Water Operator na City of Sioux Falls, SD

About the Department

Make a Difference in Every Drop

The City of Sioux Falls is looking for a motivated and dependable individual who wants to be part of something bigger — protecting public health and delivering clean, great-tasting water to more than 200,000 people every day.

As a Water Treatment Operator, you’ll join a highly skilled team responsible for operating and maintaining one of South Dakota’s most advanced water purification facilities. Every decision you make will directly impact the quality of life in our community.

If you take pride in your work, enjoy learning new technology, and want a career that truly matters — this is your opportunity to serve your city and grow your future.

What You’ll Do

• Operate, monitor, and adjust treatment processes to ensure safe and reliable drinking water.
• Perform technical and mechanical tasks in support of daily water plant operations.
• Use analytical and digital tools to monitor system performance and meet state and federal water quality standards.
• Collaborate with an experienced team committed to public service, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Position Duties

1. Monitor SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) control panel, gauges, and meters to ensure proper plant operation. Maintain appropriate plant influent flow rates, distribution system pumping rates and water pressures, as well as storage reservoirs’ water levels in response to varying water demands.

2. Make regular tours of the water treatment facility. Read panel view screens, digital displays, gauges, and other instruments; record required operating information on plant logs. Monitor proper operation of the plant filters and perform routine maintenance.

3. Perform general office work as required, including entering computer data, typing reports, and answering the plant telephone. Receive off-hours emergency and maintenance calls and direct calls to on-call personnel.

4. Handle and monitor inventory of chemicals. Clean lime slakers and associated equipment to ensure proper operation of the lime feed system. Implement delivery security and safety procedures when unloading bulk chemicals and railcars.

5. Collect water and sludge samples and perform basic field and laboratory analysis on samples and interpret and log results. Troubleshoot and calibrate operator’s station lab equipment.

6. Interpret all data accumulated and make equipment and process control changes within guidelines established by management. Consult Lead Operators when significant decisions must be made.

7. Operate, inspect, and monitor a wide variety of mechanical, electrical, and chemical equipment.

8. Perform minor maintenance and labor tasks, including general housekeeping.

9. Perform other such duties and functions as are necessary or incidental to the proper performance of this position.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from high school or GED certification supplemented by one (1) year of advanced or specialized education or vocational training or two (2) years’ experience in the operation of a Class II level or higher water purification facility; or any such combination of education, experience, and training as may be acceptable to the hiring authority.

Willing to work varied schedules and rotating shifts to accommodate a 24-hour-per-day, 7-day- per-week operation and to be called in as necessary.

Must possess a valid South Dakota Water Treatment Class I Certificate or equivalent within one year.

Possession of a valid driver’s license is desirable.

Other Qualifications

• Knowledge of the fundamentals of physical and chemical treatment of surface and groundwaters as they pertain to the use of single-stage upflow clarifiers and maintaining sludge blankets.

• Knowledge of the machines, equipment, and unit operations used in the sand-ballasted pretreatment, lime softening, filtration, stabilization, and disinfection of surface and groundwaters and the thickening and dewatering of all associated sludges.

• Knowledge of sampling and preservation techniques.

• Knowledge of the interpretation of laboratory data and its application to process control.

• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions relating to the safe handling of hazardous chemicals, such as chlorine and lime, and the safe operation of mechanical and electrical equipment.

• Ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with plant employees, management, other City departments, and the public.

• Ability to troubleshoot equipment problems; maintain, clean, and calibrate equipment as needed.

• Ability to use a personal computer and job-related applications.