Utility Operator- Water Distribution

The Water Distribution Operator is responsible for providing a variety of semi-skilled and skilled maintenance work in the construction, operation, repair, and maintenance of the Town’s water facilities and systems. Utilities Operator without licensure starting pay is $20.50 an hour.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

1. Repairs non-emergency and emergency water mains, services, and water hydrant leaks.
2. Installs and maintains all types and sizes of pipeline mains, services, fittings, hydrant valves, meter pits, water meters, and sample stations.
3. Raises, lowers, removes and relocates water mains, fire hydrant services, service boxes, and valve boxes.
4. Performs support activities to include: conducting inspections, completing reports, updating records, and operating equipment.
5. Assists the Water Distribution Crew Leader with the completion of activities to include: hydrant flushing and/or testing, hydrant painting, installing new water services, repairing water main breaks, inspection of new construction, thawing frozen pipes and/or meters, and equipment maintenance and/or service.
6. Contacts Indiana 811 before digging and locates water lines for Indiana Underground Plant Protection Service (IUPPS) and for customers. 
7. Performs general building and grounds maintenance.
8. Assists other departments, as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This job has no supervisory responsibilities

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty according to the requirements of the organization. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is required.

Town-related Competencies: To perform this job successfully, all employees working in the Town should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Teamwork and Collaboration - Gets along with and maintains positive relationships with coworkers. Is willing to help with all types of work, no matter how big or small the task. Asks for and listens to coworkers’ feedback; incorporates feedback into revised processes. Positively reinforces team members for their contributions and accomplishments. Admits mistakes when they occur, learns from them, and enables others to do the same. 
• Service to Citizens - Always represents the Town of Plainfield well; maintains personal accountability and ownership for customer service. Lets customers know that he/she is willing to work with them to meet their needs. Follows up to ensure that requests and concerns are resolved. Understands customer problems and needs; quickly and effectively solves customer problems. Does more than what is normally required to resolve customer concerns. 
• Professionalism - Demonstrates professionalism in appearance and actions. Maintains timely, personable, and effective communications with citizens and the general public, and local or intergovernmental contacts and neighboring community leaders. Demonstrates flexibility and a positive attitude when change occurs. Does not participate in conversations or actions that are disrespectful to others. Uses Town resources and assets wisely, efficiently, and according to Town policy. 
• Dependability - Attends work as scheduled; follows the attendance policy and informs his/her manager of absences in advance. Accepts assignments willingly and can be counted on to complete tasks on time. Completes tasks accurately and thoroughly, eliminating the need for close review. Timely follow-through on tasks and projects issued by the Department Head, Town Manager, or Town Council. Does what he/she commits to doing. 
• Interpersonal Communications - Communicates clearly, accurately, and respectfully with coworkers and customers. Keeps the Town Council well-informed of any incidents or issues; especially regarding offsite incidents. Keeps sensitive and confidential matters private. Listens to others and seeks to understand others’ perspectives. Willingly accepts feedback and incorporates it into work activities and interactions. 
• Job Knowledge and Work Habits - Takes pride in work and coworkers; performs work with a positive attitude that enables others to perform well. Is willing to ask questions when the job or task is not fully understood. Willingly participates in training to maintain or enhance current knowledge of principles, procedures, methods, and/or technology. Maintains an optimistic outlook when faced with difficulty or change and makes an effort to overcome obstacles. Retains the expected job knowledge; helps others by sharing knowledge.

Job-related Competencies – To perform this job successfully, employees in this job should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Cost Consciousness- Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Conserves organizational resources.
• Safety and Security- Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.

Education and/or Experience: High school diploma or general education degree (GED); and one year experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Distribution System Large (Class DSL) certification is required within (1) year. Previous experience in a water or water distribution department job is desired.

Other Skills and Abilities: The following skills and abilities are either required or desired.

• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is required.
• The ability to use specialized tools, equipment, and machines to include: gauge, calipers, recorders, pitot tubes, calculators, leak detection equipment, pipe locating equipment, meter testing equipment, transit, valve machines, tapping machines, water main sectional maps, saws, cutters, air compressors, loaders, and backhoes is required. 
• A basic knowledge of the processes of modern water distribution is desired.
• The ability to detect flows in the operation of mechanical equipment and to determine proper remedial actions is required.

• The ability to adapt and conform to shifting priorities and demands and execute accordingly. 

• The ability to remain current with all required licenses, certifications and in-service requirements is required.
• The ability to operate a computer, printer, copy machine, scanner, fax machine, and other office equipment is required.
• The ability to speak, read and write in English is required. Spanish is desired.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to taste or smell; and lift and/or move up to 100 pounds with the use of an assistive device.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors), peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point), depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships), and the ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus).

Work Environment:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions (non-weather); working near moving mechanical parts; working in high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; the risk of electrical shock; and vibration.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to very loud.

While the offices of the Water Distribution Department are usually open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., this position may require work beyond these hours and on the weekends. It also requires the ability to drive Water Distribution Department vehicles. Thus, a valid driver’s license is required.

Salary : $23 - $30