Utilities Operator-In-Training/Utilities Operator I - Distribution/Collections

City of Westminster, CO; Colorado; On-site; USD 49,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Multilingual stipend program

Job summary

City of Westminster, CO is seeking entry-level Operator-in-Training to support water and wastewater infrastructure. This full-time role includes on-the-job and classroom training, with advancement to Operator I after achieving Colorado certification.

The position requires a strong desire to learn, willingness to work outdoors, and readiness for overtime on-call duties. Multilingual stipends may be available to eligible employees.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or completion of GED.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and a safe driving record.
• Obtain and maintain Colorado CDL Class A with tanker endorsement within 90 days.
• Be able to study for and pass Colorado water distribution or wastewater certification within 24 months.

Responsibilities

• Operate light and heavy construction equipment as needed.
• Assist Certified Water Professionals in maintenance, repair, and replacement of water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Maintain and inspect meters and related equipment; read taps and mains for service connections.
• Respond to emergencies and work overtime, weekends, and on-call shifts as required.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Safety awareness

Willingness to learn

Education

High school diploma or GED

Colorado CDL Class A with tanker endorsement

Water distribution/wastewater certification study plan

Tools

CDL

Job description

The City of Westminster is recruiting for an entry-level, full-time, and benefited Operator-in-Training with the opportunity to advance to an Operator I after becoming a State of Colorado Certified Water Professional. In addition to competitive pay and benefits, and a values-driven work environment, you will be provided with on-the-job and classroom training to ensure your success. We are seeking individuals who have a strong desire to learn, work hard in the field, and serve the public. We also look for candidates who are interested or experienced in skilled trades and equipment operation. If this opportunity interests you, please read on for more details and apply!

The Water Field workgroup operates and maintains approximately 540 miles of Water Distribution piping system, to include hydrants, valves, pumps, meters and other appurtenances. The Wastewater Field workgroup operates and maintains approximately 400 miles of Wastewater piping system, to include manholes, pumps, diversion structures and other appurtenances. The Operator-in-Training will accompany and assist Certified Water Professionals in the maintenance, repair and replacement of pipes, pumps, valves, hydrants, manholes, PRV’s, storage tanks and other related infrastructure.

Operating Hours are Monday through Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.It is a mandatory requirement of this position to work overtime, take weekend duty and be on call for emergency work such as water breaks, sewer backups and snow removal. Applicants must be able to respond to the City of Westminster Municipal Service Center within 30 to 45 minutes when on call, including in inclement weather. This is a safety sensitive position.

The full salary range for this position is stated above. The hiring salary range for Utilities Operator-in-Training is $48,568.00 to $49,774.40 per year ($23.25to$23.93 hourly) with a salary range of $48,568.00 to $62,129.60 annually ($23.35 to $29.87 hourly). The hiring salary for Utilities Operator I (holds a current Colorado Water Distribution System Operator Class 1 certification) is $56,076.80 per year ($26.96 hourly) with a full salary range of $56,076.80 to $71,822.40 annually ($56,076.80 to $71,822.40 hourly).

This position is open to current City of Westminster, Colorado, employees only. The starting range of pay is dependent on qualifications and experience of each individual candidate. The City of Westminster has a Multilingual Stipend Program to encourage, and reward benefited employees who are conversationally fluent in languages other than English. Benefited employees have the opportunity to test their language proficiency skills and qualify for a bi-weekly stipend that will vary based on the employee’s level of proficiency and usage.

Every employee is accountable to:

• Demonstrate a high level of customer service; encourage others to focus on the customer; foster an environment where customer service is a priority
• Communicate with customers to ensure that, where possible, they are satisfied, and that their needs are being addressed; solicit and evaluate customer feedback
• Act as an ambassador by understanding and fostering the organization's mission and vision
• Exhibit pride in self, the department, the city, and the community; conduct self in a professional manner
• Demonstrate integrity and builds trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, loyalty, and ethical behavior
• Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner
• Support and promote change; demonstrate flexibility, and take calculated risks when appropriate
• Participate in personal growth opportunities, and attend trainings designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the job and the organization
• Work to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service or product being delivered
• Demonstrate support for team efforts by accepting new roles and responsibilities, and helping others achieve objectives
• Value diversity; demonstrate an awareness of differences; demonstrate sensitivity, and adapt behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences

GENERAL COMPETENCIES

Citywide

• Establish effective interpersonal relationships through honest, open communication and follow-through on commitments
• Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses, and target areas for personal self-development
• Demonstrate initiative in performing job tasks
• Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions
• Achieve goals, and handle assigned workload and new assignments effectively; demonstrate an ability to work independently
• Communicate effectively with individuals and groups using clear and concise verbal and written communications
• Demonstrate accountability for work and take ownership in job performance
• Demonstrate concern for the accuracy and quality of work; take steps to correct mistakes and improve the overall product

Job Specific

• Demonstrate knowledge of safety practices common to hazards such as confined space, traffic control, fall protection, proper PPE
• Demonstrate knowledge of the general practices applied in the care and safe operation of a wide variety of light to heavy construction and maintenance equipment, especially those related to Utilities Operations
• Perform thorough daily vehicle inspections
• Demonstrate knowledge of the laws, regulations, and City’s policies, SOPs and standards; and ensure team members comply
• Demonstrate the ability to work with minimal supervision and both understand and follow oral instructions or written diagrams
• Demonstrate sufficient physical stamina to withstand fatiguing elements involved in operating light and heavy equipment for long hours and in adverse weather conditions
• Demonstrate ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with citizens, the public and contractors
• Build positive relationships and rapport with other team members both within the work group, the division, the department and across all departments
• Demonstrate knowledge of using a telephone, fax machine, copier, two-way radio, pager, computer, and necessary computer programs
• Perform work safely to include operating various types of equipment and City vehicles
• Demonstrate proper handling of asbestos, excavation and trench safety and traffic control safety and ensure team members comply
• Communicate clearly, plan, and organize work in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale in rapidly changing situations under normal, stressful and/or emergency situations
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively recognizing established precedents and practices, and to use resourcefulness in meeting new problems

Essential Job Functions, Duties, Responsibilities and Tasks

1. Water Infrastructure Maintenance: Operates light and heavy construction equipment, including dump trucks, passenger, trucks, high pressure sewer cleaning equipment, pot-holing machines, backhoes, skid steers, air compressors, jackhammers, power or hand tools, confined space equipment, truck-mounted jet/vacuum unit, closed circuit televising equipment, other equipment as required, installs new water and wastewater mains and replaces obsolete mains; repairs water or wastewater main breaks; read, disassemble, inspect, clean, replace, test and store residential water meters; maintain meter records; connect and install pipe sections, create taps on mains for service connections
2. Professional Development: Maintain a Class A CDL with tanker endorsement, a DOT physical card, a valid driver’s license, and a safe driving record, perform CPR and basic first aid, and other certifications and trainings as assigned
3. Emergency Response and reliability: Maintain regular and punctual attendance Monday through Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; additional after-hours on-call assignments are mandatory
4. Maintains regular and punctual attendance

Other Duties and Responsibilities

1. Will be required to perform duties from all primary assignment areas, including but not limited to, the Distribution Construction and Maintenance Crews, Meter Shop and Cross Connection Control Team, Wastewater Maintenance Crew, Reclaimed Water Crew, Infrastructure Asset Management Team, and the Street Division on snow removal

Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job, and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City’s discretion.

Education, Experience, Skills, Formal Training, Licenses, and Certifications

Required:

• Graduation from high school or completion of GED
• Experience in safe operation of tools, equipment, and light vehicles
• Must possess a valid driver’s license, provide proof of a safe driving record, and maintain a safe driving record for continued employment
• Obtain and maintain State of Colorado Class A Commercial Driver License with tanker endorsement within 90 days of employment (training will be provided by City of Westminster)
• Be able to study for and pass a State of Colorado water distribution or wastewater collection certification at any level within 24 months of hire date (level 1 minimum), or be working towards obtaining this certification by testing regularly

Preferred:

• Previous experience in repair and maintenance of utilities water distribution and wastewater collection systems
• State of Colorado water distribution or wastewater collection certification at any level
• Previous experience in the construction or maintenance trades

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and skills, may be considered.

Physical Requirements

• This position is physical in nature and requires sufficient physical strength and stamina to:
• Frequently sit while driving to and from work sites and frequently stand and walk on uneven terrain
• Frequently crouch/squat, bend/twist and kneel in awkward confined spaces; frequently climb equipment, trenches, and 45-foot ladders through 24-inch-diameter manholes
• Frequent light grasp and reaching; occasional firm grasp and fine motor functions to handle tools and material
• Constant near/far acuity and hearing to safely perform duties and perform office tasks
• Occasional lifting of up to 100 pounds from ground to waist to move manhole covers; occasional lifting of up to 80 pounds from ground to shoulder to move cement bags and equipment, and occasional lifting of 40 pounds overhead; occasional carrying and pushing/pulling of up to 100 pounds 20 feet to lift and move manhole covers

Utilities Operator I:

Incumbent may progress from Utilities Operator-in-Training to Utilities Operator I upon the receipt of State of Colorado Collection certification Class 1 or Collection and/or Distribution certifications based on job requirements, along with the request of the immediate supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is occasionally performed indoors and constantly outdoors with frequent exposure to extreme temperatures. Maintenance and repair are performed year-round on busy city streets where loud noise and traffic may cause a distraction. Work is very physical in nature and requires a great amount of physical exertion in extreme conditions while working in confined spaces.

Required Materials and Equipment

May operate light to heavy equipment and machinery used in utilities operations, such as backhoe, high-pressure sewer cleaners, sewer television van, forklifts, loaders, tandem-axle dump trucks with a plow, crane truck, as well as other similar equipment. May also operate electrical test equipment, diesel-powered electrical generators, basic hand and shop tools, saws, welders, cherry pickers or overhead cranes, boom trucks, shovels, and two-way radios. Personal computers, telephones, adding machines, and other basic office equipment.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Background check including employment references, criminal history, and driving record review
• If current CDL holder, DOT questionnaire (Form 49 CFR part 40 Drug and Alcohol Testing) and required background check will be submitted to previous employer for the past two years
• Drug screen
• Physical
• Must be legally entitled to work in the United States