FT Water Superintendent - DPS

Title: Water Superintendent

Direct Report: Commissioner of Public Services

Department: Public Services - Water

Grade: 20

Hours: 40 hours per week - Monday - Friday: 7:10 am - 3:40 pm

Bargaining Unit: AFSCME, Local 111 - Foremen

Summary

This role leads, manages and coordinates skilled, semiskilled, and unskilled workers in the daily operations, as well as seasonal and annual maintenance tasks for water distribution, potable water storage, sanitary sewer pump/lift stations. Performs inspections of work performed by contractors, including water main, water service, and water meter installations and repairs. The position serves as the City's Cross Connection Control Coordinator ensuring proper management of backflow prevention as prescribed by Massachusetts regulations. Collaborate with the Engineering Division for the management of the water meter and backflow programs. Furthermore, This role supports the planning and logistics associated with special events and collaborates with the Infrastructure Superintendent during snow and ice management operations.

Supervision

Supervision Scope: This role involves a range of diverse and significant responsibilities that demand specialized technical expertise and a comprehensive understanding of division operations. It requires the application of sound judgment and initiative, especially in circumstances that lack clear guidelines or established protocols.

Supervision Received: Operates under the broad direction of the Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner, adhering to all applicable rules, regulations, and policies. Responsibilities necessitate the capability to plan and execute operations, independently complete tasks, and establish and adhere to timelines.

Supervision Given: Supervises all permanent staff, trainees, cooperative education students, interns, and seasonal personnel within the Division. Provides general oversight and supervision of contractors performing work on behalf of the City.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions or duties listed below 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.


Leadership, Personnel & Workforce Management

• Supervise, direct, train and schedule staff.
• Assist in recruitment, discipline and termination recommendations.
• Review timecards for accuracy and proper allocation of overtime.
• Enhance efficiency and effectiveness of all operations under supervision.
• Schedule, assign, and oversee work crews.
• Assess job completion and employee performance.
• Provide initial conflict resolution.

Administrative Operations

• Prioritize daily schedule for Division employees.
• Develop and execute maintenance and repair procedures and schedules.
• Engage in the development, planning, scheduling, and execution of projects.
• Track work orders and establish preventative maintenance programs.
• Maintain accurate records of work progress and completed tasks.
• Provide a clean and well-organized work environment.

Financial & Procurement Services

• Assists with and provides recommendations for annual budget.
• Assists with preparation of bid specifications.
• Prepare cost estimates for proposed work.
• Conduct inventory and order materials and supplies.

Customer Service, Communications & Public Outreach

• Review, respond to, and prioritize public inquiries.
• Communicates and collaborates with department heads, colleagues, utilities, contractors and vendors to schedule repairs or service.

Equipment & Fleet Management

• Ensure proper usage and storage of tools, fleet and equipment.
• Operates light, medium, and heavy equipment, including commercial trucks.
• Report equipment deficiencies to Fleet Division.
• Operate and maintain specialized equipment.

Infrastructure Construction & Maintenance

• Oversees water meter maintenance program.
• Manage and oversee the installation and repair of water mains, water services, and water meters.
• Oversee the maintenance and operation of all municipal pump stations.
• Inspect contractors water utility connections and service installations.
• Manage water distribution maintenance programs.
• Manages Cross Connection Control Program.
• Provides Dig Safe/utility mark outs. Responds to and resolves shut offs.

Enforcement, Compliance & Safety

• Maintain comprehensive understanding of local, state, and federal regulations.
• Stay updated with industry standards and best practices.
• Provide training on safe work practices and enforce implementation of safety measures.
• Enforce safety practices including work zone safety, confined space entry, aerial and excavation safety.
• Ensure use of proper protective clothing and equipment.

Special Projects, Events & Emergency Response

• Manages, responds and reports on sanitary sewer overflows at municipal pump stations.
• Oversee event setup and logistics and manage the closure and restriction of road access.
• Understand, maintain, train and execute associated emergency response plans.
• Provide support for emergency response.

Winter Operations Management

• Collaborates with the Infrastructure Superintendent during snow and ice management operations.
• Oversee the readiness of equipment used for snow and ice operations.

Additional Duties

• Serves as the City's Cross Connection Control Coordinator.
• Perform physical labor to support crews when needed.
• Perform or assist with special projects and other duties as required, directed or as situations dictate.

Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience

High School Diploma or equivalent plus seven to ten (7-10) years of experience in installation, repair and maintenance of water pipelines, mains and related utility services or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience are required. Familiarity with pumps and pumping systems is highly desirable. Three (3) years' experience planning and supervising the work of others is required. Computer literacy is highly desired.

Special Requirements

• Valid Class B Commercial driver's license with air brake and tank endorsements or the ability to obtain a valid Commercial Driver's License within the first 6 months of employment.
• Valid Class 2B Massachusetts Hoisting License is required.
• Waste Water System Operator/Collector desirable.
• Grade 3D Massachusetts Water System Distribution License is required.
• Massachusetts Water System Treatment License desirable.
• Cross Connection Inspector/Surveyor is required.
• First Aid/CPR/AED Certification within 90 days of being hired unless such deadline is extended.

Knowledge , Skills and Abilities

• Mastery of leadership and supervision including recruitment, training and safety enforcement.
• Ability to lead and direct daily division operations balancing routine and emergent needs.
• Ability to supervise daily operations of the division.
• Basic skills in computer use.
• Advanced proficiency in scheduling, inventory control, budget preparation, bid specifications, work order tracking, and preventative maintenance.
• Subject matter expertise in municipal organizations, departmental coordination, and municipally operated assets.
• Technical fluency in coordination with department heads, contractors, inspectors, vendors, utilities, and the public.
• Expert-level knowledge of water distribution systems per Massachusetts Grade 3D Water System Distribution License, potable water storage, pump/lift stations, water mains, services, meters, and backflow devices.
• Expert proficiency in installation, maintenance, repair, and inspection of water mains, services, meters, and pump stations.
• Ability to inspect contractor work and private utility installations.
• Specialized expertise in Cross Connection Control Program, backflow prevention, water meter maintenance programs, pumps/pumping systems and safety codes.
• Ability to serve as Cross Connection Control Coordinator.
• Mastery of local, state, and federal regulations, environmental practices, and safety codes.
• Ability to manage emergency response during weather events and unforeseen situations.
• Ability to perform physical labor.
• Ability to create and maintain detailed and accurate records.
• Ability to maintain quality control through inspection protocols and accurate recordkeeping.
• Ability to make sound decisions and use appropriate judgment.
• Ability to demonstrate tact, initiative, and basic problem-solving skills.
• Proficient written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to deal courteously with the public.
• Knowledge of the tools and equipment, practices, procedures, and materials of the trade.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described 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 functions.


Close, distance, color, peripheral vision, and depth perception are required. The employee must be able to communicate effectively, as well as hear and smell. Additionally, the role necessitates occasionally sitting, and frequent activities such as standing, walking, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and reaching with hands and arms. Frequently the employee is required to be able to lift up to 50 pounds, occasionally lift up to 100 pounds and rarely over 100 pounds. This position requires the ability to operate commercial vehicles, heavy equipment, and a variety of power, and manual tools.

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


The employee regularly interacts with the public, vendors, contractors, various City divisions and departments, local elected officials, and occasionally with State agencies. Contact is in person, in writing and by phone.

Work is performed in an environment that ranges from quiet to very high noise levels.

The employee has access to confidential information.

The job involves working in indoor and outdoor environments, often at significant heights, sub-surface or underground and in hazardous conditions, including exposure to toxic or corrosive substances, fumes, and airborne particles. Employees may face extreme temperatures unrelated to weather, operate near moving machinery, encounter electrical hazards and experience vibration.

Errors could result in personal injury/loss, delays or loss of service, monetary loss, injuries to other employees, environmental impacts, damage to buildings and/or equipment, and legal ramifications.

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