Utility Equipment Operator (Civil Service)

We are actively seeking an enthusiastic Utility Equipment Operator to join our team. This position is focused on the maintenance and repair of the Sioux City water distribution system, as well as storm and sanitary sewer lines.

Position Overview: Under the general direction of the Labor Supervisor, the selected candidate will operate large, motorized equipment for digging, excavating, and moving dirt and materials to repair or replace commercial-grade water and sewer lines.

Required Licenses & Certifications:

1. Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL): Must possess or obtain within six (6) months from the date of hire, with airbrake and tanker endorsements. A CDL permit is required before starting.
2. Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Grade I Water Distribution Certificate: Must possess or obtain within twelve (12) months of hire.
3. Iowa DNR Grade II Water Distribution Certificate: Must possess or obtain within twenty-four (24) months of hire.

Work Schedule: Our regular work week is from Sunday at 10:30 p.m. to Friday at 11:00 p.m., divided into three shifts:

• 10:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
• 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• 2:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Employees will be required to be on stand-by status on a rotating basis, and overtime may be required.

Current Opening: The current opening is for the 2nd shift, Monday through Friday, from 2:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Join Us!

• Operates large motorized equipment to dig, excavate and move dirt and materials.
• Performs routine preventative maintenance, cleans, fuels, and maintains assigned equipment; conducts walk around inspections prior to operating.
• Operates the water valve tapping truck and equipment associated with the water valve tapping process.
• Monitors all assigned work sites to make sure all work-related safety practices are followed.
• Keeps all work related DNR licenses current while attending appropriate training classes to obtain required CEU’s.
• Completes daily work cards to track labor, equipment and materials used on assigned work sites.
• Excavates dirt and other materials from rough construction sites and loads materials onto truck.
• Loads, unloads, moves, and stockpiles materials including sand, dirt, gravel, etc.
• Assists and participates in work related to construction and maintenance activities including operation of smaller equipment and performs physical labor such as raking, shoveling, etc.
• Serves as the lead person of a small crew engaged in construction and maintenance work.
• Locates and assists with installation and repair of water mains, service lines and hydrants.
• Operates equipment to maintain storm sewer lines, sanitary sewer lines and water mains.
• Assists supervisor with obtaining emergency locates.
• Acts as a supervisor in the event of the supervisor’s absence.
• Assists/mentors in the training process other operators/workers in proper and safe operation of equipment.
• Participates with all utility inspections.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with fellow employees, officials and regulatory personnel.
• Maintains regular and punctual attendance at work.
• Expected to temporarily perform duties outside of normal classification in the event of a declared emergency.  In the event that an employee is excused from work other than being sick, they will be required to report to work in a state of declared emergency.

Cognitive Demands, Skills and Abilities:   Must be able to talk and hear; ability to speak clearly so others can understand you; ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer); ability to see details at a distance; ability to identify and understand the speech of another person; ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences; ability to consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one; ability to repair machines or systems using the needed tools. Ability to determine causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it; Use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems; ability to understand the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making; ability to identify complex problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions; ability to monitor/assess performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Job Knowledge:  Complete working knowledge of the practices and principals of operating, maintaining and servicing trucks and light equipment, and of laws and regulations governing the operation of trucks and equipment including accepted safety policies and practices, hazards and precautions.  Ability and skill in the safe operation of various large and heavy equipment used in the construction and maintenance of City property and right of ways.
Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication:   Requires effective communication skills and the ability to provide effective and courteous assistance to customers (external and internal).  Requires the ability to speak effectively with fellow employees and customers; read in English; apply common sense understanding to the work process, procedures, programs, and services; ability to prepare and maintain routine records and to provide and follow verbal and written instructions.
Physical Requirements:  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands and fingers to handle or feel.  The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste and smell. Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Regularly lifts and/or up to 25 pounds and occasionally lifts up to 50 pounds.
Work Environment:   While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions with 100% of the work being performed in the field.  The employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles and vibration.  The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme cold and extreme heat; and risk of electrical shock.  The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.Minimum Required Qualifications:
Required:

• Graduation from standard high school or GED and 

• Two to three years, in maintenance, repair and installation of various plumbing devices, equipment, etc.; 

• Any combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Applicants Must possess or obtain the following license/certifications:
Required License & Certifications

• Possess or obtain a Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with airbrake and tanker endorsement within six (6) months from the date of hire.
• Possess or obtain an Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Grade I Water Distribution Certificate within twelve (12) months of hire, and 
• Possess or obtain an Iowa DNR Grade II Water Distribution Certificate within twenty-four (24) months of hire.

Employees who do not possess the required license and certifications will be required to obtain them in the timeframes shown below.  If you would like to learn more on how to obtain the necessary certifications, please click here to visit the Iowa DNR site detailing the requirements.

Salary : $58,561 - $66,580