What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Water Distribution Operator position at City of Lompoc?
THIS RECRUITMENT IS TO ESTABLISH AN ELIGIBILITY LIST FOR A CURRENT VACANCY. Interested qualified employees must submit on-line City application by the filing deadline for promotional consideration. No paper applications will be accepted.
If you forget your password, have application login problems, or get an error message during the application process, please call the NeoGov helpline at 1-877-524-5627 for assistance.
The City reserves the right to stop accepting applications prior to the posted deadline, if sufficient numbers of qualified applications are received. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. The recruitment is officially closed once it has been removed from the City's website.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS: The Senior Water Distribution Operator - This is the journey position. Incumbents direct, inspect, train, check and review the work of a crew involved in the construction, maintenance and repair of water mains, road surfaces and equipment. Incumbents participate fully in the work of the assigned crew but may be responsible for the productivity of the crew in completing a predetermined schedule of work.
EXAMINATION PROCESS: Based upon screening of the City application, résumé, and responses to supplemental questions, applicants whose qualifications best meet the requirements of the position will be invited to the examination process. This process may include, but is not limited to, written examinations, panel interviews, and/or oral presentations. The examination processes will assess job knowledge, writing ability, oral communication, decision-making skills, and other job-related abilities and skills.
SELECTION PROCESS: Those candidates who pass the examination process are placed on an eligibility list from which the final selection will be made. The top qualified candidates will be invited to a Chief's interview process.
Failure in any one part of the examination or selection processes will disqualify a candidate from further consideration.
The following duties are typical of this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the duties and/or may be required to perform specific additional/different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
- Performs manual labor and semi-skilled work in the maintenance, repair, construction and installation of water systems, including pipe lines, valves, fire hydrants, pumps, meters, and services
- Repair service leaks
- Threads and fits pipe
- Flushes and disinfects water lines and springs
- Locates water lines with instruments or from prints
- Perform acetylene and electric welding and cutting pipes
- Assists in raising valve and meter boxes
- Cleans trucks, shop area, pump vaults
- Perform ground maintenance on reservoir grounds, storage yards and inventory yards
- Read water and pump meters
- Check pumps, chlorinators, springs and reservoirs
- Records/surveys water valves locations and exercises valves
- Learns to build forms, mix, pour and finish concrete
- Operate a variety of power tools and equipment, including compressor, welder, pneumatic tools; operate trucks, backhoe, crane, forklift and other motorized equipment of comparable size and complexity
- Issue tools and related equipment and account for same
- Test water mains
- Keep labor, material and maintenance records
- Operate City vehicles
- Perform standby duty
- Responds and resolves customer complaints
- Perform other specifically related work as required.
In addition to above, Senior Water Distribution Operator:
- Perform skilled work in Water Distribution operations and maintenance
- Participate in the work with the crew
- Engage in installing water services, mains, meters, backflow devices and equipment; work on tapping, pipe fitting and soldering
- Skillfully operate trucks, backhoes, cranes, forklifts, pneumatic and electric tools
- Repair broken water lines and water main valves
- Relocate meters and services
- Change and raise meters
- Install plumbing
- Cut pavement and repair streets or alleys after underground maintenance
- Perform acetylene and electric welding
- Flush hydrants and mains
- Clean pump houses, reservoirs and surrounding grounds, material yards and storage yards by using a variety of hand tools
- Maintain small equipment and hand tools
- Check pumps, chlorinators, springs and reservoirs
- Respond to customer complaints
- Perform pressure tests on new water mains
- Take chlorine and bacteriological samples
- Train and direct the work of assigned crew
- Perform systematic inspections.
ALLOCATION FACTORS: Level of skill in operating equipment, level of independence of decision-making and ability to direct work of crew and train others.
If you are unable to perform the essential functions of the position for which you are applying, either with or without reasonable accommodation, please notify Human Resources at (805) 875-8208.
License/Certification Required: Possession of a valid and appropriate California Driver's License; AND possession of a valid Water Distribution Operator Grade II certificate, through the State of California. Certified as a Backflow Prevention Device Tester approved by the Santa Barbara County Health Care Services or AWWA.
Education and Experience: Any combination of training, education and experience that demonstrates an ability to perform the duties of the position. The typical qualifying entrance background is two years of skilled experience in water works maintenance and construction, one year of which is with the City of Lompoc distribution crew.
Knowledge of: Applicable safety and State of California and federal health codes related to drinking water; basic water hydraulics; simple record keeping; proper methods, materials, tools and equipment used in water works maintenance and construction; and appropriate safety precautions and procedures in chlorine, traffic and water distribution practices.
In addition to above, Senior Water Distribution Operator: State of California and federal health codes related to drinking water; AWWA standards; basic hydraulics; plumbing, pipe fitting, and mechanical devices used in water systems; basic math; computerized record keeping; and general principles of supervision and training.
Ability to: Read, write and perform mathematical calculations at the level required for successful job performance; perform a variety of semi-skilled tasks in water works system construction and maintenance; learn to skillfully operate and maintain assigned tools and equipment; maintain equipment and tools; perform maintenance, repair and construction work; maintain computerized records; operate a vehicle observing legal and defensive driving practices; perform manual/physical labor; read and follow instructions on equipment labels; satisfactorily follow rules and procedures; be available for standby duty; understand and carry out oral and written instructions; and establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
In addition to above, Senior Water Distribution Operator: Skillfully operate pneumatic and power equipment, backhoes, etc.; Read and follow blueprints and engineering sketches; direct and train others in the performance of a variety of skilled tasks in waterworks construction and maintenance; and supervise the work of others.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL DEMANDS: The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical: Strength: Heavy - Exert force of 25-100 pounds frequently or 10-20 pounds constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects. Frequently stand or walk, bend, stoop, kneel, handle, grip, grasp, reach below shoulder level, extend neck downward or side-to-side. Occasionally sit, crouch, push/pull, twist at the waist, reach at or above shoulder level, extend neck upward; finger, type. Occasionally climb ladders. Rarely crawl, or climb stairs. Vision: Visual acuity which could be corrected sufficiently to perform the essential functions of the position; average depth perception needed. Hearing: Ability to effectively hear/comprehend oral instructions and communication, equipment and traffic noise.
Mental/Psychological: Work cooperatively and interact appropriately with those contacted in the course of work, including the general public; read and comprehend simple material; perform complex math calculations; use simple writing skills; understand, remember and carry out detailed job instructions. Respond quickly to changing priorities; deal with the general public; communicate effectively orally; work under pressure; work within deadlines.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: Work both indoors and outdoors. Frequently drive motorized equipment/vehicles. Frequently work around machinery, noise, dust, and slippery or uneven walking surfaces. Occasional exposure to excessive fumes, smoke, gases, odors, chemicals, solvents, grease or oil, and flames/smoke. Rarely work at unprotected heights. Works occasionally alone and frequently with others.
Exposure to chemicals while disinfecting/neutralizing chemicals, such as chlorine in the water distribution system; frequently works around underground high pressure water mains, gas lines, and high voltage lines; occasionally works in holes more than five feet deep; works in inclement weather and high traffic locations. Incumbents must be available for periodic evening, night, weekend and/or holiday work due to standby duty or emergency callback needs.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Employees in this classification may be required to utilize respirators in the course of their job duties or under emergency circumstances, and thus must be in compliance with General Industry Safety Order 5144. Employees shall not wear beards, mustaches, sideburns, facial hair or other conditions in such a manner that may prevent or interfere with establishing and maintaining a proper seal of the respirator facemask. This requirement is implemented in order to insure the safety and health of the employee.
MANDATORY CAREER ADVANCEMENT: With satisfactory job performance, career ladder advancement shall be effective the first pay period following presentation of proof of possession of the appropriate certification and satisfaction of time and experience requirements.
POTENTIAL CAREER PATH: Experience gained by incumbents in this class can provide the knowledge, skills and abilities to qualify for Lead Water Distribution Operator or Senior Water Meter Maintenance Technician.
Salary : $5,204 - $6,552
