Function

The City of Ankeny is accepting applications for a full-time position as Utilities Operator I - Water Division in the Municipal Utilities Department. The Utilities Operator will perform and participate in unskilled and semi-skilled work as related to the operations and maintenance of Municipal Utilities facilities, water distribution system.

Starting salary, plus excellent benefits:

• Utilities Operator Assistant - $28.753 per hour with no certifications.
• Utilities Operator I - $31.946 per hour with a Grade I Water Treatment or Water Distribution operator certificate issued by the State of Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

Hours are Monday - Friday, 7 AM - 3:30 PM with additional on-call/overtime hours as needed.

The City of Ankeny offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
Vacation and Sick Leave
Personal Leave
Nine (9) Paid Holidays
Health/Dental/Life/LTD Insurance
Parental Leave
Wellness Programs and Incentives
Tuition Reimbursement and Continuing Education Programs
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Benefit
Defined Benefits Pension Plan Through IPERS
Deferred Compensation Plan
Voluntary Insurance Benefit Options
Longevity Pay

Applications must be received by Sunday, June 14, 2026, at 11:59 pm. Interested individuals should apply online at and may attach a resume along with any certifications held and a cover letter expressing interest. Pre-employment physical, drug screen and background check required.
Application QR Code:


To advance in the hiring process, you must pass a civil service exam to be administered to all qualified applicants. Additional information will be emailed on Monday, June 15, 2026. Please check your email (and junk email) for testing information. Contact HR if you do not receive the testing information on 06/15/2026.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Specific duties listed in individual job descriptions based on certification level:

• Assist other personnel as directed in the operation and maintenance of the Municipal Utilities facilities.
• Record readings from meters, gauges, probes, and equipment
• Recognize and evaluate potential operational or mechanical problems and advise operational staff or supervisor.
• Assist the public by listening to complaints, inquiries, and problems, and reporting them to the supervisor.
• Perform customer service duties as directed.
• Complete routine maintenance and minor repairs on all operational equipment and appurtenances as directed.
• Perform routine repair of buildings, general cleaning, grounds maintenance, and related activities as directed.
• Assist with the maintenance and repair activities for the water distribution system.
• Assist in the routine maintenance of vehicles and other equipment.
• Respond to water main breaks; water service calls; and other emergencies as directed.
• Perform office duties as assigned.
• Assist other city departments as directed.

Entry Requirements and Skills

• Graduation from high school or an equivalent.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the public, ability to keep accurate and legible records, and have the ability to recognize occupational hazards and follow established safety precautions.
• Shall maintain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Iowa and ability to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) Class B with airbrakes endorsement issued by the State of Iowa within one (1) year from date of hire.

Specific Requirements for Job Level:

• Utilities Operator Assistant–Water - If hired with no certification, must be able to obtain, within one year from date of hire, a Grade I operator’s certificate issued by the State of Iowa in Water Distribution or Water Treatment.
• Utilities Operator I-Water – One (1) year combined experience in the operation and maintenance of a water distribution system, or a water treatment facility. Or possess an equivalent amount of education and experience recognized by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Possession of a Grade I operator’s certificate issued by the State of Iowa in Water Treatment or Water Distribution.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Will be required to perform duties during off-hours emergencies, weekends, or holidays.
• May be exposed to a variety of chemicals, noxious odors, gases, high voltage, and other potentially hazardous working conditions as well as all types of weather conditions and extremes.
• Will be required to operate employer's vehicles and related equipment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be insurable.
• Must be sighted.
• Must be able to hear normal conversation.
• Must be able to speak clearly at normal rate of conversation.
• Must keep regular and reliable attendance at work.
• Must be able to kneel, squat, bend, twist, climb, lie on creeper, and work over head.
• Must be able to work on equipment located over head, above or below the waistline.
• Must be able to work in wet environments.
• Must be able to climb into or out of employer’s equipment.
• Must be able to remove and replace manhole covers weighing up to 80 pounds with a lever.
• Must be able to climb into and out of 24-inch openings.
• Must periodically lift and carry, for short distances, heavy objects weighing up to 75 pounds.
• Must be able to climb and descend ladders and stairs, and walk over uneven terrain.
• Must be able to lift and move items weighing up to 150 pounds with the assistance of another employee but without assistance of a portable hoist.
• Must be able to use tools weighing 30 pounds or more.

The City of Ankeny is accepting applications for a full-time position as Utilities Operator I - Water Division in the Municipal Utilities Department. The Utilities Operator will perform and participate in unskilled and semi-skilled work as related to the operations and maintenance of Municipal Utilities facilities, water distribution system. Starting salary, plus excellent benefits:Utilities Operator Assistant - $28.753 per hour with no certifications. Utilities Operator I - $31.946 per hour with a Grade I Water Treatment or Water Distribution operator certificate issued by the State of Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Hours are Monday - Friday, 7 AM - 3:30 PM with additional on-call/overtime hours as needed. The City of Ankeny offers a comprehensive benefits package including:Vacation and Sick Leave. Personal Leave. Nine (9) Paid Holidays. Health/ Dental/ Life/ LTD Insurance. Parental Leave. Wellness Programs and Incentives. Tuition Reimbursement and Continuing Education Programs. Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Benefit. Defined Benefits Pension Plan Through IPERS - Deferred Compensation Plan. Voluntary Insurance Benefit Options. Longevity Pay. Applications must be received by Sunday, June 14, 2026, at 11:59 pm. Interested individuals should apply online at and may attach a resume along with any certifications held and a cover letter expressing interest. Pre-employment physical, drug screen and background check required. Application QR Code:To advance in the hiring process, you must pass a civil service exam to be administered to all qualified applicants. Additional information will be emailed on Monday, June 15, 2026. Please check your email (and junk email) for testing information. Contact HR if you do not receive the testing information on 06/15/2026. Principal Duties and Responsibilities Specific duties listed in individual job descriptions based on certification level:Assist other personnel as directed in the operation and maintenance of the Municipal Utilities facilities. Record readings from meters, gauges, probes, and equipment. Recognize and evaluate potential operational or mechanical problems and advise operational staff or supervisor. Assist the public by listening to complaints, inquiries, and problems, and reporting them to the supervisor. Perform customer service duties as directed. Complete routine maintenance and minor repairs on all operational equipment and appurtenances as directed. Perform routine repair of buildings, general cleaning, grounds maintenance, and related activities as directed. Assist with the maintenance and repair activities for the water distribution system. Assist in the routine maintenance of vehicles and other equipment. Respond to water main breaks; water service calls; and other emergencies as directed. Perform office duties as assigned. Assist other city departments as directed. Entry Requirements and Skills Graduation from high school or an equivalent. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the public, ability to keep accurate and legible records, and have the ability to recognize occupational hazards and follow established safety precautions. Shall maintain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Iowa and ability to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) Class B with airbrakes endorsement issued by the State of Iowa within one (1) year from date of hire. Specific Requirements for Job Level:Utilities Operator Assistant–Water - If hired with no certification, must be able to obtain, within one year from date of hire, a Grade I operator’s certificate issued by the State of Iowa in Water Distribution or Water Treatment. Utilities Operator I-Water – One (1) year combined experience in the operation and maintenance of a water distribution system, or a water treatment facility. Or possess an equivalent amount of education and experience recognized by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Possession of a Grade I operator’s certificate issued by the State of Iowa in Water Treatment or Water Distribution. WORK ENVIRONMENT - Will be required to perform duties during off-hours emergencies, weekends, or holidays. May be exposed to a variety of chemicals, noxious odors, gases, high voltage, and other potentially hazardous working conditions as well as all types of weather conditions and extremes. Will be required to operate employer's vehicles and related equipment. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS - Must be insurable. Must be sighted. Must be able to hear normal conversation. Must be able to speak clearly at normal rate of conversation. Must keep regular and reliable attendance at work. Must be able to kneel, squat, bend, twist, climb, lie on creeper, and work over head. Must be able to work on equipment located over head, above or below the waistline. Must be able to work in wet environments. Must be able to climb into or out of employer’s equipment. Must be able to remove and replace manhole covers weighing up to 80 pounds with a lever. Must be able to climb into and out of 24-inch openings. Must periodically lift and carry, for short distances, heavy objects weighing up to 75 pounds. Must be able to climb and descend ladders and stairs, and walk over uneven terrain. Must be able to lift and move items weighing up to 150 pounds with the assistance of another employee but without assistance of a portable hoist. Must be able to use tools weighing 30 pounds or more.

search terms: Utilities Operator+Operator