Utility Systems Worker (Maintenance)

City of Suffolk; Suffolk (VA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Suffolk, Virginia, is seeking a maintenance worker to perform specialized tasks in water and sewer systems, equipment operation, and grounds maintenance. The role supports the Public Utilities Department and may involve after-hours calls and basic carpentry or light maintenance duties.

Qualified candidates typically have a high school diploma or GED (preferred), a valid driver's license, and experience in water/sewer maintenance or related fields.

Qualifications

• Experience in water or sewer maintenance or related grounds/maintenance work.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Ability to follow safety procedures and operate varied equipment.
• Ability to perform physical labor and work under stress or in crews.

Responsibilities

• Operates motorized equipment used in maintenance and distribution operations.
• Repairs water and sewer systems and assists with distribution work.
• Backfills, grades and repairs roads affected by water/sewer work.
• Maintains grounds and inspects vehicles; performs basic paperwork.
• Assists with after-hours or emergency repair calls.

Skills

Equipment operation

Grounds keeping

Safety awareness

Customer interaction

Reading and following instructions

Education

High school diploma or GED preferred

Tools

Backhoe

Ditching machines

Boring machines

Jackhammers

Water/sewer maintenance tools

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

• 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.
• Assists with maintaining electrical and electronic systems, and calibrating and adjusting monitoring equipment, electronics, and process logic controllers as necessary.
• Performs maintenance on water and sewer facilities, including priming pumps, repairing electrical floats, checking control panels, operating emergency pumps, repairing vacuum systems, applying degreaser in wells, and releasing pressure from sewer lines.
• Assists lead worker in responding to calls for after hours or emergency repair work.
• Maintains grounds including trimming weeds, removing trees and stumps, cutting grass, etc.
• Monitors and maintains city-owned wells, water towers, pump stations, and vaults located in residential and commercial areas.
• Receives and maintains accurate inventory of parts and supplies; manages an effective material flow system from receiving to stockroom; prepares stockroom for annual inventory; makes inventory adjustments in computerized system.
• Inspects vehicles and reports any problems.
• Prepares related paperwork and reports and assists in recordkeeping and log maintenance.
• Assists mechanics when needed.
• May perform some carpentry duties.
• Performs other related duties as required.

One year of experience in water or sewer maintenance, grounds keeping, construction, or closely related work; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Graduation from high school or completion of GED preferred. Requires a valid driver's license.

• 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.