SENIOR WATER DISTRIBUTION TECHNICIAN

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 direction, leads, oversees, and participates in the more complex and difficult work of staff responsible for performing semi-skilled and manual work involved in the maintenance, installation, and repair of the City’s water distribution system to ensure the proper operation of the system to deliver a safe drinking water supply to the public; and performs a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey level class in the Water Distribution Technician series. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series and serve as lead worker for an assigned group of employees. Employees at this level may be assigned specialized functions and are required to be fully trained in all procedures related 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.

• Leads, plans, trains, and reviews the work of staff responsible for performing a full range of water distribution system maintenance and repair duties including general repair, system maintenance, general maintenance, and related duties; plans, directs, and participates in the installation, replacement, and repair of water distribution system mains, laterals, and appurtenances; ensures the timely and accurate completion of preventative maintenance activities.
• Estimates time, materials, and equipment required for jobs assigned; requisitions necessary tools,
  equipment, materials, and supplies as required; maintains parts inventory; orders necessary parts.
• Trains assigned employees in their areas of work including maintenance and repair methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Verifies the work of assigned employees for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques, and compliance with applicable standards and specifications; ensures adherence to safe work practices and procedures; supervises the use, care, and operation of equipment; ensures adherence to best management practices; ensures cleanliness of work area and tools.
• Controls system flow per supervisor direction; monitors and controls pressure zones including zones of reduced pressure; makes flow changes and pressure adjustments as necessary; monitors flows and water levels through the reservoir; installs and maintains pressure monitoring devices; maintains accurate records.
• Supervises and participates in the inspection, servicing, repair, and operation of Cla Vals at pressure reduction stations located throughout the distribution system; inspects, services, and maintains pump control valves located at City operated reservoirs and pump stations.
• Performs utility locates; locates mainlines and services with electronic detectors; marks location of underground City water lines.
• Flushes and disinfects water mains and services to ensure water quality; utilizes chlorine level testing device and other testing instruments.
• Conducts system sampling for new water line construction; enforces City and state regulations regarding sampling practices; confirms backflow devices are correctly installed; operates testing instruments and recalibrates if necessary; observes new water lines to confirm completion prior to starting bacti testing; establishes sample points; provides information to contractors on regulations regarding flushing, initial high chlorine dosage, dechlorinating when flushing, and sanitary protection of sample points; ensures drawn samples are representative of the mainline source water and are properly stored during transportation to the lab; maintains accurate records, diagrams of job sites, test results, and chain of custody for collected samples.
• Oversees contractor tie-ins/water system quality; conducts necessary research; observes all connections of new water mains to existing distribution lines; observes the installation of all parts and tie-in procedures to ensure disinfection and sanitary installation practices are adhered to; confirms all parts, tools, and equipment necessary to perform the work without contamination to the new or existing water main; reports any unsatisfactory construction techniques observed.
• Oversees and performs a full range of general maintenance duties related to the City’s reclaimed water system.
• Oversees and performs work in confined spaces; performs necessary precautions prior to entering vaults and other confined spaces with potential hazardous atmospheres; use air quality monitors and ventilators.
• Creates and approves traffic control plans; implements and oversees the setting up of traffic control including safety devices, signs, and barricades prior to job start; ensures safety of public and work crew.
• Serves in emergency standby capacity; provides customer service and performs all aspects of distribution system maintenance and repair during after hours periods including holidays and weekends.
• Provides courteous customer service; responds to questions and inquiries from the general public; responds to customer problems or complaints including minor leak repairs, water quality and pressure complaints and other customer concerns; provides water shutdown notifications.
• Maintains a variety of records including those related to operations, maintenance activities, and work performed.
• Researches new operational methods, techniques, and equipment; provides recommendations to appropriate staff related to the application of new methods, techniques, and equipment.
• 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 water distribution system maintenance and repair program.
• Principles of lead supervision and training.
• Materials, methods, techniques, and terminology used in maintenance and repair activities related to the maintenance and repair of water distribution infrastructure.
• Operational characteristics of maintenance and construction equipment and tools used in work activities.
• Proper procedures used in the maintenance and repair of hand and power tools.
• Hydraulic principles including application to the operation a water distribution system.
• Mechanical and electrical devices used in water systems.
• Pump station operation and pump control valves.
• Lock Out/Tag Out procedures.
• Practices and procedures of traffic control including principles and practices used in the design and implementation of traffic control plans.
• Mathematical principles.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local codes, laws, and regulations including state and City mandated construction codes for a potable water system.
• Principles and practices of record keeping and basic report preparation.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices including those associated with working on a high-pressure water system and those associated with working in vaults and confined spaces.
• Principles and practices of customer service.

Ability to:

• Lead, organize, and review the work of staff.
• Independently perform the most difficult water distribution system operation, maintenance, and repairs duties.
• Interpret, explain, and enforce department policies and procedures.
• Ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
• Ensure safety around work areas in high traffic.
• Perform a variety of tasks for extended periods of time and in unfavorable weather conditions.
• Read maps, blue prints, and diagrams.
• Read construction drawings and interpret them to subordinates.
• Read water meters and pressure recorder devices.
• Prepare and maintain records including time and material use records.
• Perform mathematical calculations including percentages, fractions, decimals, and ratios.
• Respond to distribution system maintenance/repair emergencies.
• Safely drive and skillfully operate equipment and machinery. Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• 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. Specialized course work related to the construction, maintenance, and repair of water distribution systems is desirable.

Experience: Three years of increasingly responsible experience performing duties comparable to a Water Distribution Technician II in the City of Escondido or comparable experience performing water distribution system maintenance and repair duties including some experience in pipe laying.

License or Certificate - Possession of a valid Grade 3 Water Distribution Operator certificate. Possession of a valid Grade 2 Water Treatment Operator certificate. Possession of, or ability to obtain within the first six months of employment, a valid unrestricted Class B driver’s license. Possession of, or ability to obtain, CRP certification, Backhoe training certification, Trenching and Shoring certification, and other job related certifications required and/or provided by the City.

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 of vaults, paint, and diesel; dust from excavations and blasting; toxic substances such as glue, dry chlorine, and PVC; 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 schedule is 9/80; subject to 24-hour emergency callbacks and standby and requires working varying hours, overtime, weekends and holidays. Work environment is informal, team-oriented, having both routine and variable tasks with variable pace and pressure. Work is performed in both indoors in office and shop area and outdoors in streets, dam sites, reservoirs, and vaults.

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, standing, bending and stooping, lifting of objects weighing up to 10 lbs. below and at waist level and transporting for distances of up to one city block; OCCASIONAL sitting, squatting, climbing, reaching above and at shoulder level, kneeling, pushing/pulling, twisting at waist, upward and downward flexion of neck; side-to-side turning of neck, lifting of objects weighing up to 10 lbs. from chest to above shoulder level; lifting of objects weighing from 10-100 lbs. from below waist to shoulder level with or without assistance and transporting for distances from 10-100 feet; lifting of objects weighing over 100 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 distance of 10-100 feet; light grasp and finger pressure to operate hand-held meter reading equipment.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens, printed documents, meter-reading equipment, dials, and gauges and to operate vehicles and equipment.

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

Date: October 2004
Johnson & Associates