Wastewater Collections Senior Equipment Operator

Under the direction of the assigned supervisor, the Wastewater Collections Senior Equipment Operator performs advanced, journey‑level operation of heavy motorized equipment and vehicles in support of City infrastructure projects, including drainage systems, right‑of‑way work, sewer collection systems, utility installation, and related maintenance activities. This position performs complex equipment operations and coordinates field maintenance tasks requiring a high degree of technical skill, precision, and independent judgment. This classification differs from the Wastewater Collections Equipment Operator in that it performs more specialized and technically advanced work, and from the Lead Maintenance Worker in that it focuses on expert equipment operation rather than full crew supervision and broader operational oversight. Responsibilities Operate advanced heavy equipment such as combination vacuum/jetting units, backhoes, dump trucks, loaders, graders, dozers, and trenching equipment to maintain, repair, and rehabilitate sewer and stormwater systems. Perform high‑skill excavation, trenching, backfilling, bypass pumping setup, and site preparation for infrastructure maintenance and emergency response. Lead and coordinate equipment operations during complex projects, including CCTV inspections, mainline cleaning, manhole rehabilitation, and storm drain maintenance. Oversee confined space entry setup, including ventilation, retrieval systems, and gas detection equipment, ensuring compliance with safety protocols. Coordinate transport, mobilization, and staging of heavy equipment and support vehicles to and from job sites. Provide on‑site training and technical guidance to crew members on equipment operation, field procedures, and safety standards. Respond to system blockages, infiltration/inflow incidents, pump failures, and emergency overflows; assist in diagnosing issues and implementing corrective actions. Read and interpret sewer maps, plans, and dig alert markings; prepare reports on damaged infrastructure and recommend corrective actions. Complete operational reports, service documentation, and regulatory compliance records. Participate in emergency standby duty, after‑hours service response, and storm event operations as required. Safely operate City vehicles and equipment. Perform other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned. Education and Experience High school diploma or GED equivalent and four (4) years of experience in public works or underground utilities, including heavy equipment operation and the repair and installation of underground utilities. Licenses / Certifications Must possess a valid California Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License with tanker endorsement. Must possess a valid California Environment Water Association (CWEA) Collection System Maintenance Certification, Grade I. Must possess a National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO) certification. Flagger certification is desired. Confined space certification is desired. Knowledge of Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and codes governing wastewater and stormwater operations, including State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) standards. City administrative policies, operational procedures, and safety regulations related to wastewater equipment operations. Advanced heavy equipment operation methods for excavation, lifting, paving, and system repair. Hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical systems used in vacuum and jetting equipment. Trenchless rehabilitation methods, including slip‑lining, pipe bursting, and cured‑in‑place pipe (CIPP) repair. Advanced inspection, cleaning, and rehabilitation techniques using closed‑circuit television (CCTV) and remote monitoring systems. Traffic control design, work zone safety, and construction site management standards set forth in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD). Emergency response and recovery procedures for sewer overflows and hazardous material incidents. Environmental protection and pollution prevention practices for wastewater operations. Preventive maintenance, fleet management, and equipment inspection protocols. Principles of on‑site leadership, technical supervision, and employee development. Project coordination, documentation, and reporting practices. Engineering plans, specifications, and as‑built drawings. Reporting and recordkeeping requirements of the California Integrated Water Quality System (CIWQS) and the Statewide Sanitary Sewer Systems Waste Discharge Requirements (SSS WDRs). Coordination procedures with contractors, consultants, utilities, and other outside agencies. Modern technology tools including GIS, CMMS, spreadsheet applications, and maintenance databases. English usage, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and mathematics used in technical and administrative documentation. Skills and Ability to Deliver professional customer service and represent the City with integrity. Apply independent judgment and advanced technical expertise in the operation of specialized wastewater equipment. Safely and efficiently operate, inspect, and maintain complex equipment, including combination vacuum/jetting trucks, loaders, cranes, and trenchless rehabilitation systems. Troubleshoot and diagnose hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical malfunctions in field equipment. Train and mentor staff in the safe and effective use of equipment, tools, and maintenance practices. Coordinate field assignments, monitor work progress, and ensure compliance with operational standards and safety regulations. Perform precision excavation, grading, and backfilling for pipeline repairs and installations. Read and interpret engineering plans, blueprints, and specifications to ensure accurate project execution. Develop and implement traffic control plans in accordance with the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD). Apply confined space, gas detection, and hazardous materials safety procedures per the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) requirements. Manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to emergencies. Calculate project costs, materials, and time estimates accurately for planning and documentation. Communicate clearly and effectively with coworkers, supervisors, and outside contractors in both written and verbal forms. Operate and maintain computer‑based systems for work management, reporting, and data collection, including the California Integrated Water Quality System (CIWQS), geographic information systems (GIS), and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS). Maintain detailed work logs, inspection reports, and regulatory documentation with accuracy and completeness. Lead and support crews in maintaining compliance with environmental and operational standards. Promote teamwork, safety awareness, and accountability among field personnel. Demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, and adaptability in dynamic field conditions. (Must be performed with or without reasonable accommodations) Physical Demands This position works primarily in an outdoor environment walking on/in level, uneven, and slippery surfaces. Positions in this class typically require balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions with or without reasonable accommodation. Very Heavy Work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally (up to 1/3 of workday), and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of workday), and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly (2/3 or more of workday) to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Heavy Work. The incumbent may be subjected to machinery and its moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, intense noise, travel, and environmental conditions such as wide temperature variations, fumes, pollens/grasses, smoke, grease, odors, and dust. The incumbent must be able to see and hear in the normal range, with or without correction and must be able to work an irregular schedule, including weekends, holidays, evenings, and/or varying shifts. #J-18808-Ljbffr City of Victorville