Water Maintenance Program Lead Worker

Do you thrive in a hands-on leadership role, working outdoors, and making a direct impact in your community? Join the City of Bellevue Utilities Department as a Water Utilities Program Lead Worker.

As part of our Water Maintenance team, you’ll help keep drinking water safe and reliable for more than 43,000 homes and businesses across 600+ miles of water main. This journey-level position provides an opportunity to lead small crews, oversee critical water maintenance programs, and respond to real-world challenges in the field.

We offer:

• Competitive pay with guaranteed overtime opportunities
• Excellent benefits for you and your family: medical, dental, vision, and multiple retirement plans
• Generous paid time off: 12 holidays, 16 personal hours, and monthly vacation/sick leave accrual
• Annual clothing and boot allowance (brands like Carhartt, 5.11, etc.)
• Growth opportunities with training, certifications, and CDL support
• A culture of teamwork, safety, and public service

If you’re self-motivated, organized, and ready to take the lead in maintaining Bellevue’s water infrastructure, this could be the right fit for you.

As a Program Lead Worker, you’ll guide a small crew in daily field work and help manage water infrastructure programs. You will:

• Lead, train, and motivate crew members while ensuring safety and compliance.
• Coordinate and perform repairs on hydrants, valves, mains, meters, and service connections.
• Support preventive and corrective maintenance programs, including system flushing.
• Work with contractors, inspectors, and Water Quality staff on shutdowns and field issues.
• Use mobile technology (iPads, iPhones) to document, track, and report work.
• Operate equipment such as dump trucks, backhoes, and hydro excavators.
• Respond to emergencies like water main breaks or weather events.
• Communicate effectively with the public, supervisors, and other city staff.

This is a hands-on leadership role—our lead workers work alongside their crews.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• At least 3 years of experience in drinking water infrastructure.
• Demonstrated leadership ability, including:
  • Leading small crews in the field, setting clear expectations, and ensuring work is completed safely and efficiently.
  • Mentoring, training, and motivating team members while promoting a positive and productive work environment.
  • Making sound decisions under pressure, prioritizing work, and adapting to changing field conditions.
  • Holding team members accountable, providing constructive feedback, and supporting professional growth.
  • Balancing hands-on field work with leadership responsibilities and leading by example.

Skills & Abilities

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to plan, organize, and complete work efficiently.
• Comfortable using Microsoft Office and field reporting tools.
• Ability to read and interpret maps, drawings, and records.
• Attention to detail with strong documentation and recordkeeping skills.
• Proven ability to lead small crews, set clear expectations, and ensure safe, efficient completion of work.
• Skilled at mentoring, training, and motivating team members while fostering a positive team environment.
• Able to make sound decisions under pressure and adapt to changing conditions.
• Demonstrated accountability: providing feedback, holding team members responsible, and leading by example.
• Willingness to work overtime, nights, weekends, and respond to emergencies.

Licenses & Certifications

• Valid Washington driver’s license at hire with a good driving record.
• Ability to obtain a Class A CDL with tanker endorsement within 1 year (paid training provided).
• Ability to obtain Washington Flagger’s Certificate within 12 months.
• Selected candidates may be subject to pre-employment physical, agility, and drug/alcohol testing (per CDL regulations).

Working Conditions

• Physical outdoor work in all weather conditions.
• Frequent lifting up to 90 lbs., climbing, pulling, pushing, and confined-space entry.
• Exposure to traffic, equipment, underground utilities, and chemicals.
• Must be able to respond to 24-hour emergency calls.