Utility Worker (Collection & Distribution)

Position Summary

Performs semi-skilled work in the construction, repair, restoration, and maintenance of water and sanitary sewer systems. Utility workers are typically working as members of a crew engaged in maintenance and repair activities in support of Prince William Water operations. Employees operate automotive and/or mechanical equipment relating to the completion of the above tasks. Locates, marks, and protects underground sanitary sewer and water lines, and their related structures and fixtures. Demonstrates a commitment and supports a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Position Responsibilities / Essential Job Functions

Operations and Maintenance Division:

• Work as part of a crew to assist in the maintenance, repair, and construction of water and sewer lines including mains and service lines.
• Assist in maintaining, inspecting, and reducing infiltration and inflow into the sanitary sewer collection system.
• Provide services for water and sewer main excavation, repair, and new installations; sewer manhole and water valve maintenance and repair and installation; sewer and water main easement maintenance; sewer and water main flushing and root removal, as well as other general water and sewer work.
• Assist in maintaining, inspecting, and reducing leaks in the water distribution system.
• Rehabilitate manholes including inspection, grouting, parging, raising and lowering, resetting frames and voers, and installing inflow inserts. Repairs and replaces cleanout caps. Assist homeowners and contractors to locate and identify problems and structural failures and defects. Respond to customer needs and requests and investigate problems.
• Perform manual field locating and marking of sanitary sewer mains, laterals, manholes, water mains, service lines, and other related structures as requested. Locate and mark the horizontal location of water and sewer facilities following existing construction codes.
• Meet contractors/construction personnel on-site to verify or confirm utility locations provide any other necessary information and answer questions about work.
• Perform field recovery work and prepare sketches of existing water and sewer facilities depicting the dimensional location of valves, manholes, and related fittings.
• Assist with the processing of VA811 Miss Utility tickets, including preparation of paperwork and gathering and recording information needed to complete and process the ticket.
• Sets up and perform safe traffic control of personnel and equipment while performing duties in streets and roadways.
• Participate in inspecting all new sanitary sewer systems to ensure construction complies with standards and specifications.
• Repair, replace, and install sanitary water and sewer connections, lines (mains and laterals), and related facilities including unstopping sanitary sewer lines (mains and laterals).
• Perform miscellaneous maintenance duties. Operate jackhammers and saws to remove concrete and asphalt. Set, form, pours concrete, and assists in finishing concrete sidewalks. Inspect, repair, replace, and paint fire hydrants, and miscellaneous structures and equipment. Patch and seal asphalt. May repave sections of roads using an asphalt roller.
• Assist in the daily maintenance, repair, and upkeep of all equipment used in the performance of duties. Maintain shop area and shop equipment.
• Operate a variety of automotive and mechanical equipment in connection with the above tasks i.e., dump truck, pickup truck, service truck, flushing truck, loader/backhoe, excavator, trailer, and tamper; load and unload dirt, gravel, and other materials as required. Operate riding and push mower, chainsaw, and weed whacker to clear easements; cut and trim grass, and seed and maintain water and sewer line rights-of-way as required.
• Act as a yard attendant disbursing and resupplying fuel, supplies, and materials as required.
• Repair other structures such as buildings, vaults, and wet wells.
• Restore areas disturbed by digging.
• Monitor sewer flows during high infiltration periods.
• Use the GIS system to provide field-observed updates to Enterprise Asset Management/GIS.
• Participate in an on-call program.

Environmental Services and Water Reclamation:

• Assist in the daily maintenance, repair, and upkeep of all equipment used in the performance of duties. Maintains shop area and shop equipment.
• Operate dump truck, pickup truck, service truck, flushing truck, loaders/backhoe, and load and unload dirt, gravel, and other materials as required. Operate riding and push mowers, cut and trim grass, seed, and maintain sewer or water line right-of-ways as required.
• Act as a yard attendant disbursing fuel, supplies, and materials as required including yard cleanup.
• Repair structures other than sewer systems, i.e., buildings, vaults, and wet wells. Restore areas disturbed by digging.
• Operate settling basins to capture ash from a sewage sludge incinerator. Use an articulated 4x4 front-end loader to remove ash from settling basins to drying beds. Load dried ash in a tandem dump truck and haul it to the county landfill.
• Plow snow and transport essential personnel. Coordinate service of Water Reclamation vehicles with Fleet Maintenance.
• Liaison with landscape contract. Receive and deliver supplies including fuel oil.
• Perform minor building, equipment, and landscape maintenance.
• Haul dewatered biosolids from water reclamation facility to disposal sites when required.
• Operate a variety of automotive and mechanical equipment in connection with the above tasks.

All Divisions/Departments:

• Operate a Prince William Water vehicle.
• May be deemed essential at any time.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

Essential Skills and Experience

Essential Competencies:

• Knowledge of operation, and preventive maintenance of common automotive and mechanical equipment; traffic laws and regulations governing equipment operation; basic construction and maintenance procedures; occupational hazards and necessary safety precautions involved in equipment operation; basic math skills; English usage, spelling, and grammar.
• Ability to perform manual labor for extended periods, regardless of weather conditions; communicate effectively; operate a Prince William Water vehicle observing legal and defensive driving practices; follow established policy and procedures in the performance of duties; understand and carry out oral and written instructions; work cooperatively with others.

Minimum Education and Work Experience:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Or a combination of education and experience as described above.

Required Licenses/Certifications and Other Special Requirements:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license consistent with Prince William Water policy requirements.
• Valid Class A Commercial Driver's License with Tanker and Air Brake endorsement upon hire or required to obtain and maintain within 120 days of employment in this position.
• Valid Medical Examiner's Card from passing a Virginia Department of Transportation (DOT) physical upon hire or required to obtain and maintain within 120 days of employment in this position.

Operations and Maintenance Only:

• Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) flagger certification and basic Work Zone Traffic Control Certification upon hire or required to obtain and maintain within 90 days of employment in this position.

Inflow and Infiltration Department only:

• Valid NASSCO'S PACP certification upon hire or required to obtain and maintain within one year of employment in this position.

Minimum Lead/Supervisory or Management Experience:

• None.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands of this position are available upon request. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications do not express absolute employment or promotional standards. They are general guidelines that should be considered along with the job-related selection or promotional criteria.