Utility Worker I

Alameda-County-Water-District; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 70,973 - 86,265; Full time

Job summary

Alameda County Water District in Fremont, CA is seeking an entry-level Utility Worker I to join a field crew performing construction, maintenance, and repair duties on the water distribution system. The role offers hands-on work with mains, hydrants, meters, and related equipment.

Promotion to Utility Worker II ($51.52-$62.62/hr) is possible after about three years of solid performance. A D-1 distribution license and Class A license are required or to be obtained within specified timelines.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; six months of heavy manual labor experience.
• Valid California driver’s license; satisfactory driving record.
• Must obtain a Class A California Commercial license within six months.
• Must obtain Grade 1 Water Distribution Operator’s certificate within 18 months.

Responsibilities

• Install and repair water mains, service lines, hydrants, meters and other appurtenances.
• Perform physical labor including digging, guiding vehicle movement, and loading/unloading materials.
• Prepare work sites, stock materials, and maintain tools and area in clean, safe condition.
• Respond to off-hours emergency repairs on rotating standby schedule.
• Learn to operate a range of trenching, excavation, and meter-related equipment and read maps and blueprints.

Skills

Underground maintenance experience

Distribution license (D-1)

Class A driver’s license

Strong work ethic

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

The Alameda County Water District located in Fremont, CA is seeking to fill current and anticipated Utility Worker vacancies. These positions work as part of a field crew performing varied physical labor and semi-skilled tasks related to the construction, maintenance and repair of water system facilities and equipment, including installing and repairing water mains, service lines, fire hydrants and meters.

The current vacancy will be filled at the Utility Worker I level. Successful employees are expected to promote to a Utility Worker II ($51.52-$62.62 hourly) after approximately three years of effective performance.

TheIdeal Candidate will possess:

• Underground maintenance and construction experience, ideally related to the water industry.
• A Distribution license (D-1)
• Class A driver’s license
• A strong work ethic

Utility Worker I is the first level in the Utility Worker series. Under close to general supervision, incumbents perform manual labor requiring a moderate degree of manipulative skill and use of independent judgment and initiative; learn and perform basic construction, installation, maintenance and repair duties relative to the District’s underground water distribution system; and safely operate a variety of mechanical equipment and hand and power tools in support of these activities.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF DUTIES MAY INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:

• Works on utility crews installing and repairing mains, service lines, fire hydrants, meters, and other appurtenances; performs other duties related to the construction and maintenance of District property.
• Performs physical labor including, manual digging using a shovel and bar, assisting with rigging and placement of heavy materials and equipment, loading and unloading materials, supplies, and equipment at the job site and/or in the yard, assisting with measuring, painting, or chalking areas to be excavated, guiding the maneuvering of truck(s) at the job site, mixing and shoveling concrete mixture into place, tampering and/or operating vibrators to ensure proper distribution of aggregate, and replacing and/or installing concrete around fire hydrants, manhole covers, gate pots, meter boxes, and related fixtures.
• Assists in preparing the work site and ensuring that materials and tools are available as needed; returns tools and equipment to their proper place; helps keep tools and supplies in a clean and orderly manner on the job; cleans the work area after the job is completed.
• Performs emergency off-hour repair work and stand-by duties on a scheduled rotating basis.
• Observes proper safety precautions; maintains tools, supplies, equipment, and the work site in a safe condition; learns to install shoring in trenches as directed; sets up and places traffic warning devices and barricades.
• Learns and safely operates a variety of equipment including light and heavy trucks with trailers, vacuum excavators, front-end loaders, asphalt concrete saws, compressors, tapping machines, valve machines, jackhammers, pipe cutters, and a wide variety of other hand, hydraulic, power tools, and equipment common to pipeline work.
• Taps water mains; installs ductile iron, steel, copper, or plastic service lines; installs industrial, commercial, or residential water meters.
• Locates valves, meters, hydrants, and related appurtenances from maps, drawings, electronic locating devices, and sketches; installs and performs minor repairs to hydrants, valves, meters, pressure regulators, and related equipment.
• As assigned, learns to clean, repair, test, replace, and adjust various types of water meters and related metering and control instruments in the shop and in the field; at the discretion of the supervisor, may work independently while doing field maintenance of meters.
• Locates and reads meters by-passed by regular meter reader; may fill-in for regular meter reader.
• Completes standardized forms, maintains simple records, and completes job documents accurately, completely, and in a timely manner; may assist in disinfecting and flushing the distribution system and take verification bacteria samples.
• May be used to augment gardening staff during peak periods.
• If certified, may perform backflow testing and repair.
• Performs other related work as required.

Education and Experience:

• Possession of a high school diploma or its equivalent; and six (6) months experience performing heavy manual labor in a construction, maintenance, or industrial environment.

Additional Requirements:

• Must possess a valid California driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record.
• Must acquire and maintain an unrestricted California Commercial Class A driver's license within six months of appointment to this classification. Failure to obtain a Class A license will result in termination of employment.
• Must obtain a Grade 1 Water Distribution Operator's certificate within eighteen (18) months of appointment to this classification. Failure to obtain a Grade 1 Water Distribution Operator's Certificate within eighteen (18) months will result in termination of employment.

Working Knowledge of:

Knowledge of: basic construction and maintenance methods and terminology; identification, use, and safe operation of standard hand and power tools and equipment; safe work methods and pertinent safety regulations; proper English usage in verbal and written form; use of standard measuring equipment such as a tape rule; modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work, including word processing, database, and spreadsheet software. Skill and Ability to: use standard and hand power tools and measuring tapes; follow oral and written instructions and perform routine assignments; learn the methods, materials, power tools, and equipment used in performing semi-skilled work required in the installation, repair, and maintenance of underground water distribution systems; learn and apply safety procedures to work performed; learn to read meters, pipeline drawings, blueprints, maps, and specifications; perform simple arithmetic calculations; respond to off-hours emergency situations as assigned on a rotating standby schedule; operate a vehicle observing legal and defensive driving practices; work cooperatively as a team member; perform essential duties of the job without causing harm to self or others; operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

Knowledge of: basic construction and maintenance methods and terminology; identification, use, and safe operation of standard hand and power tools and equipment; safe work methods and pertinent safety regulations; proper English usage in verbal and written form; use of standard measuring equipment such as a tape rule; modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work, including word processing, database, and spreadsheet software. Skill and Ability to: use standard and hand power tools and measuring tapes; follow oral and written instructions and perform routine assignments; learn the methods, materials, power tools, and equipment used in performing semi-skilled work required in the installation, repair, and maintenance of underground water distribution systems; learn and apply safety procedures to work performed; learn to read meters, pipeline drawings, blueprints, maps, and specifications; perform simple arithmetic calculations; respond to off-hours emergency situations as assigned on a rotating standby schedule; operate a vehicle observing legal and defensive driving practices; work cooperatively as a team member; perform essential duties of the job without causing harm to self or others; operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.