Location
Description
WATER DISTRIBUTION OPERATOR I/II
Summary Description
Under immediate supervision (Water Distribution Operator I) or general supervision (Water Distribution Operator II), performs skilled maintenance, repair, and construction work on the potable water treatment and distribution system of the water utilities services division; operates maintenance and construction tools and equipment; performs a variety of maintenance tasks relative to water distribution and treatment.
Water Distribution Operator I: This is the entry level class in the Water Distribution Operator series. This class is distinguished from the Water Distribution Operator II by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to workers in this series. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters related to City established procedures and guidelines as are positions allocated to the II level. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or indirectly related work experience. Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.
Water Distribution Operator II: This is the full journey level class within the Water Distribution Operator series. This class is distinguished from the Water Distribution Operator I by the assignment of the full range of duties assigned. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from level I.
Ideal Candidate
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
- Handle complaints and answer questions from the public.
- Make minor adjustments on service equipment; maintain tools and equipment in working order.
- Maintain logs of daily activities.
- Operate and maintain wells, reservoirs, and treatment facilities; inspect residential and commercial service issues.
- Monitor and adjust water production and treatment equipment.
- Lay and fit pipelines; make water line taps; install water services, fire hydrants, valves, and other water devices.
- Perform field duties related to the water system; take water samples and inspect new construction.
- Excavate trenches and install shoring.
- Identify service and main leaks; operate pipe locators; install and inspect backflow devices.
- Read and update water distribution maps and as-built plans and blueprints.
- Clean and monitor pump stations and related equipment.
- Perform emergency repairs to water lines as necessary; establish proper traffic control devices.
- Repair, maintain and install water meters and related service lines; read meters; turn services off and on as necessary.
- Lay out and install traffic signs and pavement markings.
- Perform underground service alert locating, marking and notification.
- Perform related duties as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.
Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of water distribution maintenance and repair.
- Basic principles of water treatment.
- Common tools, materials, and motorized vehicles and equipment used in the maintenance and repair of a water distribution system.
- Pumps, valves and backflow devices.
- Basic mathematical principles.
- Safe work practices and policies.
Ability to:
- Work with the variety of tools related to water system maintenance.
- Learn to safely operate a variety of maintenance equipment.
- Perform heavy manual labor.
- Perform semi-skilled maintenance duties.
- Perform routine groundwater treatment procedures.
- Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
- Read and understand schematic diagrams.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Water Distribution Operator I
Education/Training:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
Experience:
One year of water system maintenance experience is desirable.
License or Certificate:
Possession of an appropriate, valid driver’s license.
Possession of a Grade I Water Distribution Operator certificate issued by the State of California Department of Health Services within 18 months of employment.
Water Distribution Operator II
Education/Training:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
Experience:
Two years of experience performing duties at a level comparable to a Water Distribution Operator I in the City of Ceres, including two prior years in possession of a Grade I Water Distribution Operator certificate issued by the State of California Department of Health Services.
License or Certificate:
Possession of an appropriate, valid driver’s license.
Possession of a Grade II Water Distribution Operator certificate issued by the State of California Department of Health Services.
Possession of a TI Water Treatment certificate issued by the State of California Department of Health Services is highly desirable.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein 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 job functions.
Environment: Work is performed primarily in an outdoor field environment; travel from site to site; exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, noxious odors, gases, mechanical and electrical hazards, and all types of weather and temperature conditions; work in or around water; exposure to hazardous traffic conditions; work and/or walk on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain; work at heights; incumbents may be required to respond to emergency and public calls after hours including evenings and weekends.
Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a field environment; to walk, stand, and sit for prolonged periods of time; to frequently stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, reach, twist, grasp, and make repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties; to climb unusual heights on ladders; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull moderate to heavy amounts of weight; to operate assigned equipment and vehicles; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.
Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.
Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
Benefits
Health: The City contributes toward the combined monthly premiums for medical, dental and vision a maximum of $710, $1,470 or $2,090, dependent on level of medical coverage enrollment. Some of the monthly plan premium options are currently at no cost to the employee and family! Any employee contributions to health premiums are taken as pre-tax deductions. Employees eligible to waive medical coverage receive $200 per month in additional taxable compensation. Carriers include: Two Blue Shield EPO's, Blue Shield PPO, Two Kaiser HMO's; Stanislaus Foundation Dental and VSP Vision.
Retirement/Pension: The City offers a generous defined benefit plan pension (membership required) in the Stanislaus County Employees’ Retirement Association (StanCERA), as governed by County Employees’ Retirement Law of 1937 and Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA). “Classic members” (within the last six (6) months a member of StanCERA or a reciprocal retirement plan, e.g. CalPERS) are enrolled in the City’s 2% @ 55 plan; final compensation at retirement is based on the single highest year. Non-classic or “new members” are enrolled in the 2% @ 62 plan, and employees are required to pay 100% of the normal contribution rate as prescribed by PEPRA, currently 9.41%, on a pre-tax basis; final compensation at retirement is based on the average of the three highest years.
Other Benefits: The City contributes an additional $100 per month through a qualified Section 125 plan to the employee’s Flexible Spending Account (FSA - for non-reimbursable medical expenses or daycare), or Health Savings Account (HSA), or towards a Voluntary pre-tax benefit as applicable.
Voluntary Benefits & Leave: Employee Assistance Program, voluntary options for Deferred Compensation (457), Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Voluntary Life and AD&D coverage, 96 hours of sick leave accrued each year with unlimited accrual; vacation accrual based on years of service with maximum accrual of 480 hours and 13 paid holidays (including one personal day) each year.
The City also participates in Social Security, which has a mandatory 7.65% contribution for Social Security and Medicare.
Special Instructions
EXAMINATION PROCESS
Those applicants who meet the employment qualifications, will be contacted via email regarding next steps in the recruitment process. Candidates, who achieve a top ranking score, will be invited to an Oral Panel Interview Test. Candidates who achieve a passing score of 70% and above on the Oral Panel Interview Test, will be certified on an employment Eligibility List and may be contacted for an in-person interview.
SELECTION PROCESS
Offers of employment may be subject to successful completion of a pre-employment background check, fingerprint clearance, and a physical examination, including a drug test. An additional condition of employment includes employment verification and authorization to work in the United States, by completing the I-9 verification form designated by Immigration and Naturalization Services.
PLEASE NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract or offer of employment expressed or implied.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
Individuals with qualified disabilities as defined by the ADA and FEHA, who need reasonable accommodation to participate in any of the examinations administered by the City of Ceres, must notify the Human Resources Department in writing prior to the final filing date for this recruitment. Official documentation of your functional limitations may be required.
THE CITY OF CERES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY