Oak Lodge Water Services
Water Distribution Utility Worker
Oak Lodge Water Services, Rickreall, Oregon, United States, 97371
Salary :
$70,075.20 - $88,691.20 Annually Location :
Oak Grove, OR Job Type:
Full Time Job Number:
00039 Department:
Drinking Water Operations Opening Date:
09/18/2025 Closing Date:
10/13/2025 11:59 PM Pacific FLSA:
Non-Exempt Bargaining Unit:
AFSCME
Overview
Join Our Team as a Distribution Utility Worker!
Starting Pay:
$33.69 - $42.64 per hour Certification Differential Per Hour:
+$0.53 (Cert 2) | +$1.06 (Cert 3) | +$3.84 (Cert 4) Help keep clean, reliable drinking water flowing to nearly 30,000 neighbors while building a career with excellent pay, benefits, and advancement opportunities. Why You'll Love Working Here:
Competitive Pay: Annual step increases up to $42.64/hr plus certification pay. Generous Benefits: 95% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision; PERS retirement; short- and long-term disability; paid vacation, sick leave, and 12 holidays. Career Growth: Certification differentials reward your skill development, and we support training to help you reach higher certification levels. Team Environment: Work with a supportive crew that takes pride in protecting public health and serving the community. Position Description & Duties What You'll Do:
Work outdoors alongside a collaborative team to install, repair, and maintain critical water system components, including water mains, services, valves, meters, fire hydrants, and other utility infrastructure. Perform maintenance tasks, such as repairing water mains and services, fire hydrants, and water meters, as well as system flushing and valve maintenance. These activities involve manual labor, operating heavy equipment, excavation, traffic control, and concrete sidewalk repairs around water facilities. Execute new installations including water mains, service connections (using specialized tapping equipment), fire system supply lines, air release valves, water quality test sites, and other system enhancements to support new developments. Respond rapidly to unexpected water system issues requiring immediate attention, such as main failures, service line leaks, or fire hydrants damaged by vehicles. This may require availability during nights, weekends, or holidays. Provide excellent customer service by addressing concerns related to water pressure or discoloration. Maintain and repair tools and equipment essential for the job, such as tapping machines, pumps, cutoff saws, compressors, and others. Ensure service trucks are stocked and ready for immediate response. Minimum Qualifications
Minimum of 4 years of construction experience, utility experience is strongly preferred. DWS Operator certification or ability to obtain one within 2 years of hire. CDL or the ability to obtain after hire. Ability to safely operate tools, heavy equipment, and vehicles. Team-oriented, customer-focused, and ready to work in varying weather conditions. Able to work independently, utilizing knowledge of water systems and sound judgment.
Knowledge of standard practices, methods, tools, and materials used in water distribution systems; knowledge of current OSHA regulations and safety practices/procedures; knowledge of computers and software used in a utility system maintenance environment; basic knowledge of computer systems like GIS, Word, Excel and Outlook; and knowledge of Oak Lodge Water Services goals and obligations. Skill to operate small hand tools, power tools and construction equipment or the ability to learn and perform these skills on the job. Skill to operate motor vehicles, including backhoe and dump truck or the ability to learn and perform these skills on the job. Ability to learn and apply water construction standards. Ability to learn and apply all required safety standards. Ability to produce written reports. Ability for effective verbal communication with coworkers and customers and ability to professionally manage unhappy customers. Ability to work independently in a productive and professional manner. Ability to maneuver moderately heavy objects (75 pounds). Ability to analyze intricate plumbing systems and recommend solutions. The ability to respond to a system emergency. Ability to work outdoors in varying environments and weather, including inclement weather. Oak Lodge Water Services offers a generous benefits package to all regular status employees working at least 30 hours per week.
Medical Insurance:
You may choose between a traditional (Regence Blue Cross PPO) or a health maintenance organization (Kaiser HMO). Coverage includes you and your dependents. Each plan includes a vision and prescription drug benefit. Employees are responsible for a 5% contribution to the plan and OLWS is responsible for the remaining 95% of the premium cost. OLWS also offers a medical/dental/vision opt-out payment of $500 per month for employees who voluntarily choose to opt-out of coverage provided they produce an acceptable certification of valid coverage.
Dental Insurance:
You and your dependent family members are eligible for a dental insurance plan. Staff members have the choice to be covered by either SDIS/Delta Dental, Willamette Dental or Kaiser's dental plan.
Retirement:
OLWS participates in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Staff members new to PERS will be eligible following 6 months continuous service. There are two types of contributions:
Member contributions are 6% and immediately vested. Employer contributions are vested after contributions have been made in five separate calendar years. You also have a choice of two 457 deferred compensation plans to which you may contribute additional pre-tax dollars up to federal limits.
Life Insurance:
OLWS fully pays for your basic life insurance in the amount of your annual salary to a maximum of $50,000 and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) to a maximum of $50,000.
Short Term Disability Insurance:
OLWS provides you with a short-term disability (STD) plan which provides up to 60% of your salary up to a maximum benefit of $900 per week for up to 180 days.
Long Term Disability Insurance:
OLWS provides you with a long-term disability (LTD) plan which provides up to 60% of your salary, up to a maximum benefit of $5,000 per month for qualifying disabilities following a 180-day waiting period.
Flexible Spending Account:
OLWS offers a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). FSA's allow eligible employees to pay for non-covered health related expenses and child care expenses with tax-free income.
Paid Time Off:
OLWS recognizes the value of rest and relaxation away from work for all its' staff members and offers the following paid time away from work: Employees accrue eight (8) hours of vacation per month for the first three (3) years of service, and will increase according to the CBA. Sick leave accrues monthly at a rate of eight (8) hours per each month worked. OLWS also grants leave with full pay for employees required to report for jury duty.
Holidays:
OLWS recognizes the following 12 paid holidays during the calendar year: • New Year's Day • Martin Luther King's Birthday • President's Day • Memorial Day • Juneteenth • Independence Day • Labor Day • Veteran's Day • Thanksgiving Day • The Friday after Thanksgiving • Christmas Eve • Christmas Day
$70,075.20 - $88,691.20 Annually Location :
Oak Grove, OR Job Type:
Full Time Job Number:
00039 Department:
Drinking Water Operations Opening Date:
09/18/2025 Closing Date:
10/13/2025 11:59 PM Pacific FLSA:
Non-Exempt Bargaining Unit:
AFSCME
Overview
Join Our Team as a Distribution Utility Worker!
Starting Pay:
$33.69 - $42.64 per hour Certification Differential Per Hour:
+$0.53 (Cert 2) | +$1.06 (Cert 3) | +$3.84 (Cert 4) Help keep clean, reliable drinking water flowing to nearly 30,000 neighbors while building a career with excellent pay, benefits, and advancement opportunities. Why You'll Love Working Here:
Competitive Pay: Annual step increases up to $42.64/hr plus certification pay. Generous Benefits: 95% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision; PERS retirement; short- and long-term disability; paid vacation, sick leave, and 12 holidays. Career Growth: Certification differentials reward your skill development, and we support training to help you reach higher certification levels. Team Environment: Work with a supportive crew that takes pride in protecting public health and serving the community. Position Description & Duties What You'll Do:
Work outdoors alongside a collaborative team to install, repair, and maintain critical water system components, including water mains, services, valves, meters, fire hydrants, and other utility infrastructure. Perform maintenance tasks, such as repairing water mains and services, fire hydrants, and water meters, as well as system flushing and valve maintenance. These activities involve manual labor, operating heavy equipment, excavation, traffic control, and concrete sidewalk repairs around water facilities. Execute new installations including water mains, service connections (using specialized tapping equipment), fire system supply lines, air release valves, water quality test sites, and other system enhancements to support new developments. Respond rapidly to unexpected water system issues requiring immediate attention, such as main failures, service line leaks, or fire hydrants damaged by vehicles. This may require availability during nights, weekends, or holidays. Provide excellent customer service by addressing concerns related to water pressure or discoloration. Maintain and repair tools and equipment essential for the job, such as tapping machines, pumps, cutoff saws, compressors, and others. Ensure service trucks are stocked and ready for immediate response. Minimum Qualifications
Minimum of 4 years of construction experience, utility experience is strongly preferred. DWS Operator certification or ability to obtain one within 2 years of hire. CDL or the ability to obtain after hire. Ability to safely operate tools, heavy equipment, and vehicles. Team-oriented, customer-focused, and ready to work in varying weather conditions. Able to work independently, utilizing knowledge of water systems and sound judgment.
Knowledge of standard practices, methods, tools, and materials used in water distribution systems; knowledge of current OSHA regulations and safety practices/procedures; knowledge of computers and software used in a utility system maintenance environment; basic knowledge of computer systems like GIS, Word, Excel and Outlook; and knowledge of Oak Lodge Water Services goals and obligations. Skill to operate small hand tools, power tools and construction equipment or the ability to learn and perform these skills on the job. Skill to operate motor vehicles, including backhoe and dump truck or the ability to learn and perform these skills on the job. Ability to learn and apply water construction standards. Ability to learn and apply all required safety standards. Ability to produce written reports. Ability for effective verbal communication with coworkers and customers and ability to professionally manage unhappy customers. Ability to work independently in a productive and professional manner. Ability to maneuver moderately heavy objects (75 pounds). Ability to analyze intricate plumbing systems and recommend solutions. The ability to respond to a system emergency. Ability to work outdoors in varying environments and weather, including inclement weather. Oak Lodge Water Services offers a generous benefits package to all regular status employees working at least 30 hours per week.
Medical Insurance:
You may choose between a traditional (Regence Blue Cross PPO) or a health maintenance organization (Kaiser HMO). Coverage includes you and your dependents. Each plan includes a vision and prescription drug benefit. Employees are responsible for a 5% contribution to the plan and OLWS is responsible for the remaining 95% of the premium cost. OLWS also offers a medical/dental/vision opt-out payment of $500 per month for employees who voluntarily choose to opt-out of coverage provided they produce an acceptable certification of valid coverage.
Dental Insurance:
You and your dependent family members are eligible for a dental insurance plan. Staff members have the choice to be covered by either SDIS/Delta Dental, Willamette Dental or Kaiser's dental plan.
Retirement:
OLWS participates in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Staff members new to PERS will be eligible following 6 months continuous service. There are two types of contributions:
Member contributions are 6% and immediately vested. Employer contributions are vested after contributions have been made in five separate calendar years. You also have a choice of two 457 deferred compensation plans to which you may contribute additional pre-tax dollars up to federal limits.
Life Insurance:
OLWS fully pays for your basic life insurance in the amount of your annual salary to a maximum of $50,000 and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) to a maximum of $50,000.
Short Term Disability Insurance:
OLWS provides you with a short-term disability (STD) plan which provides up to 60% of your salary up to a maximum benefit of $900 per week for up to 180 days.
Long Term Disability Insurance:
OLWS provides you with a long-term disability (LTD) plan which provides up to 60% of your salary, up to a maximum benefit of $5,000 per month for qualifying disabilities following a 180-day waiting period.
Flexible Spending Account:
OLWS offers a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). FSA's allow eligible employees to pay for non-covered health related expenses and child care expenses with tax-free income.
Paid Time Off:
OLWS recognizes the value of rest and relaxation away from work for all its' staff members and offers the following paid time away from work: Employees accrue eight (8) hours of vacation per month for the first three (3) years of service, and will increase according to the CBA. Sick leave accrues monthly at a rate of eight (8) hours per each month worked. OLWS also grants leave with full pay for employees required to report for jury duty.
Holidays:
OLWS recognizes the following 12 paid holidays during the calendar year: • New Year's Day • Martin Luther King's Birthday • President's Day • Memorial Day • Juneteenth • Independence Day • Labor Day • Veteran's Day • Thanksgiving Day • The Friday after Thanksgiving • Christmas Eve • Christmas Day