Utilities Operator

CITY OF GRAND LEDGE

Job Description

UTILITIES OPERATOR

To apply, please visit: www.cityofgrandledge.com/Jobs

Supervised By:           Public Works Superintendent or Public Services Superintendent as assigned.

Supervises:                 Seasonal or part-time employees as assigned.

  

General Summary:

Under the supervision of the assigned Superintendent, performs daily operation and maintenance duties in all areas of Public Services, including but not limited to streets, water, wastewater, general building and equipment maintenance, cemetery, parks, and grounds.  Performs a wide range of skilled and semi-skilled maintenance, construction, and repair tasks in support of Public Services projects.   Assists Public Services areas as assigned. 

This job description is intended merely to illustrate the kinds of duties that may be assigned to its incumbent.  It should not be interpreted as describing all the duties whose performance may ever be required of such employees or to limit the nature and extent of assignments such an individual may be given.

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

 

Essential Job Functions:

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions.  These examples do not include all of the duties that the employee may be expected to perform.  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

1.               Operates and controls water well pumping facilities.  Performs daily inspections, readings, and observations.  Controls well and services the pump operation according to system needs.  Performs scheduled maintenance of well pumps, motors, valves, piping, and controls.  Maintains accurate maintenance records.

2.               Inspects, maintains, and repairs the City utility system.  Installs new lines, inspects existing structures, and performs scheduled and emergency repairs.

3.               Operates light and heavy equipment, specialized equipment, tools, and vehicles in support of daily maintenance activities associated with City streets, sidewalks, signage, trees, parks, cemetery, airport, buildings, and facilities. Removes snow, ice, or debris using street sweepers, snow plows, salt spreaders, snow blowers, and other equipment; and vehicles associated with the utilities system, including high-pressure cleaning and vacuuming trucks, rodding machines, video and sewer locating equipment, and all equipment associated with confined space entry.

4.               Operates and maintains water treatment facilities.  Performs daily inspections, daily and weekly operations of the iron-removal process, including filter backwash.  Monitors and adjusts chemical feed systems.  Conducts laboratory testing, including pH, chlorine, iron, and manganese.

5.               Assists in parks, cemetery, and grounds maintenance activities, including municipal airport maintenance.  Excavation, mows grass, plants grass, flowers and trees, trims and removes trees, collects leaves, and completes related tasks.  Assists in grave openings and closings. 

6.               Installs, connects, tests, and disinfects new water mains.  Flushes, cleans, and performs emergency repairs to water mains.  Installs new service taps and service connections, including shut-off valves.  Operates, maintains, and replaces hydrants.

7.               Maintains wastewater collection system operation and labor records.  Develops written and computerized records of sanitary and storm sewer lines, structures, and maintains accurate maps.  Tracks and reports on the use of manpower for collection system projects.  Locates and marks underground utilities. 

8.         Operates and maintains Public Service vehicles and equipment, including but not limited to loader, street sweeper, backhoe, dump truck, sewer camera truck, vactors, air compressors, jack hammers, and trash pumps. 

9.               Collects monthly meter readings, including re-reads and final readings.  Installs and replaces water meters.  Rebuilds water meters.  Performs water service shut-offs and starts for residential and commercial customers.  Responds to customer complaints and inquiries.  Investigate unusual water usage.

10.            Performs scheduled and emergency maintenance and repair of the utility system and associated infrastructure.

11.            Collects samples, performs lab tests, records results, and monitors for changes as assigned.

12.       Completes repairs and participates in construction projects related to City infrastructure.  Removes, repairs, or replaces concrete and blacktop, seals cracks, paints parking lines, repairs and replaces street signage, and works on sidewalks, curbs, and gutters.

13.       Maintenance of facilities and grounds.  Performs custodial duties, painting, basic carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work, mowing, raking, snow removal, and related building and grounds activities.

14.       Operates and controls the major daily wastewater treatment processes and related chemical applications.  Activities include screening, grit removal, primary sedimentation, aeration, activated sludge process, final clarification, disinfection, and de-chlorination.  Operates and inspects plant equipment, including pumps, engines, generators, and electrical equipment.

15.       Maintains the City’s stormwater collection system.  Cleans storm drains, repairs damaged collection system components, and ensures the system is operating properly.

16.       Operates the sludge handling process, including sludge pumping, conditioning, flow control, and supernatant return.  Monitors control panels and adjusts valves manually or by remote to regulate the flow and discharge of sewage. 

17.       Performs work on a scheduled, on-call, and emergency basis.

18.       Cleans, oils, and performs basic preventative maintenance on equipment and machinery according to established schedules.  Regularly inspects equipment and machinery and completes necessary repairs.  Coordinate major repairs with the City Mechanic as needed.

19.       These examples do not include all of the duties that the employee may be expected to perform. 

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Minimum Qualifications:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and minimum qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job.

·                 Educational requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent.

·                Experience requirements include one year of related experience in construction, maintenance, or water/wastewater operations and maintenance, or related field.

·                 A valid Michigan driver's license and the ability to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License Class B  within one year of employment.

·                 Ability to obtain Michigan Department of Environmental Quality D4 & S4 water system licenses or Class D Wastewater licenses within 2 years of employment.

·                 Thorough knowledge of water, wastewater, and stormwater distribution system operating procedures and maintenance needs.

·                 Considerable knowledge of safety procedures and protocol involved in equipment operation and public works maintenance.

·                 Thorough knowledge of the methods, tools, and materials required for testing, installing, and repairing utility system equipment, machinery, and facilities.

·                 Knowledge of the safety requirements of operating a utility system.

·                 Considerable knowledge of the tools, materials, and equipment used in the repair and maintenance of infrastructure systems, buildings, and grounds. 

·                 Skill in performing water quality and wastewater tests according to established procedures.

·                 Ability to troubleshoot mechanical and equipment problems.

·                 Ability to complete records and maintain files relating to the operation of the utility system.

·                 Ability to establish effective working relationships and use good judgment, initiative, and resourcefulness when dealing with the public and other employees.

·                 Ability to work effectively under stress and changes in work priorities, and the ability to respond during non-business hours to emergencies.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate with others in person and on the phone.  The employee is frequently required to travel to locations throughout the City, access confined spaces, access elevated or uneven terrain, perform work at all heights and in all light conditions, and lift objects of moderate to heavy weight.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions, and frequently works near moving mechanical parts and/or heavy equipment.  The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock; and vibration.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and can be loud.

  

Application:

This class specification is intended merely to identify the class and illustrate the kinds of duties that may be assigned to its incumbents. It should not be interpreted as describing all the duties whose performance may ever be required of such employees or to limit the nature and extent of assignments such an individual may be given.

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

To apply, please visit: www.cityofgrandledge.com/Jobs