Primary Water Operator

Somerville is a city that upholds progressive principles for both employees and residents alike. If you are looking for a culture that embraces innovation, empowerment, and collaborative involvement, Somerville not only embraces these talents, but encourages them. Creative, hands on collaboration with passionate dedication are at the core of the City’s workplace culture. Challenging and fast paced, Somerville also offers a generous benefits package that embodies a strong work life balance. Not only is it a “Model City”, as termed by The Boston Globe, but it is also a model employer.

Statement of Duties

The Primary Operator is required to provide responsible, technical advice and oversee the technical aspects of the City’s water distribution system. The Primary Operator advises, gives director, and provides oversight to the Water Foreman on the technical details to ensure the successful completion of work performed on the distribution system.

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for successful operation and management of distribution system
• Ensure City’s compliance with applicable state regulations, inducing but not limited to 310 CMR 22.00 et seq.
• Ensure delivery of safe drinking water at all times by complying with Massachusetts Drinking Water Regulations
• Inspect distribution system daily
• Oversight of testing, flushing, cleaning and disinfecting distribution system when necessary
• Assist in maintenance of water distribution maps, sample locations, and disinfection process
• Oversee collection of water samples as required by MassDEP
• Ensure that all samples are delivered to and analyzed by a Massachusetts certified lab
• Participate in conduct of sanitary surveys
• Assist in the completion and submittal of Annual Statistical Report
• Assist in the completion of the annual Consumer Confidence Report
• Notify MassDEP of violations and issue public notices as necessary
• Be present during system repairs and maintenance/oversee repair and maintenance performed by other Water Department staff and contractors
• Assist in the update of preventive maintenance schedules, operation and maintenance plans, emergency response plan and other plans as required
• Troubleshoot equipment, water quality/quantity problems and direct corrective actions as needed
• Troubleshoot causes of water quality complaints and respond to consumer complaints in a timely fashion
• Maintain a log of quality complaints
• Maintain awareness of changes in drinking water regulations
• Attend training as needed to maintain certification renewals
• Accompany regulatory agencies during on-site inspections
• Develop, maintain and keep up to date a public water system standard operational and maintenance manual
• Ensure annual Emergency response Program training is completed
• Report emergencies to MassDEP and Board of Health within specified time frames

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

College Degree and over five (5) years’ experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Special Requirements:

Must possess and keep current, A Massachusetts Grade D4 Water Operator’s License.

Must possess and keep current, a valid Massachusetts Class III Driver’s License.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill

Knowledge: Knowledge of management principles.

Abilities: Ability to analyze information and data

Skill: Skill with computer programs.

Work Environment

The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours in response to attend evening meetings or complete work assignments.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

Work Environment

The work environment involves discomforts typical of a garage environment, with occasional exposure to outside elements. May be exposed to fumes or dust, toxic or caustic chemicals, outdoor weather, moving mechanical parts and moderate to loud noise levels. Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours to attend evening meetings.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

Physical Skills

Required to move items up to 50 pounds, as needed. Required to stand, stoop, bend, kneel and squat for extended periods of time, as needed. May be required to travel to perform certain work functions.

Motor Skills

Duties are a combination of mental and physical skill, but the job may require motor skills for activities such as moving objects. Ability to operate a motor vehicle. May be required to move items up to 50 pounds. May be required to stand, stoop, bend, kneel and squat for extended periods of time.

Visual Skills

Visual demands include constantly reading documents for general understanding and for analytical purposes, making detailed visual observations, and routinely reviewing maps and blueprints with a need for color vision. 

Send your resume and cover letter by August 30th to:

City Hall Personnel Office
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville MA 02143
Fax: 617-666-4426
TTY: 1-866-808-4851
Email: employment_opportunities@somervillema.gov

City of Somerville residents are especially encouraged to apply.

The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request.