Water Service Technician

City of Wichita; Kansas; On-site; USD 36,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Wichita is seeking a skilled Water Utility Worker to install, maintain and repair water mains, hydrants and valves. You will operate heavy equipment and work under supervision to keep water systems safe and reliable.

Responsibilities include trenching and backfilling, assisting crews, reading maps, and complying with safety policies. A valid Class A CDL and confinement/trenching training are required, with physical stamina for outdoor work in varying weather.

Qualifications

• One year of experience with water utility system operation and maintenance.
• A valid Class A CDL.
• Approved training in confined space entry and trenching/shoring.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Operates equipment in water system work, including mains, hydrants, and valves.
• Cuts, fits, lays, repairs, taps, and flushes water mains and services.
• Assists crews with pavement cuts, digging, and back-filling trenches.
• Repair hydrants and valves and operate pumps and related tools.
• Assist supervisors with daily task assignments and paperwork.

Skills

CDL

Confined space training

Trenching & shoring

Map reading

Safety procedures

Outdoor work stamina

Effective communication

Physical endurance

Tools

Backhoe

Tandem dump truck

Hydro-lift

Loader

Pavement breaker

Tapping machine

Valve turner

Jackhammer

Air compressor

Crane truck

Forklift

Job description

This is skilled work involving the installation, maintenance and repair of water mains, hydrants, and valves. This is skilled work in the safe and efficient operation of heavy and specialized automotive and mechanical equipment. Work usually includes operating, excavation equipment, as well as servicing and making minor repairs to equipment operated. Work is performed independently under the general direction of the supervisor.

Current Openings: Workdays and Hours - Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm

Bargaining Unit: Service Employee's International (SEIU)

**Employees within the department or division shall be given first consideration**

**Posting may close at any time**

• Operates equipment in performing water system work, water/sewer line installation, and maintenance work, such as trenchers, backhoes, hydro-lifts, loaders, pavement breakers, tapping machines, power loaders, backhoes, winches, crane truck, wheel loader, air compressor, tandem tuck, trailer, and forklift.
• Cuts, fits, lays, repairs, taps, cleans, and flushes water mains and services.
• Assists crews engaged in making pavement cuts, digging out mains, cutting and laying mains and back-filling trenches.
• Repairs hydrants and valves.
• Operates special equipment used in water system work, such as pumps, cables, valve turners, jack hammers, push jack, and related tools.
• Specializes in a specific operation and ensures that it is well done, including equipment used in water line installation and maintenance work.
• Assists supervisors in various phases of operations, including daily assignments of work tasks and completion of paperwork. May act as a assistant to a Supervisor.
• These examples are not intended to be all-inclusive.
• Other related duties may be assigned as needed.

• Knowledge of methods, practices, materials, and tools used in the water distribution system including mains, services, hydrants, and meter installation and repair.
• Ability to supervise employees in the absence of supervisor.
• Possession of and ability to maintain a valid Kansas Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). If you are a Canadian or Mexican citizen, you will be required to have or obtain a CDL from your home country.
• Knowledge of Lucity and utility locate system.
• Knowledge of and ability to use the basic tools and equipment applicable to water utility operations and maintenance.
• Ability to physically tolerate operating and riding heavy equipment for long periods of time.
• Ability to shovel snow, sand, gravel, asphalt, to or from dump truck bed.
• Ability to swing a 20 pound sledgehammer safely and effectively against brick, concrete, or similar substances.
• Ability to lift, pull, and/or carry bulky items weighing up to 90 pounds individually and up to 250 pounds with the assistance of another.
• Ability to operate a power saw, concrete saw, and a jackhammer safely and effectively, including meeting a minimum height requirement of 5’5”.
• Ability to be continuously performing tasks that require one to push, pull, climb (ladders and in and out of vehicular equipment), bend, twist, reach, stand, and walk about (up to a half mile at a time) for most of an eight hour shift.
• Ability to enter and exit excavations that may be as narrow as 24” in diameter.
• Ability to read and understand a map for directions and technical information related to assigned duties.
• Willingness to work under conditions that are sometimes unpleasant, where safety equipment must be worn, and safety procedures followed.
• Ability to work outdoors when inclement weather conditions exist.
• Ability to tolerate airborne nuisances associated with open grounds, pavement construction, and windy conditions.
• Ability to communicate effectively and to follow simple oral and written instructions.
• An employee shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Required Experience and Training

• One year of experience with water utility system operation and maintenance and in the operation of heavy or specialized equipment used in water distribution systems.
• A valid Class A CDL. If you are a Canadian or Mexican citizen, you will be required to have or obtain a CDL from your home country.
• Approved training in confined space entry and trenching and shoring.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need of a sponsorship.

Preferred Experience and Training

• Two years of experience with water utility system operation and maintenance and in the operation of heavy or specialized equipment used in water distribution systems

Please note that this position is part of a random drug testing pool, and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.

Starting pay for current City employees will be determined by City of Wichita policy or applicable bargaining unit agreement.

Offers of employment are contingent upon passing a pre-employment physical, which includes drug screening, and upon satisfactory evaluation of the results of a criminal record check