Water Resources Services Technician

Utilities Water Quality Technician

Responds to customer complaints, installs bulk and residential water meters, performs functions related backflow prevention, and performs other technical related tasks to ensure water quality is maintained.

Position functions five (5) percent indoors and ninety-five (95) percent outdoors with exposure to all types of weather and traffic conditions, mechanical, electrical, explosive, and burn hazards, fumes, dusts, odors, and gases. Protective clothing includes safety shoes, vest, ear plugs, SCBA equipment, sound attenuator, gloves, hard hat, safety visor, and glasses.

Heavy physical effort is required to perform job functions including constant balancing, bending/stooping, climbing into and out of man holes, moving around construction sites with uneven terrain, and lifting repair fittings, mechanical joint fittings, C900 pipe, meter boxes and other water components weighing up to fifty (50) pounds from ground to shoulder height. Push/Pulling manhole and meter vault lids weighing up to ninety (90) pounds. Sufficient clarity of speech, hearing, or other communication capabilities, vision or other powers of observation, manual dexterity, and personal mobility and physical reflexes sufficient to effectively and efficiently perform essential job functions.

Position involves competing demands, performing multiple tasks, working to deadlines, and responding to customer issues. It may also involve emergency situations, shift-work, work on holidays, weekends, nights, overtime and standby status. Precise limits, tolerances and standards must be met. Regular attendance is an essential function of the job to ensure continuity of services. Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Las Cruces policies.

Meeting or exceeding the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process. FIRST CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO CURRENT CITY OF LAS CRUCES EMPLOYEES WHO MEET ALL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Position will be advertised as continuous until filled, with periodic review of applications. Full-Time; Regular; Non-Exempt; Union-Represented. This position is a grade BC12.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs, provides, and delivers professional trouble-shooting activities of the municipal water distribution system to identify and remedy problems and malfunctions; ensures safe, effective operations in accordance with all applicable rules, regulations, and laws.
• Investigates, evaluates, and resolves customer complaints of water difficulties within one day of receipt of the complaint to maintain positive relations with residents.
• Removes, repairs, and installs water meters, fire hydrants, and other capital improvement projects of the distribution system in accordance with established timelines and objectives.
• Operates, runs, and employs dump truck, a two and one-half ton truck pulling a backhoe, various trailers, and other related equipment to perform daily functions.
• Performs a variety of tests on water distribution system components to ensure water quality standards are maintained.
• Installs, tests, and maintains backflow preventers used for bulk water meters and performs field monitoring of backflow prevention devices to ensure proper functionality.
• Maintains accurate and timely records of all repairs, maintenance, and malfunctions to generate related reports.
• Performs Blue Stakes location of utilities as requested to minimize the risk of damage to the system during construction and service outages to customers.
• Responsible for the evaluation, coordination, and oversight of all bulk water accounts; generates accurate reports as needed and directed.
• May operate various light equipment required to perform required functions to meet the need of the specific job; may perform preventive maintenance and minor repair on light equipment.
• Assumes responsibilities of the crew leaders as needed to ensure effective and efficient operations.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or GED AND four (4) years of experience in the construction/installation of water systems. A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy. Licenses/Certification(s) Valid Class A commercial driver's license is required. Position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City of Las Cruces policies. NM Level III Water Certification is required. Backflow Prevention Assembly Testing Certification must be obtained within one (1) year.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: principles, practices, techniques, activities, rules, and regulations related to the operations and functions of the position and services provided; occupational and environmental safety and health hazards, and safety practices; operations, services and activities of a water distribution system; methods and techniques of general construction, maintenance and repair; backflow prevention, regulations, and laws; current principles of record keeping and records management; principles and practices of effective research methods and data analysis, customer service, and problem resolution techniques; occupational and environmental safety and health hazards, and safety practices; safe and effective use and maintenance of related tools, materials, and equipment; current methods and standards for preparing effective business correspondence; correct English usage, grammar, composition, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary; business and personal computers and related software applications; City organization, operations, policies, and procedures to effectively perform the required functions and duties of the position. Ability to: perform a variety of duties and responsibilities and assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects, and demands to meet deadlines; ensure appropriate levels of customer service to achieve expectations and meet objectives; read, understand, and assure compliance with a variety of policies, procedures, rules, standards, and regulations governing related activities and functions; collect applicable information and maintain accurate and timely records; maintain confidentiality of information and data; communicate effectively orally and in writing and use interpersonal skills to sufficiently exchange or convey information and receive work direction; prepare and present accurate and reliable information and reports; establish and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public; respond effectively to emergency situations; operate a two-way communication device to communicate with crews and supervisors; firmly and impartially supervise, coach, lead and direct the activities of staff; safely and effectively operate relevant hand and power tools, equipment, and motorized vehicles; detect needed repairs and make necessary operational adjustments on equipment; work effectively in confined spaces, use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) equipment and pass annual confined-space physical; navigate across even and uneven surfaces; timely and accurately enter data and update records using various mediums and formats; take initiative and exercise sound independent judgment within established procedural guidelines and carry out primary responsibilities in accordance with all governing regulations, statutes, and procedures to ensure achievement of goals and objectives. Skills in: reading, understanding, and applying relevant rules, ordinances, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures; effectively managing assignments; responding to inquiries timely and within the scope of delegated authority; responding appropriately, maintaining objectivity and freedom from prejudice, and exercising sound judgment and understanding in all interactions; effectively working independently, or as a team member, in various environments with changing priorities; preparing and presenting various reports, documents, forms, and correspondence; researching information, analyzing data, maintaining accurate records, and updating information in various mediums and formats; operating a personal computer with installed generic and specialized software; preparing and presenting information in a clear and concise manner; demonstrating appropriate and effective interpersonal communication and conflict resolution skills; performing highly effective support in assigned areas.