Senior Water Distribution Operator

City of Minneapolis; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Minneapolis seeks a Water Distribution Service position to lead crews in maintaining and repairing the water distribution network. Responsibilities include operating valves, hydrants, and meters, documenting work, and ensuring water quality in alignment with AWWA standards.

Applicants should have a high school diploma and at least one year of related experience; a State Water Operator License may be required. On-site work is expected with union representation involved.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent.
• One year of experience operating, maintaining, repairing, or constructing a water distribution system.

Responsibilities

• Lead crews in operating, maintaining, repairing, and replacing water distribution components per AWWA standards.
• Maintain records of work performed including valve operations and work orders.
• Train and direct Water Distribution Operator personnel in field operations.
• Identify leaks and determine whether issues are public or private connections.

Skills

Confined space procedures

Water distribution operations

Recordkeeping

Customer communication

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Tools

GIS information

AMR systems

Leak correlators

Audio-phones

Job description

Position Description

This position is restricted to current City of Minneapolis employees only

Act as a lead worker in operating, maintaining, replacing, repairing, and disinfecting water main pipe, valves, hydrants, meters, and automated meter reading systems to maintain distribution system flow, pressure, and water quality and accurately measure customer water use.

Work Location

This position currently works on-site only.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Act as a lead worker for crews operating, maintain, repair, and replacing water distribution system components, such as hydrants, valves, manholes, and water main to American Water Works Association standards.
• Maintain paper and electronic records of work performed including valve operations, water system maintenance, and work orders.
• Train, coordinate and direct the work of Water Distribution Operator (WDO) in the operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of distribution system components.
• Research paper and electronic record drawings, GIS information, and other water system records to make decisions about system operations and maintenance to minimize impacts on customers.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and organized operation, maintenance, and customer account work order records for all work performed.
• Calculate chemical dosage and oversee water system disinfection including mixing chemicals (chlorine and sodium thiosulfate), maintaining constant pumping rates for consistent dosage, measuring chlorine residual to determine de-chlorination of discharge to waste.
• Collect water samples using American Water Works Association (AWWA) standards for both sampling and chain of custody in transport to the City's Water Quality laboratory for microbiological testing.
• Identify and pinpoint water leaks, determining whether a leak is on the public main or on a private service connection using a variety of analytical tools including researching records and using equipment such as audio-phones and leak correlators.
• Repair water system leaks in a safe, fast, and cost effective manner without compromising water quality.
• Communicate with residents over the phone and in person, responding professionally to questions, concerns, and complaints about a variety of issues including water main breaks, water system projects, water quality complaints, high water consumption concerns, plumbing leaks and AMR or meter problems.
• Install temporary water supply connections during major water system repair, construction, or maintenance.
• May install new service taps and discontinue abandoned ones.
• May perform field locates of buried utilities, including interpreting record drawings, marking water utility locates and using automated software to complete tickets for Gopher State One Call.
• May Troubleshoot, test AMR installations, record and verify data in record keeping systems.
• Perform services related to commercial meters including assisting customers on-site to investigate high consumption; identifying AMR or meter problems; testing, rebuilding and calibrating large commercial meters; performing on-site testing of larger meters; discussing and scheduling interruption of water supply to properties for replacement, repair and testing of commercial meters.
• Safely operate crew trucks and small engine equipment including tapping machines, concrete saws, valve machines, jackhammers, pipe cutters, and a wide variety of other hand, hydraulic, and pneumatic and power equipment.
• Turn water on and off at the street curb stop valve as required for delinquent bills, new accounts, repairs, transfer of service and no access.
• Perform the duties of Water Distribution Service Worker I when required.

Working Conditions

Perform field work in all kinds of weather conditions. Exposure to outdoor elements, gases, fumes, chemicals, dust, dirt, traffic and noise. Perform confined space entry/work; heavy physical labor work including bending, twisting, stooping, etc.; ability to push, pull, lift, carry and maneuver heavy items weighing up to 100 pounds; ability to work in excavations with water main pipe; ability to stand/walk/maneuver on rough, uneven surfaces.

Required Qualifications

Minimum Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent.

Minimum Experience

One (1) year of experience in the field operating, maintaining, repairing, and/or constructing a water distribution system composed of cast and/or ductile iron pipe, with coursework in water supply systems distribution operation.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position MAY be considered.

Licenses/Certifications

• State of Minnesota, Water Supply System Operator License Class C or higher.
• State of Minnesota Driver's License, Class D or higher.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience 100%. It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions. Only those candidates who attain a passing score 70% on each step in the selection process will be placed on the eligible list. The City of Minneapolis Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process.

Background Check

The City has determined that a criminal background check and/or qualifications check may be necessary for certain positions with this job title. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the City to obtain their criminal history and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.

Union Representation

This position is represented by a collective bargaining agreement between the City of Minneapolis and the AFSCME Water Maintenance (CAW). For more information on the terms and conditions of this agreement please visit: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/departments/hr/labor-agreements/afscme-water-maintenance/

Eligible List Statement

The names of applicants who meet minimum qualification and who pass the screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for employment consideration. This list will be certified to the hiring manager who may use the list to fill a vacancy of the same job title. This eligible list will expire three (3) months after it has been established.

Interview Selection

The hiring authority reserves the right to determine the maximum number of candidates to interview from the established eligible list. If the hiring authority decides to interview other than by exam score order, they may select additional people to interview based on a candidate's education or experience related to the field, work history, or skills uniquely related to the operational needs of the position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of and adherence to confined space entry procedures, including use of air monitors, non entry tripods, and completion of confined space entry permits.
• Considerable knowledge of equipment and materials used in the water main construction and maintenance.
• Ability to read, write, and understand written and oral instructions.
• Ability to prepare and keep accurate records of work activities.
• Ability to deal with angry and hostile citizens in water turnoff situations.
• Considerable knowledge of the safety precautions required in the job.
• Physical strength to lift heavy equipment and materials.
• Ability to plan work, instruct others in work technique, and delegate.

As the largest and most vibrant city in the state, Minneapolis depends on purposeful, dedicated and innovative employees. Minneapolis has a large variety of careers for people of all experiences and backgrounds who come together for a singular purpose-serving the residents, businesses and visitors of Minneapolis.

The City of Minneapolis is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.