Collections Systems Operator, Apprentice - (Vac Truck, Excavator, Road Construction, Pipe Laying)

Halifax Water; Halifax; On-site; CAD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Halifax Water is seeking a Collection Systems Operator Apprentice to work from the Cowie Hill depot in Halifax. The role involves cleaning, repair, and maintenance of sanitary and stormwater sewers, and operating various vehicles and equipment.

Requirements include Grade 12, 2 years in similar work, and obtaining NS Environment Level I within 6 months. Advancement requires Level II certification and additional experience. Unionized CUPE Local 227 position with overtime for emergencies.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 or equivalent required.
• Two years in similar environment with related equipment.
• Must obtain Operator-in-Training certification within 6 months of hire.
• Progression requires Level I and II NS Environment certifications and 3+ years with Halifax Water.

Responsibilities

• Operate cleaning, maintenance equipment, and vehicles.
• Clean and repair sewers, catch basins, and related infrastructure.
• Respond to floods, spills, odors and customer complaints.
• Inspect wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.
• Provide written and verbal reports on daily activities.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Reliability

Punctuality

Safety awareness

Education

Grade 12 or equivalent

NS Environment Level I certification

NS Environment Level II certification

Tools

Jet truck operation

Hydro excavation

Sewer maintenance equipment

Job description

Collection Systems Operator (Vac Truck, Excavator, Road Construction, Pipe Laying)

One (1) Term (Approximately 6 months) Full Time

Competition #

Department

Wastewater and Stormwater Services

Primary Function

Working out of our Cowie Hill depot (Halifax), as a Collection Systems Operator Apprentice you will:

• Perform scheduled and emergency cleaning, repair, and maintenance of sanitary and stormwater sewers, pipes, pumping stations and related infrastructure.
• Operate a variety of vehicles, equipment and tools in a safe manner.
• Work primarily outdoors, in all weather conditions and in confined spaces, etc.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Operates a variety of cleaning, maintenance, repair equipment, tools and vehicles
• Cleans, repairs, and maintains sewers, underground access chambers, catch basins, wet/dry wells, laterals and forcemains, etc.
• Replaces, repairs, and adjusts manhole and catchbasin covers
• Responds to flood, fuel spills, sewer odors, sewer backups and customer complaints. Investigates and resolves such complaints
• Inspects wastewater and stormwater related infrastructure
• Cleans repairs and maintains storm sewers, culverts, catchbasins, ditches including grading
• Loads and unloads equipment and materials as required
• General care, maintenance and safe operation of assigned equipment and tools
• Orders supplies and materials as required
• Provides written and verbal reports concerning daily work activities
• Must be willing to work overtime for emergency call-outs
• Performs other related duties as required

Reporting Relationships

Reports to: Works Supervisor

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Grade 12 or equivalent
• Two years of experience working in a similar environment and with similar equipment and tools. (ie: road construction, paving crew, pipe laying, jet truck operation, hydro excavation)
• You will be required to obtain certification through Nova Scotia Environment within 6 months of hire as an Operator-in-Training. We arrange for the exam and pay the fee to write it

To Progress in this role to the next level (and higher pay) you will require the following:

• 18 months of experience working for Halifax Water as a Collection Systems Operator Apprentice
• Nova Scotia Environment Wastewater Collection Level I certification
• Demonstration of your ability to perform the various tasks within the Collection Systems Operator role such as: manhole repair and installation, catch basinrepair, lateral installation, which will be verified by a completed checklist
• 3 years of experience working for Halifax Water in Wastewater Collections
• Nova Scotia Environment Wastewater Collection Level II certification
• Demonstration of your ability to complete more complex tasks such as cleaning sewers, troubleshooting, cleaning pump station wet wells, etc. which will be verified by a completed checklist

Technical Knowledge:

• Must be familiar with related Occupational Health and Safety practices
• Must have good verbal and written communication skills. Must be willing to work overtime for emergency call outs.
• Must be reliable, punctual and have a good attendance record.
• Must be willing to take occupational and other training related to classification and equipment
• Must meet and maintain essential physical requirements of the position as described in Working Conditions

Physical Demands/Working Conditions:

• Location: primarily outdoors and underground in an environment that includes dust, fumes, volatile organic compounds, noise, odor, heat, cold, etc.
• Equipment and tools operation in difficult conditions (heat, rain, snow, ice or confined spaces)
• Workload Level: Medium to Heavy. May be required to work alone

Essential Physical Requirements:

• Pre-employment testing and periodic reassessment and retesting will be required which will include functional assessment plus confined space entry with appropriate equipment.
• Standing, walking, head/neck- neutral, bilateral handling - simple and firm grasp, climbing, sitting (driving), forward reaching, lifting.
• Required to enter and work in confined spaces. Must be capable of safely accessing and egressing confined spaces with safety gear using Duo Safety Corporation ladders rated at a maximum load of 750lbs.These confined spaces have a minimum manhole access of 27 inches in diameter.May be required to wear respiratory equipment, depending on environmental conditions.Worker is required to wear a full body harness when working in underground/enclosed areas.
• Sitting and foot movement (driving): occasional (on average 1 - 2.5 hrs/shift)
• Standing and walking: frequent (2.5 to 5.5 hrs/shift, short to moderate periods of dynamic standing, interspersed with occasional to frequent periods of short to moderate distance walking)
• Bending and forward reaching: occasional to frequent depending on work project
• Reaching Overhead: occasional(1 - 2.5 hrs/shift)
• Head/neck neutral mobility: frequently(2.5 to 5.5 hrs/shift)
• Climbing or descending: occasional(ladders from 4 - 40 feet, average 10-15 foot ladders)
• Handling - Simple and firm hand grasp: frequent(2.5 to 5.5 hrs/shift)
• Lifting: occasional(1 - 2.5 hrs/shift - 5 to 70lbs - one worker)
• Lifting: minimal(0 – 1 hr/shift - 70-135lbs - 2 workers working jointly)
• Carrying: occasional(20-70lbs - 1 - 2.5 hrs/shift)
• Kneeling, crouching, squatting: occasional (1 - 2.5 hrs/shift)

This is a CUPE Local 227 Unionized position

Conditional Items Required for Employment:

• Satisfactory background check
• Satisfactory pre-employment drug and alcoholtesting

Halifax Water believes a diverse workforce positively contributes to its success and therefore encourages applications from qualified African Nova Scotians, racially visible persons, women in non-traditional positions, persons with disabilities and Indigenous persons. Halifax Water encourages applicants to self-identify.

Halifax Water is an equal opportunity employer.