Wastewater Operator Crew Member

Position Title: Water/Wastewater Operator

Department: Utilities

Employment Status: Non-Exempt Grade: NE7

Opening Date: December 04, 2024 Closing Date: Open until filled

Job Summary
Performs a variety of skilled and semi-skilled duties in the operation and maintenance of the Tribal water and

sewer systems. Performs semi-skilled construction and maintenance work on a variety of facilities and projects

within the jurisdiction of the Utility Department.
This position description may not include all of the listed duties, nor do all of the listed examples include all tasks which

may be found or assigned to this position.

Duties and Responsibilities
Water system duties 

Perform regular inspections at facilities, such as pump houses, public water wells, sewer mains, and other
facilities within the Utility Department. 

Perform necessary preventative maintenance work needed on facilities. 
Install, repair, clean and perform minor to major repairs of water and sewer mains. 
Monitors the performance of all equipment. 
Performs required labor involved in construction and maintenance projects as part of a crew, pavement

cutting, ditch digging, line cleaning, main and pipe repair, laying and backfilling. 

Cuts, fits, lays, repairs, taps, cleans and flushes water mains, pipe, gates and fittings on repair of mains and
services and installation of services, fire hydrants and assists in shutting off broken sections of water mains. 

Determines the locations of water lines from the appropriate sources prior to excavation. 
Insures the proper maintenance of equipment and tools by cleaning and checking equipment and tools after

use. 

Performs routine inspections and preventative maintenance on assigned equipment and refers defects or
needed repairs to supervisor. 

Cleans equipment after use. 
Performs all duties in conformance to appropriate safety and security standards. 
Cover repaired pipes with dirt, and pack backfilled excavations, using air and gasoline tampers.

Wastewater system duties 

Performs required labor involved in construction and maintenance projects as part of a crew, pavement
cutting, ditch digging, line cleaning, main and pipe repair, laying and backfilling. 

Determines the locations of wastewater lines from the appropriate sources prior to excavation. Responds to
complaints regarding the wastewater plant or system, evaluates situation; explains findings to supervisor. 

Ensure that repaired sewer line joints are tightly sealed before backfilling begins. 
Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or related structures such as manholes, culverts, and catch basins. 
Cover repaired pipes with dirt, and pack backfilled excavations, using air and gasoline tampers. 
Cut damaged sections of pipe with cutters, remove broken sections from ditches, and replace pipe sections,

using pipe sleeves. 

Inspect manholes to locate sewer line stoppages. 
Install rotary knives on flexible cables mounted on machine reels, according to the diameters of pipes to be

cleaned.

MESCALERO APACHE TRIBE
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT 

Measure excavation sites, using plumbers' snakes, tapelines, or lengths of cutting heads within sewers, and
mark areas for digging. 

Operate sewer cleaning equipment, including power rodders, high velocity water jets, sewer flushers, bucket
machines, wayne balls, and vac-alls. 

Dig out sewer lines manually, using shovels. 
Service, adjust, and make minor repairs to equipment, machines, and attachments. 
Tap mainline sewers to install sewer saddles.

Minimum Qualifications 
High School Diploma or GED. 
One year minimum experience in related field. 
Must successfully pass a pre-employment drug/alcohol screen and background investigation.
Tribal preference and Native American Indian preference shall apply to all positions.

Competencies
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies to perform the

essential functions of this position. 

Decision Making - the individual identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes
information skillfully to make responsible decisions. 

Interpersonal Skills—the individual maintains confidentiality, remains open to others’ ideas and exhibits
willingness to try new things 

Oral communication—the individual speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations,
demonstrates group presentation skills and conducts meetings. 

Customer Oriented – the individual delivers excellent service to both internal and external customers in a
friendly and courteous manner. 

Time Management—the individual prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently and develop
realistic action plans. 

Detail Oriented—the individual demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness and monitors own work to ensure
quality assurance. 

Adaptability—the individual adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands and
is able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events. 

Reliability—the individual is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to
management’s direction and solicits feedback to improve performance. 

Organized—the individual keeps clean and organized workspace, project/s files and construction documents. 
Motivated—the individual inspires self and others to get the job done and follow through with assigned tasks.

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is required to stand; sit; use hands to finger,

handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee regularly is required

to climb or balance; and talk or hear. The employee occasionally is required to walk; and taste or smell. The

employee must have good eyesight and better than average coordination in order to operate both hand and foot

levers simultaneously. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.

Work Environment:
Work is performed both indoors and outdoors. Exposure to natural weather conditions and various dusts and

mists may occur while performing outdoor duties. Prolonged exposure to odors. Prolonged sitting is a common

occurrence when using backhoe. Standing and walking may be on uneven surfaces or unstable ground. Situations

where safety-toe shoes, safety goggles, gloves, protective face shields, or hardhats are needed may occur.

Evening, weekend, and/or holiday work will be required. Extended hours and irregular shifts will be required.