Job Description

Posting number: 2026-50-16

Department: Utilities Department

Job classification: Water Operator I/II/III Flex

Posting type: Open

Categories: Water Treatment, Water Agency, Utilities

Summary

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Are you ready for a role that directly protects public health and keeps an entire community running smoothly?

Water Operator I: $5,206 - $6,328 Monthly

Water Operator II: $6,355 - $7,725 Monthly

Water Operator III: $7,758 - $9,430 Monthly

The Water Operator I/II/III Flex position with the City of Corona offers a chance to step into work that genuinely matters. You’ll be part of a team responsible for operating, maintaining, and monitoring the city’s water production, treatment, and distribution systems & ensuring residents have safe, reliable water every single day. This role blends hands-on fieldwork with technical skill, giving you the opportunity to inspect equipment, adjust system operations, perform water quality sampling, and respond to system issues with confidence and professionalism.

Beyond the day-to-day operations, this position places you at the heart of a system that must meet strict regulatory standards and operate with precision. You’ll collaborate with experienced operators, learn advanced treatment processes, and contribute to preventative maintenance that keeps the City of Corona's infrastructure strong. This is a role for someone who values responsibility, thrives in a dynamic environment, and wants a career with long-term growth in a field that will always be in demand.

Experience and Education

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

Education

Water Operator I/II/III: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade, supplemented by college level coursework in water science or a related field.

Experience:

Certification may be substituted for experience consistent with the California State Water Resources Control Board certification requirements for Water Treatment or Water Distribution Operators.

• Water Operator I: Experience working in water distribution and/or treatment plant operations involving potable water production, treatment, storage, and transmission, or a related field is desired.
• Water Operator II: One (1) year of experience working in water distribution and/or treatment plant operations involving potable water production, treatment, with direct filtration, Ion exchange, Granular Activated Carbon, Desalination operations, storage, transmission, and/or blending.
• Water Operator III: Two (2) year of increasingly responsible experience working in water distribution and/or treatment plant operations involving potable water production, treatment, with direct filtration, Ion exchange, Granular Activated Carbon, Desalination operations, storage, transmission, and/or blending.

Licenses & Certifications:

Water Operator I/II/III: Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, to be maintained throughout employment.

Water Operator I:

• Possession of, or successful acquisition within 12 months of appointment, a valid Grade D2 Water Distribution Operator Certificate, to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of, or successful acquisition within 12 months of appointment, a valid Grade T1 Water Treatment Operator Certificate, to be maintained throughout employment.

Water Operator II:

• Possession of a valid Grade D2 Water Distribution Operator Certificate upon appointment.
• Possession of a valid Grade T1 Water Treatment Operator Certificate upon appointment.
• Possession of, or successful acquisition within 12 months of appointment a valid Grade D3 Water Distribution Operator Certificate, to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of, or successful acquisition within 12 months of appointment, a valid Grade T2 Water Treatment Operator Certificate, to be maintained throughout employment.

Water Operator III:

• Possession of a valid Grade D3 Water Distribution Operator Certificate upon appointment, to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of, or successful acquisition within 18 months of appointment, a valid Grade T3 Water Treatment Operator Certificate, to be maintained throughout employment once acquired.

This position is FLSA Non-Exempt, eligible for overtime compensation.

To view the Water Operator I/II/III Flex job description, click here.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Utilities Department is dedicated to providing high-quality water, reclaimed water, sewer, and electric services to the community. With a strong commitment to public health and environmental sustainability, the department ensures reliable infrastructure and innovative solutions for water efficiency. Residents benefit from customer-focused programs, including rebate initiatives and conservation efforts designed to enhance resource management. Whether it's maintaining water quality or powering homes, the department plays a vital role in supporting the city's growth and well-being.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will be accepted until Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Applicants are encouraged to apply early as the recruitment may close at any time without notice. The selection process will consist of a review and evaluation of all applicants' qualifications. Those applicants deemed to possess the most desirable qualifications will be invited to the next step, which will be a review of your application by a Subject Matter Expert. The following step will be an oral interview. The top scoring candidates from the review and oral interview will be placed on an eligibility list from which the department may hire. The eligibility list established from this recruitment may also be used to fill the current and/or additional vacancies throughout the City. The successful candidate will be required to undergo a reference / background check including livescan and pass a pre-employment medical examination (which will include a drug/alcohol screening).

COMMUNITY

A City whose heritage spans more than 125 years, the City of Corona, located in Riverside County, California, encompasses approximately 40 square miles and has a vibrant, culturally diverse population of approximately 170,000 residents. Residents of Corona enjoy a variety of cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities that provide a first-rate quality of life for its residents and visitors. Within an hour's travel time, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy winter activities such as snowboarding and skiing and summer activities including surfing, boating, or simply relaxing on world class beaches. Corona's economy is strong and getting stronger; more than 84,000 people work here. Our retail, commercial, and housing areas are expanding, and office development continues to be strong.

THE ORGANIZATION

The City of Corona is a General Law city operating under a Council-Manager form of government. Policy making and legislative authority is vested in the City Council, consisting of a Mayor and four Council Members. Members of the City Council are elected by District to a four-year term. The Mayor is selected by the Council and serves as the presiding officer for one year. The City is organized into the following departments/organizational units: Community Services, City Manager’s Office, Economic Development, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal and Risk Management, Police, Planning & Development, Public Works, and Utilities. Oversight of these departments is divided between the City Manager and an Assistant City Manager. The City's total operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026 is $422.7 million with a General Fund operating budget of $231.3 million. Corona enjoys a workforce of 935 dedicated employees who provide high-quality services to its residents and visitors each day.

Examples of duties

To view the Water Operator I/II/III Flex job description, click here.

Qualifications

To view the Water Operator I/II/III Flex job description, click here.

Supplemental information

To view the Water Operator I/II/III Flex job description, click here.