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Water Distribution Operator Jobs in Ohio (NOW HIRING)

City of Charlotte

$25 - $38.19/hr

Charlotte Water's FY 27 operating budget is $685.6 million and a five-year capital program of $2.5 ... Grade C Water Distribution; NC AWWA Water Meter Technician. * Requires completion of three (3) ...

Aquaamerica

Utility Worker

Westerville, OH

$28.91/hr

Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas ... Operates and maintains water distribution and sewer collection system facilities, including but not ...

New

Kinetico Incorporated

Press Operator - 3rd Shift

Newbury, OH · On-site

$15 - $19.50/hr

The producing level Mold Operator associate works under minimal supervision to operate injection ... water experts and international distributors serving more than 100 countries. We offer complete ...

Kinetico Incorporated

Press Operator - 2nd Shift

Newbury, OH · On-site

$15 - $19.50/hr

The producing level Mold Operator associate works under minimal supervision to operate injection ... water experts and international distributors serving more than 100 countries. We offer complete ...

Kinetico Incorporated

Press Operator - 1st Shift

Newbury, OH · On-site

$15 - $19.50/hr

The producing level Mold Operator associate works under minimal supervision to operate injection ... water experts and international distributors serving more than 100 countries. We offer complete ...

Kinetico Incorporated

Press Operator - 3rd Shift

Newbury, OH · On-site

$15 - $19.50/hr

The producing level Mold Operator associate works under minimal supervision to operate injection ... water experts and international distributors serving more than 100 countries. We offer complete ...

Corix/Cleveland Thermal

$27 - $33/hr

... operating equipment, and keeping critical systems running year-round. No two days look the same ... Maintain and repair underground steam and chilled water distribution piping networks * Inspect ...

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All JobsWater Distribution Operator JobsWater Distribution Operator Jobs in Ohio

Water Distribution Operator information

See Ohio salary details

$12

$24

$38

How much do water distribution operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for water distribution operator in Ohio is $24.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.66 and $28.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a water distribution operator?

Water Distribution Operators are professionals responsible for ensuring the safe and efficient delivery of clean drinking water to homes, businesses, and other facilities. They monitor water distribution systems, maintain equipment such as pipes, pumps, and valves, and test water quality to comply with health and safety regulations. These operators also respond to emergencies like leaks or contamination and keep detailed records of system performance. Their work is essential for public health and the reliable operation of municipal water systems.

How much does a water distribution operator make?

A water distribution operator in California typically earns an average annual salary of around $60,000 to $80,000, depending on experience, certifications, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced operators with certifications can earn higher wages and additional benefits.

What is the difference between Water Distribution Operator vs Water Treatment Plant Operator?

AspectWater Distribution OperatorWater Treatment Plant Operator
CertificationsWater Distribution Certification, State LicensingWater Treatment Certification, State Licensing
Work EnvironmentFieldwork, maintaining pipelines, valves, and metersPlant environment, operating treatment equipment
Job FocusDistributing potable water, repairing infrastructureTreating water to meet safety standards
Employer & Industry UsageMunicipal water departments, utility companiesWater treatment facilities, municipal agencies

While both roles involve working with water systems, the Water Distribution Operator primarily manages the distribution network, ensuring safe water delivery, whereas the Water Treatment Plant Operator focuses on treating water to meet health standards. Certifications and work environments differ, but both are essential for maintaining safe and reliable water services.

Are water distribution operators in high demand?

Water distribution operators are in high demand due to ongoing infrastructure needs and the importance of maintaining safe drinking water. Employment opportunities are expected to grow as municipalities and utilities upgrade aging systems and require skilled workers with certifications such as Class A or B licenses. The job often involves working in outdoor environments and operating specialized equipment.

What are some common challenges faced by water distribution operators, and how can they be managed effectively?

Water Distribution Operators often encounter challenges such as responding to emergency repairs, maintaining water quality standards, and managing aging infrastructure. These situations require quick problem-solving, clear communication with team members, and strict adherence to safety protocols. Staying up-to-date with training and industry regulations can help operators handle these challenges efficiently, while strong teamwork ensures that issues are resolved promptly to maintain uninterrupted water service.

Is it hard to become a water distribution operator?

Becoming a water distribution operator typically requires completing relevant training, obtaining necessary certifications such as a water distribution operator license, and gaining experience in water systems. The difficulty varies depending on local regulations and the level of certification required, but it generally involves technical knowledge, physical work, and adherence to safety standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a water distribution operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Water Distribution Operator, you need a solid understanding of water distribution systems, hydraulics, and basic math, typically supported by a high school diploma and state certification. Familiarity with SCADA systems, water quality testing equipment, and maintenance tools is essential for daily operations. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and strong communication skills help operators quickly identify and resolve issues while coordinating with team members. These skills and qualities are vital to ensure the safe, reliable delivery of potable water and compliance with regulatory standards.
What are popular job titles related to Water Distribution Operator jobs in Ohio? For Water Distribution Operator jobs in Ohio, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Water Distribution Operator jobs in Ohio look for? The top searched job categories for Water Distribution Operator jobs in Ohio are:
What cities in Ohio are hiring for Water Distribution Operator jobs? Cities in Ohio with the most Water Distribution Operator job openings:
Water Distribution Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Water Distribution Operator job openings in Ohio as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 40% Full Time, 58% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,620 per year, or $24.8 per hour.

Utilities Labor Crew Chief II

City of Charlotte

On-site

$25 - $38.19/hr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

City Of Charlotte (North Carolina) rating

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 23 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

98th of 844 rated public administrative organizations

Job description

Department: Charlotte Water DepartmentSalary: $25.00 - $38.19 Commensurate with Experience

Welcome to the City of Charlotte

Charlotte is America's Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses and visitors alike. Here you will find a safe, family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive. The mission of the City of Charlotte is to deliver quality public services and promote the safety, health, and quality of life for all residents.

Our guiding principles include:

  • Attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce

  • Valuing teamwork, openness, accountability, productivity, and employee development

  • Providing all customers with courteous, responsive, accessible, and seamless quality services

  • Taking initiative to identify, analyze, and solve problems

  • Collaborating with stakeholders to make informed decisions

SUMMARY

Charlotte's local government, with more than 9,000 employees and a total budget of $4.49 billion budget, works hard to ensure that the community will be a winning city for everyone - a truly remarkable place to live, work, learn and play
Charlotte Water is an enterprise department of the City of Charlotte and one of the largest public water and sewer service providers in the southeast with over 330,000 customer accounts and over 1300 employees. Our service area includes the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and the towns of Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Mint Hill, Matthews, and Pineville. Charlotte Water's FY 27 operating budget is $685.6 million and a five-year capital program of $2.5 billion.

SALARY:

The salary for this position is $27.50-$30.54 hourly, Commensurate with Experience.

WORK LOCATION & SCHEDULE:

Zone 1 / 11609 Hord Dr. Huntersville, NC 28078

Monday - Friday 7:00AM - 3:30PM

JOB SUMMARY:

This position supervises utility crews who perform construction, maintenance, and repair of water distribution and wastewater collection systems for Charlotte Water. Work involves performing lead and skilled to semi-skilled tasks in maintaining and repairing water and wastewater collection systems; providing daily reports; ensuring employees follow safety and work rules in accordance with regulations and policies; and auditing the work of technicians. This position also participates, depending on assigned area, in repairing and installing water and sewer lines; cutting out manhole right-of-ways; cleaning sewer lines; and testing and repairing meters and water hydrants.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

  • Performs lead, skilled, and semi-skilled tasks related to the repair and maintenance of wastewater collection and water distribution systems; cleans pipes; exercises and repairs water valves; repairs and installs fire hydrants; installs and fixes house/building connections and trench boxes; and acts as first responders to SSOs.

  • Identifies hazards to determine if the job can be performed safely; sets up safety zones; conducts required safety checks for work in confined spaces. Serves as the competent person on the job site.

  • Checks elevations for proper grade; installs proper trenching and shoring; excavates areas to proper elevation; restores area to its previous condition; remediates spills; and locates infrastructure.

  • Clears easements for manholes; cuts manholes; cleans off street sewer lines; and cleans sewer mains.

  • Utilizes the following: mini excavators, jetters, hydraulic generators for hydrant and valve trucks, rodders, and vac machines.

  • Utilizes the following: hand and power tools; forklifts; backhoes; flatbeds; front end loaders; dump trucks; street saws, Ram X, TV camera.

  • Gathers data and information; completes and enters work orders; maintains records and prepares reports; and assists in planning a job.

  • Conducts pre-trip and post-trip truck checks.

  • Conducts and documents job safety requirements. Makes decisions concerning City Right of Ways and traffic control.

  • Functions in a leadership and supervisory role onsite; assigns and reviews work of other work team members; trains other personnel; and serves as a competent person on the job site. Is responsible for completing performance reviews for crew members. Helps to develop skills improvement plans for employees not meeting standards.

  • Enters and completes work orders in system making sure all costs are accounted for including materials, equipment, and labor.

  • Supervises and coordinates work activities of assigned staff; assigns work, monitors status of work, and inspects completed work; participates and provides input in staffing decisions relative to hiring, firing, discipline, and promotional opportunities; evaluates performance; mentors staff; and aids with career development.

  • Trains new and existing crew member on policies and procedures, on how to execute and complete a variety of service orders, on how to use related computer equipment; and on how to operate related machinery.

  • Reviews work assigned for completion and quality; inspects manholes.

  • Evaluates material, labor, and equipment requirements for daily tasks; acquires necessary equipment and materials.

  • Responds to customer inquiries and issues.

  • Responds to emergencies and works a rotating on-call schedule.

  • Supervises and coordinates work activities of assigned staff; assigns work, monitors status of work, and inspects completed work; participates and provides input in staffing decisions relative to hiring, firing, discipline, and promotional opportunities; evaluates performance; mentors staff; aids with career development, and responsible for completing performing evaluations for assigned staff.

  • Performs other related job duties as assigned.

  • Responsible for documenting mid-year and annual performance evaluations of assigned employees

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

  • High school diploma or GED from an accredited school; college coursework preferred.

  • Five (5) years of related work experience preferably experience as a Utilities Technician including one (1) year of supervisory experience.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS:

  • Requires a valid driver's license.

  • Must obtain and maintain a City Driver's Permit.

  • Requires a valid Class A commercial driver's license (CDL) with tanker endorsement (or obtain within 6 months of hire).

  • Depending on the assigned area, requires one or more of the following certifications (or ability to obtain within therequired time of hire): AWWA Customer Service; Grade I Wastewater Collection; Grade 2 Sewer certification; Grade C Water Distribution; NC AWWA Water Meter Technician.

  • Requires completion of three (3) Skills Matrix Leadership and Development courses within one (1) year of promotion/hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

  • Knowledge of safety practices and emergency response procedures.

  • Knowledge of proper customer service.

  • Knowledge of conflict resolution techniques.

  • Knowledge related to assigned field area.

  • Skill in using basic hand and power tools.

  • Skill in operating light, medium, and heavy equipment and trucks.

  • Skill in communicating, both orally and in writing.

  • Ability to follow oral and written directions.

  • Ability to read and interpret top and street maps.

  • Ability to work as a team member.

  • Ability to train others.

  • Ability to plan and schedule short-term work.

  • Ability to assign and review work of others.

  • Ability to work under tight deadlines or emergency situations.

  • Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with supervisors, coworkers, and the general public.

  • Ability to coach and motivate others.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work is medium work and requires applying 30 pounds of force frequently and exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: balancing, manual dexterity, perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, distinguishing among sounds, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, repetitive motion, speaking, talking, visual acuity in data/color/observations/equipment/

inspections, and walking.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs. Requires working, at times, in confined spaces; working overtime and on various shifts; responding to emergencies; and being on-call.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties at any time. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were written out in this job description.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City's Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate's written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.


Our culture is to serve the community honorably.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email Careers@ci.charlotte.nc.us

The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.

BENEEFITS

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.

Clickhereto learn more about the City of Charlotte's benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.

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