Water Operator I/II/III Flex

Water Operator I/II/III Flex

Salary

$30.03 - $54.41 Hourly

Location

Corona, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2026-50-16

Department

Utilities Department

Opening Date

10/06/2026

Closing Date

10/27/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

DESCRIPTION

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 Coronas 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 its maintaining water quality or powering homes, the department plays a vital role in supporting the citys 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 hours 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. Coronas 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 Citys 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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES

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

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

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

CORONA UTILITIES EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION

CITY PAID BENEFITS*

For a complete explanation of benefits, benefit eligibility and restrictions; please refer to the current Corona Utilities Employees Association (CUEA), Memorandum of Understanding. Any information contained herein that may conflict with the provisions of the Corona Utilities Employee Association MOU, the MOU shall prevail.

RETIREMENT: Employees are covered by the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The City does not participate in Social Security and the City pays the employees mandatory contribution to the Medicare Program. The City offers two retirement formulas based on the employees current CalPERS membership status. The 2.7% @ 55 highest single year of service retirement formula will be applied to employees hired prior to January 1, 2013 and those current CalPERS members with no significant break in PERS-qualified employment. The 2% @ 62 three year average retirement formula will be applied to those employees with a significant break in PERS-qualified employment those who have not formerly been a member of CalPERS or another retirement program with which CalPERS has a reciprocal relationship.

All employees hired on or after January 1, 2013, will be subject to CalPERS membership review for applicability of PEPRA.

ANNUAL LEAVE & HOLIDAYS:

Annual Leave During Initial Probation:

Probationary employees employed less than one full year shall accrue Probationary Sick Leave at one-half the rate of a 1-5 year full time regular employee (3.23 hours) per pay period. During the first six months, such leave may be used for sick leave, only. Such accrued time may be used for employee or family illness or medical reasons.

After six (6) months, an employee may request up to one week of "Advanced Annual Leave" for vacation purposes with the permission of his or her supervisor. Under extenuating circumstances and with Department Head approval, this leave can be used prior to six months of employment.

When the employee completes one year of service, the Annual Leave accrued as Probationary Sick Leave will be converted to regular Annual Leave for a total of 168 hours.

Years of Service With the City Each Pay Period Annual Totals

1-5 6.46 168 Hours

6-8 7.08 184 Hours

9-15 8.00 208 Hours

16+ 9.54 248 Hours

Holiday Leave hours earned during the first year of employment are available to be used for any purpose. There are 13 (10 hour) paid holidays (130 hours) per calendar year.

ANNUAL LEAVE BUYBACK: Eligible employees may "buy back" a maximum of 160 hours of annual leave once each year.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: The City currently offers a variety of HMO plans as well as several PPO plans through CalPERS. For plan information, click the link below.

Health Plan Information

The City provides a Medical Allowance to Members to be used for the purpose of purchasing mandatory health coverage offered through PEMHCA for the Member and their eligible dependents. The Medical Allowance shall consist of the following: (1) the Base Contribution Rate, plus (2) an amount equal to the difference between the Base Contribution Rate and the following amounts, as applicable:

• $1,003.00 per month for Members electing Employee only coverage;
• $1,721.00 per month for Members electing Employee plus one dependent coverage; or
• $2,273.00 per month for Members electing Employee plus two or more dependents coverage.

Effective January 1, 2027, the amounts above will increase to the following:

• $1,028 per month for Members electing Employee only coverage;
• $1,796.00 per month for Members electing Employee plus one dependent coverage; or
• $2,373.00 per month for Members electing Employee plus two or more dependents coverage.

Eligible Opt-Out Arrangement: Upon providing reasonable evidence of alternative coverage as required by the Affordable Care Act (ACA)'s Eligible Opt-Out Arrangement rules (below), employees shall be entitled to the following dollars in the first two pay periods each month in taxable cash, in lieu of the amount provided in Section 10.2 above:

(a) $300.00 ($600 per month) for Employee + 2 or more dependents

(b) $200.00 ($400 per month) for Employee + 1 dependent

(c) $100.00 ($200 per month) for Employee Only

DENTAL INSURANCE: The City currently offers HMO and PPO dental insurance through Delta Dental. Dental insurance premiums are paid by the employee.

VISION INSURANCE: The City currently offers vision insurance through Eye Med. Effective January 1, 2027, the City will also offer VSP as a vision plan. Vision insurance premiums are paid by the employee.

DISABILITY INSURANCE: Short-term and long-term disability insurance is paid by the City and provided free to full-time employee.

LIFE INSURANCE: The City provides a term life insurance policy to each employee equal to 5 ½ times the employees annual basic earnings to a maximum, of $750,000.00.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT (FSA): Each employee may contribute to either a medical reimbursement account or dependent care account to pay for unreimbursed medical expenses and/or dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE AND COUNSELING PROGRAM: This is a comprehensive program designed to help employees and their family members find direction in solving personal and/or emotional problems.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION (457) PLAN: To supplement retirement, employees can make voluntary salary deferrals to a Nationwide plan.

LONGEVITY PAY: After 5 years of service $500.00 annually. After 10 years of service $700.00 annually. After 15 years of service $800.00 annually. After 20 years of service $1000.00 annually.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: The City of Corona recognizes the value of an educated workforce and encourages employees to pursue the goal of higher education. The City has adopted a plan to provide financial reimbursement for tuition and textbooks for job-related college courses. It is a plan wherein the City participates with the employee in financing specific job-related courses leading to an appropriate degree or certificate. Education plans approved in writing by the City shall reimburse Members for the cost up to a lifetime maximum amount of $10,000 per employee.

BI-LINGUAL PAY: The City shall pay $189.58 per month to employees for Bilingual pay. If an employee becomes eligible for bilingual pay for less than a full month, the monthly amount shall be pro-rated accordingly. All unit employees are eligible to receive bilingual pay. An employee receiving bilingual pay will be required to speak the alternate language in the course and scope of their employment and may be asked to assist in translating even if unrelated to their specific job duties.

• DISCLAIMER: City paid benefits shall be as set forth in the most current version of the Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") between the City of Corona and the Corona General Employees Association, which can be viewed on the City's website (www.coronaca.gov). In the event of any conflict between the above summary of City paid benefits and any terms or conditions set forth in the most current version of the MOU, the terms and conditions set forth in the MOU shall control for purposes of this recruitment.

01

Please indicate your highest level of education completed.

• Less than high school diploma or GED equivalent
• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or higher

02

Do you possess a valid California Class C Drivers License?

• Yes
• No

03

Which Water Distribution Operator Certificate do you currently possess?

• None
• D1
• D2
• D3
• D4
• D5

04

Which Water Treatment Operator Certificate do you currently possess?

• None
• T1
• T2
• T3
• T4
• T5

05

I acknowledge that ALL information provided in this job application (including supplemental questions, education/certification information, attachments, and work history) is complete and accurate and cannot be changed once the application is submitted. I further acknowledge that proof of any/all certifications are valid and attached. I further acknowledge that writing any version of "See Resume" is considered an incomplete response and will result in my application not being considered.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Corona

Address 400 S. Vicentia Ave.

Suite #215

Corona, California, 92882

Phone 951-736-2209

Website http://www.CoronaCA.gov