Collection Systems Operator I (Temporary/Hourly)

City of Watsonville•Watsonville, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Under supervision, performs skilled labor inspecting, maintaining, and repairing the City’s sanitary and stormwater conveyance systems. This is an entry-level position where incumbents perform routine semi-skilled and skilled tasks, receiving training in inspection, construction, maintenance, and repair of the City’s wastewater and stormwater conveyance systems. Assignments become more varied and autonomous over time. Incumbents typically work as part of a small crew but may receive independent assignments. Advancement in the series depends on gaining the experience, certification, licensing, and proficiency required for a Collection Systems Operator II.

Requirements

Possession and maintenance of a California Class C driver’s license.
Must possess a California Class A driver’s license within one year of hire.
Must possess a valid Grade I Collection Systems Maintenance Certificate issued by the California Water Environmental Association (CWEA) within one year of hire.
Must possess First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification within one year of hire.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Two years of mechanical experience that includes the routine maintenance of standard drive equipment such as motors and pumps.
Classroom training with CWEA or other equivalent agencies.
Knowledge of proper use and care of common hand tools.
Knowledge of safety procedures for operating equipment and power tools.
Knowledge of principles, practices, tools, and materials for installing, cleaning, and repairing wastewater and stormwater collection systems.
Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
Ability to work effectively as a member of a crew.
Ability to dress appropriately in provided uniform.
Ability to learn and follow department practices and procedures and city policies related to assigned duties.
Ability to skillfully use hand and power tools involved in maintenance, repair, and construction work.
Ability to wear a self-contained breathing apparatus.
Ability to operate equipment such as backhoes, front-end loaders, and trucks.
Ability to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to perform physical tasks involving frequent bending, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling of weights up to 50 pounds.
Ability to use a keyboard.
Ability to drive an automobile.
Ability to grasp with right and left hands.
Ability to walk on uneven surfaces.
Ability to hear and distinguish various sounds, such as abnormal equipment sounds, voices of co-workers in noisy environments, pager, cell phone, etc.
Ability to maintain good public relations with people contacted during course of business.
Ability to maintain First Aid and CPR certification.
Ability to speak English (Spanish being highly desirable).
Ability to perform math calculations.
Ability to read and understand material safety data sheet (SDS).
Ability to employ safety equipment and practices related to the work, including the handling of hazardous chemicals and confined space entries.
Ability to interpret and implement traffic control procedures and sign regulations.
Ability to provide a high level of customer service.
Ability to perform semi-skilled construction, modification, maintenance, and repair work on wastewater collection and stormwater systems infrastructure.
Ability to determine materials and supplies required for repair.
Ability to maintain accurate logs, records, and basic written records of work performed.
Ability to organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
Ability to use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
Ability to provide needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions.

Nice To Haves

Spanish language skills are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Perform physical labor including shoveling, raking, lifting, and digging; clear debris and brush, load, unload, and operate trucks to transport maintenance supplies and materials.
Place traffic control flags, signs, and cones to direct traffic around work sites; may direct traffic.
Perform occasional simple fabrication and repair of equipment, tools, parts, and accessory items using arc and gas welding.
Use a variety of general carpentry and mechanical hand tools.
Operate equipment such as air compressors, pneumatic hammers, concrete saws, pipe cutters, sprayers, compactors, forklifts, and rollers.
Perform routine maintenance and repair of hand and power tools.
Maintain work area and equipment in a clean and orderly condition, including securing equipment at the end of the day.
Prepare and keep written records, make supply and equipment requests.
Operate equipment such as backhoes, front-end loaders, and trucks.
Drive and operate a hydraulic vacuum or flush truck to clean sewer lines.
Operate power rodding equipment.
Operate closed-circuit television equipment to inspect sewer lines and diagnose problems.
Construct and repair sewer-related structures such as manholes and cleanouts.
Locate sewer lines by reading maps, drawings, and street markings.
Descend into confined manhole spaces using appropriate safety procedures.
Install, repair, and replace sewer mains and laterals.
Apply chemicals and rodent bait to sewer lines.
Perform routine maintenance and repair of sewer pump stations such as cleaning and greasing; adjust and replace packing; change float balls, and replace minor mechanical parts.
Respond during off-hours to emergencies.
Work weekends or holidays when required.
Serve on an on-call status on a rotating basis.
Conduct regular inspections of all lift stations to assure proper operational efficiency.
Lubricate pumps and other mechanical apparatus.
Adjust valves and controls as necessary to maintain proper flow and treatment of wastewater.
Conduct periodic readings of meters and gauges and record data in the lift station operating logs; maintain detailed and accurate operation and maintenance records.
Adjust and regulate chemical feeds in pump station wet wells.
Perform a variety of manual tasks involving the handling of equipment exposed to raw sewage, including the cleaning and maintenance of clogged pumps, wet wells, sump basins, etc.
Perform a wide variety of preventative maintenance work and mechanical repair in connection with the repair and upkeep of the pumping facilities.
Perform related duties as assigned.