Water Distribution Worker

Salary: $35.30 - $41.53 Hourly Location : Rochester MN 55906, MN Job Type: Regular FT Job Number: 20260010 Department: Rochester Public Utilities Opening Date: 01/29/2026 POSITION DESCRIPTION Water Distribution Worker Rochester Public Utilities RPU, a division of the City of Rochester, MN, is the largest municipal utility in the State of Minnesota. RPU serves over 57,000 electric customers and 42,000 water customers in a 60 square mile service area and has revenues nearing $161 million annually. The City of Rochester is committed to a community where ALL members feel a sense of belonging.

We commit to recognizing the diversity of our community members, listening to ALL voices and providing equitable services to create an inclusive place to live, play and work. We believe EQUITY should be at the center of all our work. We strive to represent our community in our teammates, as we know that diverse and inclusive teams are more innovative, and have an empowering impact on the work, progress and culture of our community.

It takes us all working together. Nature of Work Under general supervision, this entry level position is responsible for performing water construction and maintenance activities so that water customers are served in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Distinguishing Characteristics Individuals working in this position must maintain annual CPR training must be willing to accept overtime assignments as required are on-call for water system emergency maintenance activities 2025 Starting wage is $35.30 per hour.

This wage will be updated when the 2026 contract has been executed. To have your application considered for the first round of interviews, please apply by Monday, February 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

The City of Rochester will not sponsor or transfer visas for this position including F1 OPT STEM. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Perform in an efficient, cost-effective manner water system construction and maintenance activities including: Install and maintain water mains, valves, hydrants, storage tanks, wells, pumping units, and related appurtenances and structures Locate underground water services, mains, and valves Tap and flush water mains and newly constructed water system projects in service and observe construction project acceptance testing in accordance with City of Rochester standards for utility construction Install, replace, and service water meters, remote registers and other related appurtenances and ensure meter installation compliance with Water Service Rules and Regulations Occasionally read water meters and remote registers to verify meter/remote reading accuracy Evaluate and answer customer water system questions and assist in resolving customer complaints or providing customer information Other miscellaneous water system service, operation or maintenance related duties Operate, maintain and account for vehicles, equipment and tools used in work activities. Comply with RPU, Minnesota and OSHA work safety rules and regulations.

Work with contract construction employees as needed to properly complete work tasks. Complete thorough daily reports of work accomplished and materials used as required by the Division work management and work order system. Perform other duties as assigned or necessary.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education and Experience High School diploma or equivalent GED and completion of a formal water operators training program resulting in a Minnesota Class D Water Supply System Operator's certification OR High School diploma or equivalent GED and one (1) year of full-time employment experience in water system construction, operation and maintenance Licenses & Certifications Valid Minnesota driver's license with ability to obtain a Minnesota Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) within 1 year of hire as a condition of continued employment. Class D Water Supply System Operator Certificate required within 18 months as a condition of continued employment. Desirable Qualifications Construction experience installing underground piping; experience operating equipment, such as excavator, loader, skid steer, backhoe, tractor, tandem-axle dump truck, hydro-vac (truck mount or trailer type), and/or trenching equipment.

Completion of two years post-secondary education Class C or B Water Certificate ADDITIONAL INFORMATION *THIS POSITION IS COVERED BY THE CITY'S HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM (based on job assignment) Employees in this position are required to use hearing protection and the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements in administering this program. *THIS POSITION MAY BE COVERED BY THE CITY'S RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM (based on job assignment) Employees in this position are required to use respiratory equipment and the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements in administering this program. *THIS POSITION IS COVERED BY THE CITY OF ROCHESTER DRUG TESTING POLICY The drug and alcohol testing policies and procedures of the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements, including Minnesota Statutes 181.950 through 181.957; the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988; and/or the US Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). *Pre-employment and/or periodic testing may be required. THIS POSITION IS COVERED BY RPU'S AREA RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT In order to provide timely services, RPU has designated specific positions which must comply with an area residency requirement, based on job-related necessity where employees in such positions must reside within thirty (30) driving miles of their normally scheduled work reporting location. New Hires Individuals hired for designated positions with RPU covered by an area residency requirement who do not meet this requirement shall be allowed no more than twelve (12) months, from their date of hire, in order to meet the thirty (30) driving mile requirement.

Current Employees RPU employees in designated positions covered by the area residency requirement and who reside at a location that allows them to report to work within thirty (30) minutes from the time notified, prior to March 9, 2012, shall be deemed to comply with RPU's area residency requirement provided that they remain at their current address. If a current RPU employee in a designated position covered by the area residency requirement relocates, their new address/residence must be located within thirty (30) driving miles of their normally scheduled work reporting location and notice must be given to their immediate supervisor prior to relocating to ensure compliance with the area residency requirement. Promotional Opportunities Promotions to designated RPU positions covered by an area residency requirement shall be withheld from employees whose address/residence is located more than thirty (30) driving miles from the normally scheduled work reporting location of their new position, with the exception of employees who are willing to relocate within 12 months from date of promotion in order to comply with the thirty (30) driving mile area residence requirement; OR employees who immediately prior to their promotion were in a designated position and resided at a location that allowed them to report to work within thirty (30) minutes from the time notified.

Noncompliance with Residency Requirements In the event that an employee fails to comply with the residency requirement, the employee will be considered to no longer meet the minimum requirements of the position. In such instance, the City will take formal action, up to and including termination. An employee may be granted an extension if there is credible basis, as determined by the employer, for justification as to why the employee has failed to comply.

Said basis shall consist of circumstances not caused or controlled by the employee. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Knowledge of: the City of Rochester municipal water system; water system construction and maintenance (deep wells, underground piping, plumbing and water storage tanks); water system hydraulics Skill in: performing activities such as pipe fitting, general welding, protective coating application and maintenance of cathodic protection systems, special function valves, pumps, and motors Ability to: read water system maps, construction project plans and specifications; ability to operate water system construction, and maintenance equipment; communicate effectively orally and in writing PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.

In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demands that may be required continuously (2/3 or more of the time), frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time), and occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time) are noted below: Continuous demands: standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling, reaching, and handling Frequent demands: sitting kneeling, crouching, crawling, bending and twisting Occasional demands: fine dexterity, climbing, balancing and foot controls Sensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this position include: sight, hearing, and touch Environmental conditions that may exist in the performance of the essential functions of this job include: Work outdoors (no effective protection from weather) Extreme cold (below 32 degrees) Extreme heat (above 100 degrees) Noise (need to shout in order to be heard) Vibration (exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities or whole body) Exposure to dust/gas/fumes/steam/chemicals Walk on uneven ground (gravel, rocks, mounds, construction sites) Work at heights (includes vertical ladders up to 200 feet which require fall protection) Working around moving machinery (backhoes, dump trucks, cranes, fork-lifts, tractors, mowers, etc.) Protective equipment required (respirator, mask, earplugs, gloves, eyewear, etc.) Work in trenches up to 24' deep The majority of work is completed during the day shift with occasional work at night for emergencies and scheduled maintenance. This position also requires the occasional handling of irritant and/or potentially toxic chemicals used for maintenance and operation of the water system, such as epoxies, urethanes, solvents, chlorine, acids, lubricants, fuels, cleaning compounds, disinfectants and others are required.

Such contacts are to be done in compliance with OSHA and other related safety and handling procedures and regulations. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT AND RETIREMENT SUMMARY 01 The following supplemental information may be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Be certain that the choices you make correspond to the information you have provided in your application and resume.

By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is true and accurate. Any information provided may be reviewed by the hiring manager. Any misstatements or falsification of information will eliminate you from consideration or may result in dismissal.

Do you understand and agree with this statement? Yes No 02 What is your preferred name? 03 Do you possess a high school diploma or equivalent G.E.D.? Yes No 04 Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B visa status)?

Yes No 05 Have you graduated from an accredited Water Operator / Waste Water / Water Environment / Civil Engineering Technologies training program? Yes No 06 How many years of work experience performing water system construction, operation and maintenance duties? N/A - I do not have any experience in this area Less than 1 year More than 1 year, but less than 3 More than 3 years, but less than 5 More than 5 years, but less than 7 More than 7 years, but less than 10 10 or more years 07 RPU is the largest municipal utility in the State of Minnesota.

Which of the following best describes your years of fulltime employment experience performing water system operation and/or water maintenance duties for a municipality or utility? N/A - I do not have any experience in this area Limited - Less than 3 years Moderate - 3 to 8 years Extensive - Over 8 years 08 Did your employment experience performing water system construction, operation and maintenance duties include any of the following? (Select all that apply) Locate underground water services, mains, and valves Install and/or maintain water mains Install and/or maintain valves Install and/or maintain hydrants Install and/or maintain storage tanks Install and/or maintain wells Set grade stakes for control of elevation/alignment for water main installation Tap and flush water mains and newly constructed water system projects in service and observe construction project acceptance testing Install, replace, and/or service water meters, remote registers and other related devices Complete daily reports of work accomplished and materials used Coordinate project work with sub-contractors N/A - None of the above 09 RPU Water repairs and maintains all of its own infrastructure. This includes water main, hydrants, valves, etc.

This work requires operating various types of equipment. Has any of your prior employment experience involved operating any of the following equipment? (Select all that apply) Excavator Rubber Tired Backhoe Skid steer Tandem-axle Dump Truck Hydro-vac (Truck mount or trailer type) 10 Do you currently possess any of the following Minnesota Water Supply System Operator certifications? (Select all that apply) Class E Class D Class C Class B Class A N/A - I do not possess a Water Supply System Operator certification 11 Which of the following best describes your employment experience using mapping software programs such as ArcView, ArcMap or ArcGIS? Limited - I am familiar with them, but never really worked with them Moderate - I occasionally look up maps or locations Extensive - I enter data regarding specific mapping locations N/A - I have no experience in this area 12 Which of the following best describes the level or class of the driver's license that you currently possess?

N/A - I do not currently possess a valid driver's license Class A: Any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GWVR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds Class B: Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR Class C: Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is placarded for hazardous materials Class D: passenger car or truck 13 If hired for this position, do you agree to comply with the City of Rochester's Response Time/Area Residency policy where you must reside within a 30-mile road miles of the RPU Service Center located at 4000 East River Rd NE, Rochester, Minnesota? Yes No 14 RPU provides services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When those services are disrupted, staff are called in.

Are you willing to be on-call or called in to work additional hours with little or no advance notice? Yes No 15 I understand that if I am offered this position, I consent to being tested for drugs and/or alcohol as a condition of employment. If the test result is positive, or if I refuse to submit to a pre-employment test, the job offer will be withdrawn.

Yes No 16 CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: City policy requires that finalists are required to undergo a background investigation which may include, but not limited to: verification of employment and educational records, identification verification, driver's license record and a criminal history.Please note that a criminal conviction does not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration for employment with the City of Rochester. If selected as a finalist, are you willing to undergo a background investigation? Yes No Required Question