Water Distribution Specialist

City of La Crosse•La Crosse, WI

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Grow your career with us! The City of La Crosse is accepting applications for a full-time Water Distribution Specialist to become an essential member of the Water Department. It is the responsibility of the Water Department to install, operate, repair, and maintain the wells, reservoirs, water main, service connections, fire hydrants and the main pumping station within the city. The individual in this position will work with a dedicated team of employees who work together to provide sufficient quality water for the City of La Crosse. The purpose of this position is to be part of a crew which repairs and maintains the water distribution system, so customers have quality, sufficient water with minimal interruption. Incumbents in this class regularly operate motorized excavating, construction, and maintenance equipment. Equipment varies but includes backhoes, dump truck, and other assigned equipment. Work focuses on the operation & maintenance of the municipal water supply distribution system.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent, with training in excavation, road construction, plumbing, utility work; or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
A valid commercial driver’s license (CDL), minimum Class B, with Tanker Endorsement, or ability to obtain CDL within 60 days in position, is required.
CPR and First Aid certifications are required within one year of hire.
Ability to assemble, copy, record and transcribe data and information, following a prescribed plan.
Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure and/or sort data and information.
Ability to explain, demonstrate and clarify to others well-established policies, procedures and standards.
Ability to follow specific instructions and respond to simple requests from others.
Ability to utilize a wide variety of descriptive data and information such as plans, blueprints, maps, GIS, records, correspondence, work schedules, equipment repair & operating manuals, time cards and safety standards.
Ability to communicate effectively with water utility personnel, Traffic Engineer, contractors, various city departments and the general public.
Interpersonal and customer service skills; ability to represent the City of La Crosse and the La Crosse Water Utility positively and to interact with customers in a tactful and professional manner.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide.
Ability to use functional reasoning and apply rational judgment in performing diversified work activities.
Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory and/or judgmental criteria, as opposed to criteria which are clearly measurable.
Ability to operate equipment and machinery requiring monitoring multiple conditions and making multiple, complex and rapid adjustments, such as back hoe, dump trucks, pumps, mechanic's hand tools, shovels, rakes, saws, pipe tapping equipment, welders, torches, air hammer, pneumatic mole, Guillotine saw, pipe freezing equipment, vac truck, pipe locator, etc.
Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing highly skilled movements.
Ability to exert required physical effort to perform moderate to heavy work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting carrying, pushing and pulling.
Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, shapes, sounds, tastes, odors and textures associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks.
Ability to work under occasionally unsafe and often uncomfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors such as temperature variations, odors, toxic agents, noise, vibrations, wetness, machinery, electrical currents, traffic hazards and/or dust may cause or causing discomfort and where there is a risk of injury.

Nice To Haves

Class A CDL preferred.
Backhoe or front-end loader operation experience
Water distribution system piping and appurtenances repair and maintenance experience.
Knowledge of underground construction practices and procedures
Knowledge of construction safety principles and practices
Ability to understand basic mechanical aptitude concepts and basic plumbing.
Ability to utilize a computer or tablet, including spreadsheets, database software, GIS maps and other programs as needed.

Responsibilities

Repair, maintain and install water mains, pipe joints, valves, services and branches while maintaining the quality of the water.
Perform hydrant repairs for various models in the water distribution system.
Loads and transports equipment, tools and materials used for utility repairs and maintenance.
Prepares site for excavation, including setting up barricades and other traffic control.
May install trench excavation and bracing equipment.
Operates excavating equipment, such as backhoes, skid steers and hand excavation tools to prepare sites for concrete construction, paving, utility facility installations/repairs, flood control, landscaping and other public works.
Operates a variety of public works maintenance equipment such as back hoe, dump trucks, pumps, mechanic's hand tools, shovels, rakes, power saws, pipe tapping equipment, welders, torches, air hammer, pneumatic mole, Guillotine saw, pipe freezing equipment, vac truck, pipe locator, valve turning machines, jack hammer, and other assigned equipment.
Monitors equipment operation for malfunctions.
Notifies supervisory personnel regarding need for equipment repairs.
Performs routine maintenance such as fueling and lubricating equipment.
May assist with field repairs, or perform minor repairs to equipment in the field.
Clean work sites.
Perform preventative maintenance duties, including exercising valves, testing hydrants, making rehabilitation repairs, locating and marking appurtenances, accessing box alignments, and locating leaks.
Perform service pipe thawing to restore water service when required.
May instruct others and assist in giving direction at the job site.
Performs and records daily vehicle walk-around inspection on assigned equipment and reports needed maintenance to supervisor.
Participates in work safety training and implementation.
Participates in on-call rotation.
May be assigned to work alternative shifts as needed.
May be called out to respond to emergency repair assignments and may be required to work for extended hours beyond the normal work shift as needed to meet the needs of the utility.
Assist with tracking and recording materials and supplies used on jobs.
Record maintenance and repair work to appropriate electronic and paper records.
Complete required data entry clearly, accurately, and completely.
Maintains regular and predictable on-site attendance.
Perform work of the Meter & Service Technician, or other positions as assigned.
Flags traffic at work sites.
Cleans equipment and equipment storage areas.
May assist with setting grades and taking site measurements.
May assist with locating and leak detection.
Inspect hydrants, water services, manholes, etc.
Repair and adjust water fountains.
Assist with hydrant flow tests.
Maintain policy and procedure book as municipal or state regulatory changes occur.
May assist with updating computerized databases, GIS systems, and other proprietary software.

Benefits

medical benefit plans
Wisconsin Retirement Plan
deferred compensation
Roth IRA
life insurance
accident insurance
income continuation insurance
voluntary dental and vision plans
paid holidays
vacations
sick leave
traditional or high deductible (with HSA) medical plan options available
participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System with 7.20% employer contribution
10 paid holidays
ability to earn up to 12 sick days per year
vacation time available as of date of hire