Career Opportunities

The City of Portage is excited to announce an opportunity for a full time Water Service Operator to join the Portage Utilities team.

The Opportunity
The City of Portage is excited to announce an opportunity for a full time Water Service Operator
to join the Portage Utilities team.
What You’ll Do
As a Water Service Operator, you will:
 Maintain water treatment facilities, distribution systems, and equipment.
 Perform routine inspections to ensure regulatory compliance.
 Provide general support to the department.
A full position description is available on our website at www.portagewi.gov or at the Portage
Municipal Building, 115 W. Pleasant Street.
What We’re Looking For
The ideal candidate will bring:
 A high school diploma or equivalent.
 1-2 years related experience.
 The ability to obtain a Commercial Drivers License within 6 months of hire.
 The ability to obtain a WDNR water license within 1 year of hire.
 Computer proficiency in the use of spreadsheets and SCADA programs.
 Combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and
abilities will be considered.
Why Join Us?
The starting pay range for this position is $23.26 - $29.08/hour (commensurate with experience),
with a comprehensive benefits package.
Work Hours

This is a full-time role with regular hours from 7:00AM-3:30PM, Monday through Friday (May-
September), and 6:30AM-3:30PM Monday through Thursday/6:30AM-10:30AM Friday

(October-April), with rotational weekend (Saturday and Sunday), shifts monthly. Position
responds to after-hours calls as needed.
Apply Today!
Submit your resume and/or City of Portage Employment Application to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by mail to Phil Livingston, Public Works Director at Portage
Municipal Building, 115 W. Pleasant Street, Portage, WI 53901. All application materials must be
submitted by 4:00PM on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the
position is filled.
Join us and be part of Portage’s team!

City of Portage
Position Description

Department: Water Utility
Position: Water Service Operator Pay Grade: H (Non-Exempt)
Date: Rev. Feb. 2026 Reports To: Water Utility Foreman

Purpose of Position
This position exists to perform maintenance duties and to ensure accurate and effective
water utility service for the City of Portage.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as
exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Performs water utility maintenance duties: installs, repairs, cleans, and tests
hydrants; pumps; maintains and reads wells; performs necessary collection of and
lab work on required water samples; installs and repairs main water lines; tests,
repairs, and reads water meters; performs necessary plumbing, welding, and
concrete jobs; performs necessary excavation and landscaping functions; inspects
elevated tanks.
• Assists with routine inspection, diagnosis, and repair of well pumps and treatment
equipment.
• Assists with cross connection inspection and compliance verification.
• Assists in maintenance of inventory; assists with buildings, grounds and vehicle
inspections and maintenance.
• Performs other duties as required.
• Available after outside of normal working hours for emergencies.
Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions
• High school diploma or equivalent, additional schooling in the area of public works,
and one to two years water utility or plumbing experience preferred, or any
combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge,
skills, and abilities.
• Must possess a valid C.D.L. Wisconsin Driver’s License with Air Brake and Tanker
Endorsements within 6 months of hire (this is a requirement to complete
probationary period).
• Must Obtain WDNR Grade 1 license (G, D) and Competent Person certification
within 1 year of hire, probation period may be extended, if necessary, to complete
this requirement.

• Ability to obtain proficiency in the use of computer software applications such as
spreadsheets and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) programs.
Minimum Physical and Mental Abilities Required to Perform Essential Job Functions
Physical Requirements
• Ability to operate a variety of equipment such as stand by engines, valve openers,
loaders, portable water testing kits, portable pumps, main tapping machines, chemical
analysis equipment, jack hammers, backhoe and all department vehicles including a
snow plow.
• Ability to enter confined spaces.
• Ability to climb, walk, dig, lift up to 50 lbs. unassisted and operate a variety of off road,
power, hand-held equipment and vehicles.
Mathematical Ability
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and calculate decimals and percentages.
Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication
• Ability to comprehend, interpret and prepare a variety of documents such as vehicle
reports, production reports, lab reports, well maintenance reports, meter readings,
cross connection reports, and inventory reports, using proper format, punctuation,
grammar, diction and style.
• Ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers, supervisors, customers, and
others.
Environmental Adaptability
• Work is performed indoors and in an outdoor environment which is subject to weather
conditions and hazards associated with excavation, hazardous chemicals, and
electricity.

The City of Portage is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans
with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified
individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents
to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.