WATER UTILITY OPERATOR 5854 (B) (REV 08-08-25)

Water Utility Operator

Annual salary $72,119 to $89,616; $80,053 to $99,472; $83,749 to $104,045; $93,270 to $115,884

Notes:

1. Candidates from the eligible list are normally appointed to vacancies in the lower pay grade positions.
2. Annual salary is the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.
3. For information regarding reciprocity between the City of Los Angeles departments and LADWP, go to

A Water Utility Operator inspects, operates, and maintains electric water pumping plants, reservoirs, wells and related water facilities; patrols reservoirs to locate hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions; and monitors the operation of the computerized Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA).

Requirement(s)/Minimum Qualification(s)

1. A valid California State Water Resources Control Board Grade D2 Water Distribution Operator Certificate; and
2. a. Two years of full-time paid potable or waste water system experience in the construction, maintenance, or operation of water system facilities; or
3. b. One year of full-time paid experience in electrical or mechanical work involving the operation, maintenance, or repair of large pumps, motors, engines or generators such as those found in an engine room on a ship or in an electric pumping plant.

Process notes:

1. Applicants who lack six months or less of the above required experience at the time of filing may file for this examination. However, they cannot be appointed until the full experience requirement is met.
2. A valid Class C driver's license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is required at the time of appointment. Candidates will not be eligible for appointment to these positions if their DMV record within the last 36 months reflects three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation such as DUI.
3. Applicants residing outside the State of California may apply with a valid driver's license at the time of hiring, and a valid California driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of hire, and maintained during the course of employment.
4. Applicants must submit their California State Water Resources Control Board Grade D2 Water Distribution Operator Certificate at the time of filing. The copy of the certificate must be attached to the on-line application in the Attachments section BEFORE the application is submitted. If the certificate is attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and applicants WILL NOT be credited with having submitted it. Applicants who fail to submit their certificate at the time of filing by attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered further in this examination.
5. Applicants filing under Requirement "b" may use their experience while in the United States Armed Forces performing the specified tasks.
6. Active United States Military personnel may file for this examination. However, they cannot be appointed until they have completed their military service and have been discharged with satisfactory performance. Proof of military service and satisfactory performance must be provided prior to appointment.
7. Entry-level positions in this class are temporary training positions as defined in Civil Service Commission Rule 5.30, and receive training in the operation and maintenance of electric pumping plants, reservoirs, wells and related facilities, and are expected to satisfactorily complete the training program within 30 months of appointment.
8. Water Utility Operators may be assigned to work overtime, irregular shifts, weekends and holidays.

Where To Apply & Application Deadline

Applications will only be accepted on-line. When you are viewing the on-line job bulletin of your choice, simply scroll to the top of the page and select the "Apply" icon. On-line job bulletins are also available at

Note: Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure you have time to resolve any technical issues you may encounter.

Applications will only be accepted on-line on the dates listed below:

Filing Period 1: FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2025 to THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025.

The examination may close without prior notice at any time after a sufficient number of applications have been received. Filing periods may change without prior notice or additional dates may be added, as needed, at a later date. For administrative purposes, filing will close periodically and reopen on the dates noted in the "Application Deadline" section of this bulletin.

In accordance with Civil Service Rule 4.2, all applicants who apply may not be tested in this examination. To meet anticipated hiring needs, only a limited number of qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the selection process in the following order: 1) Los Angeles City Promotional applicants who meet the minimum requirements. You must have received a regular appointment to a City position or be on a reserve list to apply for this examination as a promotional candidate; 2) Applicants currently employed by the City of Los Angeles on a part-time or exempt basis who meet the minimum requirements; 3) Remaining applicants who meet the minimum requirements in sufficient numbers to meet hiring needs based on a random sampling of those qualified candidates. Applicants not selected to be tested may re-apply in a subsequent filing period in order to be considered for that period's selection process.

Selection Process

Examination Weight: Multiple-Choice Test 100%

The examination will consist entirely of a weighted multiple-choice test administered and proctored on-line. In the on-line multiple-choice test, the following competencies may be evaluated: Mathematics; Judgment and Decision Making; Mechanical Aptitude; Follow Written Directions; Safety Focus, including knowledge of: Cal/OSHA regulations regarding the safe handling and disposal of hazardous materials; lockout/tagout procedures for energized equipment that requires maintenance or repair; the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); working in environments with high temperatures, including heat prevention procedures and heat illness treatment; safe practices for carrying, lifting, loading and unloading supplies and equipment in order to avoid bodily injury to oneself and others; Job Knowledge including knowledge of: how to properly tag equipment (e.g., pumps, valves, and control panels) and logging procedures in order to indicate that the equipment is being replaced, out of service, and undergoing routine maintenance; fundamentals and principles of basic electricity, mechanics, hydraulics, and geology in order to determine if equipment is operating properly or needs repair by manual, audible, or visual inspection and/or to recognize and report to management potential dam problems after conducting a visual inspection of the dam face; water system workings including, water service zones, pumping plants, regulators, trunk lines, and water storage facilities in order to determine system irregularities and to ensure proper operation; various pumps, electrical motors, internal combustion engines, and valves sufficient to identify them and to operate them safely and properly; various meters and gauges sufficient to read them and determine if the readings are within the predesignated operating parameters; preventive and routine maintenance on mechanical equipment sufficient to ensure that the equipment operates properly; and other necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Additional job analysis information can be obtained by going to and clicking on Competencies under Water Utility Operator.

The multiple-choice test will be proctored and administered on-line during a single session. Candidates invited to participate in the on-line multiple-choice test will be able to take the test as instructed from a remote location (i.e., their home) using a computer with a webcam and a reliable internet connection. Candidates will receive an e-mail from the City of Los Angeles outlining the dates and specific steps on how to take the multiple-choice test on-line. Candidates who do not complete and submit the remote proctored multiple-choice test on-line using a computer by the specified date and time will not be considered further in this examination.

For candidates who apply during Filing Period 1, it is anticipated that the on-line multiple-choice test will be administered between TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2025 AND MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2025.

FAQs for on-line testing is available at Candidates who do not have the required equipment may have the option to take the multiple-choice test onsite at a City facility.

Notes: