Job Description
Utility Operator 3
Competition Number: 26/168
Posting Scope: Internal / External
Posted Date: September 8, 2026
Closing Date: September 29, 2026, 4:30 PM PST
Department: Engineering & Public Works
Work schedule: Monday to Friday (40 hour work week) – Continuous (Full-Time)
Salary: $51.22 per hour, Pay Grade 14
Job Code: 765
Employee Group: This is a CUPE Local 50 position
Number of Vacancies: 1
The City of Victoria is hiring a Utility Operator 3 to lead high-performing utility operations crews responsible for delivering essential water, wastewater, and stormwater services to the community. As a Utility Operator 3, you will provide day-to-day leadership for complex construction, maintenance, and emergency response activities - coordinating resources, ensuring public health and regulatory compliance, and championing a strong safety culture. This role is ideal for an experienced utility professional who excels at leading teams, mentoring staff, making sound operational decisions, and driving projects to successful completion in a dynamic field environment.
If you bring extensive experience with underground utility systems, proven leadership on water, wastewater and stormwater construction sites, and hold relevant EOCP certifications in water distribution and wastewater collection, we encourage you to apply.
POSITION FUNCTION
Leads the work of a crew carrying out installation, rehabilitation, repair, inspection, testing and operation of Water, Wastewater, and Storm systems.
KEY DUTIES
- Plan, assign, direct, inspect and participate in the work of up to 8 staff involved in the construction, repair and operation of sanitary sewer, storm drain and water distribution systems.
- Perform tasks related to the installation, control, and operation of water distribution, wastewater collection, and stormwater drainage systems under a variety of field and site conditions, including operating vehicles and equipment for material transport, excavation, and pipe installation.
- Act as Prime Contractor, ensuring the safety of crews and the public during construction and excavation activities involving City and third-party equipment.
- Ensure compliance with legislative standards and public health and safety regulations by adhering to best practices for drinking water, sanitary sewer, and storm infrastructure operations.
- Monitor schedules, procedures, and performance standards to ensure objectives are met.
- Read and interpret engineering plans for system design, location of utilities and completion of work; mark-up issued for construction drawings to reflect installation; adjust plans as required in coordination with engineers when conflicts arise.
- Conduct daily construction and site safety meetings and attend and participate in pre-construction meetings for large Capital projects.
- Provide training and guidance on proper and safe work methods.
- Contribute to employee performance evaluations and development plans.
- Coordinate and order parts, materials, staff resources, and equipment for job sites.
- Manage documentation, including equipment rental forms, material slips, contractor time sheets, soil disposal manifests, traffic management plans.
- Liaise with external agencies, contractors, and City departments to provide technical input and ensure project timelines and designs are followed.
- Respond to public inquiries and complaints and communicate impacts of service interruptions or installations.
- Maintain and update a variety of records and reports for maintenance and new installations, complete after-action reports detailing construction methods, update maps, drawings, and software programs as required.
- Respond to emergency calls for service.
- Exercise Direct Responsible Charge (DRC) authority to make on-site operational decisions in accordance with the provincial Environmental Operators Certification Program (EOCP) regulations.
- Actively seek and participate in learning activities to maintain relevant industry knowledge and acquire the required annual training for maintenance of valid Certification.
- Perform related duties where qualified.
INDEPENDENCE
Planned work assignments are reviewed by a supervisor; however, the Operator 3 holds on-site responsibility for job execution.
Issues such as extensive changes to project design and scheduling for planned work discussed with supervisor.
Acts independently under DRC authority to make operational decisions, as defined by the EOCP.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Physical Effort:
Lift and move heavy materials and equipment. (often)
Perform repetitious tasks such as shovelling, loading and digging. (frequent)
Work in awkward positions. (frequent)
Exposure to vibrational forces and noise (frequent)
Mental Effort:
Maintain intense focus to ensure worker and public safety on active construction sites.
(continuous).
Deal with public inquiries, complaints and negative comments. (often)
Visual/Auditory Effort:
Normal.
Work on laptops or mobile devices. (often)
Work Environment:
Work outside in all weather conditions. (continuous)
Work on high profile and busy construction sites. (continuous)
Work in a confined environment where protective measures must be taken to avoid trench collapse, engulfment, exposure to gas and fumes with a means of quick egress from the space in an emergency situation. (frequent)
Work in close proximity to moving traffic. (continuous)
Work in excavations in shoring. (continuous)
Work around overhead powerlines. (frequent)
Work with infrastructure containing materials such as asbestos and coal tar. (occasional)
Work around pressurized pipes (water, natural gas). (frequent)
Contact with raw sewage. (premium item)
KEY SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Organize and prioritize team tasks and safety.
Lead and manage a large construction crew.
Apply extensive technical knowledge of water distribution, wastewater collection, and stormwater systems, including operations, maintenance, and compliance.
Use hand tools, instruments and power equipment.
Use laptops, and electronic devices and associated software programs.
Read and interpret engineering plans, utility information sheets and grade sheets.
Maintain accurate records.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Deal effectively with the public and outside agencies.
Work safely on job sites and ensure public safety.
QUALIFICATIONS
Formal Education, Training and Occupational Certification:
High school graduation.
Water Distribution System Operator Level 2 Certificate and Wastewater Collection Operator Level 2 Certificate
Minimum of 45 CEUs of accumulated technical training hours (1 CEU = 10 hours) or 1 year of post-secondary education.
Traffic Control Certification (16 hours)
Current and valid Class 5 B.C. Driver's Licence.
Experience:
6 years of related experience with water distribution and wastewater systems with at least 2 years in a leadership capacity on complex utility construction jobs or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
OTHER:
May be requested to substitute in a more senior position.
To apply for this opportunity, you will need to create an online profile or log back into our career portal at www.victoria.ca/jobs - only online submissions will be considered. All applications must be submitted online by 4:30 pm on the closing date noted on the posting. Please be prepared to provide proof of qualifications as outlined in your resume.
The City of Victoria is committed to integrating equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility into our programs, policies, spaces, and services. Our goal is to cultivate a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the community we serve and aim to become. Individuals who are Indigenous, racialized, immigrants, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+, or facing any additional barriers are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be available upon request throughout the application and selection process.
If you require assistance, please email us at [email protected].
