Water Service Operator

General Purpose

The City of Idaho Falls Public Works Department is accepting applications for a Water Service Operator. This position performs a variety of journey level skills, related to customer service, construction practices and general operation and maintenance of the City’s Water Distribution and Pressurized Irrigation systems.

Essential Functions

Responds to emergency customer calls regarding broken or leaking water service lines and mains, leaks, flooding property, frozen services. Shuts off water to culinary water and pressurized irrigation lines for emergencies, customer service, and non-payment scenarios. Diagnoses water and pressurized irrigation distribution system issues and determines if repairs are City’s or property owner’s responsibility; notifies supervisor of any needed repairs.

Responds to customer and contractor requests to turn water or pressurized irrigation on and off, locate water and pressurized irrigation facilities for excavation permits, and the general needs of the public. Identifies discrepancies between mapped water and pressurized irrigation system features and existing, constructed features; GPS locates existing system features for updates to the mapping system accordingly.

Inspects water and pressurized irrigation system installations in public rights-of-way or utility easements to verify compliance with City standards and requirements.

Flushes hydrants for water quality control. Assists with seasonal startup and winterization of pressurized irrigation systems.

Reads water meters when required and recommends repairs or replacements.

Completes service and work orders for all assignments, recording tasks performed, and listing all materials, equipment and time involved in completing the work.

Responds to after-hour emergency and customer service calls while serving on 24-hour standby shift on evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Assists in the plowing and removal of snow from public rights-of-way as may be required.

Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Education and Experience:

A. Graduation from high school or GED (required) and six (6) months of specialized training, through in-service, vocational or technical trade school (preferred);

AND

B. Five (5) years of experience in water distribution systems;

OR

C. An equivalent combination of education and experience.

2. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Considerable Knowledge of water distribution systems; service line problems and repair methods; pipe locating equipment and procedures; water meters and meter reading; hazards and safety precautions associated with waterline construction; waterline construction procedures and City standard drawings and specifications for waterline construction; tools used in waterline construction. Working Knowledge of construction drawings and their interpretation.

Skill in the use of waterline locating equipment; water meter related tools and equipment; and work order software.

Ability to adapt to emergency or unusual situations; ability to properly diagnose water-related issues within the water distribution system; ability to tolerate extremes in the work environment; ability to perform strenuous labor; ability to operate all tools used to construct water line facilities; ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; ability to work effectively with fellow employees, supervisors and the public.

3. Special Qualifications:

Must possess a valid Class A CDL with Tanker Endorsement.

Must possess a Class II Idaho Water Distribution Operator Licensure (or equivalent in another state).

Residency Requirement: Shall be expected, within six (6) months of hire, to establish residence within a 45-minute notification to respond zone from the Water Division Administration Building.

Must complete 0.6 Continuing Education Units in Drinking Water Annually.

Work Environment

Tasks require variety of physical activities, generally involving muscular strain, related to walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching and lifting (moving up to 50 pounds and occasionally moving up to 80 pounds). Talking, hearing and seeing essential to performing required job functions. Frequent exposure to changing weather conditions. Employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to vibration. The employee frequently works in precarious places and is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk from moving traffic. Common eye, hand, finger dexterity are required. Work requires memory for details and verbal instructions, emotional stability and discriminating thinking. Daily local travel required in normal course of job performance.