Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Utility Operator

🎯 Role Definition

A Utility Operator is a front-line operations professional responsible for the safe, compliant and efficient operation of utility systems — including water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, electric or gas distribution, and associated mechanical and electrical equipment. The role emphasizes 24/7 operational readiness, regulatory compliance (EPA, state permits), preventive maintenance, process control (SCADA/PLC), emergency response, field inspections, and accurate documentation. This role suits candidates with a commitment to safety, hands-on technical aptitude, and the ability to troubleshoot process and mechanical issues under time pressure.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Utility Worker / Labourer
Maintenance Technician / Mechanic
Apprenticeship or trade school graduate (electrical/mechanical)

Advancement To:

Senior Utility Operator / Lead Operator
Shift Supervisor / Operations Supervisor
Plant/Facility Superintendent or Maintenance Supervisor
Environmental Compliance Manager or Distribution Manager

Lateral Moves:

Instrumentation & Controls Technician
Park/Facilities Operations Technician
Field Service Technician / Metering Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate, monitor and control pumps, motors, blowers, compressors, chemical feed systems, valves, clarifiers, filters, boilers and other process equipment to maintain optimal treatment and distribution performance, adjusting parameters following standard operating procedures and permit limits.
Monitor SCADA, PLCs, control panels and telemetry systems continuously; respond to alarms, diagnose root causes, and perform corrective actions to restore normal operations while documenting events and responses in the control log.
Perform routine and preventive maintenance on mechanical and electrical equipment: inspect bearings, belts, seals, couplings, lubrication points, soft starts, starters and transformers; perform basic repairs or escalate to the maintenance team with detailed work orders.
Collect, prepare and analyze process and compliance samples (e.g., pH, chlorine, turbidity, BOD, TSS) following chain-of-custody and laboratory procedures; report results, maintain sampling schedules, and support permit compliance reporting.
Execute safe start-up, shutdown and seasonal operation procedures for treatment trains, pump stations, lift stations and distribution loops; coordinate planned outages with supervisors and affected stakeholders.
Perform confined space entry tasks in accordance with permit-required confined space procedures, including atmospheric testing, ventilation, attendant and entry procedures while ensuring appropriate PPE and rescue readiness.
Manage chemical inventory, handling, storage and feed system calibration; ensure Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS/SDS) are current and chemical delivery and disposal meet environmental regulations.
Troubleshoot and repair process malfunctions and mechanical failures in the field (pumps, valves, actuators, mixers); use test equipment (multimeter, megohm tester, vibration analyzer) to isolate faults and determine corrective actions.
Maintain accurate, timely logs and records: daily operation logs, maintenance histories, meter reads, calibration records, permit-required logs and regulatory submittals to support audits and inspections.
Respond to after-hours and emergency calls (breakdowns, overflows, spills, electrical outages, gas leaks) and participate in on-call rotations; coordinate emergency response with public safety, contractors and management.
Perform confined equipment inspections and preventative housekeeping in mechanical rooms, pump stations and distribution facilities to minimize downtime and extend asset life.
Execute valve exercising, hydrant flushing and distribution system maintenance to ensure water quality, pressure standards and system reliability; document all work using CMMS or asset management systems.
Assist with meter reading, service turn-ons/turn-offs, leak detection, excavation oversight and coordination of utility locates; provide courteous customer service when interacting with residents and contractors.
Coordinate and supervise contractors/vendors during repairs, construction and emergency repairs; enforce safety, permit and quality standards and verify work completion against contract requirements.
Conduct routine safety checks and lead toolbox talks; enforce LOTO (lock-out/tag-out), fall protection and PPE compliance to maintain a zero-incident work environment.
Calibrate and maintain field instruments and analytical equipment (online probes, flow meters, turbidity sensors) to ensure accuracy; conduct routine checks and escalate instrumentation failures.
Support plant process optimization initiatives by collecting data, reporting performance metrics (flow, load, chemical use), and suggesting process adjustments to improve efficiency and reduce chemical/electric costs.
Maintain stormwater and waste disposal controls, process residuals/sludge handling, dewatering operations and coordinate disposal or beneficial reuse in compliance with permits.
Prepare and submit regulatory reports (DMRs, SPCC, stormwater, air emissions) and assist with state/federal inspections; implement corrective actions from compliance audits and inspection findings.
Participate in seasonal and preventative maintenance shutdowns, start-ups and major projects; execute assigned tasks under supervisor direction and help coordinate cross-functional crews.
Maintain and update operation manuals, SOPs and contingency plans; contribute to continuous improvement, risk assessments and emergency response planning.

Secondary Functions

Provide field and operational data to centralized asset management teams and support ad-hoc operational data requests for performance analysis.
Contribute to process improvement projects by recommending small-scale pilot changes and supporting data collection during trials.
Assist engineers and operations analysts with instrumentation checks, field verification of as-built drawings and updating asset condition records.
Participate in cross-training efforts to ensure multi-disciplinary coverage (mechanical, electrical, instrumentation) across shifts.
Support community outreach or public education events by representing operations and answering basic operational questions from the public or municipal leaders.
Maintain cleanliness and order of facilities, vehicles and assigned equipment; ensure inventory and tool control are accurate and up to date.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

SCADA and PLC operation and basic troubleshooting (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Wonderware or equivalent).
Mechanical systems maintenance: centrifugal pumps, compressors, gearboxes, valves and rotating equipment diagnostics.
Electrical fundamentals: reading single-line diagrams, performing basic motor starter and conduit checks, using multimeters and safely isolating equipment.
Laboratory sampling and analysis for water and wastewater parameters (chlorine, pH, turbidity, BOD/TSS) and familiarity with chain-of-custody procedures.
Regulatory compliance knowledge: NPDES, SDWA, EPA reporting, state permit requirements and preparing/distributing DMRs.
Confined space entry, gas detection, respiratory protection and LOTO procedures (permit-required confined space experience).
CMMS (e.g., Maximo, Cartegraph, Cityworks) and digital asset management for creating work orders and recording maintenance activity.
Chemical feed system operation and calibration (chlorination, coagulants, polymer) and safe handling of hazardous materials (SDS knowledge).
Heavy equipment operation (backhoe, loader, skid steer) and safe operation around excavation and trench shoring techniques.
Metering, flow measurement and hydraulic troubleshooting for distribution networks (pressure zones, leak detection).
Instrument calibration and troubleshooting for online sensors (pH, DO, turbidity, flow meters).
Basic welding, pipefitting and mechanical assembly for minor field repairs.

Soft Skills

Strong situational safety awareness and a documented safety-first mindset.
Clear oral and written communication for shift handovers, documentation and regulatory interactions.
Problem-solving and analytical thinking to diagnose and resolve process upsets quickly.
Teamwork and coaching ability to work across shifts, trades and with contractors.
Attention to detail for accurate logkeeping, sampling and permit compliance.
Time management and prioritization in high-pressure, 24/7 operational contexts.
Customer service orientation when interacting with the public, vendors and other departments.
Adaptability and willingness to cross-train and take on varied operational duties.
Professional judgment and discretion when escalating critical issues to management.
Initiative in preventative maintenance and continuous improvement activities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED with trade-school coursework or vocational training preferred.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or technical certification in Environmental Technology, Mechanical Technology, Electrical Technology, Process Technology, or related field.
State water or wastewater operator certificate (Class I/II/III or equivalent) or progress toward certification.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Environmental Science / Water & Wastewater Technology
Mechanical / Electrical / Industrial Maintenance Technology
Process Technology / Instrumentation & Controls
Civil Engineering Technology (utility operations focus)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1 to 5 years of hands-on utility operations, plant operations, maintenance, or related field experience.

Preferred:

3+ years of municipal or industrial utility operation experience with documented exposure to SCADA, permit compliance and on-call emergency response.
Possession of relevant certifications (state operator license, CDL Class B with air brake endorsement, OSHA 10/30, confined space certification, CPR/First Aid).