Operator I

Salary : $81,481.68 - $110,343.60 Annually
Location : 380 E. Vanderbilt Way, San Bernardino 92408, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-03
Department: Operations
Opening Date: 11/13/2026
Closing Date: 11/27/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Max Number of Applicants: 50

Position Overview
Join our dynamic team as an Operator I and make an impact in the San Bernardino Valley! We are looking for dedicated people who embody our core values of trustworthiness, drive, collaboration, and innovation. Operators are responsible for the preventative maintenance, installation, and repair of our regional water systems, including hydropower, ensuring efficient operation of water transmission pipelines, facilities and associated equipment.

If you approach work from a problem-solving point of view, have a growth mindset, and work well in a collaborative team environment, we invite you to apply and be part of our mission to provide exceptional service to our community.

This is the working level of the Operator series. We are looking for candidates with hands-on experience operating, maintaining, or repairing water conveyance and distribution systems, large-diameter pipelines, hydropower facilities, and/or related mechanical systems.

This recruitment is limited to the first 50 applicants. The recruitment will close once that number is reached or on the posted closing date, whichever occurs first. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early.
Distinguishing Characteristics
The Operator Series is a flexibly staffed classification series that supports progressive advancement based on successful performance, demonstrated competency, completion of required training, operational readiness, required licenses and certifications, and San Bernardino Valley staffing needs.

• Operator I is the working-level classification. Incumbents perform assigned operational and maintenance tasks under direct supervision and follow established procedures and safe work practices.

Advancement is not automatic to other levels within the series (Operator II). Additional relevant education, certifications, licenses, and demonstrated cross-functional proficiency may be considered when determining readiness for advancement. Regardless of assignment, Operators are expected to support cross-training, collaborate across Water Operations, Hydropower, and Mechanical/Maintenance functions, and provide operational coverage as needs dictate.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives direct supervision from Operations Supervisors and/or Lead Operators; may receive day-to-day direction from Operator II. Does not exercise supervision.

Supplemental Information

• Employment with San Bernardino Valley is on an At-Will basis.
• This position is expected to work overtime, weekends, evenings, holidays, rotating schedules and emergency response assignments as required to accommodate the business needs of San Bernardino Valley, in addition to responding as a Disaster Service Worker.
• Successful candidates must be able to meet the recall timeframe of 30 minutes.
• Overtime eligible. Travel within the region, including to remote facilities, is required.
• The successful candidate will be required to pass a background check and a pre-employment medical screening, including a drug test.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities
The duties listed below 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 being performed by this position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this role. Specific duties and the level of responsibility vary based on assignment area and level in the series.

Operator I performs the duties below under direct supervision, following established procedures and safe work practices.

Core Operator Duties (All Assignments)

• Participate in safety meetings, tailboards, job hazard analyses, and safety inspections; follow applicable safety regulations, policies, and procedures; use required personal protective equipment; identify and report hazards and near misses.
• Perform rounds and inspections of facilities, structures, pipelines, and equipment; recognize abnormal operating conditions; perform basic troubleshooting within assigned authority; initiate safe corrective actions or promptly notify appropriate personnel.
• Operate and monitor assigned facilities and equipment using SCADA, HMI, and other controls, gauges, and instrumentation; respond to alarms and abnormal operating conditions within assigned authority.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance and minor repairs; use and care for hand and power tools; maintain vehicles and equipment in a safe, clean, serviceable condition.
• Prepare and maintain operating logs, inspection reports, work orders, preventive maintenance records, and related documentation using computerized maintenance management and operational record systems.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors, coworkers, contractors and the public; respond to inquiries and complaints and provide information as appropriate.
• Assist with emergency response activities including leaks, outages, flooding, power interruptions and other unplanned events.

Assignment-Specific Duties

Water Operations

• Operate and monitor water conveyance and distribution facilities such as pump stations, turnouts, reservoirs, valves, and recharge facilities using SCADA and field controls; adjust flows and equipment settings within assigned authority.
• Inspect, exercise and maintain pipelines, valves and appurtenances; perform leak checks and basic troubleshooting; assist with repairs and system shutdowns/startups.
• Perform flow measurements, reservoir calculations, water quality sampling, facility testing, and Underground Service Alert (USA) investigations; record readings and maintain accurate logs.

Hydropower

• Operate, monitor, and inspect hydroelectric generating facilities and associated equipment, including turbines, generators, governors, hydraulic systems, electrical switchgear, plant controls, and related water conveyance facilities, using SCADA and local controls.
• Support safe operations in and around high-voltage equipment and energized systems; assist with lockout/tagout, switching clearances, and return-to-service activities only as trained and authorized.
• Operate facilities in accordance with environmental permits, operating procedures, and electrical safety requirements; support flow monitoring, generation activities, operating data collection, and facility testing.

Mechanical/Maintenance (including Land Management)

• Perform preventive maintenance and corrective work on pumps, motors, valves, pipelines, and related mechanical systems in accordance with work orders and established procedures; support lockout/tagout and other safe work practices.
• Operate light and heavy equipment and vehicles, including to maintain access roads to facilities; support groundskeeping and facility upkeep.
• Operate equipment and power tools to conduct mowing, mastication and treatment of vegetation; maintain fire clearances at hydropower and other facilities; perform code enforcement inspections and vegetation treatment.
• Document treatments with pre- and post-work photos; assist with habitat restoration and environmental projects; help ensure permit compliance and monitor contractors for safe, efficient progress.

Qualification Guidelines
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, along with the specific licenses/certifications. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.

Experience

• Two (2) years of experience performing work related to the operation, maintenance, and/or repair of water conveyance and distribution systems, large-diameter pipelines, hydropower facilities, and/or related mechanical systems.
• A combination of relevant experience plus applicable certifications, licensure, or relevant technical education may be considered as equivalent.

Licenses / Certifications

• Possession of a California D1 Water Distribution Operator Certificate
• Ability to obtain and maintain job-related certifications as required and identified by the Agency.

Driver License

• Possession of a valid California Class C driver license and satisfactory driving record upon hire, maintained throughout the duration of employment. Must maintain insurability under the San Bernardino Valley insurance policy.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Expected proficiency increases with each level of the series; some knowledge, skills, and abilities are specific to the functional area of assignment.

Knowledge and Skills

• Principles and practices of safe water and power operations; basic hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical principles.
• SCADA, HMI, automated control systems, alarms, and electronic operational records.
• Pumps, valves, motors, pipelines, mechanical equipment, and related appurtenances; water conveyance, distribution, recharge, and hydropower generation systems, as assigned.
• Preventive maintenance, basic troubleshooting, inspection, and minor corrective work.
• Safe work practices, including PPE, lockout/tagout, confined space entry, fall protection, electrical safety, and hazard identification.
• Operating procedures, environmental permits, applicable regulations, and recordkeeping; computerized maintenance management systems and work orders.
• Basic mathematics, measurements, drawings, diagrams, maps, and technical instructions.

Ability to

• Learn and apply increasingly complex operational procedures and technical information.
• Operate, inspect, and monitor facilities and equipment safely within assigned training and authority; recognize abnormal conditions and promptly notify appropriate personnel.
• Read and interpret gauges, instruments, drawings, diagrams, maps, operating data, and written procedures.
• Maintain accurate logs, work orders, inspection records, and reports using electronic systems.
• Work collaboratively across Water Operations, Hydropower, and Mechanical/Maintenance functions and adapt to changing priorities, temporary assignments, and emergency conditions.
• Communicate clearly and effectively; demonstrate initiative, accountability, sound judgment, trustworthiness, and a commitment to continuous learning.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Environment: Work is performed in confined spaces and an outdoor environment, where employees may be exposed to climatic conditions and where the noise level may be loud.

Physical: Physical demands consist of sitting, standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling; using hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and lifting and carrying moderately heavy objects up to 100 pounds and/or utilizing a hand dolly to move up to 160 pounds. Incumbent frequently works near moving mechanical parts, occasionally works in high, precarious places, and can be exposed to hydraulic, electrical, and swift water hazards. Must be able to work in extreme temperatures and inclement weather, and to work alone in remote locations. Incumbents wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including protective footwear. Incumbent must have the stamina to work long hours and overtime, if assigned, and must be willing to work an irregular schedule, which may include weekends, holidays, evenings, and/or varying shifts.

Vision & Hearing: Incumbent must be able to see and hear in the normal range, with or without correction, and communicate verbally and in written form, and must be able to be understood.

Mental: Primary functions require use of written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve complex problems; use math/mathematical reasoning; perform work with changing or intensive deadlines and on multiple concurrent tasks; work with interruptions; and interact with management, staff, elected officials, contractors, vendors, external agencies, members of the public and others.
01

There are three (3) Operator vacancies, and San Bernardino Valley is recruiting for Operator Trainee, Operator I, and Operator II, though may not all be posted at the same time. Applications are NOT transferred between levels. I understand that I must submit a separate application for EACH level at which I would accept a job offer.

• I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and agree to the above

02

Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

03

Education

• High School Diploma or GED Equivalent
• Associates Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher

04

Valid California Driver License: Indicate the valid CA driver