Description
WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE APPLICANTS TO READ THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THIS POSITION.
The City of Torrance recognizes the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to the City of Torrance today.
The City of Torrance is recruiting for a Water System Operator I to be part of the
Public Works Department's Torrance Municipal Water Division Team!
The Department
The City of Torrance
Public Works Department is made up of over 200 employees who provide service to our residents, businesses, and other City departments to improve and maintain the City's streets, sidewalks, landscaping, traffic, sewers, and water system.
The Division
Torrance Municipal Water (TMW) is a full service water agency with approximately 26,500 service connections that provides both retail and wholesale water service to 78% of the
City. The Division is responsible for local water supply, the monitoring and maintenance of water quality, preventive maintenance, the operation and repair of the water system, distribution system, and interfacing with the State Water Resources Control Board and other agencies regarding water quality matters.
The Position
As a part of the Torrance Municipal Water Division, the
Water System Operator I is the entry/journey level class in the Water Series. This technician is a safety-conscious, driven individual who, under immediate supervision, maintains water meters, reads meters and records readings, assists in the installation, repair, and replacement of water mains, water meters, fire hydrants, and other water facilities, and computes water consumption. Performs related duties as required.
The
Water System Operator I is an integral team member of a three-person crew, and works alongside a Water System Operator II and Water System Operator III. This position includes emergency overtime and provides the possibility for voluntary overtime, as new wells are being built in the City.
The availability to respond to emergency call-outs during and after normal work hours is a must.
Note
- 2½% premium pay for Water Distribution License Grade 2;
- 2½% premium pay for Water Distribution License Grade 3.
For more information about the duties of the position
, click here.
QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES
Education And Experience
Any combination of education and experience that would have provided the knowledge and skills required is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:
One year of full time experience in the repair of mechanical equipment and six months of experience in a position involving public contact; and equivalent to a high school diploma.
Education And Experience – Lateral Entry
Completion of the City of Torrance Public Works Dept., Water Service Intern Training program and completion of a minimum of 12 months of successful performance in the program.
License and/or Certificates
A State of California Water Resources Control Board Water Distribution Operator Certification Grade D1 must be obtained prior to completion of probation.
In addition to those listed above, incumbents assigned Irrigation Systems must possess the following:
Must possess and maintain a valid certification as a Backflow Prevention Device Tester from Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate, in addition to the minimum requirements, will possess:
- Experience with accepted methods of repair, rehabilitation, and maintenance of water meters;
- Knowledge of safety rules and precautions related to use of tools, vehicles, and equipment;
- Strong work ethic, punctuality, and flexibility; and
- Solid interpersonal and customer service skills.
How To Apply & Exam Process
Interested candidates must submit an online application and supplemental questionnaire at
www.TorranceCA.Gov/Jobs. Application submission will be accepted on a continuous basis until the position(s) is/are filled. First review of applications will be those received by
May 9, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. If a sufficient number of qualified applications are received by the first review date, there is the possibility that the recruitment may close at that time.
Only Those Candidates Who Best Meet The City And Department's Needs Will Be Invited To Participate In The Examination Process, Which Will Consist Of The Following Components
Written Exam: 30% (Tentatively scheduled for May 20, 2025)
Performance Exam: 40% (Tentatively scheduled for June 2, 2025)
Oral Exam: 30% (Tentatively scheduled for June 2, 2025)
SPECIAL NOTES
Visit www.torranceca.gov to find out more information about our community.
Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements
must contact Human Resources. If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact us at (310) 618-2915 prior to the test date. For further information, click here.
Positions under this classification perform "Safety Sensitive" functions as defined by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and are subject to Federal drug and alcohol testing. Pursuant to the US DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulations – 49 CFR Part 40, Federal Regulations do not authorize the use of Schedule 1 drugs, including marijuana and Cannabidiol (CBD) products, for any reason.
As a condition of employment, applicants will be required to pass a pre-employment medical examination, a DOT drug and alcohol test, and a background investigation.
In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between TME-AFSCME and the City of Torrance, new employees covered under that memorandum shall become members in good standing and pay the required service fee to said Local.
The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.
City of Torrance Inclusion Statement
The City of Torrance is a welcoming and culturally-rich community. As a pillar of public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a talented workforce where people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, religions, and lifestyles are valued. Our mission is to create an inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and contribute towards making a positive impact.
The City is an equal opportunity employer and works towards building collaborative teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. Come join us to help cultivate a workplace that welcomes and celebrates the diversity of our employees!
Benefit Summary For Torrance Municipal Employees (tme-afscme)
Note: Not all benefits listed may be applicable to all positions with in the unit. Please refer to the MOU for specifics.
Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance (sec. 4.9)
The City's monthly contribution for health insurance is as follows:
Employee Only Emp. +1 Emp. +2 or more
Full Time 597.68 1,140.36 1,595.96
Part-Time
(hired prior to 1/1/08) 483.29 912.98 1,248.16
Part-Time
(hired after 1/1/08) 356.34 619.68 829.48
The City's monthly contribution for vision insurance is $3.33
The City's monthly contribution for dental insurance is $33.71/EE only and $67.42/EE +1 or more
City provides a $50,000 life insurance policy
Longevity (based on years of service) (Sec. 2.5)
Crafts and Trades employees
** shall receive longevity pay in the following manner:
7 YOS: 2.5% above base pay.
11 YOS: 5% above base pay
15 YOS: 7.5% above base pay
19 YOS: 10% above base pay
- YOS= Years Of Service
- Except Public Safety Dispatcher and Animal Control Officer
Permanent Part-Time Employees (Sec. 2.8)
Permanent part time employees working 20 hours or more per week are entitled to all benefits. Accrual of time and money shall be ½ the amount received by full-time employees.
Premiums (sec. 3.1)
Varies by position and assignment. Varies (see Sec 3.1)
Night (sec. 3.5)
Swing Shift: 5% over base pay when ½ or more of the shift is worked after 4:00 p.m.
Graveyard Shift: 7 ½% over base when ½ or more of the shift is worked after midnight
Weekend Shift (sec. 3.6)
Weekend Shift: 5% over base pay for hours worked on Saturday and Sunday only
Applicable only to employees within the Community Services Department, Park Services Division
Holidays (sec. 4.1)
13 paid holidays (New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, The Friday after Thanksgiving, Last working day before Christmas, Christmas Day & last working day before New Year's).
Vacation Leave (sec. 4.2)
Accrual Rate Per Month
Years 1 -2 : 9.33 hours; Year 3: 10 hours; Year 4: 10.67 hours; Years 5 – 9: 12.67.hours; Years 10 – 20: 16.02 hours; Years 21 – 24: 17.33 hours; Year 25+: 18 hours
Maximum Accrual up to the amount earned over the preceding thirty-six (36) months
.
Sick Leave (sec. 4.3)
Accural rate is six (6) hours per month
Maximum Accrual: of 600 hours.
Bereavement Leave (sec. 4.6)
Up to five (5) work shifts of bereavement leave; three (3) shifts with pay and two (2) shifts without pay per death of eligible family members
Disability Insurance (sec. 4.9)
Employee receives 2/3 base pay after elimination period (14 consecutive days for STD and 180 consecutive days for LTD)
- (See Sec 4.9.B for details on coverage for employees who don't qualify for commercial policy).
Retirement (sec. 4.10)
PERS 2@55
Employees hired prior to 2/01/2011, City pays 7% EPMC*
Employees hired on or after 2/01/2011 pay 7% EPMC*
- Employer Paid Member Contribution (EPMC) PERS 2@62 "New members" hired on or after 1/01/2013, pay (50%) of normal cost with three year average final compensation.
Uniforms (Sec. 4.11)
$80 each 6 months**: Telecommunications Techs, Wireless Techs, and Water Tech III incumbants (acting in capacity of Water Quality Inspectors)
$225 each 6 months**: Bus Operator, Transit Dispatchers, Police Services Officer and Animal Control Officer.
- Payable during June and December of each year
Tool Allowance (Sec. 4.12)
$250 every 6 months*: (Mechanic, Senior Mechanic, and Senior Welder)
$175 tool and educational material allowance**: Animal Control Officer
$100 one-time reimbursement: Mechanic or Senior Mechanic required to use metric tools (upon proof of purchase)
- Payable during June and December of each year
- Payable in February
Safety Shoes (Sec. 4.14)
$125 allowance: every six (6) months of employment payable during June and December of each year for employees required to wear safety shoes
$250 allowance: per year for Animal Control Officer payable during September
Deferred Compensation (sec 4.15)
457 Plan: Enrollment is voluntary.
Upon completion of year one, employees receive a non-matching deferred City contribution of $300 ($11.54 per pay period) per calendar year.
01
The following supplemental questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Resumes are encouraged but will NOT be used in lieu of the application or supplemental questions. Please read each question carefully and provide a thorough and complete response. Do NOT state "see resume" or "see application" to respond to any of the following questions. Failure to respond to all questions will be considered an incomplete application and may not be considered for further processing. Do you understand the foregoing?
02
Amount of full-time (40 hour/week and paid) experience in the repair of mechanical equipment.
- Less than one year
- 1 to 2 years
- 3 to 5 years
- Over 5 years
03
Amount of full time (40 hour/week and paid) experience in a position involving public contact.
- Less than 6 months
- 6 months to 1 year
- 2 years to 5 years
- Over 5 years
04
Do you possess and maintain a current and valid California driver license?
05
If yes, what class is your California Driver License?
- Not Applicable
- Class A
- Class B
- Class C
06
Do you possess and maintain a current and valid California Department of Health Services Water Distribution license grade 1 or higher?
07
If yes, please indicate level, license number and date of issuance. If no, please type N/A.
08
Do you possess and maintain a current and valid California Department of Health Services Water Treatment license 1 or higher?
09
If yes, please indicate level, license number and date of issuance. If no, please type N/A.
10
Do you possess and maintain a current and valid Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Backflow Prevention Device Tester certificate?
11
If yes, please indicate level, license number and date of issuance. If no, please type N/A.
12
Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent?
13
I certify that the information I have provided is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand that this information is subject to verification with my former employers, and that misrepresentation may cause me to forfeit all opportunities to be considered for employment with the City of Torrance.
