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Home My WebLink AboutMaintenance Operator - WaterUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review) CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION Position Title: Maintenance Operator – Water Department: Public Works Division: Water Supervisor: Assistant Superintendent – Water / Water Superintendent FLSA: Non-Exempt Civil Service: Yes Pay Grade: 10 Job Number: 1010 Job Summary Under general direction, operates, inspects, maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs all hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and mechanical equipment at the water puriﬁcation plant. Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. • Monitors, inspects, operates and maintains water treatment plant machines and equipment including remote reservoirs, pumps, motors, chlorinators, ﬁlters, chemical feeders, clariﬁers and laboratory equipment, monitors, troubleshoots and adjusts computerized controllers in the plant and well ﬁeld equipment, works with plant shut down and start-up operations. • Performs building and grounds maintenance. • Implements a preventive maintenance program, compiles daily log of maintenance work performed at the plant and respective conditions, enters data into computer. • Orders necessary materials and supplies, interprets oral and written instructions, speciﬁcations, and wiring diagrams, maintains records of work performed on equipment. • Maintains control and supply systems at the City’s water treatment facilities, troubleshoots, analyzes, and repairs hardware and software failures of water treatment control and distribution systems. • Operates, monitors, calibrates, repairs, and maintains all water treatment plant machines and equipment including remote reservoirs and pump stations, pumps, motors, chlorinators, ﬁlters, chemical feeders, clariﬁers, and laboratory equipment, etc. • Researches and coordinates repairs and changes with staﬀ and equipment manufacturers and suppliers. • Performs emergency duties related to water main breaks, responds to after-hour emergency calls, performs on-call duty. • Operates snow removal equipment in winter months at water plant, trails, and peninsula. • Performs scheduled and emergency relief operations for water puriﬁcation plant operators on rotating shifts, monitors and inspects process control equipment via computer and visual inspection to ensure proper operation. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) • During relief operations for water puriﬁcation plant operators, collects water samples and conducts laboratory quality control analysis of raw, processed and ﬁnished water to monitor and adjust the treatment process to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations. • Monitors, reads, and interprets gauges, dials and other plant instrumentation to regulate ﬂow rates, system pressure, water elevation and distribution of water, records information on paper log sheets and in electronic logs. • Receives and responds to public inquiries regarding plant operations, assists in training new plant personnel. • Assists in public tours inquiries and informational programs. • Performs preventive maintenance on operating systems. • Receives and handles hazardous chemicals. • Collects samples for laboratory. • Answers public questions. • Inspects wells and collects well samples to aid in water quality and collection of performance data. • Performs routine or emergency electrical switching operation to facilitate maintenance, switch plant shut down and restart by generator, in the event of power outage or due to local energy compliance. • Conducts self in a professional manner which demonstrates courtesy and respect for all community members and coworkers. • Performs other duties as assigned. Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other • Associate’s degree from an accredited educational institution; or two years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in water treatment plant operation maintenance. • State of Iowa DNR Grade I Treatment Plant Operator Certiﬁcate required within 6 months of hire. State of Iowa DNR Grade II Treatment Plant Operator Certiﬁcate preferred at hire but required within three years of appointment. Satisfactory driving record. Valid State of Iowa commercial driver’s license instruction permit upon ﬁrst day in position. Valid State of Iowa Class B commercial driver’s license with air brake and tank endorsements within 6 months of hire. Meet federal drug testing requirements. Requires a pre-employment drug screen. Must be 18 years of age. Must pass criminal background check. Must live within 25 miles of the corporate limits of Iowa City, Iowa within one year of appointment to the position. Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other • Associate’s degree from an accredited educational institution and one year of related experience; or three years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities • Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. • Ability to calculate ﬁgures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. • Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. • Ability to establish and maintain eﬀective working relationships with employees and the general public. • Ability to follow a management style that is input-oriented and values problem solving and development of partnerships. • Ability to handle a variety of tasks without close supervision. • Ability to handle medium to heavy work with some heavy lifting. • Ability to inspect and troubleshoot mechanical equipment and operations. • Ability to make independent evaluations and adjustment of systems operating conditions within a general set of guidelines. • Ability to monitor and adjust treatment processes. • Ability to operate heavy equipment such as a skid loader and forklift. • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. • Ability to read meters, gauges and charts and maintain records of shift operations. • Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties. • Ability to safely perform technical tasks in the operation of a water treatment facility and a variety of skilled and semi-skilled tasks in the repair and maintenance of various types of equipment and facilities. • Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions. • Ability to work eﬀectively as a member of a team. • Ability to work outside during inclement weather. • Ability to work with and adhere to safety rules when working with hazardous gases. • Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. • Knowledge of the methods, practices, tools and materials used in a variety of building, equipment and grounds maintenance and repair activities. • Knowledge of the occupational hazards and necessary safety precautions applicable to building equipment and grounds maintenance. • Knowledge of the occupational hazards associated with high voltage equipment and how to take necessary safety precautions. • Knowledge of the use of computers, mathematics, basic chemistry, biology and microbiology principles and procedures. • Skill in the building or mechanical trades. • Skill in the use and care of tools and equipment necessary to perform a variety of repair tasks. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) Supervision No supervision of direct reports. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee regularly lifts and/or moves 25 pounds and will occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with or without assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, high or precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, vibration, confined space, and traffic hazards. The employee is frequently exposed to outside weather condition, dampness, direct sunlight, dust, pollen, insect stings, and animals. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Involves more than moderate exposure to dangerous situations. Involves more than moderate exposure to stress due to the work environment and/or crisis situations. Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended, 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. Reviewed/Approved by: Ron Knoche, Public Works Director (4/2024) Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) and requirements of this job description, and I agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. Employee Date ________________________________ __________________