Water System Operator Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $80,974.40 - $97,136.00 Annually
Location : 9601 SE 36th St, Mercer Island, WA
Job Type: Full time
Job Number: 00278
Department: Public Works
Division: Utilities
Opening Date: 07/17/2026
Closing Date: 7/31/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Description
The Utilities Team Member operates and maintains the water and sanitary sewer systems in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local standards. The focus of this position will be the water system that includes but not limited to booster pump stations, generators, and SCADA equipment. The Utilities Team Member is also required to operate and maintain pressure-reducing valves (PRVs), water mains and services, water valves, water reservoirs, water meters, and perform tasks related to water quality, leak detection, utility locating, and utility security. Public Works Department employees operate in a team environment and must be able to work and communicate effectively with employees and citizens. Some evening, holiday, and weekend work is required.
This is a limited-term position currently funded through 12/31/2026 with a strong possibility of extension.
Essential Job Functions

• Installs, replaces, upsizes, and/or repairs water services, mains, hydrants, PRV's, pumps, motors, air vacs, blow off assemblies and other water and sewer system apparatus to meet City specifications and standards.
• Identifies, assesses, and repairs malfunctions in water system components.
• Operates SCADA telemetry equipment for water and sewer to ensure proper operation of reservoir, pump stations, and generator systems.
• Video inspects, locates, and records all sewer mains and tees that require maintenance or are scheduled for capital improvements. Develops and records an on-going preventative maintenance program.
• Installs, replaces, upsizes, and/or repairs water services, mains, hydrants, PRV's, pumps, motors, air vacs, blow off assemblies and other water and sewer system apparatus to meet City specifications and standards.
• Obtains and evaluates all relevant information to handle customer inquiries. Record details of inquiries, comments and complaints in the maintenance management system. Records details of actions taken; complete service requests and work orders in appropriate/timely manner.
• Determines and adjusts daily water flows to maintain reservoir level, water quality, and meet water system demands.
• Maintains hydrants annually to ensure proper operation. Clear vegetations and cleans, paints, and records system pressures at the hydrants as needed.
• Adjusts and/or modifies pressure-reducing valves for proper operation and maintenance. Inspects and replaces worn pressure reducing parts, clean up the inside of underground vaults and brush surrounding grounds.
• Inspects reservoir for proper operation of pumps and electrical apparatuses and inspect grounds for security. This includes maintaining recorders, and telemetry, obtaining readings for usage data, and performing chemical analysis for water quality.
• Determines need to repair or replace water meters based on inspection or field-testing. Replaces meter and/or take faulty meter into shop for repair, further testing or salvage
• Inventories and maps location of air vacs, blow offs and gate valves for proper functioning and accessibility.
• Investigates and performs routine testing and/or annual or necessary flushing of water mains to ensure a high level of water quality of the public water system.
• Coordinates repairs to existing installations of hydrants, water mains and other water and sewer system apparatus to meet City specifications, codes and AWWA standards.
• Perform asphalt cutting and patching.
• Ability to drive a City vehicle.
• Must have regular and predictable work attendance to fulfill the essential functions of the job.
• Other duties as required.

Qualification Requirements
High school education or GED and at least three (3) years' experience in the construction, mechanical, or electrical trades.
LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

• CDL-B certification with tanker endorsement with current medical certificate or ability to obtain one within first year of employment.
• Washington State certification in first aid, traffic control, and flagging, Confined Space Entry, Shoring and Trench Safety, Pipeline Assessment Certification Program, Water Distribution Manager I and Wastewater Collection Systems Operator are needed within first year of employment.
• Valid WA State Driver's License with a driving record free from frequent or serious violations. A three (3) year driving record abstract must be submitted prior to hire

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Good verbal communication skills in the English language (listening, giving feedback and speaking up) as well as effective interpersonal and customer relation skills are essential in a team environment.
• Legible written communications (directions and memos) is required, along with the ability to perform basic arithmetic calculations.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and utilize computer applications and software including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and Outlook 2007) and Geographic Information Services (GIS) layers.
• Knowledge of City codes, specifications and AWWA, Department of Health, & Department of Ecology standards sufficiently to inspect new and/or repaired water system appurtenances, structures, and components.
• Knowledge of operation and service of complex equipment and vehicles used in construction, repair and maintenance such as CCTV and combination jet vactor units
• Ability to operate telemetry/SCADA equipment for the water and sewer systems to ensure proper operation of the water reservoir, sewer pump stations, water booster stations, and emergency generator units
• Ability to operate heavy machinery (for example: backhoe, jetting machine, high velocity sewer cleaner and TV machine) and read design drawings, maps, etc.
• Ability to read blueprints, maps, codes, regulations, as-builts, etc.
• Ability to demonstrate skills in basic hydrology, basic engineering (flows, grades, pressures and interpret pressurezones) and create as-builts (interpret and add new information or updates).
• Ability to practice safety by wearing appropriate protective clothing, using safety equipment, and following good housekeeping and safety procedures.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Various types of tools and equipment are used but not limited to the following: high velocity sewer cleaner and associated tools and nozzles, video inspection equipment, debris catcher, root cutter, dump truck, backhoe, compressor and jackhammer. Testing equipment includes capacitors, multi gas detectors, gauges, multi-meter, metal detectors and chlorine and bacteriological test equipment. Specialized equipment includes hydrant hose, valve key, hydrant and wet well wrenches, tripod and harness retrieval system, lube gun, tube benders, hole-hog, flaring equipment and peashooter. Hand tools used: shovels, electrical and hand tools, sledgehammer, pick and trowel. Future work practices may necessitate the use of different tools and equipment.
Working Conditions & Physical Abilities
Team Members risk physical hazards from working in and around traffic, heavy machinery, heights and confined spaces and other underground utilities. Exposure to noise, vibration, hazardous and toxic materials, fumes, gases, and odors is routine.
Work requires physical strength and agility necessary to perform heavy manual labor under all kinds of weather conditions. Work activities include combinations of sitting, standing, and walking and the ability to lift 50-100 pounds as required. Team members must be able to see, hear, and smell in order to detect problems and be responsive to their own safety, as well as that of fellow team members.
Team Members must follow appropriate safety procedures and the use of protective clothing and equipment including, steel-toed boots, hard hat, eye/ear protection, rain gear, gloves, traffic control equipment.
Public Works teams operate in a smoke and drug free work environment for their health, safety, and productivity, as well as that of their co-workers and customers.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING
The City of Mercer Island has a policy to maintain a work environment free of substance abuse. This policy applies to all current and prospective employees. Drug and alcohol testing is required for employees and candidates applying for safety sensitive positions or whose job requires a commercial driver's license (CDL). This testing may be waived for job candidates if records are made available by another employer who tested the candidate in the last 6 months. Positive test results will be defined as an alcohol concentration over 0.02 or a positive test result for marijuana, opiates, cocaine, amphetamines, or phencyclidines. All employment offers are contingent upon successfully passing a drug and alcohol test. Job candidates who test positive will be terminated from consideration for employment immediately.
The City of Mercer Island strives to offer employees a comprehensive benefits package. Regular full-time and part-time employees (working 20 or more hours per week, or 30 or more hours per week for Thrift Shop employees) are eligible for insurance benefits beginning the first day of the month following the hire date.
Employee Benefits include:

• Five health plan options through Kaiser Permanente or Regence
• Two dental plans with Delta Dental or Willamette Dental
• A generous vision plan through VSP
• Health reimbursement arrangement (HRA VEBA)
• Long-term disability insurance through The Standard
• Life insurance through The Standard
• Retirement plans through Washington DRS
• Voluntary employee benefits

Details about benefits for non-represented employees can be found at Represented employee benefits are similar and outlined in their respective union contracts available at