Water Operator

General Purpose

The principal function of an employee in this class is to perform skilled maintenance and service work on City utility service lines and systems. Operating heavy and light equipment, troubleshooting problems and implementing solutions, performing system tests to ensure the integrity and quality of operations, interacting courteously with customers, ensuring the safety of staff and the public in accord with city, federal and state requirements, completing and maintaining logs, records and files, and providing recommendations for department policies and procedures. The work is performed under the direction of the Public Works Distribution Foreman, but latitude is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. The principal duties of this class are performed in a shop and outdoor environment that may involve inclement weather and potential personal hazards.

Supervision Received

• Works under the supervision of and reports directly to the Public Works Distribution Foreman.

Supervision Exercised

• N/A

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Illustrative Only)

• Monitoring, evaluating and participating in the daily operations of the water division.
• Operating equipment and performing installation, maintenance and repair work on water, wastewater, streets and/or sanitation projects.
• Ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements concerning water and, street and road construction and maintenance, and solid waste disposal.
• Responding to public or other inquiries regarding day-to-day operations of public works functions, and informing the Division Director of all issues.
• Performing the duties to carry out daily operations of the Citys water systems, including but not limited to replacing water lines, fixing broken water mains, taking samples, updating logs of system operations, operating and maintaining equipment, cleaning storm drains and water valves, exercising water valves, standardizing instruments, pumps, valves, meters, and other apparatus, observing condition of raw and finished water and making appropriate adjustments of chemical feed to maintain compliance with regulatory standards, and making daily inspection of mechanical and electrical operating conditions of equipment and recording findings, maintaining necessary records and preparing required reports.

• Making daily inspection of mechanical and electrical operating conditions of equipment and records findings.

• Performing general maintenance, recording actions taken, and reporting considerations to Public Works Distribution Foreman

• Operating a variety of vehicles and heavy equipment, including but not limited to, tractor mowers, dump trucks, front end loaders and attachments, sweepers, pavers, backhoes, water tankers, snow removal vehicles, street marking equipment, graders, and related equipment;

• Operating a variety of hand tools and power equipment including but not limited to jackhammers, electrical testing equipment, metal detector, welder, hand held meter data collection device as needed;

• Performing installation and repair work including digging and backfilling trenches; installing and repairing pipelines, including cutting, tapping, threading and making joint connections on copper, plastic and other pipe material;

• Performing snow removal operations.

• Recommending operational procedures proposals to the Public Works Distribution Foreman.

• Responding to public complaints and inquiries;

• Developing and maintaining positive working relationships with supervisor, co-workers, subordinates, the public, and other individuals or groups encountered through this position.

• Performing all duties with regard for personal safety and that of other employees and the public.

• Providing assistance and expertise to other City departments, agencies, and staff.

• Performing all work duties and activities in accordance with City and Department policies, procedures and safety practices.

Peripheral Duties

• Performs other related duties as assigned, consistent with this job description.

• May serve as a member on various committees.

Minimum Acceptable Experience and Training

• High School diploma is required; and

• Two (2) years experience in public works operator of water systems & maintenance is preferred; or

• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this job.

Special Qualification

• Idaho Water Class I Certification for Water Division positions;

• Idaho Wastewater Collections Class I Certification for Sewer Division positions;

• Road Master or similar Certification for Street Division positions;

• All positions require a valid Idaho Drivers License with Class B or higher CDL, with endorsements for Tanker preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Methods, materials, equipment, tools and standard practices for the installation, operation, inspection, maintenance and repair of assigned area which may include one or more of the following: water distribution, water storage, wastewater collection, street construction, sanitation, or other systems;

• Federal (OSHA) and state regulations and City policies regarding safety training and safe work practices;

• Methods, materials, procedures, and standard practices of snow removal, sanding, and de-icing;

• Heavy and construction equipment operation and maintenance;

• Equipment and tool operation and maintenance practices;

• Customer service principles and procedures;

• Federal, state, local, and other applicable traffic and safety laws, regulations, ordinances, and codes.

Ability to:

• Perform daily operations and maintenance of water, wastewater, street construction and/or sanitation systems;

• Ensure the safety of staff and operations in accordance with City, State and federal requirements and regulations.

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with the public, peers, the Mayor, City Council and City employees.

• Exercise sound judgment and generate workable solutions in problem situations.

• Produce and maintain accurate and legible reports and documents.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, state agencies, local governments, contractors, co-workers, and the public under all conditions.

• Interpret and apply complex laws, regulations, standards and policies.

• Maintain a professional demeanor at all times;

• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;

• Operate standard office equipment and a personal computer using program applications appropriate to assigned duties;

• Demonstrate integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks;

• Use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.

• Subject to after-hours call response rotation

• Required to be on scene within 30 minutes in the event of a utility emergency

An employee in this class should have sufficient physical and mental capability, with or without reasonable accommodation to:

• Listen and respond to voice instructions; to communicate effectively in person, on the telephone and in a field environment; to discern and give verbal instructions;

• View and review a wide variety of written and electronic materials, to operate computer and related office equipment; to review construction plans and blueprints; to observe and analyze water, wastewater, solid waste, and streets systems and operations; and to operate power and hand tools, and heavy or light equipment;

• Handle a variety of records and files; to operate standard office equipment and a personal computer, power and hand tools, and heavy or light equipment;

• Perform essential job functions in an office or field setting that may require lifting/moving 50 lbs., bending, stooping, kneeling, climbing, stretching and other physical exertions including performing tasks involving hand/wrist/arm movements.

Disclaimer Safety Sensitive

This position is a safety sensitive position (defined in section 5.1 of the City of Ammon Personnel Policy Manual). It requires a Commercial Drivers license (CDL) and may be required to drive commercial vehicles for city use. It is subject to pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing

Disclaimer

Must perform the essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation efficiently and accurately without causing a significant safety threat to self or others. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of individuals in the job. This job description is not an employment agreement and/or an expressed or implied employment contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

Work Environment

Tasks require a variety of physical activities, generally involving muscular strain, related to walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching and lifting (moving up to 50 pounds and occasionally moving up to 80 pounds). Talking, hearing and seeing are essential to performing required job functions. Frequent exposure to changing weather conditions. Employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to vibration. The employee frequently works in precarious places and is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk from moving traffic. Common eye, hand, finger dexterity exists. Mental application utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability and critical thinking. Daily local travel required in the normal course of job performance.

Travel Requirements

The employee must possess and maintain a valid Idaho drivers license and proof of valid insurance. Some travel required.