Position Summary

This position will be working in the Wastewater Division of Public Works Operations.
Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

To lead, oversee, and participate in the more complex and difficult work of staff responsible for performing semi-skilled and skilled tasks involved in the construction, maintenance and repair of public works systems and facilities including City sewer and storm drain systems; to ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures; to provide training to lower level personnel; to oversee assigned maintenance contracts; and to inspect potential job sites to determine the resources necessary for project completion.

This is an advanced journey lead worker class in the Public Works Maintenance Worker class series. Lead positions function in a role immediately below the first-line supervisor and provide day-to-day work direction and lead supervision to assigned public works maintenance personnel. The Public Works Maintenance Lead Worker participates in the work of assigned crew but is distinguished from lower level Maintenance Worker classes by specific lead duties and responsibility for the work accomplished by assigned crew. It is distinguished from the Public Works Maintenance Supervisor in that it participates and assists in supervisory functions but does not have full first-line responsibilities for organizing and assigning work, evaluating and changing work procedures, completing performance evaluations, and recommending selections and promotions.

Key Responsibilities

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Lead, plan, schedule, train, review, and participate in the work of staff responsible for the maintenance and construction of City sewer and storm drain systems and special projects as assigned.
• Train assigned personnel in their area of work including sewer and storm drain maintenance, methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Supervise the use, care, and operation of public works maintenance equipment including shovels, jack hammers, skip loaders, rakes, rollers and various other equipment.
• Verify the work of assigned employees for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques, and compliance with applicable standards and specifications; provide direction and take corrective action as necessary.
• Use City work order management system to plan and organize work and staff assignments. Review staff’s input and verify assignments are complete as planned and on schedule.
• Oversee the operation of a combination truck, TV camera equipment and other equipment in the inspection, maintenance and construction of sewer and storm drain lines; oversee and perform confined space entry duties as required.
• Oversee the installation, repair and maintenance of sewer lines and laterals; location and repair of breaks in sewer mainlines; review maps and manhole locations; repair or replace manholes as needed.
• Read and interpret maps of underground systems including: sewer, drainage, and electrical/fiber conduits for communication, traffic signals, and street lights.
• Perform storm drain and flood channel maintenance duties; clean storm drain; clear debris for catch basins, storm drains and flood channels; build forms and prepare grades; mix, place, spread, and finish Portland cement concrete.
• Oversee work in confined spaces; performs necessary precautions prior to entering confined spaces with potentially hazardous atmospheres, use air quality monitors and ventilators.
• Oversee and operate a variety of construction and maintenance equipment and hand and small power tools including dump truck, front-end loader, sweeper, backhoe, tractors, jack hammer, paint sprayer, and concrete saw; maintain hand tools and assigned equipment; perform preventive maintenance on equipment.
• Direct and oversee the use of proper safety precautions related to all work performed.
• Oversee assigned maintenance contracts; ensure work is completed in compliance with contract specifications.
• Assist in coordinating maintenance activities with those of other departments, divisions, and outside agencies as necessary.
• Inspect potential job sites to determine the resources necessary for project completion; estimate time, materials, and equipment required for jobs assigned; prepare estimate of cost as necessary; requisition materials as required. Electronically organize and document estimates in the City’s Public Works file folders.
• Monitor inventory of materials and supplies; order materials and supplies as necessary.
• Prepare and maintain routine records and reports on work performed; keep time cards; assist in employee performance evaluations.
• Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information within the area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
• Serve as a member of the Public Works Safety Committee; instruct safety classes as necessary.
• Perform emergency street, storm drain or other public works maintenance work as required.
• Perform the duties of the assigned supervisor as required.
• Perform related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training:
Completion of the twelfth grade or equivalent.

Experience:
At least three years of increasingly responsible experience in the maintenance and repair of public works systems.

License or Certificate:
Possession of an appropriate, valid Class B driver's license.
Special Requirements:
Possession of an appropriate, valid Class B driver’s license. Employees in the Wastewater Division of the Public Works Department are required to serve on standby duty on a rotating basis.

Employees in this position are subject to mandatory drug and alcohol testing as required by the Department of Transportation. The applicant selected will be given a conditional offer of employment pending the outcome of a post-offer physical and drug screen. Additionally, applicants will be required to provide written authorization allowing the City to contact previous employers to determine if the applicant has previously tested positive for drugs or alcohol, or refused to submit for testing.

Examination Process

The City of La Mesa offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
For a more detailed overview of our La Mesa City Employees' Association benefit package, please visit General Employees Unit Benefit Summary