Operations Technician-In Training

We’re looking for a motivated individual ready to build a hands-on career supporting Pullman’s essential water system. As an Operations Technician, you’ll learn to operate wells and booster stations, perform water quality testing, respond to system alarms, and work with modern tools and technology — all while helping keep our community safe.

No prior experience in water operations is required. We provide training and support to help you earn key industry certifications, develop technical skills, and grow into a vital member of our team.

If you enjoy problem-solving, working outdoors, learning new skills, and being part of a supportive crew, we’d love to have you join us.

Job will remain open until filled, first review is February 6th, 2026.

GENERAL PURPOSE: This is specialized work in the Public Works water/sewer department.

Learn to perform a variety of routine and emergency tasks relating to the City of Pullman’s drinking water and sewer collection systems, including: well & booster station operation, chemical generating & pumping systems maintenance, backflow testing & repair, water quality testing, storage reservoir inspection, cleaning & repair, lift station operation and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) telemetry monitoring. Operations personnel are also required to carry a city-supplied cell phone at all times and to respond to alarms and other events that occur outside of the normal business hours. 

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Does not supervise the work of seasonal staff.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Reports to the Operations Supervisor who evaluates work performance for quality and timeliness of work performed.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Learn to monitor and manage City wells, booster stations and reservoir sites to assure proper operation and adherence to state & federal regulations necessary for the operation of a Class A water system in Washington State.  

Learn to maintain all wells, booster stations, and chemical feed pumps and associated piping. 

Learn to operate, maintain, inspect, and repair all water treatment equipment including the onsite sodium hypochlorite generating, chemical feed, storage, and residual monitoring equipment (Cl2, Fluoride, and Hardness).  

Learn to sample and test raw, process, and treated water in compliance with state and federal regulations.  

Learn to monitor overall health of the drinking water supply on a daily basis, including performing flushing activities to improve water quality. In addition, this position will learn to respond to customer concerns pertaining to water quality (i.e. taste/odor/pressure issues). 

Learn to test, repair and replace backflow assemblies.  

Learn to read water meters utilizing an Automated Meter Reading (AMR) system including the utilization of handheld meter reading devices and GIS equipment.  

Learn the process for working directly with City of Pullman finance/billing staff to conduct field work including: water system leak assessments, water service turn on/off requests, bench testing meters for accuracy, Meter Transceiver Unit (MXU) troubleshooting & replacement, and all other field work requests relating to consumer water accounts. 

Learn to perform water-conservation rebate inspections (i.e. toilet, irrigated lawn removal, washing machine).  

Learn about the city’s conservation efforts and programs. 

Learn to inspects, troubleshoots, and repairs pressure reducing, sustaining, surge anticipation, pressure relief, and pump controller valves throughout the water distribution system.  

Learn to monitor the City’s SCADA Telemetry system and respond to water system alarms.  

Learn to operates and maintains the City’s sewage lift stations, including troubleshooting control related issues, configuring operational set points and alarm limits.

Learn to check, inspect, test, and repair City-owned hydrant meter/backflow rentals used for off-site water use activities. 

Learn to diagnose sewage lift-station control issues. 

Learn to perform routine maintenance to City equipment. 

Learn to utilize service work order database to create and complete assigned work. 

Learn to perform snow and ice control related tasks on city streets.  

Perform snow and ice control at the City’s Wells, Boosters and Reservoirs and the Administration Building.

Learn to respond to water system and lift station alarms at any time of the day or night. Upon demonstrating, the skills needed for responding to alarms to both the Operations Supervisor and the Maintenance & Operations Supervisor employee will be required to provide the crews initial response on a rotational basis.  

Assist other departments as directed. 

Follow safety procedures in all duties assigned. 

Will be required to carry a City supplied cell phone.

Attends work on a regular and dependable basis.

Interacts in a professional and respectful manner with city staff and the public.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

Performs other tasks as assigned.

City Paid Benefits Include:

• 3 Insurance plans to choose from as low as $0 for spouse & all dependents – Plans with deductibles as low as $200; high deductible plan includes employer sponsored contribution to Health savings account. 
• Vision & Dental Insurance with no cost sharing for employee & all dependents
• $15,000 Basic Life & Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• PERS2 or PERS3 Retirement
• Employee Assistance Program

Elective Benefits Include:

• Deferred Compensation
• Additional Life & Spouse Life Insurance
• Discounts on Parks & Rec Membership
• Discounts on Life Flight Membership
• Long-term care insurance

SELECTION FACTORS:

(Applicants should describe their previous experience and training for each of the following selection factors. These factors will be the basis for selecting the most qualified applicants. Candidates selected for employment must satisfactorily demonstrate possession of these factors during a prescribed probationary period, and afterwards, for continued employment.)

• The ability to gain a functional knowledge of Washington State Department of Health & Federal drinking water standards including water quality testing and sampling procedures;
• The ability to gain a functional knowledge of water distribution systems and water hydraulics, cross connection control, backflow assembly testing, electrical circuits in regards to safety, hazardous chemical handling and transporting, telemetry operations, lockout/ tagout procedures;
• The ability to gain a working knowledge of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needs for each assigned task, and confined space entry practices. 
• Ability to communicate with both internal and external customers. 
• Ability to work as part of a team and to maintain a positive, productive and respectful demeanor at all times and in all types of situations.    
• Demonstrate an aptitude for using computer programs that demonstrates the ability to learn new computer programs, such as CitectScada, Labware, ArcMap GIS, and Backflow Prevention Management Software (BPMS) software. 
• Ability to use Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, and Outlook.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

(Persons applying for a position of this class should have any combination of the following experience and training.)

High school diploma or GED. Possession or ability to obtain within one year: Washington State Water Distribution Manager I Certification; Washington State Backflow Assembly Tester (BAT) Certification; and Cross Connection Control Specialist (CCS) Certification. Current or ability to acquire within six months: Class B CDL for operation of trucks and equipment. Washington State Flagging Card for performing traffic control related duties. Competent Person Card for safely working in confined spaces. First Aid/Adult CPR. Required to carry a City-Supplied Cell Phone at all times.   

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

(For a detailed list of tools and equipment used, please refer to a current position description.)

Digital backflow assembly test kits, portable water quality analyzers, confined space entry/rescue equipment, safety equipment for climbing water towers, full face respirators, gas detectors, smart phones, volt meters, GIS equipment, laptops, desktop PCs, city-supplied cell phone, front end loaders, backhoe, bucket truck, service trucks with lift gate and/or plow attachment, vac truck for excavation, snow plow truck, trash and hand pumps, all sizes of emergency generators, air compressors, auto crane, jack hammer, compressor, torches, hydrant diffusers, gate valve wrenches, service line shut off tool, and a wide assortment of other specialized tools geared towards the water industry.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

(The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

While performing the duties of this job, the employee transports and handles hazardous chemicals and works with chemical pumping and piping systems on a daily basis. Lift and or move up to 100 lbs., 50 lbs. continuously for short durations (i.e. Brine Salt Bags). Exposed to inclement weather daily. Work in hazardous road and traffic conditions. Work in and around confined spaces. Climb water towers for inspections and repairs. 

The noise level in the work environment is moderately noisy.                        

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt