SENIOR WATER SERVICE WORKER III

***DISCLAIMER: The City reserves the right to accelerate or extend the “Closing Date” of open positions at any time, dependent upon the number of applications received. 

The finalist must pass a pre-employment physical, drug screen, and background check. 

This position also participates in the DOT Random Drug/Alcohol Testing.

Under general supervision, leads, trains, oversees, and participates in the more complex and difficult work of a crew responsible for providing water utilities maintenance, repair, and construction services; sets priorities and directs the work of assigned staff on a project or day-to-day basis; performs routine to complex maintenance and repair work of water distribution main and lateral pipeline systems, water pumping plant operations, hydrant and main line valve exercising and repair, and/or meter services; maintains maximum well and storage tank levels to ensure the uninterrupted supply of potable water for public consumption and fire protection; assists with basic laboratory testing and sample collection; provides technical and specialized assistance to the Water Superintendent; and performs related work as required. 
 
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED 
Receives general supervision from the Water Superintendent.  Exercises technical and functional direction over and provides training to lower-level staff.
 
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the advanced journey-level in the water service worker class series that performs the most complex duties required to ensure that City infrastructure, systems, and facilities are maintained in a safe and effective working condition and provide the highest level of safety for public use.  Responsibilities include inspecting and attending to assigned areas in a timely manner, and performing a wide variety of tasks in the maintenance and repair of assigned infrastructure, facilities, systems, and appurtenances.  This class is distinguished from the Water Superintendent in that the latter is the full supervisory-level class in the series responsible for organizing, assigning, supervising, and reviewing the work of assigned staff involved in water utilities maintenance and operations functions and activities of the City.Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. 

• Provides technical and functional supervision to assigned water services staff; reviews and controls quality of work; participates in performing routine to complex and specialized water utilities maintenance and repair work.
• Plans, schedules, prioritizes, and assigns maintenance and repair work in consultation with the Water Superintendent; communicates status of repairs to appropriate personnel, working cooperatively to schedule repairs in accordance with established and special operational priorities; instructs staff in work procedures.
• Trains employees in work methods, use of tools and equipment, and relevant safety precautions.
• Inspects assigned City infrastructure, facilities, systems, and appurtenances for maintenance needs and recommends appropriate actions; assists in developing work plans, procedures, and schedules.
• Estimates costs of maintenance work, supplies, equipment, and materials; orders supplies and equipment for work projects.
• Inspects and evaluates work in progress and upon completion to assure that repairs, maintenance, and project activities are performed in accordance with City standards and specifications.
• Performs a wide variety of maintenance, repair, and installation work in the City infrastructure, systems, and facilities to which assigned, including water distribution main and lateral pipeline systems, water pumping plant operations, complex residential and commercial water meters, valve cans, meter boxes, and water distribution valves.
• Observes variations in operating conditions by interpreting meter, gauge, and graph readings and tests results to determine pressure requirements.
• Takes samples and performs chemical tests of chlorine residual; takes samples of water and may perform a variety of other chemical tests.
• Assists in coordinating, overseeing and personally participating in all water utilities maintenance programs.
• Ensures compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, including American Water Works Association standards, City water installation standards, right-of-ways, encroachments, and set-backs.
• Observes safe work methods and makes appropriate use of related safety equipment as required; may participate and assist in coordinating safety training.
• Responds to requests and complaints from the public and answers questions or refers to supervisor, as necessary.
• Performs minor adjustments on service equipment; maintains tools and equipment in working order.
• Stays current on the status of new and pending regulatory legislation; attends continuing education courses and seminars as required.
• Maintains accurate records and logs of daily activities, using appropriate computer software applications.
• Responds to and performs emergency repairs and other emergency services as necessary.
• Participates in department standby rotation program.
• Acts as the Water Superintendent in his/her absence or as assigned.
• Performs duties of a disaster services worker in event of an emergency.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of: 
 

• Basic principles of supervision and training. 
• Principles, practices, equipment, materials, and tools used in the operation, cleaning, and preventive maintenance of water distribution system facilities and equipment.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances, regulations, and guidelines. 
• The operation and preventive maintenance of piping systems, including pipes, valves, and related appurtenances.
• Standard chemical and physical tests of water distribution systems, wells, storage tanks, and related facilities.
• Record keeping practices.
• The operation and minor maintenance of a variety of hand and power tools, vehicles, and power equipment.
• Safety equipment and practices related to the work, including the handling of hazardous chemicals.
• Traffic control procedures and traffic sign regulations. 
• Basic hydraulics and mathematics.
• Safe driving rules and practices.
• Modern office practices, methods, computer equipment and computer applications.
• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors and City staff.

 
Ability to: 
 

• Plan, schedule, assign, and oversee activities of public works maintenance and repair personnel. 
• Inspect the work of others and maintain established quality control standards. 
• Train others in proper and safe work procedures. 
• Identify and implement effective course of action to complete assigned work. 
• Oversee and participate in maintenance and related projects in the assigned functional area(s). 
• Perform construction, modification, maintenance, and repair work on assigned municipal infrastructure, facilities, systems, and/or appurtenances.
• Operate specialized construction and maintenance, light to heavy vehicles and equipment.
• Set up and operate traffic area construction zones, including cones, barricades, and flagging.
• Locate underground water utilities by use of blue prints and electronic locating equipment in accordance with Underground Service Alert (USA) regulations.
• Troubleshoot maintenance problems and determine materials and supplies required for repair.
• Read and interpret construction drawings, blueprints, maps, and specifications.
• Safely and effectively use and operate hand tools, mechanical equipment, power tools, and equipment required for the work. 
• Perform routine equipment maintenance. 
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and basic written records of work performed.
• Follow department policies and procedures related to assigned duties. 
• Make accurate arithmetic calculations.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines as it pertains to water distribution.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

 
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
 
High school diploma or GED, and four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in the installation, construction, and maintenance of water distribution system pipelines, valves, and appurtenances and/or water production and plant operations. 
 
Licenses and Certifications: 
 
Senior Water Service Worker Level III:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain, a valid California class B driver’s license with the appropriate endorsements within twelve (12) months of employment, and satisfactory driving record.  If no class B, must possess and maintain a valid California class C driver’s license in the interim.
• Valid Grade II Water Distribution Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) (Grade III preferred).  Ability to obtain a valid Grade III Water Distribution Operator Certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) within eighteen (18) months of employment.  
• Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain, a valid General Back Flow Prevention Device Inspector Certificate issued by the County of Riverside Health Department within eighteen (18) months of employment.
• Valid Work Zone Traffic Control Safety Certificate preferred.  Ability to obtain valid Work Zone Traffic Control Safety Certificate within twelve (12) months of employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in the field; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work, to work in confined spaces and around machines, to climb and descend ladders, to operate varied hand and power tools and construction equipment, and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio.  The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards.  Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment.  Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites.  Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds, or heavier weights with the use of proper equipment.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
Employees work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes.  Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
 
WORKING CONDITIONS
May be required to be on-call and to work various shifts or emergencies on evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Salary : $67,094 - $81,553