Drinking Water Staffing Reorganization

At a glance

• What: A reorganization of Water Resources drinking water positions: a new Distribution Operations Lead and a four-tier Drinking Water Production Technician ladder for the Water Treatment Plant workgroup.
• Status: Approved on the consent agenda on August 3, 2026 (consent agenda adopted unanimously, Bergman and Litwin), with corrected motion language.
• Next: Legacy incumbents move to the tiered titles on a future vacancy or when they elect to tier up, whichever comes first.

Detail

• A Distribution Working Foreperson (AFSCME Grade 17) is reclassified and retitled Distribution Operations Lead (Grade 19).
• Two vacant Water Plant Operator positions (Grade 17) become tiered Drinking Water Production Technician positions immediately: In Training (Grade 15), I (Grade 17), II (Grade 18) and III (Grade 19, four tiers in all).
• Three occupied Water Plant Operator and three occupied Water Plant Mechanic positions (Grade 17) are reclassified to the tiered titles upon vacancy or voluntary election of the incumbent.
• Correction: the original motion put tier III at Grade 18; the corrected language makes it Grade 19.

Related consent items the same evening: a Right of Way Working Foreperson (Grade 16x) reclassified to Right of Way Operations Lead (Grade 19) in the Street Maintenance Division, from DPW, and see Community Justice Center New Positions for a Grade 14 to 15 reclassification. Department head: DPW Director Spencer.

Sources

• Minutes, City Council, August 3, 2026: https://burlingtonvt.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=20756)

Log

2026-08-03 - City Council

Consent item 5.7, adopted with the consent agenda.