Equipment Operator I-Utilities (Water Distribution)

Job Title

To operate a variety of machinery and equipment in the performance of a variety of semi-skilled and skilled tasks in the construction, maintenance and repair of City streets, water and wastewater lines and related facilities. 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 of the work unit. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement. When filled from outside, requires direct related work experience. Participates in labor activities necessary to completing assigned tasks.

Examples of Duties

Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

• Operate, maintain and perform minor repairs on a variety of machinery and equipment including backhoe, tapping machine, pipe cutters, jack hammer, pumps, wastewater machine and line locator.
• Maintain system and repair problems occurring within the water distribution and wastewater collection system.
• Dig up water and wastewater lines; locate water line leaks and breaks and clamp; assist in repairs; refill trenches after repairs have been made.
• Respond to service calls concerning water and sewer utilities emergencies or problems on a stand-by basis; work to reduce state of emergency and correct problems; perform overtime duties as necessary or required in order to maintain proper functioning order.
• Locate water and wastewater lines; perform water and wastewater taps for new service.
• Remove concrete and asphalt to locate water or wastewater line problem areas; repair broken water and wastewater lines; install new pipe and connectors; replace asphalt or concrete.
• Inspect and clean manholes; construct and rebuild manholes; repair inverts in manhole floors and other problems.
• Mix, pour and finish concrete for manholes, sidewalks and municipal driveways.
• Maintain, clean and perform minor repairs on assigned vehicle; maintain proper fluid levels.
• Disconnect and connect water service.
• Clean and maintain order of work areas.
• Operate the wastewater jet to unclog blockage.
• Install and repair fire hydrants.
• Respond to service calls concerning water and wastewater utilities emergencies or problems on a stand-by basis; work to reduce state of emergency and correct problems; perform overtime duties as necessary or required in order to maintain proper functioning order as assigned.
• Read water meters as directed, which includes driving to water meter locations; reading water meters on an assigned route; recording reading information on hand held meter device; reporting any abnormal readings, leaks, damages or tampering; loading/unloading hand-helds, printing related reports as needed and handling problems with hand held equipment as needed.
• Perform re-reads on water meters when unusually low or high readings have been recorded.
• Clear area around meter boxes for accessibility as necessary.
• Assist in pulling meters and/or changing out meters as necessary.
• Answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints.

Additional Duties:

• Perform related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Qualifications

Knowledge

• General construction methods and practices.
• Procedures, practices and installation of fire hydrant repair.
• Operation and maintenance requirements of a variety of machinery and equipment utilized in the performance of job assignments.
• Practices and techniques for repairing and maintaining equipment.
• Standard practices and procedures for assigned division.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

One year of modern construction methods.

Education/Training:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

License(s)/Certification(s):

• Possession of valid driver's license.
• Possession of a Class A or B CDL, or ability to obtain within six (6) months if/when requested by supervisor.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.
• Frequently required to stand and climb or balance.
• Occasionally required to walk and sit.
• Regularly required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Frequently required to lift and/or move 100 pounds.
• Regularly required to use close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• Regularly works in outside weather conditions.
• Regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, extreme cold, and extreme heat.
• Frequently works near moving mechanical parts.
• Frequently exposed to vibration.
• Occasionally works in high, precarious places.
• Occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and risk of electric shock.
• Noise level is usually very loud.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

This job description is not an employment agreement, contact agreement, or contract. Management has exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, holidays, vacation, and sick leave. Part-time employees who work an average of more than 1,000 hours per year (more than 20 per week throughout the year), receive benefits on a pro-rated basis.

City of Gainesville

200 S Rusk St Gainesville, Texas, 76240

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