What are the responsibilities and job description for the Utility Operator position at Suburban Water Systems?
Suburban Water Systems, a part of SouthWest Water Company, is an investor-owned water utility providing high-quality water and reliable service in an approximately 42-square-mile service area that covers all or portions of Glendora, Covina, West Covina, La Puente, Hacienda Heights, City of Industry, Whittier, La Mirada, La Habra, Buena Park and unincorporated portions of California's Los Angeles and Orange counties.
Suburban Water Systems serves a population of about 300,000 through a water distribution system that includes 18 wells, 32 reservoirs and more than 800 miles of pipeline. Our network of facilities pumps and distributes approximately 56,000 acre-feet of water annually.
Primary Duties:
Performs maintenance and installation of water distribution facilities, primarily mains, services, fire hydrants and valves. Performs light structural maintenance, including painting, carpentry, and other related tasks. Repairs customer landscaping after leak repairs are completed. Performs a variety of tasks utilizing small tools, including digging and backfilling trenches, loading material, operating mud pumps, air compressors, generators, valve operating equipment, boring machines, and jackhammers. Performs other duties as assigned. Responsible for public contact during daily job assignments, providing professional and courteous customer contact both in person and over the telephone. Responsible for the completion and timely submission of all forms and documents related to employment including daily timesheet, documents and reports. Frequently works outside and may be subjected to adverse working conditions and inclement weather.
Education and Qualifications:
Assistant Utility Operator: High School Diploma or equivalent, and one year of combined field work experience are required. Must obtain CA State Water Distribution Grade 1 (D1) certification within 2 years of hire date.
Utility Operator I: High School Diploma or equivalent, Water Distribution Operator Grade 1 (D1) certificate from the California Department of Health Services, and minimum of one (1) year of utility work experience are required. Must obtain CA State Water Treatment Grade 1 (T1) certification within 2 years of hire date OR within 2 years from date of promotion from the Assistant Utility Operator position.
Utility Operator II: High School Diploma or equivalent is required. Water Distribution Operator Grade D1 and Water Treatment Grade T1 from the California Department of Health Services is required. Minimum of three (3) years of employment in a regulated utility industry, preferably water, is required. Prior training to be a "competent person" for trench shoring, confined space training, water loss and leak detection training desired. Must be Proficient in the use and operation of a back-hoe. Specific training and knowledge in the areas of repair and installation of water mains, fire hydrants, water services and meter replacement, preferred.
Other Requirements:
Must possess a valid California Driver's License with an acceptable driving record as determined by the Company's Insurance carrier. Must have muscular coordination and full body mobility for bending, stooping, lifting and raising objects to a maximum of 90 pounds, and hand, wrist, and arm dexterity for working with tools in tight spaces and for safe operation of vehicles and construction equipment. Ability to visually distinguish utility markings and differentiate colors for construction markings, measurement and diagnostic tools, instruments, meters, maps and drawings. Sufficient hearing to work safely in outside areas that are often confined and congested, and for contact on 2-way radio for emergency situations.