Water Systems Technician I or II

At entry level, the Technician I performs semi-skilled field work in disinfection and flushing of water meters, mains, hydrants and distribution lines of the City's potable water and reclaimed water distribution systems. Work includes the installation, calibration, maintenance and repair of potable water and reclaimed water meters, backflow assemblies, other appurtenances, and service lines, in the field and meter wet lab. Work involves investigation of citizen inquiries and complaints; chlorination of new and existing water mains and distribution lines; addressing the presence of pollutants in service lines, leakage, or cross connections; maintaining records and reports; collecting water samples; performing site inspection for cross connection control and coordinating laboratory analysis. Work is performed with some independence and requires the exercise of sound judgment, attention to detail, and initiative. Work of this class is characterized by participation in, and successful completion of the Apprenticeship Training Program designed to improve the employee's knowledge of water distribution systems maintenance procedures and to further develop skills in the use of hand and power tools and other specialized equipment. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, the employee will receive a Florida Department of Education Journeyman Certificate for Meter Repairer. At the Technician II level, the skilled work also requires the ability to accurately estimate materials and equipment needs; the ability to provide lead supervision of a small work crew engaged in similar duties in the absence of a supervisor; and the ability to work with considerable independence while exercising sound judgment, attention to detail, and initiative. Applicants who have already completed an equivalent program of classroom study and work experience, hold the Journeyman Certificate for Meter Repairer, and have demonstrated journeyman skills and abilities, may be considered for hire at the more skilled Technician II level.

Salary: $19.19 - $32.63 Hourly DOQ**

**The hiring department will consider applicants for the Water Systems Technician I or II level, depending on qualifications and experience. The entry level pay for Technician II is $23.02 Hourly.

Close: 01-24-2025 (11:59 PM)

Minimum Qualifications. Applicants must:

• Possess a valid high school diploma or GED equivalency.

• Possess and maintain a valid Driver License.

• Be able to participate in and successfully complete the required 6,000 hour on-the-job Apprenticeship Training Program and receive a Journeyman Certificate for Meter Repairer from the Florida Department of Education within 54 months of appointment to the position.

• Obtain and maintain a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Class III Water Distribution Operator’s License within 24 months of appointment to the position.

• Be able to obtain and maintain a Backflow Prevention Assembly Testing Certificate, Backflow Prevention Assembly Repairer Certificate and Reclaimed Water Field Site Inspector Certificate within 24 months of appointment to position.

• Be able to understand and effectively carry out oral and written instructions.

• Acknowledge this position is designated as Emergency Critical (EC) and if hired into the position, you must be immediately available to the department before, during, and after a declared emergency and/or disaster.

Desirable Qualifications. Preferred Applicants:

• Have some experience in the waterworks, maintenance, or construction fields.

• Are able to perform minor arithmetic calculations quickly and accurately.

• Are able to prepare routine written reports of work activities.

• Are able to work under potentially hazardous conditions.

• Have obtained a Journeyman Certificate for Meter Repairer or equivalent.

• Have graduated from the Public Works Academy at Pinellas Technical College.

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

For purposes of employment, re-employment, promotion, transfer or demotion, the most qualified applicants will be selected to continue in the hiring process. At this point, any prior criminal records will be verified. A prior criminal record will not necessarily disqualify a selected applicant from employment.

The City of St. Petersburg is committed to a Drug Free Workplace and compliance with the Department of Transportation (DOT) drug testing rules. Applicants may be required to successfully complete pre-employment drug testing and/or medical exams.