Water Quality Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $87,766.88 - $106,681.18 Annually
Location : Fountain Valley, CA
Job Type: Non-exempt FLSA
Job Number: 2026-20
Department: Public Works
Division: Utilities
Opening Date: 05/28/2026
Description
COME BE A PART OF OUR PUBLIC WORKS TEAM AND SEE WHAT MAKES FOUNTAIN VALLEY A NICE PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK!
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately, as this recruitment may close without prior notice or if enough qualified applications have been received.
First Review of Applications: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
THE CITY OF FOUNTAIN VALLEY
The City of Fountain Valley is nestled in the heart of Orange County. With approximately 57,000 residents, the City is only 7 miles from the beach with countless restaurants, entertainment venues, shopping centers, and Disneyland within a 15-mile radius of the City, providing many options for a rich work-life balance.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The City of Fountain Valley Public Works Department is seeking a dedicated and motivated Water Quality Technician to join our team. This position performs a variety of skilled and technical tasks in the administration of the City's Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Programs, including the enforcement of City, County, State, and Federal codes and regulations preventing pollution or contamination hazards due to cross connections from entering the City water system. In addition, this role ensures the quality and integrity of the City's water supply by performing technical work assignments to implement and administer the water quality monitoring program within the City's water facilities. Key responsibilities include:

• Reads, interprets, and implements changes in state and federal water regulations.
• Develops, implements, and maintains water quality monitoring programs related to potable and recycled water use and consumption.
• Interprets complex water quality regulatory requirements and develops and maintains up-to-date procedures for compliance.
• Prepares, reviews, summarizes, synthesizes, and submits reports, correspondence, and statistical data regarding water quality, cross connection, potable and recycled water programs to various local, state, and federal regulatory agencies.

EXCELLENT BENEFITS INCLUDE

• 4/10 schedule (off Fridays)
• 4% base salary increase in July 2026
• CalPERS retirement (2%@60 for Classic or 2%@62 for PEPRA)
• CalPERS medical HMO/PPO plan options, dental, life insurance, vision, and optional AFLAC insurance
• Matching deferred compensation employer contribution (up to $225 per month)
• City-paid long-term disability insurance
• Generous leave accruals
• 11 paid holidays, including one floating holiday

Job Overview

• Conducts technical inspections and enforces City, County and State laws and regulations preventing contamination from entering the City water system.
• Performs computer data entry and is responsible for maintaining up-to-date computerized information.
• Performs semi-skilled and skilled manual tasks relating to such activities as inspections, tests, maintenance and repair of water lines, backflow devices, valves, engines, wells, reservoirs, pumps and lift stations and water meters and connections.
• Collects water samples at all City sources (updating sites as necessary) including wells, reservoirs and import connections and related laboratory activities maintaining rigorous quality control; validates results of test samples and reports all monitoring data to various regulatory agencies.
• Collects chlorine residual and bacteriological samples after completion of repairs of existing water mains and fire hydrants.

OTHER JOB-RELATED DUTIES

• Schedules and conducts surveys of public and private facilities of possible cross connections.
• Collects water samples for bacteriological, general physical, general chemical tests, and other constituents as required by state or federal regulations.
• Restores and disconnects services.
• Shuts off and repairs broken water mains, services and meters.
• May be called on to assist Water Division production and distribution personnel.
• Schedules and conducts shut-down tests as required by local and State health authorities on premises using reclaimed water.
• May assist in researching, preparing and maintaining a variety of reports, correspondence and related documents as required by City, County, State and Federal Codes and Regulations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualification Guidelines
EDUCATION:

• High school graduation or equivalent.
• College-level coursework in water technology or a related field is highly desirable.

EXPERIENCE: At least three (3) years of experience in municipal water operations is required.
LICENSE REQUIRED: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and a satisfactory driving record is required to perform the essential functions of this position, including travel between City locations to collect water samples. The City will evaluate whether alternative means of transportation would allow an individual to perform these essential functions in accordance with applicable law.
CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: (Incumbents must maintain, at all times, the certification(s) required for this job description.)

• Backflow Prevention Device Tester Certification from the American Water Works Association, or other State-approved agencies and registration with the Orange County Health Care Department for testing within Orange County is required.
• State Water Distribution Operator Certification Grade II is required at time of appointment.
• State Water Distribution Operator Certification Grade III is required within the one year probationary period.
• State Water Treatment Operator Certification Grade I is required within the one year probationary period.
• American Water Works Association Cross Connection Specialist Certification is required within the one year probationary period.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Must be available for standby duty and is subject to periodic call-out during regular off-time hours to assist in emergency repairs.
NOTE:
This job announcement is not intended to include a complete listing of all responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the position. To access the full class specification, please click on the following link:
Recruitment Information
To be considered for this excellent opportunity, please complete and submit the online employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and/or supplemental questionnaire. To ensure timely and successful submission of your online application, please allow ample time to complete your application and consider having your profile created and/or updated before applying for the position. Once your application has been successfully submitted, you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email. If you require technical assistance, please review the or contact their toll-free Applicant Support line at (855) 524-5627. Please note that Human Resources is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by the internet connection, computer, or browser used to submit the application.
QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS RECRUITMENT SHOULD BE SENT TO
SELECTION PROCESS:
The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, panel interview, and performance exam. The employment application and supplemental questions will be evaluated based on the employment standards and minimum qualifications listed above.
All employment offers made by the City are contingent upon establishing proof of a prospective candidate's legal authorization to work in the United States and successfully completing all components of the pre-employment process, which may include but is not limited to: reference checks, California Department of Justice (DOJ) criminal history check (Live Scan fingerprinting), post-offer drug test, and pre-employment medical examination.
The City of Fountain Valley is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Candidates with a disability who may need accommodations during the selection process must notify the Human Resources Department at least 72 hours in advance of the exam date.
Note:
The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained within may be modified or revoked without notice.
Please carefully review the list of required materials before submitting an application.
Municipal Employees Association (MEA) Representation: This classification is represented by the Fountain Valley Municipal Employees Association for additional information.
Flexible Work Schedules: Most MEA employees are offered the option to work a flexible work schedule, including either a 4/10 or 9/80 work schedule.
Compensation:

• Base Salary Adjustments

4% base salary adjustment effective Pay Period Ending July 3, 2026.

• Merit Increase

MEA employees shall be eligible for merit increases annually on the first day of the pay period closest to their anniversary date, until they reach the fifth step.

• Deferred Compensation Matching Contribution

Employees in regular positions may voluntarily participate in the City's deferred compensation plan. This plan is provided by Empower. The City will match up to a total amount of $225 per month into each employee's deferred compensation account for each MEA employee who contributes to the City's deferred compensation plan.

• Other Specialty Pays
  Employees under certain classifications or assignments, or who possess specialized skills, training, and/or certifications may be eligible for other specialty pays. Examples of these pays include Call Out Pay, Emergency Call Out for Major Incidents, Standby Pay, Shift Differential Pay, Specialty Assignment Pay (Streets Division), Specialty Pay, and Water Certificate Pay. Please refer to the for further details.

Retirement: All full-time employees are members of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) - a defined benefit program. Employees are enrolled in one of the following retirement formulas based on date of hire.

• New Members / PEPRA: As defined by the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), "New Members" have never been a member of any California public retirement system, were hired by a CalPERS agency after January 1, 2013, moved between public retirement systems lacking reciprocity, or moved between employers in the same public retirement system with a break in service of more than six months. New Members are enrolled in the 2% at age 62 retirement formula and pay a contribution rate of 50% of the total normal cost of the PEPRA member benefits for their retirement pension. This rate is determined annually based on the actuarial valuation of the retirement benefits provided to active PEPRA employees. For Fiscal Year 25/26, employees pay a mandatory 7.75% pre-tax contribution for this retirement benefit. Note: In 2026, the pensionable compensation limit for PEPRA is $191,679 (pursuant to GC § 7522.10). This limit is adjusted on an annual basis.
• Classic Members: New employees who joined CalPERS or a reciprocal public retirement system before January 1, 2013, without a break in service longer than six months, are considered "Classic" members and will be enrolled in the 2% at age 60 retirement formula. Employees pay a mandatory 7% pre-tax contribution for this retirement benefit. To determine if you are eligible for reciprocity, please click on the following link: Note: In 2026, the pensionable compensation limit for Classic Members is $360,000 (pursuant to IRC section 401(a)(17)). This limit is adjusted on an annual basis.

For both Classic and PEPRA Members, the City contracts for the three-year average for final compensation, a 2% Cost-of-Living adjustment in retirement, and service credit for unused sick leave. The City also contracts for the Fourth Level Survivor Benefit ($2 per member per month). Please refer to the FVMEA Memorandum of Understanding for additional CalPERS contract provisions.
Health Insurance: The City will contribute towards the cost of health premiums for full-time employees as follows:
Enrollment Tier
Flex Dollar Monthly Allowance
Employee Only Coverage
$675.00
Employee +1 Dependent Coverage
$1,175.00
Employee + Family Coverage
$1,450.00
The Flex Dollar Allowance may be used for medical (optional), dental (mandatory), life insurance (mandatory), vision insurance (optional), and AFLAC (optional) premiums. All health benefits are effective on the first of the month following date of hire.

• Medical

Employees have a choice to select a medical plan under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program. Please visit for more information regarding the various plans offered under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program, as well as the current premium rates.

• Dental

Enrollment in a City dental plan is mandatory for all eligible employees. Coverage is managed under the cafeteria plan, and premiums are paid by the employee (Flex Dollars may be used).

• Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (ADD)

Enrollment in a City life and ADD plan is mandatory for all eligible employees. The policy amount is $50,000. Coverage is managed under the cafeteria plan, and premiums are paid by the employee (Flex Dollars may be used).

• Vision

Enrollment in a City vision plan is voluntary for all eligible employees. Coverage is managed under the cafeteria pla...