Senior Water Utility Worker

City of Lakewood • Lakewood, CA

2d

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Senior Water Utility Worker acts as a field crew leader installing, maintaining, and repairing water services, valves, mains, hydrants, meters, and related equipment. The employee may take on additional responsibilities when the Water Distribution Lead Worker is absent. A current D2 Water Distribution Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) must be submitted with the application; applications without it are considered incomplete and will not be considered.

The role involves skilled and semi-skilled water distribution work, customer service, water-quality activities, equipment operation, recordkeeping, and support for crew supervision and training. The employee may be designated as an OSHA “Competent Person,” responds to after-hours and emergency calls, and serves as a disaster service worker as directed. Employees with welding skills may be assigned arc and gas welding work.

The position requires a high school diploma or GED and three years of experience in water-system installation, repair, and maintenance, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A valid California Class C driver’s license and current D2 certificate are required; a T1 Water Treatment Operator Certificate is highly desirable. Work may involve irregular hours, overtime, and standby duty. The role includes heavy manual labor and exposure to a range of outdoor, construction, traffic, equipment, and other job-site hazards.

The City of Lakewood describes a benefits package for regular full-time positions that includes CalPERS retirement, paid holidays and leave, medical and dental options, and City-paid life, long-term disability, and vision insurance. Other listed benefits include longevity pay and career medical retiree benefit programs. Benefits are subject to change.

Requirements

• High school graduation or GED equivalent, and three years of experience installing, repairing, and maintaining water services, mains, hydrants, valves, related equipment, and construction, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Current D2 Water Distribution Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), submitted with the application.
• Valid California Class C driver’s license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles and a good driving record.
• Knowledge of municipal water-system facilities and health codes and regulations governing public drinking-water systems.
• Knowledge of methods, materials, equipment, and practices used in water maintenance and construction projects; recordkeeping; computers and handheld devices; customer service; safe work practices and applicable safety regulations; and tools and equipment used to install, maintain, and repair water-system infrastructure.
• Ability to repair, install, and maintain water services, mains, hydrants, meters, and valves; operate power-driven equipment used in water-service work; and read meters and accurately record readings manually or using a mobile device or computer.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the public; perform data entry; learn and use City software; and obtain and maintain certifications required to operate equipment safely.
• Ability to work irregular hours and/or overtime, including assigned standby duty, and perform heavy manual labor in a construction environment.
• Physical ability to perform moderate to heavy work, including climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, and lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds without assistance; operate tools, vehicles, and equipment; stand and walk for extended periods; work at heights and in confined spaces; and wear required personal protective equipment, including respirators.
• Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet, and limbs to operate tools and heavy equipment; communicate clearly in person, over the radio, and in small groups; and recognize differences in colors, shapes, sounds, odors, and textures relevant to the work.

Nice To Haves

• T1 Water Treatment Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
• College-level welding coursework, including welding safety, welding fundamentals, beginning arc welding, and structural fabrication.
• Arc and gas welding skills for fabricating and repairing structures and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Confer with the Lead Worker about work projects and assignments.
• Plan and implement safe work areas, including traffic control, trenching and shoring, confined-space work, AC pipe handling, and other safety programs under applicable regulations and City policies.
• Install and repair water services, mains, meters, valves, fire hydrants, and related appurtenances.
• Read, install, and replace water meters; read consumer meters and record readings as needed.
• Flush the water system under N.P.D.E.S. program requirements and procedures to maintain water quality, and collect water-quality samples.
• Inspect water-service protection, water-line construction, and repairs as assigned.
• Respond to customer inquiries about water quality, water service, conservation, and leak location; verify meter readings; deliver notices; and turn water services on or off.
• Operate backhoes, trucks, forklifts, jackhammers, power saws, tapping machines, other powered equipment, and hand tools.
• Perform data entry using mobile devices or computers, and learn and use City software programs.
• Assist with supervising and training individuals or a small crew as assigned.
• When designated, identify and eliminate existing and predictable hazards as an OSHA Competent Person.
• Serve as a disaster service worker as directed and respond to after-hours and emergency calls.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• When assigned and qualified, perform arc and gas welding to fabricate and repair structures, equipment, tools, guards, locks, traffic lids, and other materials.

Benefits

• CalPERS retirement system, with a 2% at 55 formula for classic members and a 2% at 62 formula for new members, subject to applicable rules.
• 13 paid holidays, sick leave, and annual vacation of two weeks, increasing to three weeks after three years and four weeks after 15 years.
• Cafeteria benefit plan with medical and dental options, including City participation in CalPERS medical insurance plans.
• Monthly employee cafeteria allowance of $1,359.02 for employee-only coverage, $1,640.00 for employee plus one eligible dependent, or $1,900.00 for employee plus two or more eligible dependents.
• City-paid life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and employee vision insurance.
• Longevity pay beginning after completion of nine years of qualified service.
• Career medical retiree benefit programs.

What This Job Offers

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