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THE POSITION
Water Distribution/Production Specialist is the advanced level class which participates in the maintenance, construction and distribution of potable water for the production of ground water for the City's water systems. Incumbents may be required to work evenings, weekends and holidays. Depending upon assignment, incumbents may be assigned work in distribution or groundwater production. A Water Distribution/Production Specialist may provide lead instruction to lower-level distribution and production water utility staff.
Duties may include but are not limited to the following:
Installs, maintains, and repairs water lines, valves, meters, fire hydrants, pressure regulators, pumps and tanks, surface water and groundwater treatment equipment, distribution, production equipment, and other water system infrastructures.
Operates and services equipment used in the repair, installation and maintenance of water system infrastructures including, but not limited to, compressors, jack hammers, backhoes, trenchers, tractors, trucks, and any other assigned light and heavy equipment.
Makes minor adjustments on service equipment; maintains tools and equipment in working order.
Operates and maintains wells, reservoirs, hydropneumatics tanks, and treatment facilities; and inspects residential and commercial service issues. Monitors and adjusts water distribution and production equipment.
Installs pipelines; makes water line taps; installs water services, fire hydrants, valves, and other water devices. Performs field duties related to the water system; takes water samples and inspects new construction. Excavates trenches and installs shoring as required by Cal OSHA rules and regulations.
Identifies service and main leaks; operates pipe locators; installs and inspect backflow devices.
Identifies and diagnoses leaks for customers and contractors. Reads and update waters distribution maps and as-built plans and blueprints.
Cleans and monitors pump stations and related equipment.
Performs emergency repairs to water lines as necessary; establishes proper traffic control devices.
Repairs, maintains, and installs water meters and related service lines; reads meters; turn services off and on as necessary.
Maintains logs of daily activities and keeps accurate records. Handles complaints and answers questions from the public.
Performs minor concrete work, e.g., meter boxes, and pouring hydrant pads, pump pedestals and short sections of sidewalks and curbs. Installs and removal of pumps in water wells.
Inspects new wells, monitoring wells, and destruction of privately owned wells. Notifies underground service alert of requirement for locating, marking, notification, and pavement markings for excavation. Locates and identifies City owned water and sewer line locations for Underground Service Alert (USA) as needed.
Performs surface water, groundwater and distribution system sampling. Cleans and maintains recharge basins; reads and maintains basin meters.
Wears and uses applicable PPE consistent with state mandates as required. May repair sewer lines that were damaged in the performance of duties. Maintains inventory and utilizes electronic work order systems.
Full job specifications available to be viewed at:
https://www.fresno.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Water-Distribution-Production-Specialist-10_25-10w1128.pdf (Download PDF reader)
View “We Work For You” video to get an inside look at how rewarding it is to work for the City of Fresno: https://youtu.be/RjOUf52KPrk?si=NmkwtgYbTxdKcKOz
The two (2) current vacancies exist in the Department of Public Utilities Water Division - Distribution Section. Immediate and future vacancies will be filled from this eligible list for a period of three (3) months from the date the eligible list is created, with the option of extending that period at the City's discretion. If the examination process is suspended for this recruitment, the eligible list may be limited to three (3) months.
THE REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications on or before the posted filing deadline in order to qualify for the examination and do not assure placement on the eligible list.
High School Diploma or GED completion or satisfactory completion of the educational requirements necessary to obtain a valid Water Distribution Operator Certificate, Grade D2, issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board
AND
Two (2) years of full-time work experience in the testing, cleaning, maintenance, inspection, repair, installation, replacement, construction, distribution and operation of water systems.
Applicants must attach a copy of their valid D2 certification under Cover Letters and Attachments. Applicants lacking the documentation may be rejected.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Possession of a valid Class "C" California Driver's License is required at the time of application
and continued maintenance throughout the entire term of employment in this classification.
Possession of a valid Water Distribution Operator Certificate, Grade D2, issued by the California
State Water Resources Control Board is required AT TIME OF application and continued
maintenance throughout the entire term of employment in this classification. Failure to maintain a valid Water Distribution Operator Certificate, Grade D2 certificate shall be cause for termination from this class.
Depending on assignment area: 1) may be required to obtain and maintain a valid Commercial Class "A" or "B" California Driver's License with appropriate endorsements for the entire term of employment in this classification within twelve (12) months of assignment, 2) may be required to obtain and maintain throughout the entire term of employment in this classification a valid Backflow Certificate by the California State Water Resources Control Board.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that are necessary to safely, effectively, and efficiently perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation. This classification’s physical demands involve heavy work exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally with assistance, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Additionally, the following physical demands may be required: balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, feeling, manual dexterity, grasping, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, walking.
THE SELECTION PROCESS
The examination process may consist of the following:
WRITTEN EXAMINATION - 100%: A job-related written examination will be administered which may test a candidate's knowledge of the materials, methods, practices equipment and tools used in the installation and maintenance of valves, hydrants, water lines, meters, regulators, pumps, surface water and ground water treatment equipment, distribution and water services, basic mathematical principles, ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form, ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of assigned duties.
The written examination has been tentatively scheduled for the week of September 21, 2026.
Candidates must achieve a passing score on the Written Examination to qualify for placement on the eligible list.
VETERAN’S PREFERENCE
Qualified veterans who pass the examination may obtain five (5) additional points.Candidates applying for veteran's preference are required to submit a copy of their DD214 with their application during the specified filing period. Evidence must be presented to indicate that the candidate was discharged honorably from the military service. Veterans, including City employees, must resubmit proof of honorable service for every examination for which veteran's preference credit is requested.
How To Apply
For information on how to complete an online application, please visit the Help & Support tab. For NEOGOV Application Assistance, please call 1-855-524-5627 or email [email protected]. ONLY ONLINE APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS ARE ACCEPTED and must be submitted by midnight on the closing deadline, or they will not be accepted for any reason.
Required licenses, certifications, and education must be verified with supporting documents. Foreign education must be evaluated by a credential evaluation service recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Please ensure all relevant attachments are uploaded with your application.
For the work experience section, provide detailed descriptions of job duties for each position related to the specific role you are applying for. Resumes are not a substitute for completing this section and will only be reviewed as supplemental information, not for determining minimum qualifications.
For other City of Fresno employment opportunities, please view our Careers Homepage. If you have recruitment questions, please call our office at 559-621-6950. Our office is located at 2600 Fresno Street, Room 1030, Fresno, CA 93721.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Fresno is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Should you need a special accommodation due to a qualifying disability, please contact the Personnel Service Department at (559) 621-6950 in advance of the examination.