Utility Worker I - Public Works

City-of-Forest-Grove,-o; Forest Grove (OR); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Forest Grove is seeking an entry‑level Utility Worker for the Public Works Department. The role focuses on routine maintenance, construction and repair of city streets, water and sewer systems, and related infrastructure, with opportunities to operate a variety of equipment.

Applicants should have a high school diploma or equivalent and one year of maintenance experience; a valid driver's license is required, with a CDL‑A with tanker endorsement within 12 months of hire.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
• One year of maintenance and repair experience.
• Possession of an appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• CDL A with tanker endorsement within twelve (12) months of hire.
• Note: If the City pays for an employee to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) the employee will be subject to a reimbursement schedule for costs incurred if they leave the City’s employment within twenty-four months of obtaining the license in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine general maintenance, construction and repair duties on City streets, water and sewer collection systems, and other related infrastructures.
• Perform curb, gutter and driveway maintenance duties; break up paved surfaces; set forms; mix, pour, spread and finish concrete.
• Perform street maintenance duties; prepare surfaces for paving; patch potholes; mix, spread, shovel, rake and roll asphalt and chip seal surfaces.
• Operate heavy and light equipment, and hand and small power tools including loaders, backhoes, dump trucks, pavers, rollers, tractors, fork lifts, chainsaws, shovels, and rakes; ensure all equipment is operated in a safe and efficient manner.
• Place cones, barriers and signs to define the work area and protect co-workers and the general public; excavate and fill trenches and ditches.
• Clean and perform minor maintenance work on equipment and facilities within an assigned area; clean and maintain all maintenance vehicles.

Skills

Public works maintenance

Equipment operation

Traffic control

Safety practices

Confined space entry

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

CDL A within 12 months

Tools

Loader

Backhoe

Dump trucks

Pavers

Concrete finishing tools

Job description

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

JOB OBJECTIVES

To perform routine duties in the maintenance, construction and repair of City streets, water and sewer collection systems, and other related infrastructures; to operate maintenance and repair tools and equipment; and to perform a variety of maintenance tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives immediate supervision from higher level staff.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry-level class within the Utility Worker – Public Works series. This class is distinguished from the Utility Worker II – Public Works by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series. Since this class is typically an entry-level class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Perform routine general maintenance, construction and repair duties on City streets, water and sewer collection systems, and other related infrastructures.
2. Perform curb, gutter and driveway maintenance duties; break up paved surfaces; set forms; mix, pour, spread and finish concrete.
3. Perform street maintenance duties; prepare surfaces for paving; patch potholes; mix, spread, shovel, rake and roll asphalt and chip seal surfaces.
4. Operate heavy and light equipment, and hand and small power tools including loaders, backhoes, dump trucks, pavers, rollers, tractors, fork lifts, chainsaws, shovels, and rakes; ensure all equipment is operated in a safe and efficient manner.
5. Place cones, barriers and signs to define the work area and protect co-workers and the general public; excavate and fill trenches and ditches.
6. Clean and perform minor maintenance work on equipment and facilities within an assigned area; clean and maintain all maintenance vehicles.
7. Repair breaks in water and sewer main lines; review maps for valve locations; set up traffic control devices and excavate materials; assist in repairing or replacing valves or mains.
8. Operate backhoe to remove debris and growth at storm drain outlets; operate dump trucks to remove and haul debris and materials.
9. Maintain, install and repair clay, galvanized steel, plastic, fiberglass and other types of pipes.
10. Operate a vactor, forklift, backhoe and other vehicles in the maintenance and construction of storm drains and sewer lines; perform confined space entry duties as required.
11. Contribute to a positive work environment.
12. Maintain regular, predictable attendance and punctuality.
13. Perform other directly related duties consistent with the role and function of the classification.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services and activities of public works maintenance programs, including streets, sewer and water systems.
• Methods, tools and equipment used in the installation, repair and maintenance of streets, water and sewer systems.
• Operational characteristics of maintenance and construction equipment and tools.
• Methods and techniques of traffic control.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
• Methods and techniques of confined space entry.

Ability to:

• Perform routine maintenance and repair functions on City streets, water, and sewer systems.
• Learn methods and techniques of repairing sidewalks, curbs, storm drains and related maintenance areas.
• Learn methods and techniques of installing water system lines and devices.
• Operate a variety of maintenance equipment and tools including heavy and light power driven equipment and hand tools in a safe and effective manner.
• Perform heavy manual labor.
• Ensure safety around work areas in high traffic.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities may be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Experience:

One year of maintenance and repair experience.

License or Certificate

• Possession of an appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL A) with a tanker endorsement within twelve (12) months of hire.

  • Note: If the City pays for an employee to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) the employee will be subject to a reimbursement schedule for costs incurred if they leave the City’s employment within twenty-four months of obtaining the license in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.

Emergency Response

Employees are required to live within a 30 minute drive of their regularly assigned work site at the Public Works Department - 2551 23rd Ave. Forest Grove, OR 97116 to ensure their ability to respond to Public Works emergencies. In accordance with department policy, driving time will be checked at standard driving conditions during a work week day at 6:00 am and 6:00 pm. There is no flexibility on the 30 minute response window.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical demands herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential job functions.

Environment:

Incumbents work in a field environment and are exposed to inclement weather conditions, noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases, vibrations, potentially hazardous chemicals, raw sewage, infectious materials and hazardous traffic conditions. Incumbents travel from work site to work site while working on city infrastructure. Work is often performed around heavy construction equipment; in or around water; on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain; may require work underground, in tight or confined spaces. Incumbents may interact with the public in the daily operation of their duties.

Mobility:

Incumbents in this classification require sufficient mobility to perform light, moderate or heavy lifting up to 80 pounds. Positions in this classification frequently walk, bend, twist, kneel, reach, grasp, stand or sit for prolonged periods of time. Finger dexterity is needed to operate motorized equipment and vehicles.

Vision, Hearing and Communication:

Vision sufficient to read written materials and operate assigned machinery and equipment; some positions may require the ability to distinguish color. Hearing and speech sufficient to communicate in person and on mobile radios.