Job Description

Summary of Work

The Northwest Area Water Supply (NAWS) Distribution Operator within the DWR's Water Development Division is responsible for operation, maintenance, and repair of the NAWS project. NAWS is one of the two state-owned regional water systems in North Dakota. NAWS provides water to multiple counties in north central North Dakota and is designed to serve over 81,000 people. The NAWS Distribution Operator will report to the lead operator on the NAWS Project and will be a member of the NAWS Section of the Water Development Division.

Duties and Tasks

Operate and maintain the NAWS water system. Perform maintenance in and around NAWS facilities and sites including mowing, snow removal, cleaning, painting, and other associated tasks. Provide routine inspection of NAWS facilities. Complete repairs and replacement, and service to pumps, motors, valves, flow meters, and other system components. Read flow meters. Adjust settings on valves, meters, and other components. Exercise valves. Troubleshoot problems with the water distribution system. Check and maintain flows to project customers. Clean and maintain system reservoirs. Collect water samples and deliver to Department of Environmental Quality for testing. Maintain good working relationship with project customers and other stake holders. If requested, provide assistance to project customers per policy. Monitor the operations of the system via phone and computer. Locate NAWS pipelines in response to One Call request. Develop and maintain various reports. Be available to be on-call in the evenings and weekends. On-call schedule is expected to be every other week.

Minimum Qualifications

Successful completion of high school or GED. Must have water distribution certification or water treatment certification as a Grade 01 operator and ability to obtain Grade 02 distribution operator certification within two years of employment. Must have at least one year of water distribution or water treatment experience. Experience using Microsoft Office suite.

Ability and willingness to:


Climb ladders and working at elevated heights (water towers). Perform physically demanding tasks involving lifting and carrying large, heavy objects (in excess of 75 pounds). Walking over uneven terrain and tolerating adverse weather and other environmental conditions. Work in confined spaces. Work alone for extended periods of time or as a team when required. Maintain a strong working relationship with a diverse group of individuals under stressful conditions. Communicate courteously and professionally. Analyze, evaluate, and recommend sound solutions to problems of routine nature. Read and understand operations and maintenance manuals. Adjust work schedule as needed to meet job responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with using Arc-GIS software. Experience with operating and troubleshooting pumps, valves, flow meters, and telemetry. Experience operating a skid-steer. Working knowledge in electrical wiring. Knowledge in water distribution hydraulics. Certified in First Aid/CPR/AED or able to become certified within one year of employment.

About Team ND

"Far and away the best prize life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." - Theodore Roosevelt


More than 7,500 talented, hard-working people across sixty-three agencies have come together as Team North Dakota. At Team ND, we are driven to succeed through gratitude, humility, curiosity and courage. Our purpose is to empower people, improve lives, and inspire success. Join us in being legendary.

Total Rewards:

The State of North Dakota is committed to providing team members with a strong and competitive rewards package that support you, your health and your family.


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Application Procedures

Please note that the Department of Water Resources is not enrolled in E-Verify and does not provide sponsorship for employment.


State of ND employees should access the announcement and application by signing into their ND PeopleSoft account at: https://www.cnd.nd.gov/psp/strp/?cmd=login, clicking on "Careers" and selecting "View All Jobs" in the drop-down menu.


Applicants who are not employees of the State of North Dakota can access the announcement and application by visiting: www.nd.gov/careers.


Application materials must reach this office by 11:59 pm on the closing date.


In addition to the online application, the following is also required:

Cover letter (addressed to Human Resources) Resume, and; The name, address, and phone number of three (3) professional references (no letters of reference please).

Application materials will be scored based on a 100-point job-related personnel system.


Applications should include information that directly addresses how the applicant meets the minimum qualifications and a summary of work. It is very important to be thorough and detailed in all application materials.


Applicants who experience difficulties during the application process should contact recruiter@nd.gov or 701.328.3290.


For more Team ND benefit information, please see https://www.nd.gov/omb/public/careers/team-nd-benefits.


For questions regarding this position's duties or requirements, please contact Missy Schmidt, HR Business Partner at 701.328.2751 or mkschmidt@nd.gov.


TTY users may use Relay North Dakota at 711 or 1-800-366-6888.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of North Dakota and this hiring agency do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetics, religion, age or disability in employment or the provisions of services and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.


As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. Sect. 23-12-10.