Utilities Service Tech I

Under the direction of the Water Foreman the Utility Service Technician I performs a variety of semi-skilled and skilled maintenance work and operates a variety of equipment in the construction, operation, repair, maintenance and replacement of City water facilities and systems. Frequently works as member of a crew to complete assigned tasks and occasionally completes assigned tasks independently of the crew.

Examples of Principal Duties

Assist maintenance and repairs of the water distribution system.

Including but not limited to:

Valve exercising, valve repair, valve replacement, repairs and maintenance of booster pumps, repair of broken and leaking water mains and customer service lines.

The installation of new customer service line, including the process of tapping the main and installing corp valve and the curb stop valve.

Exercising, flow testing, repair and replacement (when needed) of fire hydrants.

Perform large diameter taps of water mains for the purpose of connection fire hydrants and new mains into the distribution system.

Performs line stops on water mains up to 8 inch diameter.

While working in the water distribution system the employee will dig and work in earthen trenches, refill trenches with compacted soil, sand or gravel, remove and replace concrete, asphalt and gravel roadways and sidewalks to facilitate water main repairs, operates a backhoe/loader, a dump truck hauling dirt, sand or gravel and operate underground boring machine.

Assists with the replacement of customer water meters.

Remove old and install new meter for both pit sit meters (in-ground meter pit) and inside-sit meters (meters situated in the building usually in a basement).

Install wiring for touch read meters or radio units for radio read meters.

Assist in the cleaning, maintenance and repair of vehicles and heavy equipment.

Including but not limited to:

Backhoe, riding and push mowers, tractors, jackhammer, air compressor, pickup trucks, dump trucks, trailers, portable generators, valve tapping machine and line stop equipment and under ground boring mole.

Assist in the cleaning, maintenance and repair of buildings and structures

Including but not limited to:

Cleaning (sweeping, washing, moping, trash removal), interior and exterior painting (walls, floors, ceilings), constructs concrete forms, pouring concrete and finishing concrete. The occasional repair and installation of concrete blocks and bricks and repairs to roofs. Occasionally performs repairs on doors, windows, flooring, ceiling tile, fences, lighting and plumbing fixtures. Scoops snow from walks and drives using shovels, trucks and tractors as warranted. Mowing grass and weeds using riding mowers, push mowers, and string trimmers.

Collects raw data to be used in reports.

Collects data from meter, gauges, chart recorders to be used in the generation of reports for system design and permit compliance.

Interacts with customers of the water system to inform them of planned and unplanned outages.

Responds to complaints regarding water leaks, pressure loss or no water, evaluates situations and explains the findings to the Utility Director and others as needed.

Assists other water department employees shutting off nonpaying customers.

Assists in ensuring the locations of underground gas, telephone, electric, and fiber optic equipment are marked prior to beginning excavations.

Assists in locating city owned water mains and valves for contractors.

Observes safety and security regulations to avoid accidents and injuries.

Assists with special projects.

Employee may expect to regularly be assigned to projects that include but are not limited to the following tasks.

Welding, drilling, cutting, grinding, bolting, bending and painting of steel or other metals.

Cutting, scraping, sanding, gluing, nailing, bolting and screwing of wood.

Cutting, trimming and removal of standing and fallen trees and limbs.

Provides input for budgeting purposes on capital projects and operating expenses.

This position is required to be on call for emergencies occurring in the water system.

On call duties will be assigned on a rotating basis with each person be on-call an average of one week every fifth week. While on call employee collects reading from wells and high side booster station on Saturday and Sunday of the on call period.

This position may occasionally be required to remain at or be called back to work during evening and night time hours and on weekends to complete emergency repairs to water mains, service line, wells, water treatment plant equipment or booster pumps.

Desired Minimum Qualifications

1) High School Diploma or equivalent.

2) Any combination of experience and/or training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities.

3) Able to obtain a Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Grade 4 Water Operators Certificate within 12 months of start of employment.

Necessary knowledge, skills and abilities:

1) Some knowledge of the principles, practices, and operation of the water distribution system, water storage tanks, booster pumps, water meters and water meter reading equipment.

2) Some knowledge of the methods, equipment, materials and tools used in the repair and maintenance of the water system.

3) Some ability to observe and detect malfunctions and repair needs.

4) Some ability to make simple reports and maintain records.

5) Some ability to read and understand maps, and written instructions.

6) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public.

7) Basic knowledge and basic abilities to operate a tractor, front-end loader, backhoe, mowers (push & riding), trencher, snow blower, chain saw, string trimmer jack hammer, air tamper and engine drive jumping jack.

8) Basic understanding and basic ability to operate hand tools, including but not limited to battery and electric hand drill, hand wrenches, taps and dies, socket wrenches, pipe wrenches, screwdrivers, tape measure.

9) Basic ability to operate shop equipment including but not limited to: welder, drill press, circular saw, cutting torch and grinder.

10) Must be able to safely operate a motor vehicle.

11) Must be cable of performing basic math functions, add, subtract, divide and multiply to complete daily well and booster pumping volume.

Special Requirements

1) Must possess, or be able to obtain by the date of hire, a valid Nebraska Driver’s License Class “O”.

2) Must be insurable through the City’s insurance carrier.

3) Must be able to obtain Nebraska Commercial Driver’s Class B (if required).

4) Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screening test.

5) Must be able to lift/move the required weight for the position (listed in Physical Demands Section).

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to walk. Additionally the employee will use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk or hear, and taste or smell. The employee frequently is required to stand, sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 85 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Will walk several hours each day of the 2 to 3 days of meter reading.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and outside weather conditions. The employee is regularly exposed to vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places. The employee regularly is exposed to water spray and muddy conditions making the work area slippery. The noise level of the work environment is occasionally loud. The employee may often work in conditions that are cold and wet. The employee will frequently work in excavated trenches with water spray and thick mud making movement difficult.

Selection Guidelines

Formal application, rating or education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer and needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20.17 - $28.41 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Flexible spending account
• Retirement plan

Work Location: In person

Salary : $20 - $28