Public Works Maintenance & Water Utility Worker

Job description

The Town of Wausau is currently seeking a dependable, motivated individual for a full-time Public Works Maintenance & Water Utility Worker position.

This is a hands-on position responsible for a combination of general Town maintenance, grounds and facility upkeep, and duties associated with the Town’s public water distribution system.

The employee will work both independently and as part of a crew and should be comfortable performing a wide variety of tasks. Work is primarily performed outdoors and can be physically demanding, dirty, wet, and performed in adverse weather conditions.

Because this position assists with the Town’s public water system and emergency response, the employee may be subject to call-back outside normal working hours for water main breaks, major leaks, storm damage, service interruptions, or other emergencies. Occasional evening, weekend, and holiday work may be required.

Candidates will be subject to applicable background screening, physical requirements, and drug screening.

WATER SYSTEM & UTILITY RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Read residential and commercial water meters accurately and record meter readings for monthly utility billing.
• Inspect meters and service connections for leaks, damage, unusual usage, malfunction, or other potential problems.
• Assist in investigating unusually high water usage and possible water loss.
• Identify, investigate, and assist in locating water leaks throughout the Town’s distribution system.
• Assist with water-loss control efforts, including leak detection and identifying unaccounted-for water.
• Perform and assist with repairs to water mains, service lines, fittings, valves, meters, and other water-system components.
• Respond to water main breaks, service-line leaks, and other water-system emergencies.
• Perform customer water service turn-ons and shut-offs as authorized by the Town.
• Install, replace, repair, and maintain water meters, meter boxes, service connections, fittings, and related components.
• Assist with new water taps and service connections.
• Locate and mark Town-owned water mains, service lines, valves, and other water infrastructure when requested.
• Assist with excavation necessary to access water mains, service lines, valves, meters, and other underground infrastructure.
• Operate and exercise water-system valves.
• Assist with flushing water mains and designated flushing points as directed.
• Monitor the distribution system for visible leaks, low pressure, unusual flow, damaged infrastructure, or other abnormal conditions and promptly report concerns.
• Assist with maintaining and updating maps and records showing water mains, valves, meters, hydrants, flushing points, service connections, and other system infrastructure.
• Assist with basic plumbing and water-system maintenance within the employee’s training and authorization.
• Assist with fire hydrant inspection, flushing, maintenance, and exercising as assigned.
• Maintain accurate records and logs of meter readings, repairs, leaks, flushing, valve exercising, service work, water loss, and other water-system activities.
• Assist with water-system emergencies and service interruptions, including after-hours response when necessary.
• Follow proper safety, sanitation, disinfection, and contamination-prevention procedures when working on the potable water system.
• Recognize and report potential cross-connections, backflow concerns, water-quality complaints, or other conditions that could affect the public water system.
• Coordinate with Town administration, licensed water operators, contractors, Florida Rural Water Association personnel, and regulatory personnel as directed.
• Perform other water distribution and utility duties within the employee’s training, qualifications, and authorization.

GENERAL PUBLIC WORKS & MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform routine grounds maintenance including mowing, edging, weed eating, raking, watering, trimming, and litter pickup.
• Maintain Town rights-of-way, parks, public spaces, and other Town-owned property.
• Remove brush, limbs, vegetation, and debris from Town property and public rights-of-way.
• Perform light construction, repair, landscaping, and general maintenance duties.
• Perform minor and semi-skilled facility maintenance including basic plumbing repairs, changing light bulbs and filters, minor equipment repairs, and similar tasks.
• Clean, inspect, maintain, and repair sidewalks, streets, trails, playgrounds, recreational areas, grounds, buildings, and other Town-owned facilities.
• Operate hand tools, power tools, lawn equipment, and other Town equipment safely and responsibly.
• Assist with road, drainage, ditch, culvert, and right-of-way maintenance as assigned.
• Assist with preparation and cleanup for Town and community events.
• Provide support during special events, including site preparation, traffic control, setup, cleanup, and other duties as assigned.
• Assist with storm preparation, storm recovery, debris removal, and other emergency operations.
• Inspect Town property and infrastructure and report maintenance needs, hazards, damage, or unsafe conditions.
• Maintain Town vehicles, tools, and equipment in a clean and serviceable condition and report needed repairs.
• Complete required reports, work orders, logs, and other documentation.
• Follow all Town safety policies, procedures, and applicable health and safety requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record required.
• Previous experience in public works, water utilities, plumbing, construction, maintenance, landscaping, equipment operation, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience with water systems, plumbing, underground utilities, meter reading, leak repair, or pipe repair is strongly preferred but not required.
• Experience using hand tools, power tools, lawn equipment, and basic construction or maintenance equipment preferred.
• Must be dependable, punctual, professional, and able to work with limited supervision.
• Must be able to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Must be able to communicate professionally with Town employees, residents, contractors, and the public.
• Must be willing to learn the Town’s water distribution system, including the locations of mains, valves, hydrants, meters, and other infrastructure.
• Must be willing to learn proper procedures for water-line repairs, meter maintenance, leak detection, flushing, valve exercising, and other water-system duties.
• Must be able to accurately document work performed and maintain required records.
• Must follow all applicable safety, health, and water-system procedures.
• Must be willing and able to work outdoors in Florida weather conditions, including heat, humidity, rain, and cold.
• Must be able to perform physically demanding work, including prolonged standing and walking, bending, kneeling, squatting, climbing, digging, pushing, pulling, and lifting and carrying heavy objects as required.
• Must be willing to work around mud, standing water, underground utilities, insects, vegetation, traffic, and other conditions commonly encountered in public works and water-system maintenance.
• Must be available for occasional emergency call-backs, evenings, weekends, or holidays when necessary.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Preference may be given to applicants with experience or knowledge involving:

Water distribution systems; plumbing and pipe repair; water meter installation and reading; leak detection; water-main and service-line repairs; water taps and service connections; valve and hydrant maintenance; underground utility locating; water-loss investigation; construction and excavation; small equipment operation; grounds maintenance; and municipal public works.

Water Distribution System Operator certification or relevant water-utility training is a plus but is not required unless otherwise specified by the Town.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position requires substantial outdoor and physical work. Employees may work in extreme heat, rain, mud, standing water, excavations, roadside areas, and around active water leaks and construction or maintenance equipment.

The employee may also encounter emergency situations requiring prompt response to protect the Town’s water system, infrastructure, property, and residents.

The Town of Wausau is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $17.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• 8 hr Mon - Fri or 10 hour shift Mon - Thurs

Work Location: In person Wausau, Florida

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $17.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Experience:

• Maintenance: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Wausau, FL (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Wausau, FL: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $17