Field Operations Technician I/II

Las Virgenes Municipal Water District • Calabasas, CA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

This recruitment is being conducted to establish an eligibility list to fulfill current and future needs during the life of the eligibility list (up to one year). There is currently one (1) full-time vacancy in the Water Systems division and one (1) full-time vacancy in the Customer Service division. Positions in the Customer Service division focus primarily on water meter reading and customer service-related duties. Positions in the Water Systems division focus on maintenance duties related to district water meters and appurtenances. These groups work closely together and may perform work with the other division. The recruitment process will consist of an application screening, 1st round (structured) interview, and a 2nd round (selection) interview. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment process via e-mail. Under the general supervision of the Customer Service Operations Supervisor or Customer Service Programs Supervisor, a Field Operations Technician I, II performs a variety of technical field work in support of potable and recycled water services, such as conducting electronic and physical water meter readings and reporting, investigating and resolving a variety of customer requests and urgent issues, performing mechanical work installing, repairing, testing, and calibrating related equipment, and other duties in support of the delivery of potable and recycled water services. This is a flexibly staffed series and employees typically enter at the Field Operations Technician I level. A Field Operations Technician I performs routine tasks and many of the duties required of a Field Operations Technician II but is not expected to perform at the same skill level. A Field Operations Technician I exercises less independent judgment and discretion and has a narrower scope of responsibility. Upon meeting the performance standards of the higher level as designated by the division and certification requirements, an employee is promoted to the II level. The II level is the fully experienced, journey level class. If an employee enters the series at the II level, the employee must have the required certification, closely related experience and meet the division’s competency standards. Field Operations Technicians may be required to work during after-hour, on-call periods and during other unusual or emergency situations and may be assigned to off-shift responsibility for water distribution. When assigned to off-shift responsibility for water distribution, Field Operations Technicians respond to SCADA computer alarms, customer calls for service, and customer turn-off/on service.

Requirements

• Common hand tools and their use
• Tools, materials, methods and equipment used in testing and repairing water meters
• Shop practices and the operation of common shop machines
• How to install and replace meters and perform minor field repairs
• Water conservation techniques, public relation skills, leak detection methods
• Basic computer skills and general record keeping
• Safe work practices and procedures
• Customer service methods, practices, and techniques
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions and work independently
• Use basic hand tools to perform minor repair and maintenance tasks
• Understand and use of water meter reading systems
• Investigate and resolve a variety of technical issues pertaining to the delivery of potable and recycled water services
• Read and interpret technical documentation such as maps, drawings, prints, and schematics
• Utilize geographic information system (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS), and other programs utilized in the course of work
• Operate office equipment, including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, email, and database applications
• Apply and evaluate new and existing methods and standard operating procedures
• Prepare and maintain a variety of records and reports
• Perform basic mathematical calculations
• Read water gauges, meters and record figures rapidly and accurately
• Deal tactfully and effectively with the public
• Perform work in a safe manner and in compliance with safety and health policies, procedures, and practices
• Exercise physical exertion in walking approximately 3-5 miles per day
• Ability to do extensive bending, and squatting while performing work
• Sufficient strength and endurance to perform manual labor
• Sufficient eyesight to read standard text and data on computer terminal screens
• Ability to speak and hear at normal conversational levels in person and over the telephone
• Manual dexterity to use hand and power tools
• Ability to lift and carry equipment and materials over forty pounds
• Ability to operate vehicles and drive to various residents and locations throughout the District's service area
• Walk on uneven and slippery surfaces
• One (1) year of experience in dealing with the public in a customer/field service capacity and/or one (1) year of experience working in a construction or mechanical repair activity (for Field Operations Technician I)
• One (1) year of experience as a Field Operations Technician I or comparable experience in potable water systems (for Field Operations Technician II)
• A valid California Class C Driver's License must be maintained at all times.
• A State of California Grade III Water Distribution Operator Certification is required for a Field Operations Technician II.

Nice To Haves

• A State of California SWRCB Water Distribution Operator Certification and/or a State of California SWRCB Water Treatment Certification are desired.
• Must obtain a State of California SWRCB Water Distribution Operator Grade I to advance beyond step "D" of the Field Operations Technician I salary range

Responsibilities

• Reads, records, and reports potable and recycled water meter readings, cleans face of meters and clears meter boxes and areas around the meter boxes so that meter can be read.
• Generates and reviews computer reports to identify unusual usage; based on report results, determines need for confirmation of specific reads; rereads meters indicated to be reading too high or too low on computer summaries; rereads meters on which customer concerns have been received; investigates potential causes for unusual readings and documents findings.
• Accesses computer programs for records regarding customer accounts and meter information; researches customer accounts and meter records for information and data.
• Maintains records on meter history, repairs and maintenance.
• Utilizes and maintains documentation and systems used in the performance of duties including maps, drawings, prints, schematics, operational and compliance records, work orders, procurement documents, geographical information systems (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS), and other systems and tools.
• Responds to customer service calls for a variety of requests, questions, and concerns such as requests to turn on/off service and questions/concerns regarding high water use, leaks, no water, water pressure, billing, and other issues; confers with customer to determine full extent and nature of problem; investigates presence and probable causes of difficulties; advises customer of findings and possible remedies; records and reports findings for customer records.
• Conducts preliminary investigations of water quality complaints; informs customer of findings; prepares report and refers, as necessary, to appropriate District personnel for further investigation.
• Investigates high and low pressure difficulties; reads District maps and schematics to assess potential causes; reports findings to appropriate District staff and may assist with activities for remediation; advises customer of findings; explains District course of action or reasons that pressure problems cannot be remedied.
• Performs maintenance and repairs to a variety of equipment including meters and meter boxes, automatic meter reading (AMR) and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) equipment, pressure regulators, vaults and other water service appurtenances such as broken angle stops, pipe coatings, customer hand valves, broken lids, and boxes.
• Performs preliminary investigation of leaks on mains and service lines; determines extent of leak and takes appropriate action, such as total dissolved solids (TDS) testing, main valve shutoff, notification to customers and other appropriate District personnel; responds to emergency calls pertaining to issues such as main leaks and sheared/downed fire hydrants.
• Performs water audits/surveys at customers’ properties and assists with recycled water surveillance, cross connection inspections, and backflow testing and maintenance.
• May participate in varied construction activities, including pouring concrete, large meter change out, raising vaults, traffic control, etc.
• Maintains yard, shop, vehicle, stock parts, and equipment inventory in clean, organized, and working order.

Benefits

• Equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of their race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical impairment, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, or age (except where a bona fide occupational qualification).
• Equal treatment to all persons in matters affecting recruitment, hiring, promotion, discipline, compensation, assignment, benefits, training, and layoff practices, and any other matters affecting employment.
• Special assistance in the selection process for individuals with disabilities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED