Lead Utility Worker - Water

Lead the Way in Keeping Our Water Flowing!

Are you an experienced utility worker ready to take the next step in your career? We're seeking a Lead Utility Worker - Water to guide and support a dedicated team in maintaining and repairing the City's potable and recycled water distribution systems. In this vital role, you'll put your expertise to work leading complex field operations, training crew members, and ensuring reliable service for our community. If you're a natural leader with strong technical skills and a passion for public service, we want to hear from you!

For more details, view the complete job description: Lead Utility Worker - Water

REPORTING SCHEDULE: 12 months/year, 10 hours/day, 4 days/week.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS: Applicants must successfully pass a background check and a job-related physical exam, including a drug test, prior to employment.

SALARY: Listed salary amounts indicate the first and last steps of the range for the position.

EXAM TYPE: Open Competitive.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD: 12 months.

INTERVIEWS: Interviews to be scheduled for August 12, 2025.

Experience the rewards of your hard work-comprehensive benefits, including upcoming COLAs, that support your well-being, growth, and success!

2% increase in base effective 12/7/25

3% increase in base effective 6/21/26

3% increase in base effective 6/20/27

• Leads, trains, and provides technical guidance to crews performing water system maintenance and repair.

• Installs, maintains, and repairs water distribution mains, service lines, meters, valves, and fire hydrants.

• Performs excavation, fabrication, welding, pipe laying, and concrete work for new installations and system repairs.

• Operates a variety of heavy and light equipment, including backhoes, dump trucks, Vactor trucks, and power tools.

• Responds to water service requests, including turn-ons, shutoffs, and customer complaints.

• Conducts water quality maintenance activities such as pipeline flushing and hydrant flow testing.

• Ensures compliance with safety standards, including confined space entry and traffic control at job sites.

• Reads and interprets maps, blueprints, and work orders to complete assignments accurately.

• Maintains logs, records, and reports related to work performed.

• Participates in after-hours emergency response and on-call duties.

• Assists with general maintenance tasks including cleaning, landscaping, and facility upkeep.

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.

Experience:

• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in the installation, maintenance, and repair of water distribution systems at a level equivalent to the City of Upland's classification of Utility Worker II - Water.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid Commercial Class "A" or "B" California Driver's License, to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of a valid Grade III (D-3) Water Distribution Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board, to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession or, or successful acquisition within twelve (12) months of appointment, a valid Grade I (T-1) Water Treatment Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board, to be maintained throughout employment.

Knowledge of:

• Principles of crew leadership, functional direction, and on-the-job training.
• Methods, tools, materials, and equipment used in water system construction, maintenance, and repair.
• Operation and basic maintenance of vehicles and equipment such as jackhammers, saws, backhoes, hydro excavation vehicles and dump trucks.
• Water distribution, recycled water, and sewer system functions.
• Pipe types, fittings, welding, and fabrication used in water infrastructure.
• Traffic control practices, signage regulations, and USA Dig Alert procedures.
• Trench shoring and confined space entry protocols.
• Recordkeeping principles and procedures.
• Safety regulations and protocols at the local, state, and federal level.
• Customer service techniques for interacting with the public and stakeholders.
• English grammar, spelling, and composition.
• Modern business technology, including computers and relevant software.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, and lead the work of assigned staff.
• Train others and enforce safe and effective work practices.
• Perform skilled water system installation, maintenance, and repairs.
• Read and interpret plans, maps, schematics, and blueprints.
• Identify and locate underground utilities in compliance with USA Dig Alert.
• Operate and maintain various hand and power tools and heavy equipment safely.
• Apply safe trenching, traffic control, and confined space procedures.
• Perform basic math and maintain accurate records and logs.
• Troubleshoot system issues and determine appropriate materials and solutions.
• Respond promptly to emergency situations and perform heavy physical labor.
• Organize tasks, meet deadlines, and follow through independently.
• Interpret and apply applicable laws, codes, and regulations.
• Communicate effectively in oral and written English.
• Use sound judgment, initiative, and professionalism.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, contractors, and the public.
• Employees work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, hazardous physical substances and fumes, dust, and air contaminants. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Application Process:

• A competitive records review of applicants' experience and qualifications will be conducted. Based on that evaluation, a limited number of applicants whose qualifications best meet the current needs of the City of Upland will be invited to participate in the interview process. Qualified candidates will be provided with more details prior to the start of the examination process.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

• All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.