The Utility Team Member operates and maintains the water, sanitary sewer, and storm drainage systems in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local standards. The focus of this position will be the sewer collection system, sewer pump stations, special and regular catch basins, force mains, generators, and SCADA/telemetry equipment. The Utility Team Member also may be required to operate and maintain pressure-reducing valves (PRVs), water mains and services, water valves, water booster pumping stations, water reservoirs, water meters, and telemetry, and perform tasks related to water quality, leak detection, utility locating and utility security. Public Works Department employees operate in a team environment and must be able to work and communicate effectively with employees and citizens. 

• Perform jetting on routine and as-needed basis with high-velocity sewer cleaner and root-cutting attachment to clean and clear plugged sewer and storm lines. 
• Identify, assess, and repair breaks in sewer lines.
• Check sewer pump station operation, telemetry, mechanical seals, and generators to ensure proper operation and maintenance. Inspect electrical and mechanical functions, lubricate and clean equipment, remove blockages, repair safety hazards, and maintain generator fuel levels.
• Maintain manholes to improve personal access and eliminate inflow and infiltration by plugging holes, laying new shelf, raising to street grade, and grouting and sealing seams.
• Flush special sewer catch basins and wet wells, accessible by land and boat, in order to prevent solid debris from going into the lake line.
• Operate SCADA/telemetry equipment for water and sewer to ensure proper operation of reservoir, pump stations and generator systems.
• Perform video inspections with CCTV equipment and locate and record all sewer mains and tees that require maintenance or are scheduled for capital improvements. Develop and record an ongoing preventative maintenance program. 
• Install, replace, upsize, and/or repair water services, mains, hydrants, PRVs, pumps, motors, air vacs, blow-off assemblies and other water and sewer system apparatus to meet City specifications and standards.
• Determine and adjust daily water flows to maintain reservoir level, water quality, and meet water system demands.
• Maintain hydrants annually to ensure proper operation. Additionally, clear vegetation, clean, paint, and record system pressures at the hydrants as needed.
• Adjust and/or modify pressure-reducing valves for proper operation and maintenance. Inspect and replace worn pressure-reducing parts, clean up the inside of underground vaults, and brush surrounding grounds.
• Inspect the reservoir for proper operation of pumps and electrical apparatuses and inspect grounds for security. This includes maintaining recorders, and telemetry, obtaining readings for usage data, and performing chemical analysis for water quality. 
• Determine the need to repair or replace water meters based on inspection or field-testing. Replace meter and/or take faulty meter into shop for repair, further testing or salvage
• Inventory and map location of air vacs, blow offs and gate valves for proper functioning and accessibility.
• Investigate and perform routine testing and/or annual or necessary flushing of water mains to ensure a high level of water quality of the public water system.
• Coordinate repairs to existing installations of hydrants, water mains and other water and sewer system apparatus to meet City specifications, codes and AWWA standards.
• Following successfully passing probationary employment and meeting the training requirements, employees may participate in on-call duties on a rotational basis. 
• Ability to drive a City vehicle, possess a current and valid Washington State driver's license and good driving record.
• Must have regular and predictable work attendance to fulfill the job's essential functions.
• Other duties as required.

• High school education or equivalent and three or more years of experience in the construction, mechanical, or electrical trades.
• Ability to demonstrate a proven reliability to work. 
• Good verbal communication skills in the English language (listening, giving feedback and speaking up) as well as effective interpersonal and customer relation skills are essential in a team environment. Legible written communications (directions and memos) is required, along with the ability to perform basic arithmetic calculations.
•  Ability to operate a personal computer and utilize computer applications and software including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and Outlook 2007) and Geographic Information Services (GIS) layers.
• Minimum class B CDL with tanker endorsement with current medical certificate or ability to obtain one within twelve months.
• Washington State Certification in first aid, traffic control, and flagging, Confined Space Entry, Shoring and Trench Safety, PAPC Certification, Water Distribution Manager I, and Wastewater Collection Systems Operator are needed within the first year of employment.
• Knowledge of City codes and specifications, AWWA, Department of Health, & Department of Ecology standards sufficient to inspect new and/or repaired hydrants, water mains and other water system apparatus.
• Knowledge of operation and service of complex equipment and vehicles such as CCTV and combination jet vactor units used in construction repair and maintenance.
• Ability to read blueprints, maps, codes, regulations, as-builts, etc.
• Ability to demonstrate skills in basic hydrology, basic engineering (flows, grades, pressures and interpret pressurezones) and create as-builts (interpret and add new information or updates).
• Ability to practice safety by wearing appropriate protective clothing, using safety equipment, and follow good housekeeping and safety procedures.

Licensure/Certification

• Valid WA State Driver’s License with a driving record free from frequent or serious violations. A three (3) year driving record abstract must be submitted prior to hire. 
• Specific positions may have other certification requirements.

Team Members risk physical hazards from working in and around traffic, heavy machinery, heights and confined spaces and other underground utilities. Exposure to noise, vibration, hazardous and toxic materials, fumes, gases, and odors is routine.

Work requires physical strength and agility necessary to perform heavy manual labor under all kinds of weather conditions. Work activities include combinations of sitting, standing and walking and the ability to lift 50-100 pounds as required. Team members must be able to see, hear, and smell in order to detect problems and be responsive to their own safety, as well as that of fellow team members.

Team Members must follow appropriate safety procedures and the use of protective clothing and equipment including, steel-toed boots, hard hat, eye/ear protection, rain gear, gloves, traffic control equipment, Public Works teams operate in a smoke and drug free work environment for their health, safety and productivity, as well as that of their co-workers and customers.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

Various types of tools and equipment are used, but not limited to the following: high-velocity sewer cleaner, CCTV inspection, and associated tools and nozzles, video inspection equipment, debris catcher, root cutter, dump truck, backhoe, compressor, and jackhammer. Testing equipment includes: capacitors, multi gas detectors, gauges, multi-meter, metal detectors, and chlorine and bacteriological test equipment. Specialized equipment includes: hydrant hose, valve key, hydrant and wet well wrenches, tripod and harness retrieval system, lube gun, tube benders, hole hog, flaring equipment, and peashooter. Hand tools used: shovels, electrical and hand tools, sledgehammer, pick and trowel. Future work practices may necessitate the use of different tools and equipment.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING

The City of Mercer Island has a policy to maintain a work environment free of substance abuse. This policy applies to all current and prospective employees. Drug and alcohol testing is required for employees and candidates applying for safety-sensitive positions or whose job requires a commercial driver’s license (CDL). This testing may be waived for job candidates if records are made available from another employer who tested the candidate in the last 6 months. Positive test results will be defined as an alcohol concentration over 0.02 or a positive test result for marijuana, opiates, cocaine, amphetamines, or phencyclidine. All employment offers are contingent upon successfully passing a drug and alcohol test. Job candidates who test positive will be terminated from consideration for employment immediately.