Utility Worker I, II, III

City of Bellingham • City of Bellingham, WA

10h • Onsite

About The Position

Join the team that keeps our city running strong! As a Utility Worker, you’ll help maintain the City of Bellingham's essential infrastructure—using tools, equipment, and teamwork to make a real, hands-on impact. This series performs progressively responsible manual and semi-skilled labor in the construction, maintenance, and service work of all public works facilities. Employees in this classification may be assigned to the following units: Street and Stormwater Collection, Wastewater Collection, or Water Distribution. Operates hand and power tools and motorized mobile equipment and/or electronic and hydro test equipment, depending upon the assigned unit. Usually works as part of an assigned crew in an assigned section but may have an individual or specialized assignment. Works indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions and sometimes under hazardous conditions. May be called out for emergency work. Attention to safety and protection of personnel and equipment is integral to work. WHY JOIN OUR TEAM? Joining the City of Bellingham means becoming a part of a team that believes our greatest impact comes from working together with purpose, humility and a shared commitment to our community. Every employee contributes to delivering meaningful results for the people who live, work and visit here. We value people who approach challenges with curiosity, respect and collaboration. If you are motivated by building a career in public service, we encourage you to apply.

Requirements

• Utility Worker I: High School Diploma, or equivalent
• One year of experience or related training using hand and power tools and motorized equipment to perform manual labor required.
• Utility Worker II: High School Diploma, or equivalent.
• AND Two (2) years' experience as Utility Worker I, OR three years equivalent experience performing manual labor in the construction, maintenance, and service work of public facilities,
• AND Possess and maintain the following certifications, based on the requirements of the unit to which assigned: Streets and Stormwater Collection Units: Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead (CESCL) with in one (1) year of promotion, transfer, or placement to Utility Worker.
• Wastewater Collection Unit: Washington Wastewater Collection Personnel Association (WWCPA – 1) with in one (1) year of promotion, transfer, or placement to Utility Worker II.
• Water Distribution Unit: Washington State Certification as Water Distribution Manager I within one (1) year of promotion, transfer, or placement to Utility Worker II.
• Utility Worker III: High School Diploma, or equivalent,
• AND Two years of experience in Public Works Operations Utility Worker I and 2 years of experience in the Utility Worker II classification, OR five years equivalent experience performing manual and semi-skilled labor in the construction, maintenance, and service work of all public facilities,
• AND Possess and maintain the following certifications, based on the requirements of the unit to which assigned: Street and Stormwater Collection Units: Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead (CESCL) within one (1) year of promotion, transfer, or placement to Utility Worker III.
• Wastewater Collection Unit: Washington Wastewater Collection Personnel Association (WWCPA–1) within one (1) year of promotion, transfer, or placement to Utility Worker III.
• Water Distribution Unit: Washington State Certification as a Water Distribution Manager I within one (1) year of promotion, transfer, or placement to Utility Worker III.
• Training Certificate in Asbestos Pipe Work Practices within one (1) year of promotion, transfer, or placement to Utility Worker III.
• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions check and child and adult abuse records check (see Fair Hiring Practices below).
• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire.
• Valid Washington State driver's license and good driving record.
• Candidate considered for hire must submit an abstract of his/her driving records for the past three-years; with biennial submission of driving abstract to department, to be forwarded to Human Resources (Policy ADM 10.03.02.4).
• Ability to obtain and maintain Flagging/Traffic Control Card within one year of employment.
• Ability to obtain and maintain First Aid/CPR Card within one year of employment.
• Some positions require the ability to secure a Commercial Driver's License (Class a CDL) with air brakes endorsement within six months of initial hire and to maintain a valid CDL during length of employment.
• Must pass CDL-related drug and alcohol testing throughout term of employment.
• Some positions require Fork Lift Operator's Card within one year of employment.
• Must be able to report to Operations Division for emergency call-out and serve on standby in accordance with bargaining unit agreement.
• Failure to obtain appropriate certifications within established time limits will result in demotion to the lower class for which qualified, until such time as the required unit certification is achieved.

Responsibilities

• Shovels, rakes, picks, cleans, hammers, sands, and other such manual labor.
• Operates machinery and power equipment on an interchangeable basis (for example, five-, ten- and 12-yard dump trucks, trucks and trailers, backhoes, excavators, paving machines, loaders, rollers, brush cutters, tapping machine, jet truck, boom truck, service and pick-up trucks, boring machines, etc.) or may be regularly assigned to a single piece of mobile equipment requiring substantial manual dexterity, without direct supervision and responsible for reporting maintenance problems and determining whether immediate service by a skilled mechanic is required (for example, street sweepers).
• Utility Worker III operates Vactor truck, camera inspection vehicle, and Gradeall.
• Performs many heavy manual semi-skilled and skilled tasks such as operating chain saws, jack hammers, drills, pipe saws, pavement saws, mowers, street sweepers, and raking asphalt in an accomplished fashion; may perform right-of-way patching, pavement overlays, maintenance and repair of guardrails, concrete sidewalk repairs, repair storm drainage catch basins, Sewer manholes, and surrounding pavement repairs involving masonry, concrete and asphalt work.
• Utility Worker III includes trenchless pipe repairs, hydrant and valve replacements, water main repairs, and locates and marks water mains and water services using electronic pipe locating devices.
• May install, replace and repair sewer pipes, inspect and clean sewer mains and make repairs involving appropriate machine or device; may raise manholes and make related street grade adjustments; may respond to citizen complaints.
• Utility Worker III make repairs involving operation of a rodding machine; may operate a video scanner to assess sewer system conditions and identify problems.
• Assists workers in higher classes: cuts, fits, lays, connects, installs various sizes of water, sewer and storm lines; installs valves, tees, crosses, reducers, sleeves, manholes, catch basins, etc., per instructions.
• Turns on or shuts off water services to customers per order and according to established procedures.
• Sets up traffic control devices including barricades, flags, and performs other safety-related duties.
• Logs information, completes work orders and paperwork as necessary.
• Utility Worker II, III field checks measurements and locations of facilities, marks-up maps and drawings used for updating computer maintenance and GIS records.
• Responds to afterhours call-outs and investigates customer service requests.
• Utility Worker I, II Performs other duties within the scope of the classification and of the classes below.
• Participates in job-related training to improve knowledge and skills.
• Utility Worker III May lead a group of lower classified and/or extra labor employees in the completion of smaller, less complex assignments.
• Provides guidance and on-the-job training to less experienced co-workers.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 8 hours sick leave accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

What This Job Offers

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