Crew Chief (Water Distribution)

City of Bradenton; Bradenton (FL); On-site; USD 58,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Bradenton seeks an entry-level Crew Chief to provide first-line leadership for field crews within Public Works and Utilities - Water Distribution. You will oversee installation, repair, and maintenance activities to ensure system integrity and public health protection.

The role requires strong organizational skills, safety focus, and the ability to supervise, assign work, and report on operations; standard daytime schedule with overtime for emergencies.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Minimum three years in City Technical Track or equivalent.
• Valid Florida driver’s license and good driving record.
• Ability to lift up to 80 pounds occasionally and work outdoors in varied conditions.
• Safety training and adherence to regulations.

Responsibilities

• Organize and oversee field crew operations.
• Interpret instructions and assign tasks to crew members.
• Schedule work and instruct crews on methods and practices.
• Ensure availability of vehicles, equipment, and materials.
• Maintain equipment and prepare safety reports.
• Inspect work areas and monitor task completion.
• Serve as a first-line representative to the public; respond to emergencies.

Skills

Field maintenance

Team supervision

Safety compliance

Communication

Decision making

Report writing

Physical stamina

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Department: Public Works and Utilities - Water Distribution

Compensation: Up to $29.38/Hr DOQ

Hours: Full-time

Deadline: Open until filled

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Bargaining Unit: AFSCME

Classification: Essential: requires reporting after hurricane or emergency

Schedule: Regular weekday daytime shift; scheduled/unscheduled overtime, including evenings, weekends, holidays, or immediate response to emergency conditions

Supervision Exercised: Technical staff

Supervision Received: Supervisor

General Purpose of the Position

This is an entry-level leadership position that provides first-line oversight of skilled and unskilled laborers. The Crew Chief is a working leader who performs tasks similar to his/her crew members. Supervises crew members in support of the city’s public works infrastructure, overseeing installation, repair, and maintenance activities, ensuring the integrity of systems for public health protection.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform duties of crew members when appropriate.
• Organize and oversee field crew operations.
• Interpret general work instructions into specific work assignments; review crew work to ensure quality and completeness.
• Schedule work and instruct crew members on methods and practices.
• Ensure availability of vehicles, equipment, supplies, and materials.
• Maintain, secure, and keep assigned equipment/vehicles safe; provide timely reports on condition.
• Inspect work areas to confirm timely task completion.
• Answer crew inquiries; relay information from management.
• Monitor and report on employee safety practices.
• Notify Supervisor or Superintendent of operational and personnel issues.
• Recommend hiring and discipline actions to Supervisor or Superintendent.
• Serve as first-line representative to the public; routine customer service authority within department guidelines.
• Act as interim Supervisor in Supervisor’s absence; relay upper management information to technical staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills and Physical Abilities Required

• Knowledge of field maintenance methods and procedures, inspection practices, skilled trade and related activities.
• Knowledge of departmental procedures and policies.
• Plan, assign, and coordinate work of employees engaged in complex activities, field inspection work, or skilled trades.
• Make decisions based on governing laws and regulations; explain policies to crew members.
• Produce composite detailed reports from individual crew reports.
• Physical abilities expected of crew members: work in close, confined spaces; walk, stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk, hear, reach above shoulders; work overhead on ladders and platforms; use fingers and hands with dexterity.
• Lift up to 50 pounds routinely and up to 80 pounds occasionally.
• Specific vision abilities: close, distance, color, peripheral, and focus adjustment.

Equipment Used

Computer, cell phone, telephone, radio, non-CDL vehicles and light equipment, all tools needed for trade oversight. CDL-class vehicle operation possible with license and management approval. Safety equipment provided.

Education and Experience Required

High school diploma or GED equivalent, good driving record, valid Florida driver’s license. Minimum three (3) years in City Technical Track position with no performance-related issues, or equivalent experience.

Environmental Conditions

Work primarily outside in varying and extreme weather conditions for extended periods. Exposure to loud noises from construction equipment, live electricity up to 480 volts, live sewer systems, human debris, drug paraphernalia, hot tar and asphalt, heavy equipment, hazardous gases, fumes, paint, chemicals, pesticides, confined spaces, uneven surfaces, heights above 20 feet, below ground, water. 24‑hour call back for emergency conditions. Safety training and equipment provided.

Commercial Driver License (CDL)

Not required unless assigned to operate CDL-class vehicles with management approval.