ASSISTANT CANAL SUPERINTENDENT

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, supervises, assigns, reviews, and participates in the work of staff responsible for the operation, maintenance, and construction of the Escondido Canal and related systems and structures; exercises independent judgment and discretion in directing and performing the day to day work of Canal operations, coordinating with contractors, and supervising Canal Assistants and part-time, temporary and casual labor employees involved in Canal maintenance or construction activities; ensures work quality and adherence to established policies and procedures; and performs the more technical and complex tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Plans, prioritizes, assigns, supervises, reviews, and participates in the work of staff responsible for the efficient operation, maintenance, and construction of the Escondido Canal and related systems and structures.
• Supervises and participates in the work of staff performing skilled and semiskilled maintenance, repair, and construction tasks including carpentry, masonry, welding, blasting, and concrete work; supervises and performs cleaning, patching, and repair work on the Canal watercourse; supervises and participates in the removal of boulders and slides from the canal including the blasting of boulders with dynamite; transports and handles explosives.
• Supervises and performs weed abatement, brush control, and right-of-way maintenance; clears brush, shovels debris, and loads heavy material.
• Oversees and participates in operation of a full range of vehicles, tools, and equipment; drives trucks, skip loaders, backhoes, and related heavy equipment; operates hand tools, soil compactors, and pneumatic hammers.
• Supervises and participates in cleaning, repair, and maintenance of canal equipment, tools, vehicles, and facilities.
• Patrols and monitors the Canal and its right-of-way; walk canal to identify leaks and slides.
• Monitors and repairs/replaces water flow measurement devices.
• Participates in the selection of assigned staff; provides or coordinates staff training including safety training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline procedures.
• Participates in the development of goals and objectives as well as policies and procedures; makes recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards, policies, and procedures; participates in the implementation of approved policies and procedures; monitors work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Participates in the preparation and administration of the assigned program budget; submits budget recommendations; monitors expenditures.
• Maintains records concerning operations and programs; prepares reports on operations and activities including canal flow data reports.
• Under direction of the Canal Superintendent, responds to and resolves citizen and staff inquiries, concern, and complaints in a timely and effective manner; establish and maintain effective relationships with people who live along the Escondido Canal
• Responds to canal system emergencies.
• Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services, and activities of a canal operation, maintenance, and construction program.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Basic principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Current methods, terminology, equipment, tools, and materials utilized in the maintenance, repair, and construction of canal and ancillary structures and systems including those used in electrical, electronics, carpentry, masonry, plumbing, welding, and equipment maintenance and repair work.
• Types and level of maintenance and repair activities generally performed in a canal maintenance and operation program.
• Operational characteristics of tools and equipment used in operation, maintenance, repair, and construction of canal and related systems including equipment and devices used to convey water in an open ditch.
• Blasting principles, practices, and techniques.
• Heavy equipment operation.
• Mathematical principles.
• Principles of water flow measurement.
• Principles and practices of record keeping and report preparation.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety precautions.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Customer service and public relation principles and practices.

Ability to:

• Coordinate and direct activities related to the operation, maintenance, repair, and construction of the Escondido Canal and related systems, structures, and equipment.
• Supervise, organize, and review the work of assigned staff involved in maintenance and construction activities.
• Train and evaluate staff.
• Recommend and implement goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for providing effective and efficient canal operation, maintenance, repair, and construction services and activities.
• Understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Understand, interpret, and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Participate in the preparation and administration of assigned budgets.
• Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
• Ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
• Estimate time, material, and labor costs for maintenance and repair projects.
• Compile data, maintain records and files, and participate in the preparation of clear and concise reports.
• Oversee and participate in the provision of a high level of customer service to internal and external customers.
• Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public; tactfully and courteously represent the Public Works Department during public contacts.
• Read and interpret maps, plans, sketches, schematics, diagrams, and blueprints.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in construction technology, business or public administration, or a related field.

Experience: Five years of responsible experience in a maintenance and construction program related to area of assignment including two years of lead supervisory and/or project management responsibility. Experience in construction/maintenance activities in a water or sewer utility is desirable.

License or Certificate - Possession of an Explosives Permit issued by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. Possession of an appropriate, valid driver’s license with required endorsements.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Field setting with travel from site to site. Exposure to extreme noise of jackhammers and other equipment; mechanical and electrical hazards of equipment and underground-overhead utilities; fumes and odors from vaults, paint, and diesel; dust from excavations and blasting; toxic substances such as glue, solvents, cement and PVC and other plastics; and all types of weather and temperature conditions. Work and/or walk for long periods of time on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain; work from heights. Work hours are ordinarily five days, average 40 hours per week; subject to 24-hour emergency callbacks and standby and requires working varying hours, overtime, weekends and holidays. Work environment is both formal and informal, team oriented, having variable tasks, pace, and pressure. Work is performed both indoors in office and shop area and outdoors in roadways, Canal sites, watercourse and excavations.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in a field setting and operate assigned equipment. CONTINUOUS strong grasp of hand and power tools, pushing/pulling; FREQUENT walking up to 10 miles a day, standing, bending and stooping, lifting of objects weighing up to 10 lbs. below and at waist level and transporting for distances up to one city block; OCCASIONAL sitting, squatting, climbing, reaching above and at shoulder height, kneeling, pushing/pulling, twisting at waist, upward and downward flexion of neck, side-to-side turning of neck, lifting of objects weighting up to 10 lbs. from chest to above shoulder level; lifting of objects weighing from 10-80 lbs. below and at waist level with assistance; light-moderate finger grasp of writing materials, steering wheel, moderate foot pressure to operate foot pedals; INFREQUENT crawling, balancing above ground, lifting of objects weighing 51-100 lbs. above shoulder level with or without assistance and transporting for distances of 10-100 feet.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents and to operate equipment.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Date: April 2003
Johnson & Associates