Salary : $95,388.80 - $131,497.60 Annually
Location : 1965 Placentia Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 10.20.2026
Department: Water Operations
Division: Water Production
Opening Date: 10/20/2026
Closing Date: 11/10/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description*This position does not require a Class A California Driver's License *
Mesa Water District (Mesa Water®) is excited to announce that it is now accepting applications for a
Senior Operator - Production.This individual is the District's water production system expert and performs the most complex water production duties. Senior Operators independently perform maintenance, testing and repairs on our system's infrastructure in order to ensure an uninterrupted supply of potable water to our customers.
Competency Profile:
- Technical Expertise - Water production & treatment processes including, understanding of monochloramines, membranes, internal combustion engines, and emissions.
- Mechanical Insight - Troubleshoot and repair water treatment mechanical equipment (e.g., engines, pumps, wells, etc.).
- Mathematical Ability - Perform water math, such as mathematical conversions, dosing calculations, etc.
- Safety Focus - Show vigilance and care in identifying and addressing safety hazards.
- Manual Dexterity & General Physical Ability - Work with tools, climb ladders, work in confined spaces, etc.
- Handling Stress & Adaptability - Adapt and maintain competence in the face of adversity.
- Attention to Detail - Focus on details of work, including paperwork, reports, calculations, etc.
- Informing - Proactively share information about important work updates.
- Leadership - Guide and encourage other staff, providing senior-level expertise in water production.
- Self Management & Project Management - Independently work efficiently and effectively, meeting mandatory project deadlines.
Interested candidates must submit an online application with completed supplemental questions by the deadline of
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at
11:59 PM. Please remember to attach evidence of water treatment/distribution certifications. Candidates who meet the minimum and desirable qualifications will be invited to compete in a selection process consisting of a skills assessment and interview panels.
Example of Duties Under direction, leads, oversees, and participates in the more complex and difficult work of staff responsible for performing a variety of skilled and semi-skilled work involved in the operation of water production systems. Receives direction from Water Operation Supervisor, and provides lead direction over staff.
This is the advanced journey level class in the Operator Series. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including serving as a lead worker over assigned staff and work sites. Employees perform duties requiring specialized knowledge of water system operations and water maintenance, water system utility construction methods, plan specification interpretation for field installations, and working knowledge of engineering practices. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility. Work requires judgment in the interpretation of policies, procedures, and guidelines and may require the development of recommendations consistent with policies and procedures.
Minimum & Desired Qualifications - Leads, plans, trains, and reviews the work of staff responsible for the operation of the District's water production facilities and computer support equipment, and the maintenance and repair of related mechanical, electrical, and electronic equipment and systems.
- Oversees and participates in conducting inspections of well and reservoir sites including at the Mesa Water Reliability Facility (MWRF); reads meters; calculates chemical usage; checks oil drippers; checks pumps for proper operations; performs general site inspection.
- Oversees and participates in adjusting chemical feed pumps to proper dosage settings based on test results; adds chemicals to reservoirs as necessary including to chlorinate reservoirs; receives chemical shipments and transports chemicals.
- Oversees and participates in troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining well, reservoir, water treatment, water import station and related equipment and systems including chemical feed pumps and systems, as well as pump engines, motors, gear heads and related items; removes and replaces cylinder heads, bearings, water pumps, thermostats, drive shafts, seals and gaskets, carburetors, and starters; repairs, maintains, and replaces automatic flow control and pressure valves; repairs and maintains membrane treatment equipment and associated systems.
- Oversees and participates in performing preventive maintenance and servicing for pump engines, motors, and gear heads; checks and maintains batteries; lubricates moving parts.
- Oversees and participates in the installation and maintenance of electronic equipment including field instrumentation and telemetry devices.
- Oversees and participates in the installation, operation, and maintenance of SCADA system; operates and controls the water system using SCADA system software; operates and maintains all SCADA system computers and assists with backup related computer files.
- Prepares statistical and daily reports and data analyses of production activities.
- Responds to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provides information within the area of assignment; resolves complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
- Estimates and records time, materials, and equipment required for jobs assigned; requisitions materials as required.
- Oversees and participates in the performance of emergency repairs; responds to emergency calls at irregular hours.
- Acts as Production Duty Operator (PDO) on rotational basis managing Water Quality and supply demands by turning wells on and off, rotating reservoirs, and monitoring and modifying setpoints.
- Monitors and responds to water production alarms and perform daily PDO checks following all requirements within the Production Systems Operations Plan (PSOP)
- Participates in mandatory standby duty based on operational needs and responds to emergencies.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Supplemental Information Education: Equivalent to the completion of twelfth grade, supplemented by vocational or technical training in water utility science, water distribution infrastructure maintenance and repair practices, mechanical maintenance and repair practices, or construction inspection.
Education: Four years of experience in the operation, maintenance, and repair of water production infrastructure.
Certifications:- Possession of Water Distribution Operator Grade D3 Certification issued by State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
- Possession of a Water Treatment Grade T2 Certificate issued by SWRCB.
License: Must possess a valid US driver's license upon date of application. Must obtain California driver's license following hire date per California DMV regulations.
Other: Must reside within 40 miles of the nearest boundary to Mesa Water District in order to participate in the mandatory standby program based on operational needs and respond to emergencies.
Knowledge:- Water production systems
- Materials, methods, techniques, and terminology used in operation, maintenance, and repair of mechanical equipment and systems related to the District's water production facilities.
- Principles and practices used in the maintenance and repair of electronic equipment and systems including control systems, SCADA system, and instrumentation.
- Principles of providing functional direction and training.
- Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and ordinances relevant to the area(s) of responsibility.
- Applicable laws, regulations, codes, and policies governing the construction of water utility systems projects.
- Proper procedures used in the maintenance and repair of hand and power tools.
- Practices and procedures of traffic control.
- Basic mathematical principles.
- Basic principles and practices of record keeping.
- Safe work methods and safety practices pertaining to the work.
- Operating and maintenance characteristics of various flow control and pressure valves.
- Water quality sampling and testing principles and practices.
- Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and District staff.
- The structure and content of the English language to effectively perform the work.
- Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination.
- Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software packages) to conduct, compile, and/or generate documentation.
Abilities:- Plan, organize and coordinate the work of assigned staff.
- Effectively provide staff leadership and work direction.
- Operate, maintain, and repair a variety of water distribution systems and production facilities and equipment.
- Detect and locate faulty materials and poor work quality and determine the stage of construction during which defects are most easily found and remedied.
- Read maps, blue prints, and diagrams.
- Ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
- Interpret, explain, advise and apply policies, procedures, and standards to specific situations.
- Make accurate arithmetic calculations.
- Demonstrate skill in the use of tools and equipment and in diagnosing and repairing equipment.
- Set and calibrate equipment.
- Test water for water quality standards and make chemical dosing adjustments to well sites using lab results.
- Perform arithmetical calculations, including the calculation of chlorine dosages, reservoir volumes, and production.
- Maintain accurate records.
- Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
- Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing to effectively perform the work.
- Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, and procedural guidelines.
- Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Holidays - Mesa Water provides full-time employees with 107 holiday hours per year, comprised of twelve observed holidays (96 hours) and (11) floating holiday hours.
Vacation - Employees accrue between eighty-eight (88) and one hundred and sixty (160) hours annually, depending on tenure. Accrued time is available to use after six months.
Sick Leave - Employees accrue ninety-six (96) hours per year, with no maximum accrual cap.
Retirement - Mesa Water employees participate in CalPERS retirement.
Effective January 1, 2013, newly hired employees who are new CalPERS members, as defined by the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2% at age 62 defined benefit plan with a three-year final compensation in accordance with PEPRA. New members will be required to pay 8.25% of pension reportable salary as their full share of their member contribution.
An employee who is a "classic" member of CalPERS or a current member of another California public retirement system who is hired on or after January 1, 2013, will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2% @ 55 benefit formula with one-year final compensation. Effective 1/6/17, employees pay 7.0% of the employee contribution to CalPERS.
The District participates in Social Security. Please contact Human Resources if you have more questions.
Cafeteria Plan Benefits - Employees receive a $2,400 "Flex Credit" allocation per month to be used towards health benefits including medical, dental and vision. Flex credits not used towards benefits may be taken as additional taxable non-"Persable" income.
Deferred Compensation - A voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan (Section 457) is available to employees through Empower Retirement. Eligible employees may receive dollar for dollar employer match up to 3.5% of salary per calendar year.
