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Summary

3% COLA effective July 1, 2026
This recruitment may close at any time, once sufficient qualified applications have been received.

INTERESTED CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY IMMEDIATELY. 

Our City

The City of Signal Hill is a desirable place to live and work because of its safe neighborhoods, abundant business opportunities, inclusive culture, and beautiful green spaces. With its central location, the community takes great pride in its recreational amenities which include 11 City parks and open space area covering over 29 acres, an extensive walking trail system, abundant recreation and library programs, and an array of annual events.

The City of Signal Hill, with a population of approximately 11,800 and covering 2.2 square miles, is located in Los Angeles County within four miles of the Pacific Ocean. Signal Hill was incorporated on April 14, 1924, roughly three years after the discovery of a vast oil field. Known for its beautiful setting, Signal Hill claims the only accessible high ground for miles around with an impressive hilltop park which provides spectacular panoramic views.

Our water facility is classified as both a D4 Distribution and T2 Treatment facility. This dual classification ensures that we efficiently deliver safe, clean water to the community and expertly treat it to meet the highest safety and quality standards, providing reliable, top-tier service for all residents and businesses. 

The Position

Under general direction of the Water Systems Superintendent, the Water Systems Supervisor plans, coordinates, supervises, and participates in the daily operations, maintenance, construction, and repair of the City’s water production, treatment, and distribution systems. This position ensures compliance with state and federal water quality standards and provides leadership and training to water operations staff. Performs related work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Water Systems Supervisor is a working supervisor responsible for leading field crews while also ensuring regulatory compliance and operational integrity. This classification is distinguished from the Water Systems Superintendent, who is responsible for broader administrative, budgetary, and strategic oversight of the Water Division.

Job Description

Example of Duties:
Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include, but are not limited to the following characteristic duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. 

• Plan, schedule, assign, and supervise daily water system operations and maintenance tasks including wells, backflows, reservoirs, pump stations, pressure regulation, metering, flushing, valve maintenance, treatment, and distribution system repairs. 
• Monitor and enforce compliance with all applicable water quality, safety, and environmental regulations (e.g., DDW, SWRCB, EPA, SCAQMD, NPDES). 
• Supervise, train, mentor, and evaluate staff including Water Operators and Water Maintenance Workers. 
• Maintain and ensure proper function of SCADA systems and other automated water system technologies. 
• Ability to independently operate a D4/T3 water system facility including a Reverse Osmosis plant with granular activated carbon filtration system. 
• Responsible for timesheet management and proper distribution of workload, including off-hours and overtime scheduling for staff being supervised.
• Prepare and review reports and records including daily operational logs, water sampling results, meter readings, and annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs). 
• Coordinate customer service, water sampling, valve exercising, hydrant flushing, backflow testing, cross-connection control programs and other programs as assigned. 
• Provide inspection of water systems installed during Capital Improvement Projects or development related improvements as required. 
• Inspect field work to ensure safety and quality; respond to emergency water system issues including main breaks, pump failures, and water quality complaints.
• Provide input into the budget, asset management plans, capital improvement project development, and procurement of supplies and equipment. 
• Participate in on-call rotations and respond to after-hours emergencies as needed.

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:
Any combination of education, training, and work experience to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position is qualifying. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to possess:

Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in water system operations, maintenance, or distribution, including at least two (2) years in a supervisory or lead capacity. 

Education: High school diploma or equivalent is required 

Licenses and Certification: 

• Valid California Class C driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and evidence of insurance are required. 
• Class B California driver’s license must be obtained within the first 12 months of employment. 
• Possession of a valid Grade IV Water Distribution Operator Certificate (D4) issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) is required.
• Possession of a Grade III (T3) Water Treatment Operator Certificate is required.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Completion of 30 semester units of coursework in water technology, environmental science, or a related field is desirable. 
• Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Certification (or ability to obtain within 12 months) is desirable. 
• Cathodic Protection Technician certification issued by the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) is desirable.

Position is subject to call-out during regular off-time hours to assist in emergency repair and maintenance situations according to guidelines in place as outlined in the applicable Personnel Rules and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of potable water production, distribution, and treatment. 
• Relevant laws and regulations including Title 22, California Health and Safety Code, Safe Drinking Water Act, and AWWA standards. 
• Methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in the operation, maintenance, and repair of water systems. 
• Principles of employee supervision, training, and performance evaluation. 
• Cross-connection control and backflow prevention.
• SCADA, GIS, and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS). 

Ability to:

• Supervise and lead staff effectively in a team environment.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical and operational issues.
• Interpret and apply complex regulatory requirements. 
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, maps, and technical specifications. 
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Prepare accurate reports and maintain detailed records. 
• Respond to emergency situations calmly and efficiently. 

Supervisorial Responsibilities:

• Ability to assign, review, plan, and coordinate the work of other employees. 
• Ability to provide instruction and guidance to staff.
• Ability to recommend the transfer, promotion, salary increase, discipline or discharge of staff. 
• Ability to assess the work of employees and write performance appraisals.
• Ability to promote staff development and motivation. 
• Ability to analyze problems that arise in the areas under supervision and recommend solutions. 

Mathematical Ability:

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide. 
• Ability to calculate decimals, ratios, percentages, fractions, volumes and spatial relationships. 

Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to utilize functional reasoning and apply rational judgment in performing diversified work activities.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against measurable criteria.
• Ability to research and evaluate products and materials for suitability of applications.
• Ability to analyze and categorize data and information in order to determine the relationship of the data with reference to established criteria/standards; ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure and/or sort data, as well as assemble, copy, record and transcribe data; ability to classify, compute and tabulate data. 

Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication: 

• Ability to train/lead/collaborate with others.
• Ability to advise and interpret how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations. 
• Ability to utilize a variety of advisory data and information, such as technical operating manuals, procedures, guidelines, plans, specifications, codes and other laws. 
• Ability to communicate effectively with coworkers and the general public, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to counsel, mediate, and/or provide first line supervision; ability to persuade, convince and train. 

Physical Requirements: 

• Must be able to work in both office and field environments, including inclement weather, confined spaces, and around moving equipment and chemicals.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and perform manual labor when necessary. 
• May be required to respond to emergencies after hours, on weekends, and holidays. 
• Ability to operate heavy equipment and machinery requiring complex and rapid adjustments, such as the use of hand tools, mechanical equipment, power tools, and the operation of vehicles in a safe and effective manner. 
• Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing skilled movements, such as assembling, drilling, grinding, cutting, painting or the operation of heavy equipment. 
• Ability to exert heavy physical effort in moderate to heavy work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling.

Environmental Adaptability: 
Employees partly work in an office environment and partly work in and around public works facilities and systems 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, and hazardous physical substances and fumes.

Working Conditions:

• May be required to be on-call and to work various shifts or emergencies on evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Special Instructions

Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.

Additional Information

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

Selection Procedure:
All statements made on applications are subject to investigation and verification. Falsifying one's education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City of Signal Hill. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City application and supplemental questionnaire.

 Admission to competitive examination may be limited to those whose applications show the best combination of qualifications in relation to the requirements and duties of the position.  Any part of the examination process may be qualifying only.

Equal Opportunity Employer: 
The City of Signal Hill is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workplace diversity.

Americans with Disabilities: 
Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources.  If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact Human Resources at HR@cityofsignalhill.org or (562) 989-7307/10 no later than 5 business days before the test date.

Fingerprinting:
Applicants who are selected for hire are fingerprinted during the pre- placement processing period. All fingerprints will be processed with the Department of Justice to verify criminal records or absence thereof.

Physical Examination:
Employment offers are conditional based, upon the successful completion of a medical examination which may include drug and alcohol screening. Physicals are performed by the City's designated physician at the City's expense. Candidates are cautioned not to quit their jobs or give notice to their current employers until they are determined to be medically qualified.

Oath and Disaster Service Worker:
All City employees are required to sign the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance for Public Employees upon the beginning of employment. Pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100, all City employees are required to perform assigned emergency service duties in the event of an emergency or disaster and are required to sign a Disaster Service Worker Statement upon hire.