Water Distribution System Operator I

SAFETY Employee is responsible for adhering to all safety procedures and regulations established by the Department, the City and all State and Federal organizations. Any safety concern should be reported to a supervisor immediately. JOB SUMMARY This position is responsible for providing the first response to customers regarding issues related to the water systems. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Communicates, responds, diagnoses and resolves problems pertaining to the water distribution system. Installs, repairs, maintains, pressure tests and flushes water main piping systems. Installs, replaces and exercises main line valves and fire hydrants. Taps main line to accommodate individual service lines. Installs, repairs and maintains consumption meters to service lines. Repairs and replaces service and meter connections. Investigates low water pressure and water leak complaints. Connects and disconnects water service to customers. Communicates with customers regarding problems. Receives, organizes and completes work orders from City Hall and DPW Locates and marks existing underground water lines to prevent damage during contractor excavation. Operates heavy machinery and commercial vehicles for excavation and transportation to include backhoes, excavators, dump trucks and flatbed trucks. Serves as backup to co-workers. Performs other duties as assigned. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS High School Diploma or GED. One (1) year of experience in water distribution or related field preferred. Any combination of education and experience totaling one (1) year may be considered. Water Distribution License Level "D" required. Valid South Carolina Driver's License. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Knowledge of hand tools to include wrenches, screwdrivers, power tools, drills and saws. Knowledge of maintenance and repair procedures for water distribution systems, regulatory procedures and acceptable safety practices. Knowledge of department policies and procedures. Skill in oral and written communication. Ability to operate a backhoe, excavator, dump truck, front end loader, communication radio, boring tool, tapping machine, gauges and other heavy equipment. Ability to be on-call 24 hours a day. Ability to drive vehicles with automatic and standard transmissions. Ability to deal with the public to include handling potentially difficult customers and volatile situations. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The work requires exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally and in excess of 50 pounds of force to move objects and the following physical abilities: balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, feeling, fingering, grasping, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work is typically performed outdoors. Employee is exposed to noise, dirt, grease, irritating chemicals, insects and inclement weather. REASONABLE ACCOMODATION To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were written out in this job description. The City reserves the right to revise this position description at any time.