Utility Systems Worker (Line Maintenance) Public Utilities Operations Center, Benton Road, Suffolk

Suffolk; Suffolk (VA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Suffolk seeks a skilled maintenance worker for its Public Utilities Department to operate heavy equipment, install and repair water and sewer lines, and maintain systems and facilities. The role requires after-hours on-call availability and the ability to work with various machinery.

Candidates should have at least 1 year in water/sewer maintenance or related work and a valid driver’s license. Interaction with customers and adherence to safety protocols are essential in this position.

Qualifications

• 1 year of experience in water or sewer maintenance or grounds keeping or closely related work.

Responsibilities

• Operates motorized equipment used in the maintenance and distribution operations of the Public Utilities Department, including a backhoe, ditching machines, boring machines, jackhammers, lawn mowers, and other equipment used in the installation and repair of water and sewer mains, water services, pumps, valve boxes, hydrants, and associated fixtures.
• Repairs water and sewer systems; repairs and performs maintenance on valves, hydrants and manholes; assists skilled laborers/mechanics with more complicated repairs to and maintenance of distribution systems.
• Backfills and levels ditches and excavations; grades and repairs roads affected by water and sewer repair.
• Performs maintenance on water and sewer facilities, including repairing vacuum systems, applying degreaser in man holes, and releasing pressure from sewer lines.
• Inspects vehicles and reports any problems.
• Prepares related paperwork and reports and assists in recordkeeping and log maintenance.

Skills

Equipment operation

Water/sewer maintenance

Safety awareness

Manual labor

Driving

Tools

Backhoe

Ditching machines

Boring machines

Jackhammers

Lawn mowers

Job description

Under general supervision, performs specialized maintenance work for the Public Utilities Department. Employees in this class perform work such as operating equipment, installing and maintaining water and sewer lines and equipment, and maintaining equipment and facilities in the Line Maintenance, Water Treatment Plant Production, or Maintenance divisions. Employee must exercise initiative and some independent judgment in completing assigned tasks. Employee must also exercise tact, courtesy and firmness in contact with customers and the general public.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

The City of Suffolk is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace

• On-call availability after hours.
• Operates motorized equipment used in the maintenance and distribution operations of the Public Utilities Department, including a backhoe, ditching machines, boring machines, jackhammers, lawn mowers, and other equipment used in the installation and repair of water and sewer mains, water services, pumps, valve boxes, hydrants, and associated fixtures and inspects and performs minor maintenance on equipment.
• Repairs water and sewer systems; repairs and performs maintenance on valves, hydrants and manholes; assists skilled laborers/mechanics with more complicated repairs to and maintenance of distribution systems.
• Backfills and levels ditches and excavations; grades and repairs roads affected by water and sewer repair.
• Performs maintenance on water and sewer facilities, including repairing vacuum systems, applying degreaser in man holes, and releasing pressure from sewer lines.
• Assists lead worker in responding to calls for after hours or emergency repair work.
• Inspects vehicles and reports any problems.
• Prepares related paperwork and reports and assists in recordkeeping and log maintenance.
• May perform some carpentry duties.
• Performs other related duties as required.

1 year of experience in water or sewer maintenance or grounds keeping or closely related work; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Valid Driver's license required.

• Knowledge of ditching machines, boring machines, jackhammers, concrete and pipe saws and other equipment used in water and sewer system maintenance.
• Knowledge of water and sewer line maintenance work.
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards involved and proper safety precautions necessary for the proper operation of varied construction and maintenance equipment.
• Knowledge of the tools, materials and supplied used in the repair and maintenance of a variety of water distribution and collection and sewer fixtures.
• Skilled in the operation of trucks and motorized equipment. Is skilled in the servicing and care of motorized equipment.
• Ability to perform minor maintenance on water distribution and collection equipment and fixtures.
• Ability to use equipment and tools necessary to locate and unearth water and sewer fixtures. Is able to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to perform limited supervisory duties.
• Ability to train less skilled workers in the safe operation of motorized equipment used in water distribution system maintenance.
• Ability to perform physical labor for extended periods of time, possible under arduous conditions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to speak and signal to people to convey or exchange information of a general nature.
• Ability to use addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, and/or calculates ratios, rates and percents.
• Ability to read routine sentences, instructions, regulations, procedures, or work orders; writes routine sentences and completes routine job forms and incident reports; speaks routine sentences using proper grammar.
• Ability to make a few decisions, affecting the individual and a few co-workers; work in a stable environment with clear and uncomplicated written/oral instructions but with some variations from the routine.
• Ability to perform semi-skilled work involving set procedures and rules but with frequent problems; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results or occasional exposure to unusual pressure.
• Ability to make moderate impact decisions - affects those in work unit.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
• Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress and/or emergency situations.

Performance Evaluation Criteria

• Quality of Work
• Quantity of Work
• Dependability
• Attendance
• Initiative and Enthusiasm
• Judgment
• Cooperation
• Relationships
• Coordination of Work
• Safety

Physical Requirements

Heavy work that involves constantly lifting, shoveling, and carrying 35 to 50 pounds on a regular and recurring basis and exerting 100 pounds of force on a frequent basis. Handles or uses machines, tools, or equipment requiring moderate instruction and experience such as large shop equipment and machines, vehicles, light trucks; or may repair power tools and light equipment. Works indoors or outdoors in areas where fumes and noxious odors are generated. Responsibility for safety and health of others and for occasional enforcement of the laws and standards of public health and safety. Requires the ability coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using heavy motorized machinery. Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as heavy motorized machinery. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination. Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color. Requires the ability to talk and hear: (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words. Hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Compares or inspects items against a standard. Responsible for only small quantities of low cost items or supplies where opportunities for achieving economies or preventing loss are negligible.