OPERATIONS TECHNICIAN-IN TRAINING

City of Pullman • Pullman, WA

12d

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.

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.
• Performs other tasks as assigned.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED