Water Service Worker I

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Assist in the installation of water service mains and pipes.
• Assists in determining the location of the service connection and the size of pipe needed.
• Erects barricades around excavations; digs ditches and holes with power and manual equipment; cuts and fits pipe; tap water mains.
• May assist with the installation, removal, replacement and repair of water meters.
• Repairs main leeks, and replaces fire hydrants.
• May assist in cleaning and repair of pumps and storage facilities.
• May drive a truck, transporting tools, department personnel and equipment from job to job.
• May clean and maintain water department yards and shops.
• May read and record water meter readings, turn water service off and on.
• Participate in after-hours stand by duty and answer emergency calls.
• Assist Water Service Worker II in performing any duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Possession of a High School Diploma, G.E.D. or equivalent; AND one (1) year experience in work requiring mechanical skills and aptitude; and one (1) year experience involving the installation and maintenance of pipelines. Six (6) months of experience working in underground utilities can be substituted for the one (1) year of experience in the installation and maintenance of pipelines.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
• Possession of a Water Distribution Operator I Certificate or higher from the State Water Resources Control Board at the time of application is highly desirable. Employee must obtain Water Distribution Operator I certificate within one (1) year of appointment.

Required Knowledge of:

• Working knowledge of the use and care of tools, materials and equipment used in the installation and repair of pipelines and water services.
• Working knowledge of pipes, fittings and related materials and their use and operation.
• General working knowledge of water distribution system.
• Safe work methods and safety regulations pertaining to water system repair and maintenance work.
• Basic mathematics, including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
• Basic codes and regulations applicable to performing repair and maintenance work in a public agency.

Required Skill in:

• Ability to perform a variety of semi-skilled water works construction service and repair tasks.
• Ability to operate a light truck, skip loader, pneumatic tools and similar equipment.
• Ability to follow oral and written directions.
• Ability to keep neat and accurate records.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in indoor and outdoor environments with considerable time spent in moderate temperatures (above 80 degrees), with exposure to the elements including heavy rain.
• Work requires reaching, bending, lifting, driving, pushing, crawling, walking and climbing (more than 12 feet); working at heights above ground, below ground and in confined spaces.
• Good near vision, far vision and color perception is required.
• May be exposed to wet surfaces, minor amounts of dust and on occasion loud noises.
• Work may involve exposure to dangerous machinery, hazardous chemicals, high voltage control panels and motors
• Must be able to work during weekdays, weekends, and holidays on any assigned shift.

EXAMINATION
The purpose of this examination is to establish an eligible list from which vacant position(s) may be filled.

Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the examination and interview process.

Phase one (1) is a written examination (weighted 50%) which will measure all or portions of the above knowledge, and skills. Phase two (2) is an oral examination (weighted 50%) that will be administered by an appraisal panel to evaluate professional qualifications, background and suitability. A passing score for each phase is 70%. Each candidate will be notified via e-mail of their status at each step of the recruitment.

The City of Compton reserves the right to utilize alternative testing methods, if deemed necessary. Failure in one phase of the examination shall be grounds for declaring the applicant as failing in the entire examination, and as disqualified for subsequent parts of an examination.

GENERAL INFORMATION TO EXAMINATION APPLICANTS

The City of Compton does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or provisions of services.

Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must give advanced notice to the Human Resources Department prior to the final filing date.

ELIGIBLE LISTS
Recruitment may be conducted on a (a) promotional basis, (b) open-competitive basis, or (c) promotional and open-competitive basis simultaneously. All candidates who attain an overall score of at least 70.00 (open-competitive) and at least 75.00 (promotional) will be placed in rank order on the relevant eligible list(s).

PLEASE NOTE:
All permanent City employees that attain an overall score of at least 75.00 will be placed on both the promotional eligible list and the open-competitive eligible list. All City employees that attain a score of 70.00 on EACH PHASE of the examination but an overall score of less than 75.00 will be placed on the open-competitive eligible list only.

Each eligible list shall remain in effect one (1) year from the date of its establishment unless it is extended, abolished or exhausted. Whenever possible, three (3) names are certified to fill any one (1) vacant position. No candidate may be certified more than three (3) times for any one classified position. When certifying eligible lists to appointing powers, the promotional eligible list takes precedence over the open-competitive eligible list. A department manager's recommendation for employment is subject to the City Manager's approval.

EXAMINATION APPEAL PROCEDURE
A candidate may, within five (5) days after taking the written examination, file in writing with the City Manager an appeal against any part of the test, citing the item or items against which the appeal is directed, and the reason(s) for such appeal. The Personnel Board will consider appeals from the decisions and ratings of qualifications appraisals (interview) boards if such appeals meet the conditions described in the Personnel Rules and Regulations (Section 6.8).

EXAMINATION RECORDS
All examination papers, including the employment application, resume, and other attachments submitted by candidates are the property of the Personnel Board and are confidential records which may be open to inspection only for purposes and under conditions established by the Personnel Board.

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE
In all entrance examinations (open-competitive only) for positions in the Classified Service, veterans who served in the armed forces of the United States during time(s) of war, and who attain an overall passing score in the examination are allowed additional preferential credit in accordance with the Personnel Rules and Regulations. In order to claim veterans' credit, the applicant must submit proof of service and honorable discharge (showing specific dates of service) on a U.S. Military form (DD-214) at the time of application or not later than the final filing date for the examination.

FRINGE BENEFITS
The City's comprehensive fringe benefits program includes retirement (Public Employees' Retirement System), medical, dental, life and vision insurances, deferred compensation, sick and vacation leaves, after-hours education reimbursement, ride share program, uniform allowance and other provisions.