Utility Operator

Joint Municipal Water and Sewer Commission•Lexington, SC

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Performs responsible skilled work in a variety of utility line construction, repair and maintenance assignments involving the use of common tools and frequently operates equipment in connection with the semiskilled tasks to which assigned. This role involves installing, repairing and maintaining water/sewer lines, meters and related facilities; making line taps. The position also includes performing water and sewer line maintenance, repair, installation and replacement tasks, and assisting the crew supervisor in assigning work, potentially performing supervisory duties in their absence. The Utility Operator acts as a lead worker on a small crew of semi-skilled workers, and is responsible for raising and lowering manholes and valve boxes, and tapping high-pressure lines. They connect water and sewer pipes to mains and service connections, help determine the cause of leaking water meters, repair and install water meters, and repair leaking water and sewer lines. The role also requires cleaning up work sites after job completion, changing out water meters, making taps on lines, and responding to sewer and water line problems. Preparation and maintenance of equipment and vehicles are also part of the duties. The Utility Operator operates a tap machine, dewatering pump, dump truck, utility truck, boring machine, jackhammer, and related light and medium equipment. They are required to work overtime and/or be on call. Additionally, the role involves implementing and administering special programs as assigned, which relate to the operational activities of the utility system, such as safety program coordination or lead/copper rule compliance. Related tasks as required are also part of the responsibilities.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED
Possession of an appropriate drivers’ license valid in the State of South Carolina
Considerable experience as a worker in the maintenance, repair and/or construction of utility systems to include a minimum of one-year direct expirence in the water/wastewater utility field
Must have knowledge and thorough understanding of booster pump station operation, lift station operation, pump controls, SCADA system, basic RTU components, chemical feed systems, and hydraulic gradients
Must have knowledge and understanding of appropriate safety procedures and be able to respond in emergency situations
Knowledge of the maintenance, repair and manual tasks of the area to which assigned
Knowledge of the safe use and operation and preventive maintenance of the common hand and power tools required in the work
Knowledge of the safe use, operation and preventive maintenance of the equipment to which assigned
Skill in the use of the equipment to which assigned
Ability to perform manual labor for extended periods, often under unfavorable weather conditions
Ability to read, write, and complete mathematical equations
Possess and maintain at least a “D” level operator license in Water Treatment and/or Water Distribution as issued by the state of South Carolina Environmental Certification Board OR at least a “D” level operator license in Wastewater Collections as issued by the Water Environment Association of South Carolina (Operator I)
Possess and maintain at least a “D” level operator license in Water Treatment and/or Water Distribution as issued by the state of South Carolina Environmental Certification Board AND at least a “D” level operator license in Wastewater Collections as issued by the Water Environment Association of South Carolina (Operator II)
Possess and maintain at least a “C” level operator license in Water Distribution as issued by the state of South Carolina Environmental Certification Board, at least a “D” level operator license in Water Treatment AND at least a “C” level operator license in Wastewater Collections as issued by the Water Environment Association of South Carolina (Operator III)

Responsibilities

Installing, repairing and maintaining water/sewer lines, meters and related facilities; making line taps
Performs water and sewer line maintenance, repair, installation and replacement tasks
Installs, replaces and repairs water and sewer lines, taps, hydrants, valves and meters
Assists crew supervisor in assigning work and may perform supervisory duties in their absence
Acts as a lead worker on a small crew of semi-skilled workers
Raises and lowers manholes and valve boxes; taps high-pressure lines
Connects water and sewer pipes to mains and service connections
Helps determine cause of leaking water meters
Repairs water meters; installs water meters; repairs leaking water and sewer lines
Cleans up work site after job has been completed
Changes out water meters; makes taps on lines
Responds to sewer and water line problems
Prepares and maintains equipment and vehicles
Operates tap machine, dewatering pump, dump truck, utility truck, boring machine, jackhammer and related light and medium equipment
Is required to work overtime and/or be on call
Implements/administers special programs as assigned which relate to the operational activities of the utility system (e.g. safety program coordinator, lead/copper rule compliance, etc.)
Performs related tasks as required