Water Utility Operator

Water Utility Operator

Class Title:     Water Utility Operator
Department:   Public Works – Water
Classification: Full-time, Non-exempt
Location: 2200 S. Pine Street
Union:             No
Department of Public Works

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:  Performs a variety of semi‑skilled and skilled technical and maintenance work in the operation, maintenance and repair of the water system.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:  Works under the supervision of the Water Foreman.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Monitors the performance of all equipment, meters, and charts in the well houses; records statistical data concerning water operations; maintains, operates, repairs, and replaces equipment as necessary following the City’s purchasing policy; charts lab test results for trend analysis and maintains accurate records of analyses and test results; evaluates data and produces reports as required.
  • Operates, maintains and repairs malfunctions at the well houses; repairs meters, pumps, filters and other controls and equipment.
  • Collects samples and identifies concentrations of chemical, physical or biological characteristics of water required in accordance with local, state, and Federal requirements; gathers and tests water samples for state compliance reports as required.
  • Assures that plant operates within required standards.
  • Trains and maintains lesser skilled operators in acceptable field lab methods and procedures to assure accuracy of test results.
  • Calibrates, modifies or repairs instrumentation and control equipment including recorders, flow meters and other water monitoring equipment.
  • Operates and maintains well houses; operates pumps and valves to control and adjust flows. Exercises confined entry procedures to any confined space area.
  • Plow snow and salt City streets, alleys, parking lots and sidewalks during the winter months.
  • Cleans and maintains well houses.
  • Performs related duties as assigned.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES:

  • Serves as a member of various City employee committees as assigned.
  • Maintains the drawings and schematics of electrical and other systems in the water system.
  • Monitors performance of electrical systems, circuits, or equipment of the water system.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

  • Graduation from high school education or GED equivalent,
  • Two (2) years of experience in a water utility, or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Ability to achieve Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Water Operator Certification – Grade T within six (6) months of hire and Grade 1 within eighteen (18) months of hire with the following subclasses:
  • (D) Distribution
  • (G) Groundwater
  • Additional Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Water Operator Certification in the following subclasses is desired.
  • (V) VOC
  • (Z) Zeolite Softening

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Working knowledge of equipment, facilities, materials, methods, and procedures used in water treatment plant maintenance and operation activities; working knowledge of field laboratory procedures and practices.
  • Skill in operation of some of the listed tools and equipment.
  • Ability to troubleshoot minor electrical and plumbing problems.
  • Ability to perform process control calculations; ability to work safely, ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other departments, and the public; ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Possession of a valid driver’s license is required.  A class B/Air Brakes commercial driver’s license with a tanker (N) endorsement is preferred at the time of hire, but mandatory within 6 months of hire. Must submit to random drug and alcohol testing as required by Federal law for CDL operators.
  • Operates jetter, tanker and other CDL class B equipment.
  • Multi-media 1st-Aid Training and CPR Certification.
  • Confined Entry Rescue Training and participation on confined entry team.
  • Rotating weekend and holiday duties.
  • 24-hour on call responsibilities.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED: Motor vehicle, dump truck, snow removal equipment including plow, generators, pumps, gauges, meters, common hand and power tools, shovels, wrenches, detection devices, mobile radio, phone, calculator, and a variety of field lab equipment. Office equipment including personal computer with word processing, spreadsheet, and database software; copy machine and fax machine.

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, where possible, may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands; to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand.  The employee is occasionally required to walk; talk or hear; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, or crawl; and taste or smell.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.  Lifting occurs as a part of normal work and is usually done in conjunction with stooping, bending, or twisting.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust 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, where possible, may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The employee occasionally works in manholes, vaults, and other confined spaces, and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.  The employee is exposed to caustic and acidic chemicals.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

SELECTION GUIDELINES: Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview and reference check, physical exam, and drug screen upon pre-employment.  Job related tests may be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

City of Burlington
300 N Pine St | Burlington, WI 53105
Office: 262.342.1170 | Fax: 262.947.4546