Water Service Maintenance

City of DeKalb•DeKalb, IL

About The Position

The Water Service Maintenance position performs general manual work on water mains, well houses, water treatment plants, buildings and grounds, meters, fire hydrants, and other water-related and public infrastructure. The position reads and installs meters, supports water distribution and treatment operations, maintains facilities and equipment, and assists with other public works activities as needed. It responds to scheduled on-call rotations and emergency calls involving JULIE locates, customer service, water distribution repairs, and weather-related incidents. The position is classified as an emergency response position and is represented under AFSCME. It works 40 hours per week and includes evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency call-outs as necessary. The position is under the direct supervision of the Water Superintendent in the Water Department. Residency within fifteen months after completing the probationary period is required, based on Employee Residency Map #2. The job requires a high school diploma or equivalent. A Class B State of Illinois Public Water Supply Operator’s Certification is desired, or the employee must be willing to obtain it. A valid Illinois CDL Class B permit must be obtained within 60 days of hire, with the CDL Class B license acquired within an agreed-upon timeframe, estimated at six months from hire. A tanker endorsement must be obtained as requested. Related maintenance experience is preferred. The employee must be able to work outdoors in all weather, perform physically demanding field work, operate vehicles and equipment, respond to call-outs, and interact professionally with the public. The position routinely involves standing, bending, kneeling, climbing, crawling, crouching, navigating uneven and slippery terrain, climbing water towers up to 140 feet and an 18-foot manhole ladder, and working in confined or awkward spaces. It requires lifting, moving, or carrying objects or tools weighing up to 75 pounds. Work may expose the employee to noise, dust, grease, smoke, chemical fumes, solvents, toxic agents or chemicals, electrical currents, machinery, traffic hazards, vibrations, and temperature extremes. Equipment includes office devices, public works and construction vehicles and tools, water-facility and testing equipment, SCADA systems, and personal protective equipment. The selection process includes an application, interview, background check, and—after a conditional offer—a physical examination and drug screen, including cannabis. The position performs safety-sensitive functions under DOT and FMCSA requirements and requires participation in random drug and alcohol testing.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Possession of a valid CDL Class B State of Illinois permit within 60 days of hire.
Ability to acquire a CDL Class B State of Illinois license within an agreed-upon timeframe, estimated at six months from hire.
Ability to obtain a tanker endorsement as requested.
Ability and willingness to respond to call-outs and take action in a timely manner.
Ability to drive to and from work sites.
Ability to operate job-related instruments, tools, and equipment.
Ability to exercise good judgment and make appropriate decisions to assure a safe, clean, and adequate water supply.
Ability to provide courteous and professional customer service and work effectively with supervisors, staff, elected officials, property owners, residents, contractors, and the public.
Effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to understand and follow complex verbal and written instructions.
Ability to perform arithmetic, including computing rates, ratios, and percentages.
Knowledge of standard safety procedures and precautions, and ability to recognize hazards and report them to the immediate supervisor.
Ability to learn and expand knowledge, take on new tasks, work independently with minimal supervision, and work effectively in a team environment.
Knowledge of computer hardware and municipal water operations software, or ability to obtain proficiency.
Knowledge of the City's geographic regions, or ability to learn them.
Ability to meet the physical demands and work in the conditions described in the posting.
Ability to participate in the random drug and alcohol testing program as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

Class B State of Illinois Public Water Supply Operator’s Certification, or willingness to obtain it.
Prior experience in maintenance of water mains, well houses, water treatment plants, meter reading and installation, fire hydrants, buildings and grounds, street maintenance, snow removal, sewer maintenance, equipment maintenance, traffic control, airport maintenance, or related work.
Working knowledge of MS Office, including Word and Excel.
Experience with SCADA computer software, or ability to obtain proficiency.
Ability to obtain a tanker endorsement as requested.

Responsibilities

Locate and read water meters along assigned routes by vehicle and on foot, and conduct special readings as required.
Install, test, troubleshoot, repair, clean, and maintain water meters and replace worn or defective parts.
Determine water-line locations from appropriate sources before excavation.
Perform water service connections to water mains, including line tapping and valve installation.
Assist with repair and maintenance of the water distribution system, including water mains, valves, and fire hydrants.
Perform labor on construction and maintenance projects, including pavement cutting, ditch digging, line cleaning, pipe and main repair, laying, and backfilling.
Isolate areas requiring repair by closing valves; assist with repairs and flush mains in the repair area.
Haul dirt from work sites and restore sites to their original condition.
Inspect and repair water-treatment equipment, chemical pumps, pumping stations, reservoirs, wells, meters, and other water-supply and distribution-system components.
Collect water samples and help maintain water quality and proper operation of water-treatment equipment as requested.
Operate and inspect water treatment plants, wells, and water storage facilities to ensure consistent operation.
Respond to customer inquiries about leaks, water quality, pressure, and water loss.
Interact with residents and business owners when service is disrupted and provide estimates of water restoration.
Perform water turnoffs.
Respond to scheduled on-call rotations and emergency calls for JULIE locates, customer service, distribution repairs, and weather-related incidents.
Assist with snow plowing, leaf collection, street and stormwater repairs, and other public works tasks as needed.
Maintain paper and computerized records relating to inspections, maintenance, water supply, treatment, and consumption.
Map and diagram water locations and log completed jobs.
Inspect and perform preventative maintenance on assigned equipment and report defective equipment or equipment needing repair.
Maintain availability for phone contact, respond to call-out notifications, and respond to weather-related events as emergency response personnel.
Perform other tasks and duties as assigned.