Water Systems Crew Leader

Job Title

Leads, trains, and oversees the work of a crew engaged in the construction, maintenance, and repair of the water production and distribution system.

Nature of Work

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, open manholes, trench cave-ins, toxic chemicals, gases and moving vehicles and equipment, fumes, dusts and odors. 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; working in confined spaces; using a two-way radio. 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, responding to customer issues; may involve shift work; work on holidays, weekends, nights and overtime; may be on standby. Work may involve stressful emergency situations. Precise limits, tolerances and standards must be met. Regular attendance is an essential function of this 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Schedules, assigns, and oversees daily activities of work crew; inspects, evaluates, and checks that all completed work is in compliance with standards and safety requirements, provides on-the-job training to new employees, instructs crew on proper work procedures, and serves as technical support to other workers; provides input into performance evaluation of crew members, maintains work records, time reports, and logbooks, and serves as the acting supervisor as necessary.
• Leads, supports, and participates in the installation, service, and repair of water distribution service and main lines; blue stakes water lines, digs meter vaults, conducts pipe locations, and checks stub outs.
• Builds sewer manholes; raises sewer manholes buried under pavement and replaces sidewalks.
• Completes written reports and work orders; interacts with the public regarding water system maintenance activities.
• Operates heavy equipment, including a backhoe and sewer truck, and standard construction tools on work projects.
• Maintains inventory of supplies, tools, and equipment for use at work sites; performs general and preventative maintenance, inspects equipment, and ensures safety and functionality of all operating equipment and tools.
• Reviews, maintains, and updates records in various formats, mediums, and automated systems to ensure data integrity and adherence to internal controls, practices, policies; demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless services.
• Provides performance feedback, trains, and instructs employees to meet established goals and objectives; participates in staff evaluations with designated supervisor to provide impartial feedback regarding performance; assures that staff maintain safety standards and adhere to policies and procedures for efficient and safe operations.
• Ensures that traffic, public, and crew members are safe and are following safety regulations and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma, GED AND PLUS four (4) years of experience in water distribution systems operations. A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy. 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 required. NMDOT Supervisor Traffic Control certification required within 18 months of hire.

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; Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), OSHA and EPA regulations; principles and practices of effective employee supervision; 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: lead, assign and oversee the work of a crew; operate various motorized light equipment and vehicles; read, understand and interpret engineering drawings, sketches, specifications and regulations regarding natural gas distribution; operate a computer for data entry and GIS map access; work with high pressure water lines; perform technical reading and writing; maintain concentration; work in confined spaces; respond effectively to emergency situations; 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; safely and effectively operate relevant tools, equipment, and motorized vehicles; 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; utilizing hand and power tools; 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.