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 administrative direction, oversees, supervises, and coordinates Canal Unit activities and operations within the Utilities Division of the Public Works Department; coordinates assigned activities with other units, divisions, outside agencies, and the general public; and provides highly responsible and complex staff assistance to the Assistant Utilities Manager/Operations and the Utilities Manager.

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.

• Assumes responsibility for the services and activities of the Canal Unit within the Utilities Division of the Public Works Department including inspection and maintenance of the conveyance system, calculating and controlling water flows, canal system improvements, and equipment maintenance services and activities.
• Coordinates the organization, staffing, and operational activities for the Canal Unit including the work of crews involved in the maintenance, operation, repair, and construction of the City’s canal system.
• Establishes schedules and methods for providing Canal operation, maintenance, and construction services; designs improvement projects; estimates time and material needs; identifies resource needs; reviews needs with appropriate management staff; allocates resources accordingly.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities; recommends and implements resulting policies and procedures.
• Identifies opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures; identifies resource needs; reviews with appropriate management staff; implements improvements.
• Directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for Canal Unit services and activities; assigns work activities and projects; monitors work flow; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; meets with staff and contractors to identify and resolve problems.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training including explosive use and safety training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Oversees safety programs for assigned sections and work groups; assists with action planning for safety programs; responds to workers’ compensation issues.
• Participates in the development and administration of assigned unit budget; forecasts funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures; recommends adjustments as necessary.
• Provides staff assistance to the Assistant Utilities Manager/Operations and the Utilities Manager; conducts a variety of studies and investigations; develops and recommends modifications to Canal Unit programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Directs the development and implementation of plans and programs to improve the efficiency of maintenance operations including cost control programs, staff utilization studies, and work method improvements.
• Oversees and participates in the maintenance of records and related documentation including computer flow records; prepares performance and other reports detailing canal unit workload and activities; prepares water calculations for the City and Vista Irrigation District.
• Patrols the canal; inspects the canal and canal buildings for maintenance needs including inspecting and maintaining the explosives bunker, flow measuring devices, and security devices on canal buildings; makes repairs to damaged equipment on the canal; oversees and participates in maintaining access roads to the canal.
• Monitors canal conditions including those resulting from weather, earthquake, fire, and vandalism. Participates in drilling and blasting boulders out of the canal.
• Coordinates Canal Unit activities with those of other units, divisions, and outside agencies and organizations; resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
• Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of canal operation, maintenance, and construction; incorporates new developments as appropriate into programs.
• Responds to and resolves citizen and staff inquiries, concern, and complaints in a timely and effective manner; establishes and maintains effective relationships with people who live along the Escondido Canal.
• Provides tours of the 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:

• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a canal operation, maintenance, and construction program.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• 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 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.
• 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 relations principles and practices.

Ability to:

• Oversee and participate in the management of the Canal Unit.
• Assume responsibility for the operation, maintenance, repair, and construction of the Escondido Canal and related systems, structures, and equipment.
• Supervise, direct, and coordinate the work of lower level staff.
• Select, train, and evaluate staff.
• Participate in the development and administration of unit goals, objectives, and procedures.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Prepare and administer program budgets.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• 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 and/or college level course work in water technology, utility system maintenance and repair, construction technology, business administration, or a related field.

Experience: Six years of responsible experience in a maintenance and construction program including some experience in a canal system maintenance and operation program and two years of administrative and supervisory responsibility.

License or Certificate - Possession of a Level I Practical Blasting Fundamentals Certificate issued by the International Society of Explosives Engineers. Possession of an Explosives Permit issued by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. Possession of an appropriate, valid driver’s license.

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: Office and field setting with travel from site to site. Exposure to noise, dust, explosives, grease, smoke, fumes, noxious odors, gases, 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 and office setting and to operate assigned vehicle and office equipment. 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; strong grasp of hand and power tools, pushing/pulling; 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