Water Maintenance Worker

A position in public works is more than a job - you'll become a member of our team. We are hard-working, honest, reliable professionals who work behind the scenes to make sure our community's infrastructure needs are met. When you join us, you will work on a variety of projects, develop your skills, and solve problems for the benefit of all Newton residents.

Position Summary 

Under the supervision of the Utilities Maintenance Supervisor, or other assigned, the Water Maintenance Worker operates medium and light duty equipment including sewer combination truck, tractors, dump trucks, and similar equipment, in the completion of unskilled and semi-skilled work repairing and maintaining water and wastewater facilities, including but not limited to pump stations, water towers, piping apparatus, fire hydrants, manholes, etc. Duties follow prescribed policies and procedures. Employee participates in the annual standby rotation and is required to respond to emergency callouts.

Essential Functions

• Operates division equipment as qualified to complete daily tasks. 
• Repairs and maintains water and sewer meters;
• Turns on, and turns off water for customers;
• Utilizes meter reading equipment to accurately read and report meter readings;
• Installs or assists with the installation of water and sewer utilities (piping, service lines, taps, fire hydrants, manholes, etc.);
• Performs maintenance tasks on water and sewer facilities (piping, service lines, taps, fire hydrants, manholes, water towers, pump station, etc.);
• Performs maintenance troubleshooting tasks on equipment, and lift stations as qualified 
• Checks, cleans, and maintain Sewage Lift Stations and Water Booster Stations;
• Performs utility locating utilizing location equipment;
• Collects, documents, and analyzes water and sewer samples;
• Uses hand tools and small power equipment;
• Documents and records information both electronically and in paper formats of work and other information related to the maintenance of water and sewer;
• Displays excellent internal and external customer service in all tasks;
• Works additional hours outside of normal schedule in the event of a storm or at the request of another division;
• Responsible for vehicle care, general maintenance tasks (such as greasing equipment), and cleaning all equipment interior and exterior. 

Marginal Functions 

• Mows the lawns and performs general ground maintenance work;
• Helps street department with snow removal;
• Cleans office and shop areas;
• Paints as needed;
• Operation of welder, and welding;
• Other related duties as deemed necessary or as required.

Position Requirements

Experience: No experience required. Possession of a valid Driver’s License. 

Education: High School diploma, GED, or equivalent educational experience required. 

Certifications/Licenses: Employee must possess a valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License with airbrake and tanker endorsement within 18 months of employment. Will obtain National Incident Management System (NIMS), IS 100, 200 and 700 Certificates. Additional education or certification as approved or determined by the department head could result in a regular stipend or per-hour increase to employees’ salary.

Communication: All forms of communication are a requirement of this position, including verbal, written, and electronic. This communication shall include peer to peer, peer to supervisor, and peer to customer.

Skills: Knowledge of water utility equipment maintenance and repair. Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions. Ability to operate a calculator, computer, tablet, and other electronic devices. Must be able to operate hand tools, small power equipment and all division equipment as required or qualified.

Problem Solving: Problem solving is limited in this position.

Decision Making: Decision making is limited in this position.

Accountability: Employee is accountable for completion of assigned work, for safe and proper use of equipment, and for using personal protective equipment. Employee is responsible for maintaining and repairing equipment, installing, and maintaining water and sewer utilities. Employee is responsible for accurate meter reading, documentation, and for safe and proper use of equipment. Employee will be responsible for vehicle care, and any other city issued property including electronic devices.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None.

Residency Requirement: Must live within 30 minutes of intersection of First and Main streets.

Personal Relations: Frequent contact with public and contractors. Occasional contact with other city departments. This position requires good communication skills when interacting with the different disciplines within the division. The ability to communicate well and in a positive manner with other city departments is a must. 

Working Conditions: Manual labor is required. This job involves outside work in water and mud around open trenches, construction equipment and occasionally vehicular traffic in all weather conditions. The job involves excessive awkward positions, turning/ twisting, upper and lower body movements for extended periods of time for operating valves, roll cutting pipe (cutting out section of pipe by hand, very physical work) and doing the general tasks of the job. This job requires being lowered into and out of manholes with a diameter of 22 inches. Individuals cannot weigh > 335 lbs due to having 15 lbs of equipment when lowered, and equipment used with a 350 lb weight limitation.

Physical Requirements: The Water Maintenance Worker physical demands include Constant Balance; Frequent Bend; Occasional Carry of up to 80 lbs; Constant Climb up to 10 inches; Frequent Climb up to 32 inches; Frequent Crouch / Kneel; Frequent Fine Motor Coordination;

Occasional Foot Coordination; Occasional Grip of up to 160 lbs; Frequent Grip of up to 65 lbs; Constant Grip of 10 lbs; Frequent Hand Coordination; Occasional Lift of up to 50 lbs from Floor to Shoulder, (Over 50 lbs requires 2 person lift/carry) ; Occasional Lift of up to 60 lbs from Floor to Waist; Frequent Neck Flexion; Frequent Neck Rotation; Frequent Horizontal Push/Pull of up to 150 lbs; Occasional Vertical Push/Pull; Frequent Vertical Push/Pull; Frequent Forward Reach; Occasional Overhead Reach; Frequent Sitting; Constant Standing; Occasional Trunk Rotation; Constant Walking. 

PDC Level: Very Heavy See Job Analysis. 

This description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification.