Utility Systems Operator I/II

Description Summary Current vacancy is in the Water Distribution Division.
DEFINITION Under direct or general supervision, performs a wide variety of skilled utility maintenance and repair work on the City’s water and wastewater infrastructure and systems.
May obtain water and other meter readings; and performs related work as required.
This classification is distinguished from the Utility Worker I/II in that it performs certified, technical maintenance on utility systems throughout the City.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Receives direct or general supervision and/or technical and functional direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel.
May exercise technical and functional direction over assigned staff.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS Utility Systems Operator I: This is the entry-level class in the utility maintenance series.
Initially under close supervision, incumbents with basic maintenance experience learn operations of City water and wastewater systems, use of tools and equipment, and a wide variety of practices and procedures.
As experience is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with greater independence.
This class is alternately-staffed with Utility Systems Specialist II and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining the knowledge, skill, experience, licenses and certifications which meet the qualifications for and demonstrating the ability to perform the work of the higher-level class.
Utility Systems Operator II: This is the journey-level class in the utility maintenance series that performs the full range of duties required to ensure that water and wastewater systems are maintained in a safe and effective working condition.
Responsibilities include inspecting and attending to assigned areas in a timely manner, and performing a wide variety of tasks in the maintenance and repair of assigned systems.
This class is distinguished from Senior Utility Systems Operator in that the latter is responsible for technical and functional direction over lower-level utility staff and is capable of performing the most complex duties assigned to the division.
Expectation of Job Duties Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
When performing the water distribution systems assignment: Operates and maintains light, medium, and heavy-duty equipment and trucks appropriate to the construction, maintenance, and repair of the City’s water distribution system.
Inspects water services for compliance with established codes and/or damaged or worn parts, and makes repairs as necessary.
Repairs transmission and distribution water mains, including installing parts as necessary.
Installs and replaces water and fire services and hydrants, including installing parts, fittings, and setting up and maintaining traffic control to ensure safe traveling conditions for the public.
Maintains and repairs fire hydrants, including performing scheduled maintenance and making any repairs.
Performs visual checks of meter conditions and connections to ensure efficient operations, and reports damaged or non-functioning meters.
Reads commercial and residential water meters on assigned routes, and records subsequent data in a legible and accurate manner.
Repairs or replaces meters as necessary to ensure efficient operation, maintains complete and accurate records, and/or reports potential or existing problems to immediate supervisor.
When performing the wastewater collections systems assignment: Operates specialized vehicles and a variety of light, medium, and heavy equipment related to the construction, maintenance, and repair of the City’s wastewater infrastructure system.
Maintains wastewater lines and pump stations to ensure continuous flow of City wastes.
Cleans sanitary wastewater lines in the collection system by means of hydro cleaning and rodding.
Provides installation, maintenance, and repair of wastewater mains and laterals.
Operates and maintains the City’s close circuit television system and equipment used to monitor and prevent problems in the wastewater system.
Installs and maintains wastewater manholes, and makes minor repairs as directed.
Inspects wastewater lines, pump stations, and manholes to ensure compliance with established codes.
Maintains the City’s wastewater collection system in a safe and sanitary manner to ensure safe conditions for the City, including repairing broken wastewater mains and parts, and hydro-cleaning to ensure clean and open distribution.
Inspects, rebuilds, and services pumps, check valves, and floats as necessary.
Installs new wastewater laterals and mains, including hooking up laterals for new home construction.
Transports contaminated soils and raw sewage to designated areas for proper disposal.
Performs asphalt and concrete repair and patch work; removes trees, brush, and debris from right-of-way’s to access sewer main lines and laterals.
Installs and maintains different metering devices throughout the City’s infrastructure to monitor wastewater flows; downloads necessary information onto a computer.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Knowledge of: Practices, methods, equipment, tools and materials used in the maintenance construction, installation and repair of water and wastewater treatment systems.
Procedures, equipment, material and tools used in the operation, maintenance and repair of pneumatic systems, motors, engines, pumps, compressors, disinfection equipment, power generation systems and other related equipment.
The operation and minor maintenance of a variety of hand and power tools, vehicles and power equipment.
Basic traffic control procedures and traffic sign regulations.
Shop arithmetic.
Safety equipment and practices related to the work, including the handling of hazardous chemicals.
Safe driving rules and practices.
Basic computer software related to work.
English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar and punctuation.
Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.
Ability to: Perform construction, modification, maintenance and repair work on streets, water distribution and wastewater collection systems, facilities and equipment, parks, landscapes, and street trees such as found in the City.
Operate specialized wastewater-cleaning equipment.
Learn to inspect, operate, diagnose problems and perform preventive maintenance and repair work on electric motors, gas and diesel engines, pumps, compressors, control equipment and power generation equipment.
Perform a variety of fabricating and design duties related to water and wastewater systems construction, maintenance and repair; interpret sketches and diagrams.
Analyze work problems and make corrections that will facilitate the completion of assignments.
Read and interpret gauges and other recording devices, and interpret the information as it relates to repair and maintenance activities.
Read and understand schematic diagrams.
Safely and effectively use and operate hand tools, mechanical equipment, power tools, and equipment required for the work.
Set up and operate traffic area construction zones, including cones, barricades and flagging.
Locate underground utilities by use of blue prints and electronic locating equipment in accordance with Underground Service Alert (USA) regulations.
Troubleshoot maintenance problems and determine materials and supplies required for repair.
Make accurate arithmetic calculations.
Read and interpret construction drawings and specifications.
Safely and effectively use and operate hand tools, mechanical equipment, power tools, and equipment required for the work.
Perform routine equipment maintenance.
Maintain accurate logs, records and basic written records of work performed.
Follow department policies and procedures related to assigned duties.
Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Organize own work, set priorities and meet critical time deadlines.
Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing.
Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
Requirements Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.
A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: Utility Systems Operator I/II: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.
Utility Systems Operator I: One (1) year of experience in construction, maintenance or repair work in underground utilities or general construction.
Utility Systems Operator II: In addition to the above, two (2) years of experience equivalent to Utility Systems Operator I at the City of Eureka.
License: • Valid California class B driver’s license with satisfactory driving record, along with Tanker and Air-Brake endorsements, is required within 6 months of hire.
• Confined Space Certification required during training period.
• First Responder Certification required during training period.
• Other certification(s) specific to functional area of assignment may be required.
Utility Systems Operator I If assigned to water distribution systems: Must obtain Grade I Water Distribution Operator Certification from the State of California during probationary period.
If assigned to wastewater collection systems: Must obtain Grade I Wastewater Collection System Maintenance Certification from the California Water Environment Association during probationary period.
Utility Systems Operator II If assigned to water distribution systems: Grade II Water Distribution Operator Certification from the State of California required.
If assigned to wastewater collection systems: Grade II Wastewater Collection System Maintenance Certification from the California Water Environment Association required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS Must possess mobility to work in the field; strength, stamina and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work, to work in confined spaces, around machines and to climb and descend ladders, and operate varied hand and power tools and construction equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio.
The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards.
Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment.
Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach and climb to perform work and inspect work sites.
Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects necessary to perform job functions.
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS Employees work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes.
Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives, and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
THE SELECTION PROCESS All applications received are screened to determine which applicants most closely match the desired education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the position.
Applicants will receive email notification of the results of the screening process.
Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not necessarily guaranteed advancement to the examination process, as only the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate.
The most qualified applicants will be invited to an in- person written examination tentatively to be held in early February.
The Department Head [and/or designee(s)] will interview the top six (6) candidates from the examination process.
The eligible list created from this recruitment may be used to fill full-time, part-time, temporary, and grant positions.
The City reserves the right to extend the final filing date as necessary.
No other information will be accepted and resumes, cover letters or additional materials WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.