Utility Systems Worker (Maintenance)

City of Suffolk•Suffolk, VA

About The Position

Under general supervision, performs specialized maintenance work for the Public Utilities Department. Work includes operating equipment, installing and maintaining water and sewer lines and equipment, and maintaining equipment and facilities in the Line Maintenance, Water Treatment Plant Production, or Maintenance divisions. The employee exercises initiative and some independent judgment in completing assigned tasks and uses tact, courtesy, and firmness when interacting with customers and the general public. The position involves operating and performing minor maintenance on motorized equipment; repairing water and sewer systems and related fixtures; assisting with facility, electrical, and equipment maintenance; maintaining grounds and city-owned utility facilities; managing parts and supplies; inspecting vehicles; and preparing records and reports. Employees may also assist with emergency repairs, mechanics’ work, and limited carpentry. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions. Other related or incidental duties may be required.

Requirements

One year of experience in water or sewer maintenance, grounds keeping, construction, or closely related work, or an equivalent combination of training and experience providing the required skills, knowledge, and abilities.
Valid driver's license.
Knowledge of ditching machines, boring machines, jackhammers, concrete and pipe saws, and other equipment used in water and sewer system maintenance.
Knowledge of water and sewer line maintenance work, occupational hazards, and appropriate safety precautions for construction and maintenance equipment.
Knowledge of tools and materials used to repair and maintain water distribution, collection, and sewer fixtures.
Skill in operating trucks and motorized equipment and in servicing and caring for motorized equipment.
Ability to perform minor maintenance on water distribution and collection equipment and fixtures and use tools and equipment to locate and unearth water and sewer fixtures.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; read routine work documents; write routine sentences and complete job forms and incident reports; and communicate using proper grammar.
Ability to perform physical labor for extended periods, possibly under arduous conditions.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, convey or exchange general information, and deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
Ability to perform limited supervisory duties and train less skilled workers in the safe operation of motorized equipment used in water distribution maintenance.
Ability to use basic arithmetic and calculate ratios, rates, and percentages; inspect items for proper length, width, and shape; and make moderate-impact decisions affecting the work unit.
Ability to work with set procedures and rules while handling frequent problems, occasional unusual pressure, and stress or emergency situations.

Nice To Haves

Graduation from high school or completion of a GED is preferred.

Responsibilities

Operate motorized equipment used in Public Utilities Department maintenance and distribution work, including backhoes, ditching machines, boring machines, jackhammers, and lawn mowers; inspect and perform minor maintenance on equipment.
Install and repair water and sewer mains, water services, pumps, valve boxes, hydrants, and associated fixtures.
Repair water and sewer systems and maintain valves, hydrants, and manholes; assist skilled laborers and mechanics with more complicated distribution-system repairs and maintenance.
Backfill and level ditches and excavations; grade and repair roads affected by water and sewer repairs.
Assist with maintaining electrical and electronic systems and calibrating and adjusting monitoring equipment, electronics, and process logic controllers.
Maintain water and sewer facilities, including priming pumps, repairing electrical floats, checking control panels, operating emergency pumps, repairing vacuum systems, applying degreaser in wells, and releasing pressure from sewer lines.
Assist the lead worker in responding to after-hours or emergency repair calls.
Maintain grounds by trimming weeds, removing trees and stumps, and cutting grass.
Monitor and maintain city-owned wells, water towers, pump stations, and vaults in residential and commercial areas.
Receive and maintain accurate inventory of parts and supplies; manage material flow from receiving to the stockroom, prepare the stockroom for annual inventory, and make computerized inventory adjustments.
Inspect vehicles and report problems.
Prepare related paperwork and reports and assist with recordkeeping and log maintenance.
Assist mechanics when needed and perform some carpentry duties.
Perform other related duties as required.