Seasonal Water Team Member (6 month)

The Utility Team Member operates and maintains the water and sanitary sewer utility systems in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local standards. The focus of this position will be the water system that includes but not limited to booster pump stations, generators, and SCADA equipment. The Utility Team Member also is required to operate and maintain pressure-reducing valves (PRVs), water mains and services, water valves, water reservoirs, water meters, and perform tasks related to water quality, leak detection, utility locating, and utility security. Public Works Department employees operate in a team environment and must be able to work and communicate effectively with employees and citizens. Some evening, holiday, and weekend work is required.

This is a seasonal position with a six (6) month term.

Join Us at the City of Mercer Island Seasonal Hiring Fair! Meet hiring managers, interview on-site, and even receive a same-day job offer for one of our 10 seasonal Public Works positions. Stop by Saturday, February 22 or Tuesday, February 25 at the Mercer Island Community & Event Center to learn more—RSVP encouraged!

• Install, replace, inspect for proper operation, upsize and/or repair water services, mains, air vac assembly’s, blow-off valves, sample stands and other water and sewer system apparatus to meet City specifications and standards.
• Identify, assess, and repair malfunctions in water system components.
• Operate SCADA telemetry equipment for water and sewer to ensure proper operation of reservoir, pump stations, and generator systems.
• Video inspect, locate, and record all sewer mains and tees that require maintenance or are scheduled for capital improvements. Develop and record an on-going preventative maintenance program.
• Install, replace, upsize, and/or repair water services, mains, hydrants, PRV’s, pumps, motors, air vacs, blow-off assemblies and other water and sewer system apparatus to meet City specifications and standards.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships at all organizational levels and with the public.
• Obtain and evaluate all relevant information to handle customer inquiries. Record details of inquiries, comments and complaints in City’s maintenance management system (Cityworks). Record details of actions taken; complete service requests and work orders in an appropriate/timely manner.
• Determine and adjust daily water flows to maintain reservoir level, water quality, and meet water system demands.
• Maintain hydrants annually to ensure proper operation. Additionally, clear vegetation, clean, paint, and record system pressures at the hydrants as needed.
• Adjust and/or modify pressure-reducing valves for proper operation and maintenance. Inspect and replace worn pressure-reducing parts, clean up the inside of underground vaults and brush surrounding grounds.
• Inspect reservoir for proper operation of pumps and electrical apparatuses and inspect grounds for security. This includes maintaining recorders, and telemetry, obtaining readings for usage data, and performing chemical analysis for water quality.
• Determine need to repair or replace water meters based on inspection or field testing. Replace meter and/or take faulty meter into shop for repair, further testing or salvage.
• Inventory and map location of air vacs, blow-offs and gate valves for proper functioning and accessibility.
• Investigate and perform routine testing and/or annual or necessary flushing of water mains to ensure a high level of water quality of the public water system.
• Coordinate repairs to existing installations of hydrants, water mains, and other water and sewer system apparatus to meet City specifications, codes and AWWA standards.
• Following successful passing of probationary employment, the participation in on-call duties on a rotational basis is highly desired.
• Ability to drive a City vehicle, possess a current and valid Washington State driver's license and good driving record.
• Must have regular and predictable work attendance to fulfill the essential functions of the job.
• Other duties as required.

• High school education or equivalent and three or more years of experience in the construction or maintenance of public utilities.
• Record of excellent work attendance.
• Good verbal communication skills in the English language (listening, giving feedback, and speaking up) as well as effective interpersonal and customer relation skills are essential in a team environment. Legible written communication (directions and memos) is required, along with the ability to perform basic arithmetic calculations.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and utilize computer applications and software including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and Outlook) and Geographic Information Services (GIS) layers.
• Minimum class B CDL with current medical certificate or ability to obtain one within first twelve months of employment.
• Washington State Certification in first aid, traffic control, and flagging, Confined Space Entry, Shoring and Trench Safety, Water Distribution Specialist and Wastewater Collection Systems Operator are needed within the first twelve months of employment.
• Knowledge of City codes and specifications, AWWA, Department of Health, & Department of Ecology standards sufficient to inspect new and/or repaired hydrants, water mains and other water system apparatus.
• Investigate and perform routine testing and/or necessary flushing of water mains to ensure water quality of the public water system.
• Inspect reservoir, water booster stations, and main pump grounds for security and proper operation of pumps, motors, and electrical apparatuses. This includes maintaining SCADA, telemetry, and performing and documenting chemical analysis for water quality.
• Knowledge of operation and service of complex equipment and vehicles used in construction repair and maintenance.
• Participate in the coordination of new capital improvements and repairs to existing installations of hydrants, water mains and other water and sewer system apparatus to meet City specifications, codes, and AWWA standards.
• Perform asphalt cutting and patching.
• Must have regular and predictable work attendance to fulfill the essential functions of the job.
• Must safely operate city vehicles and equipment.
• Obtain and evaluate all relevant information to handle customer inquiries. Record details of inquiries, comments and complaints in work order maintenance management system. Record details of actions taken; close out work orders in an appropriate/timely manner.
• Ability to operate telemetry/SCADA equipment for the water and sewer systems to ensure proper operation of the water reservoir, sewer pump stations, water booster stations, and emergency generator units.

Licensure/Certification

• Valid WA State Driver’s License with a driving record free from frequent or serious violations. A three (3) year driving record abstract must be submitted prior to hire.
• Specific positions may have other certification requirements.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Various types of tools and equipment are used but not limited to the following: high-velocity sewer cleaner and associated tools and nozzles, video inspection equipment, debris catcher, root cutter, dump truck, backhoe, compressor and jackhammer. Testing equipment includes: capacitors, multi gas detectors, gauges, multi-meter, metal detectors and chlorine and bacteriological test equipment. Specialized equipment includes: hydrant hose, valve key, hydrant and wet well wrenches, tripod and harness retrieval system, lube gun, tube benders, hole-hog, flaring equipment and peashooter. Hand tools used: shovels, electrical and hand tools, sledgehammer, pick and trowel. Future work practices may necessitate the use of different tools and equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Team Members risk physical hazards from working in and around traffic, heavy machinery, heights and confined spaces and other underground utilities. Exposure to noise, vibration, hazardous and toxic materials, fumes, gases, and odors is routine.

Work requires physical strength and agility necessary to perform heavy manual labor under all kinds of weather conditions. Work activities include combinations of sitting, standing and walking and the ability to lift 50-100 pounds as required. Team members must be able to see, hear, and smell in order to detect problems and be responsive to their own safety, as well as that of fellow team members.

Team Members must follow appropriate safety procedures and the use of protective clothing and equipment including, steel-toed boots, hard hat, eye/ear protection, rain gear, gloves, traffic control equipment, Public Works teams operate in a smoke and drug-free work environment for their health, safety and productivity, as well as that of their co-workers and customers.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING
The City of Mercer Island has a policy to maintain a work environment free of substance abuse. This policy applies to all current and prospective employees. Drug and alcohol testing is required for employees and candidates applying for safety-sensitive positions or whose job requires a commercial driver’s license (CDL). This testing may be waived for job candidates if records are made available from another employer who tested the candidate in the last 6 months. Positive test results will be defined as an alcohol concentration over 0.02 or a positive test result for marijuana, opiates, cocaine, amphetamines, or phencyclidines. All employment offers are contingent upon successfully passing a drug and alcohol test. Job candidates who test positive will be terminated from consideration for employment immediately.

Salary : $24 - $26