Water System Trainee

: Water System Trainee receives training in the maintenance, construction and the distribution of potable and recycled water operation of the City's water systems. This is a training class for candidates qualified to learn the duties of a Water Technician in the Water Distribution/ Production and Water and Quality series. Incumbents of this class undergo training in the testing, cleaning, maintenance, inspection, repair, installation, replacement, surface and groundwater treatment, distribution, construction, and operation of City's water system infrastructures, under technical guidance while gaining experience to qualify for a D1 or T1 Operator certificate. Dependent upon business necessity, incumbents may be assigned to work in distribution, production or water quality. This class is in a flexibly-staffed series, which allows incumbents to flex to the Water Distribution/Production Technician or Water Quality Technician after obtaining the Water Distribution or Treatment Operator Certificate, Grade D1 or T1 (depending on assignment). While in this class, incumbents will not achieve permanent status within the classified service, as defined in Fresno Municipal Code Section 3-202(p)(5). Vacancies currently exists in the Department of Public Utilities, Water Division. Immediate and future vacancies will be filled from this eligible list for a period of three (3) months from the date the eligible list is created, with the option of extending that period for up to a maximum of two years at the City's discretion. If the examination process is suspended for this recruitment, the eligible list may be limited to three (3) months. Pay,Benefits, & Work Schedule BENEFITS: UNIT 1 Classification - International Union of Operating Engineers, Stationary Engineers- IUOE (Local 39) 1% Salary Increase, effective December 18, 2025 3% Salary Increase, effective June 17, 2024 2% Salary Increase, effective December 30, 2024 HEALTH INSURANCE: The City contributes toward monthly premiums for PPO medical, dental and vision for employee and dependents. FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT: IRS 125 Plan for health and dependent care expenses. DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary 457 plan with Fidelity Investments to increase your retirement savings. VACATION LEAVE: Accrue 8-15 hours per month. SICK LEAVE: Eight (8) hours per month, available after 90 days. SUPPLEMENTAL SICK- 40 hours per fiscal year. 80 hours lifetime maximum HOLIDAYS: Ten (10) City-observed annual holidays plus birthday and two (2) personal days. SHORT TERM DISABILITY: Provided through California SDI program. BILINGUAL PREMIUM: PAY: $100 per month HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ARRANGEMENT: Eligible retirees can use remaining Sick Leave balance at 80% of hourly rate and other leave balances, if applicable, to reimburse medical insurance and qualified medical expenses, tax free. RETIREMENT: City of Fresno Retirement Systems, one of the best funded public systems in the state. Reciprocity with other public California systems. Vested in Retirement benefits after 5 years of service. City employees do not participate in Social Security. DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program): an optional, voluntary program that allows an employee to deposit retirement benefits in a special savings account within the Retirement System while continuing to work for the City of Fresno for up to 10 years. Participation minimum is age 50 and vested. Benefits includes ownership of accumulated funds, compound interest earnings, and alternative distribution options. Additional information regarding the City of Fresno benefits is available at The Requirements Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications on or before the posted filing deadline in order to qualify for the examination and do not assure placement on the eligible list. High School Diploma or equivalent and six (6) months of continuous, full-time paid general labor or comparable experience. Possession and continued maintenance of a valid Class "C" California Driver's License. Candidates considered for hire must provide proof of a valid driver's license and current copy of their driving record. Incumbents must obtain a minimum of Water Distribution or Treatment Operator Certificate, Grade D1 or T1 (depending on assignment), from the State Water Resources Control Board within the two (2) year period following appointment. Failure to obtain Water Distribution or Treatment Operator Certification, Grade D1 or T1 (depending on assignment) within two (2) years of appointment will be cause for termination from this class. The selected eligible candidates certified will be required to successfully pass a Department interview and a Department of Justice fingerprint prior to employment with the City of Fresno. Please note: Some positions have been designated as being 'safety-sensitive' and require all eligibles offered employment to successfully pass a drug test prior to performing `safety sensitive' work. Federal law requires that applicants for `safety-sensitive' positions involving the operation of certain transit vehicles, the transportation of hazardous materials, or heavy equipment over 26,001 pounds requiring a commercial driver's license, must undergo pre-employment and random drug and alcohol testing as a condition of employment. Although incumbents in the Water System Trainee classification are not subject to pre-employment or random drug and alcohol testing, as a flexibly staffed classification an employee flexing to Water Distribution/Production Technician or Water Quality Technician may be subject to drug and alcohol testing. How To Apply APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE AN ON-LINE APPLICATION. PLEASE VISIT TO APPLY. For information on how to complete an on-line application, please view "Instruction Guide" on the City's website, Personnel Services Career Opportunities page, or call (559) 621-6950 for assistance. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed employment application. ALL CORRESPONDENCE regarding this recruitment and exam process will be sent via e-mail. All applicants will acknowledge such understanding when they complete their on-line application. Verify we have your correct e-mail address before you submit your application. It is an applicant's responsibility to check their email frequently to ensure they receive all pertinent communication from the Personnel Services Department on a timely basis. Applicants will receive an automatically generated confirmation e-mail upon a successful application submittal. The e-mail is the only proof of submittal. It is an applicant's responsibility to check their email account and to ensure it is set up to accept emails from the City of Fresno. Dependent upon your settings, notices from the City of Fresno may be directed to the "junk mail" or "spam" folders. It is the applicant's responsibility to check these folders. Applications must be submitted by midnight on the filing deadline or they will not be accepted for any reason. FOR THIS RECRUITMENT, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT PERMANENT FRESNO CITY EMPLOYEES APPLY THROUGH PEOPLESOFT SELF SERVICE. Selection Process The examination process may consist of the following: Written Examination - 100%: The written examination is designed to assess a candidate's knowledge of Common hand and power tools and equipment, basic custodial, equipment, building, or grounds maintenance practices, ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions, ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of assigned duties and other subject matter designed to test the knowledge, skills and abilities of a Water System Trainee. The written examination has been tentatively scheduled for the week of: December 4, 2025. Candidates must achieve a passing score on the Written Examination to qualify for placement on the eligible list. Veteran Preference Regulations Candidates applying for veteran's preference are required to submit a copy of their DD214 with their application during the specified filing period. Evidence must be presented to indicate that the candidate was discharged honorably from the military service. Veterans, including City employees, must resubmit proof of honorable service for every examination for which veteran's preference credit is requested. Qualified veterans who pass the examination will have five (5) points added to their final score. Equal Opportunity Employer The City of Fresno is an