Distribution System Operator/Construction & Maintenance Worker

Salary : $64,771.20 - $78,728.00 Annually

Location : Oakdale, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 2024-07

Department: Water Operations/SCADA/Engineering

Division: Water Operations

Opening Date: 05/10/2024

Closing Date: 5/24/2024 5:00 PM Pacific

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit: OE3

Definition

DEFINITION
This position incorporates two job classifications and duties for the District. During the irrigation season this position operates under the Water Operations Department as a Distribution System Operator and during the non-irrigation season operates under the Construction and Maintenance Department as a Construction and Maintenance Worker. The irrigation season, depending on weather and District operations, can begin as early as March 1st and end as late as October 31st. Job duties for each classification are specified as follows:

Distribution System Operator: Under general supervision of the Water Operations Manager and working through the Ag Water Operations Manager and various Water Operation Supervisors, to perform a variety of semi-skilled and skilled duties in the scheduling and distribution of irrigation water to irrigators; perform minor repair work in, on and around irrigation works including cleaning and maintenance of irrigation canals, ditches, and structures as necessary to assure: (1) safe access to facilities, (2) proper operation of works, and (3) the proper conveyance and distribution of irrigation water; and perform related work as required.

Manage and control water for irrigation purposes and related duties for the extent of the irrigation season, working twelve (12) hours per shift, inclusive of -hour unpaid lunch break. As specified by the Water Operations Manager, Distribution System Operators will be assigned to work either the day shift or night shift schedule. The work schedule will typically include seven (7) consecutive workdays, and seven (7) consecutive days off throughout the irrigation season. The day shift schedule commences at 6:00 a.m. and concludes at 6:00 p.m. The night shift schedule commences at 5:30 p.m. and concludes at 5:30 a.m. the following morning. Work schedule and shift assignment are subject to change at the District's discretion.

Construction and Maintenance Worker: Under general supervision of the Construction & Maintenance Manager and working through various Field Operations Supervisors, to perform a variety of semi-skilled and skilled duties in the construction, repair, cleaning, and maintenance of irrigation canals, ditches, pipelines, pump lines, and structures; and to perform other duties as assigned.

This position may be assigned an Alternative Work Schedule (AWS) consisting of either a 4/10 or 9/80 schedule. Typically, during the non-irrigation season the 9/80 work schedule is assigned which consists of 9.5 hours per shift, inclusive of -hour unpaid lunch, Monday through Thursday with every other Friday off. The Friday that is scheduled to be worked is an 8.5-hour shift, inclusive of -hour unpaid lunch. Work schedule may vary depending upon District operations.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Employees of this class should have attained the degree of experience allowing them to function independently in a variety of irrigation and maintenance assignments with exceptional skill and efficiency. At times, employees may also be expected to assist in the cross-training of less experienced personnel.
Examples of Essential Duties

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OPERATOR
This work is extremely physical in nature, and it is essential that the employee be physically and mentally able to work as outlined under the "Typical Physical and Mental Activities" section of this job description.

Accurately and completely follow the Rules and Regulations Establishing the Essential Duties of Distribution System Operators.

Personally contact irrigators to determine the number of acres that will be under irrigation, the types of crops that will be planted and other pertinent information either shown on District forms or specially requested by the District.

Drive pickups and other work trucks over various types of road and road conditions, sometimes while pulling a trailer or similar piece of equipment.

Continuously patrol and inspect District canals, ditches, conduits in assigned division to assure that all is in order and that water delivery is as scheduled.

Perform said patrols and inspections when not manually operating control gates, weirs, and valves, and when not physically cleaning, painting, and maintaining District structures and their appurtenances, and further, when not communicating with irrigators and compiling records required by the District.

Use person-to-person contact and phone systems to communicate (speak) in English with departmental supervisors and management, other distribution system operators, maintenance supervisors, and irrigators.

Coordinate irrigation deliveries, and the conveyance capacities of assigned irrigation ditches and pipelines, with adjacent distribution system operators.

Schedule irrigation deliveries to maximize the flow capacities of the systems within assigned division while following established District procedures and required delivery intervals.

Ensure that no water is wasted; measure and record water in OID facilities within assigned division, both what is being delivered and flowing in the drains.

Read, understand, and relate water measurement "tables" to manually measured and observed field conditions and situations.

Maintain written records in English and keep current and accurate water usage records for each irrigator served.

Minimize usage of deep wells and reclamation pumps; when channel capacity exists, maximize the delivery of surface water supplies.

Have the physical strength and agility to manually operate oil, lube, and clean reclamation and deep well pumps and related equipment according to District procedures.

Perform minor manual repair work in, on, and around irrigation works, including cleaning and maintenance of irrigation canals, ditches and structures as necessary to assure: (1) safe access to facilities, (2) proper operation of works, and (3) and the proper conveyance and distribution of irrigation water.

Maintain and keep current time and equipment logs, materials and supplies used records, and rotation sheets.

Make good judgment decisions involving safe and proper work procedures and the order in which assignments are completed.

Operate and monitor water operations and deliveries utilizing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems.

Know and stay updated on basic computer skills to track and record water deliveries, make notes, navigate various maps and utilize email services.

Complete work orders for repairs as necessary; coordinate and schedule service interruptions and outages to facilitate repairs and replacement of OID facilities.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
Dig with a shovel; lift, cut, carry, and tie reinforcing steel; lift, set, and install form work and necessary shoring and scaffolding; place and finish concrete over-pour structures, pipelines, canal linings and related irrigation and drainage works.

Perform general carpentry, plumbing, painting, concrete, gunite, and other similar major and minor repair, alteration and maintenance work on District works and facilities using various hand tools and mechanical equipment.

Layout, install, disassemble, and repair gates, valves, ladders, rails, structures, machinery, equipment, and other components commonly found in and around irrigation and domestic water works.

Safely operate forklifts, and other mechanical equipment to lift, transport, and move raw materials, finished components, and other fixtures used to repair and improve irrigation and domestic water works and their appurtenances.

Operate a variety of light equipment. Drive pickups and other work trucks over various types of road conditions, sometimes while pulling a trailer or similar piece of equipment.

Perform various construction and maintenance tasks under field conditions, in adverse weather conditions, in confined spaces and on elevated work surfaces.

Keep supervisor apprised of changed working conditions, and of the need for materials, supplies, tools, and equipment purchases necessary for the safe and efficient operation of the Department. Apprise supervisor when work is complete and new assignments are needed.

Basic methods, tools, techniques, and materials used in the construction, maintenance, repair and cleaning of irrigation facilities.

Uses and purposes of general construction and maintenance tools and equipment.

Safe and efficient processes and procedures used in the operation of hand tools used for digging, painting, cleaning, grinding, drilling and breaking concrete, and other concrete placement and finishing tools and equipment.

The operation of a variety of construction equipment and tools.

Perform work in confined spaces, in the vicinity of load noises, in inclement weather, and on elevated platforms.

Perform related manual work as required.
Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Soil and crops.

Record keeping and reporting procedures.

Safe work practices and procedures. Safe and efficient operation of a variety of construction equipment.
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