Equipment Operator - Water & Sewer Department

Equipment Operator - Water/Sewer

Location: Water/Sewer, Department of Public Works

Position: Grade 4, full-time, benefit eligible

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week Mon-Fri, mandatory participation in town-wide emergencies and snow and ice removal operations.

Reports To: Chief Water Distribution Operator and Chief Water Treatment Operator

Number Of Openings: 1

Pay Range: $28.23 to $35.92 in eight steps

Nature Of Work

Assists supervisor in any and all phases of the work, performs skilled work as determined and assigned by supervisor for the Town's public water supply and treatment systems. Makes frequent contact with co-workers and residents requiring calm, clear and courteous communication.

Supervision Received

Works under the general supervision of the Water/Sewer supervisors. Operates equipment based on supervisor's general instructions who reviews performance for skill and efficiency and assist in cases of difficulty.

Supervisory Responsibility

Supervises temporary or seasonal employees as assigned.

Confidentiality

Employee has regular access to confidential information of the department. Confidentiality must be maintained with regard to this information and in accordance with Department Policy and the Public Records Act.

Accountability

Consequences or errors, missed deadlines or poor judgment may include adverse public relations, monetary loss, legal repercussions, labor/material costs, personal injury, jeopardize programs, and danger to public health/safety.

Judgment

Guidelines may be given verbally, or through administrative or organizational policies or directives. Employee is expected to weigh efficiency and relative priorities in performing tasks to avoid breakdowns, handle emergency situations and ensure public and environmental safety in the operation of the public water supply and related systems.

Complexity

The work consists of the practical application of a variety of concepts, practices and specialized techniques relating to water/sewer treatment, systems and maintenance.

Nature And Purpose Of Public Contact

Employee interacts frequently with Town employees and the public. Excellent customer service skills are required involving courtesy, tact, and diplomacy.

Essential Functions

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statement of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or logical assignment to the position:

• Assists as an operator of the department's equipment, including all pumps, compressors and similar portable equipment.
• Installs, repairs and reads water meters and keeps associated records through the use of remote reading devices.
• Marks out underground water/sewer piping for Dig Safe requests.
• Performs general repairs of water mains and service lines.
• Provides labor for flushing, greasing, pumping and painting fire hydrants
• Assists in gate valve exercising and full system flushing program.
• Provides labor for performing road maintenance when connected with water operations.
• Provides labor for the inspection of the installation of water mains.
• Assists in maintaining treatment facilities and grounds,
• Assist in taking physical inventory of stock materials.
• Interprets and obtains information and sketches from various records for locating underground utilities.
• Assist in leak survey program.
• Assist in valve inspection program.
• Trains new employees and cross trains with co-workers in performing assigned duties.
• Operates, maintains and inspects stand by engines and generators to provide uninterrupted water and sewer service in the event of power failures.
• Accepts deliveries of supplies and equipment.
• Assists with grounds maintenance work at all facilities including mowing, string trimming, chain sawing, leaf and brush removal.
• Performs similar tasks as assigned, including functions of those in a lower classification.
• Is available for overtime and call backs in the event of emergencies.
• Participates in town-wide snow and ice removal operations.
• Assists in the operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment plant, associated lift stations, grinder pumps and collection systems for the Town's shared septic and sewer systems.

Recommended Minimum Qualification

Education and Experience: Must have a high school diploma or equivalent, two years of full time water distribution or comparable work experience and prior and demonstrable ability to deal effectively with fellow employees, supervisors and the general public or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Special Requirements: Must possess valid Massachusetts Drivers License, Grade 1 Distribution Full Operator certification, Hydraulics and CDL Class B licenses.

Knowledge, Abilities And Skill:

- Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations pertaining to water/sewer distribution and treatment operations.

- Considerable and demonstrable skill, in the use of tools and the operation of equipment required in the performance of water/sewer distribution and treatment work.

- Ability to deal appropriately and harmoniously with public officials, the general public, supervisors and co-workers.

Work Environment

The nature of duties may involve continuous presence of unpleasant or irritating elements, such as noise, odors, chemical fumes, dust, smoke, heat, cold, oil, dirt, or grease. Work is performed indoors and outdoors regardless of weather conditions.

Occupational Risks

Duties regularly present potential risks of injuries from improper exposure that could result in loss of time from work. Examples of injuries include, but are not limited to, burns from chemical, muscular strains, falls from heights, and illness from exposure to communicable diseases. Special safety precautions, training, or protective clothing such as coats, gloves, glasses, hats or boots will be required.

Physical And Mental Requirements

Physical Demands: Work requires regular physical strength and effort daily, such as, lifting heavy objects up to 50 lbs (or more in cases of emergency and/or with assistance), carrying objects and stacking them. In addition, pulling, pushing, standing, or walking for the full workday may be involved.

Motor Skills: Duties involve close hand and eye coordination and physical dexterity. Manipulation and motor control may require extreme accuracy.

Visual Demands: Visual demands include reading documents for general understanding, routinely reviewing non-written materials and the need for color vision.

Benefits

75% town/25% employee paid: health insurance; Blue Cross and Blue Shield PPO & HMO plans

Basic term life insurance ($5,000)

Defined benefit pension

Medical and dependent care flexible spending account