Pump Station Operator

Salary : $77,412.00 - $94,092.00 Annually Location : Lakewood, CA Job Type: Full-Time Job Number: 2026-25 Department: Water Resources Opening Date: 02/23/2026 Closing Date: 3/12/2026 2:00 PM Pacific Description Under general supervision, the Pump Station Operator performs a variety of skilled technical duties and semi skilled labor in the operation and maintenance of city water facilities and yards; performs other duties as assigned. Examples of Duties Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Operates, maintains, inspects, repairs, water supply and water production facilities such as wells, pumping stations, reservoirs, treatment plants, and stormwater facilities Controls and regulates flow of water through reservoirs, pump stations, and other water facilities Regulates amount of chemicals used within established parameters Maintains and repairs all chemical feed equipment such as chlorine analyzers and chlorinators Uses safety equipment such as respiratory protection apparatus, and fall protection. Makes calculations dealing with quantity, rate and volume of water flow, and chemical dosages. Monitors and/or controls wells and water systems via computerized telemetry systems (SCADA) Reads pumping plants and well gauges, records water meters and electrical reads Lubricates and makes repairs on pumps, motors, control valves, and auxiliary equipment Inspects customer on-site plumbing to determine degree of hazard and compliance with cross-connection control regulations Informs customers of violations pertaining to cross connection rules and regulations Conducts back-flow prevention surveys involving hydraulic studies of water piping systems to locate and correct cross connection hazards Performs general maintenance at system facilities such as painting of pumps and appurtenances, mow, edge, weed, and otherwise maintain turf areas adjacent to water facilities, floor and equipment cleaning, etc. Assists in repairing, maintaining and replacing water system facilities components. Operates pneumatic tools and related equipment May operate trucks and various mechanized equipment used in construction and maintenance work Takes water quality samples, and records sampling documents, and reviews sample results Responds directly to customer water quality complaints Reads instruments, gauges, lab and field analyzers and logs information obtained Serves as duty operator responsible for off hour operations and standby response Handles, transports and replenishes chemicals Qualifications Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying, such as: graduation from high school and additional specialized education in public water supply and three years experience in maintenance, construction, or engineering work involving water production operation, water treatment operation, backflow and cross-connection control, SCADA controls, maintenance of pipes, valves, pumps, fittings, and water distribution operation. Licenses or Certifications: Possession of a valid Class "C" Operator's License issued by the California State Department of Motor Vehicles and a good driving record. Possession of a T2 Water Treatment Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Board (SWRCB) Possession of D3 Water Distribution Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Board (SWRCB) and Either: Obtain and maintain a Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Certificate issued by the AWWA and Cross Connection Control Specialist Certificate issued by the AWWA within one year of appointment or Obtain and maintain a Cross Connection Control Specialist Certificate issued by the University of Southern California foundation for Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research within one year of appointment. Possession of a T3 Water Treatment Operator Certificate and/or D4 Water Distribution operator Certificate Issued by the California State Water Resources Board (SWRCB) is highly desirable. Knowledge of: Principles and practices of potable water distribution system operations; operation and maintenance of production equipment such as valves, pumps and motors; basic principles of mathematics, laboratory analysis techniques and health standards for potable water; sampling methods and techniques; operational and safety regulations pertaining to production operations and vehicle and equipment usage; federal, state, county and local laws related to public water systems, backflow prevention, cross-connection control and recycled water. Skills & Abilities to: Operate and maintain water production equipment; read and interpret gages and other recording devices related to water production operations; monitor and control wells and water systems via computerized telemetry systems, such as SCADA; take responsibility for off-hour operations and standby response; take liquid samples and perform routine laboratory tests; carry out oral and written instructions; diagnose operating problems and take effective courses of action; make independent, technical decisions to maintain proper water quality and water quantity processes; maintain pertinent records and compile data into written reports; perform repair maintenance to plant equipment such as pumps, valves and electronic monitoring devices; work independently with minimal supervision; willingness to work various schedules, shifts, evenings, weekend, and holiday hours as needed; respond to the site within 30 minutes to emergency calls. Physical and Mental Demands: Ability to read, write, push, pull, use fine and gross manipulation, simple and power grasping, use hand and foot controls, reach above, at and below the shoulder, be at work daily and on time; communicate orally one-to-one and in small groups; see and hear within normal ranges; read blueprints, gauges, electronic monitors, and computer screen; drive city vehicles; may be required to stand for 9 hours at a time while working; must be able to wear a respirator to enter confined spaces; ability to lift, push, pull at least 50 pounds; carry, squat, climb, kneel, twist; have strength to operate heavy equipment; climb ladders and work at heights, enter crawl spaces and vaults; and conduct heavy manual labor. Environmental Conditions: Exposure to dust, gas, fumes, noise, vibration, extremes in temperature or humidity, traffic, chemicals, work at heights, walk on uneven ground, work near hazardous equipment and machinery, drive trucks and other moving equipment. Supplemental Information The benefits package associated with regular full-time positions includes: Retirement Formula- The City participates in the CalPERS retirement system 2% at 55 for "classic" CalPERS members and 2% at 62 for "new" CalPERS members 2. The City does not participate in Social Security Generous Leave Programs- 13 paid holidays; sick leave; and two weeks annual vacation (three weeks after three years, four weeks after 15 years) Health Insurance - Cafeteria benefit plan includes medical and dental options (City participates in the CalPERS medical insurance plans). Employee cafeteria allowance for single employee only coverage is $1,359.02 per month; for employee +1 eligible dependent coverage is $1,640.00; and for employee + 2 or more eligible dependents coverage is $1,900.00. City paid life insurance, long-term disability and vision insurance for the employee. Other Benefits: Longevity pay beginning at the completion of 10 years of qualified service; career medical retiree benefit programs. 1. Benefits package information is based on current benefit information and subject to change, based on labor agreements; federal, state and/or local laws or resolutions. 2. For qualified public employees who are "classic" CalPERS members and City employees with membership into CalPERS prior to 1/1/2013 enrollment will be into the 2% at 55 formula. Pension benefits for employees hired on or after 1/1/2013 and are "new" CalPERS members are subject to the Public Employees Pension Reform Act provisions and will be enrolled into the 2% at 62 formula. Selection Procedure: All properly submitted applications will be reviewed and evaluated. Those candidates appearing to have the best qualifications for the position will be invited to participate in the examination process which may require any combination of the following: a written examination, a performance examination, and one or more oral interviews. Not all applicants may be tested or interviewed. Important Information The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. APPLICATION PROCESS: Applications must be filled out completely and clearly show that the qualifications are met. All statements made on the application are subject to investigation and verification. False statements will be cause for disqualification, removal from the Eligible List, or discharge from employment. Resumes may be attached, but will not be accepted in lieu of a standard City application form. All application materials become the property of the City of Lakewood and are not returnable. COMPENSATION: City employees are paid on a bi-weekly basis, therefore, published monthly salary is for illustration purposes only, rounded to whole dollars. Actual salary is based on hourly rate rounded to four decimal places. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: The City of Lakewood does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability status, gender expression, gender identity, transgender, or other protected class in its employment actions, decisions, policies and practices. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES: Qualified individuals with disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, are encouraged to apply for City employment. Those who require a reasonable accommodation to take a test as part of the selection process must make such a request to the Personnel Department, in writing, at least three working days prior to the date of the testing procedure. Individuals requesting accommodation in the testing process will be required to provide documentation of such need. IMMIGRATION REFORM & CONTROL ACT OF 1986:In compliance with the Act, all new employees must verify their identity and entitlement to work in the United States by providing required documentation. FINGERPRINTING: Applicants who are selected for hire are fingerprinted during the pre-placement processing period. All fingerprints will be processed with the Department of Justice to verify criminal records or absence thereof. RESTRICTIONS ON NEPOTISM: The employment of relatives can create undesirable results, particularly in connection with performance evaluation, discipline, and general morale of other workers. Therefore, it is the city's policy that no relative of any City officer or employee to which this resolution applies shall be employed, if said City officer or employee is in a supervisory, lead or subordinate position over said relative in the areas of hiring, setting compensation, discipline or termination. "Relatives" for this purpose include son, daughter, mother, father, brother, brother-in-law, sister, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, mother-in-law, father-in-law, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, stepparent, stepchild, grandparent, grandchild, or persons living in the same household. The City does not prohibit employment of two people who are married to each other or who are the registered domestic partners of each other pursuant to the California Family Code (section 297 et seq.). Nonetheless, the City will not employ spouses or registered domestic partners in the same division or facility in situations where such action is determined to be inappropriate because of reasons of supervision, safety, security or morale. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: Employment offers are conditional based, upon the successful completion of a medical examination which includes drug and alcohol screening for safety sensitive positions. Physicals are performed by the City's designated physician at the City's expense. Candidates are cautioned not to quit their jobs or give notice to their current employers until they are determined to be medically qualified. TUBERCULOSIS TESTING: Candidates selected to work in a position requiring contact with children must submit a certificate or notice documenting that within the last two years they have been examined and found to be free of communicable tuberculosis. The certificate or notice must be signed by a licensed examining physician or public health agency. POSSESSION OF A VALID CALIFORNIA DRIVER'S LICENSE: Employees in classifications requiring possession of a valid California driver's license will be enrolled in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Government Employer Pull Notice program, which confirms possession of a valid driver's license and reflects the driving record. LOYALTY OATH OR AFFIRMATION: All City employees are required to sign a loyalty oath or affirmation prior to actual employment. EMERGENCY SERVICE: All City employees are required to perform assigned Emergency Service duties in the event of an emergency or disaster. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Employees appointed to positions in the classified service are required to serve a probationary period of not less than six months. All other employees are considered at-will and serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. The benefits package associated with regular full-time positions includes: Retirement Formula - The City participates in the CalPERS retirement system 2% at 55 for "classic" CalPERS members and 2% at 62 for "new" CalPERS members 2. The City does not participate in Social Security Generous Leave Programs - 11 paid holidays; sick leave; and two weeks annual vacation (three weeks after three years, four weeks after 15 years) Health Insurance - Cafeteria benefit plan includes medical and dental options (City participates in the CalPERS medical insurance plans). Employee cafeteria allowance for single employee only coverage is $1,359.02 per month; for employee +1 eligible dependent coverage is $1,590.00; and for employee + 2 or more eligible dependents coverage is $1,775.00. City paid life insurance, long-term disability and vision insurance for the employee Other Benefits: Longevity pay beginning at the completion of 10 years of qualified service; career medical retiree benefit programs 1 Benefits package information is based on current benefit information and subject to change, based on labor agreements; federal, state and/or local laws or resolutions. 2 For qualified public employees who are "classic" CalPERS members and City employees with membership into CalPERS prior to 1/1/2013 enrollment will be into the 2% at 55 formula. Pension benefits for employees hired on or after 1/1/2013 and are "new" CalPERS members are subject to the Public Employees Pension Reform Act provisions and will be enrolled into the 2% at 62 formula. 01 Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed: Some high school, did not graduate High School Graduate or G.E.D. Less than 2 years of college 2+ years of college Associate's Degree Bachelor's Degree 02 Indicate the major of your degree: Not Applicable Water Technology Water Utility Science Other related field Other non-related field 03 Indicate the total number of years of work experience you possess in maintenance, construction, or engineering work involving water production operation, water treatment operation, backflow and cross-connection control, SCADA controls, maintenance of pipes, valves, pumps, fittings, and water distribution operation: None Less than 6 months 6 months - 1 year 1 - 2 years 3 - 4 years 5+ years 04 Indicate the areas in which you have work experience in maintenance, construction or engineering work: None Water Production Operation Water Treatment Operation Backflow and Cross-Connection Control SCADA Controls Maintenance of Pipes, valves, pumps, and fittings Water Distribution Operation 05 Do you posses a valid Class "C" Operator's License issued by the California State Department of Motor Vehicles and a good driving record? Yes No 06 Indicate the level of Water Distribution Operator Certificate you possess from the California State Water Resources Control Board: None D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 07 Indicate the level of Water Treatment Operator Certificate you possess issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board: None T5 T4 T3 T2 T1 08 Please attach a copy of your current Water Distribution Operator or Water Treatment Operator Certificate, if you have indicated that you currently possess them. By selecting yes, you are confirming that you have attached the required certifications. Yes No Required Question

Created: 2026-03-04