Flushing, Valve, and Hydrant Maintenance-Technician

Class Title:            Flushing, Valve, and Hydrant Maintenance-Technician

EEOC:                 Technician

FLSA:                    Non-Exempt Position

Summary of Position

Under the direction of the Distribution Supervisor, the team lead performs fire hydrant flow tests; paints hydrants; locates, operates, and marks distribution system valves. Is responsible for preventive maintenance for the water distribution system by flushing dead ends: Opening and closing valves, blow-offs, and hydrants to flush water mains. Additionally, is responsible for performing a variety of technical duties to support and ensure proper operation of the District’s potable water production and distribution systems and may perform duties relating to the operation, maintenance, and repair of other utility systems as necessary.

Organizational Relationships

• Reports to:            Distribution Supervisor and Field Service Manager
• Directs:                 All field employees as required
• Other:                    Has contact with employees, the public, consultants, contractors, and suppliers               

Essential Duties

• Supervises all valve and hydrant maintenance, data tracking, and inspections within the District.
• Performs manual and machine-assisted valve operations, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Performs a combination of manual and semi-skilled labor and equipment operation for the purpose of maintaining and repairing water valves and fire hydrants.
• Assists in the operations of the water distribution systems.
• Performs routine to complex tasks associated with utility equipment. This includes lubrication, cleaning, valves, and fire hydrants; and recording and logging test results, gauge readings, and observed conditions.
• Exercising, testing, inspections, and repairs of distribution system valves and fire hydrants.
• Plans, organizes, schedules, and supervises work activities.
• Schedules and coordinates the flushing of the distribution system dead ends.
• Collects flushing data: chlorine residual, turbidity, and water loss.
• Utilizes District’s water system maps and geographic information systems to locate water mains, valves, hydrants, meter boxes, and other water distribution system equipment; remains current with water distribution system changes.
• Purchases, maintains, and inventories equipment and supplies used.
• Interprets and explains the District’s policies and procedures, and provides technical information, training, guidance, and support to internal and external customers.
• Receives, investigates, and monitors complaints.
• Maintains compliance, interprets, and enforces Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances, policies, and procedures about cross connection and backflow prevention for commercial and fire hydrant meter accounts.
• Selects, supervises, trains, motivates, and evaluates the work of assigned staff; provides or coordinates staff training and development, including coaching, counseling, and discipline.
• Maintains communication with customers and contractors, and other departments by utilizing email and telephone.
• Oversee and assist the work of those employees assigned to the team to ensure work is completed in an orderly, efficient, and professional manner.

Additional Duties:

• Assist the other departments as needed with inspections and reports.
• Participates in the on-call rotation.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Meter reading and meter installation.
• Backflow installation and testing.

Working Conditions

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to high, precarious places; outside weather conditions; extreme cold and extreme heat.
• Must be able to walk grassy areas.
• Often exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable.
• May work in an enclosed vehicle, such as a truck, van, or office.
• Be able to lift heavy loads regularly. 

Training, Administrative, and Mass Communications Responsibilities

• Advise the team members on various safety-related topics provided by the safety department.
• Assists the other departments as needed under the supervision of his/her supervisor or field service manager.
• Works in conjunction with the operations manager or maintenance manager.
• Communicate with contractors, citizens, engineers, and other departments by utilizing email and the telephone, which assists in handing out door tags and flyers.
• Assists and prepares educational seminars and training sessions regularly.
• Advise the workforce and public on various construction site-related topics by use of various measures; paper handouts, email blast, PowerPoint, video, and webinar.

Experience and Required Knowledge, Skill, and Aptitude

Education and experience: High school diploma or GED equivalent. A utility working environment or any equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred.

Knowledge of water distribution system; Federal, State, and local rules and regulations regarding flushing backflow prevention assemblies and cross connections. 

Must have 4 to 6 years of experience in water utility systems.

Comprehension and understanding of personnel policy, safety manual, construction standards, and construction detail standard.

Must be able to communicate with individuals/groups of people to understand, guide, follow, and be direct with instructions.  Should easily establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the general public.

Working skills and computer background in Word, Excel, and PDF files. Should possess basic skills like cut-n-paste, downloading, cropping, editing, etc.

Self-Starter, communicator, evaluate and organize a daily work routine and schedule.  Aptitude and propensity for reading and writing. 

Certificates and Licenses Required

Possession of a valid Class C Driver’s License; a good and acceptable driving record is compulsory. 

Achieve and obtain a C. Distribution License or a C Water Operator License.

Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Certification from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality agency

Salary : $23