SKILLS

• Coordinating deadlines and prioritizing work demands.
• Inspecting work and performing quality assurance.
• Coaching and training others.
• Operating assigned tools and 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.
• Following safe driving practices.
• 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.
• Read GIS maps and blueprints.

Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:
High school diploma or GED and 4 years of wastewater collections/treatment or water production/distribution system experience; or any equivalent combination of directly related education and experience;
Certifications/Licenses:

• ADEQ Water Distribution or Treatment Grade 3 certification and ADEQ Wastewater Collection Grade 2 certification; or ADEQ Wastewater Collection Grade 3 certification and ADEQ Water Distribution or Treatment Grade 2 certification
• Arizona Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with tanker endorsement at the time of appointment.

Safety Sensitive Assignment(s):

• Utilities Operator, Lead

CONTINUING EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Maintain all certifications/licenses required at job entry and within 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 in excess of 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, and repetitive motions.
The following physical activities may be performed, but are not essential to the job: crawling.
Work Environment/Conditions:
Based on the assignment, it 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 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 your highest level of education completed.

• High school diploma/GED
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree or higher degree
• None of the above

03
Please indicate related experience.

• No experience
• Less than four years
• Four years or more

04
In response to the previous question, describe where you gained this experience and your specific responsibilities. If none, please write NONE.
05
Please indicate related heavy equipment experience.

• No experience
• Less than four years
• Four years or more

06
Which grade of Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Water Treatment or Water Distribution certification do you currently hold?
07
Which grade of Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Wastewater certification do you currently hold?
08
Do you have or are you able to possess a valid Arizona Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL)?

• Yes, I currently posses a valid