Position: Utility Construction Operator

Department: Public Works FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Division: Water Utilities Pay Grade: 18 Reports To: Utility Construction Supervisor

BASIC FUNCTION

Supervises activities related to maintenance, repair and construction of water and sewerlines, storm drains and pump stations and participates in all activities relating to suchwork. Operates in a safe and efficient manner, heavy motorized equipment used in water and sewer line maintenance, repair and construction operations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

-Trains crews in water and/or sewer maintenance methods, safety practices andproper use of safety equipment; adheres to safety training, policies andprocedures ensures that safety equipment is in safe and efficient workingcondition and is used consistently. -Operates heavy motorized equipment, including large tractors, trackhoes,backhoes, bobcat/concrete breaker, road borrowing machine, dump trucks andsimilar types of equipment used in water and sewer line maintenance operations. - Uses equipment attachments and auxiliary mechanical equipment as necessary. - Loads and unloads heavy material such as stone, gravel, dirt, asphalt, timber andother materials. - Checks for underground utilities before any repairs are done to water and sewerlines. - Answers questions and responds to complaints from the public regarding linesand storm drains. - Supervises the making of water and sewer taps and service connections; pumpsand shovels out from and around lines; backfilling and compacting site. - Supervises and/or lays water and sewer pipe; adjusts pipe to proper grade anddepth following stakes; repairs and replaces water/sewer lines and relatedfacilities. - Enforce safety precautions for department, including safe practices, use of safetyand trench shoring equipment. - Operates the sewer rodder to unstop sewer lines; operates jackhammers,tampers, pipe threading machines, trenchers, air compressors and boringmachine. - Installs hydrants, meter valves, clamps and related pipeline apparatus; setsmeter boxes; repairs and replaces fire hydrants. - Performs preventative maintenance on tools and equipment such as cleaning,lubrication and other ordinary servicing. - Works safely in close proximity to high speed vehicle traffic such as medians. - Moves or aids in moving heavy containers or equipment and large or bulkyobjects. - Maintains simple records of work activities, equipment and supplies used,mileage, etc. - Reports the need for maintenance and repair work on assigned equipment. - Operates, as required, hand tools including saws, drills, bolt cutters, picks, axes,air compressors, jackhammers, etc. - Works on rotation with call-out crew. - All other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Position requires supervision of one or more workers in performing assignedmaintenance and construction tasks.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS

Maintenance and construction equipment including operation, care, adjustment andrepair; operation of auxiliary mechanical apparatus commonly carried on power drivenheavy equipment. Industry standard methods, practices and materials used in public works water and sewer line construction and maintenance; safe driving practices andlaws pertaining to the operation of motor vehicles on streets, roads and highways. Skillin the use of power tools.

Ability to operate assigned equipment with skill and safety, work without immediatesupervision, keep simple records and operate assigned equipment with skill and safety;must be bond able. Ability to perform preventative maintenance on equipment and tools; and ability to perform a variety of manual tasks and read, understand and follow oral orwritten instructions. Ability to supervise the work of others. Ability to read andunderstand blueprints in order to locate sewer lines and underground utilities. Able to develop and maintain relationships with peers across departments, multi-t sk, organizeand prioritize a changing work schedule to meet needs of department; follow oral andwritten instructions; effectively communicate both orally and in written form. Subject to on-call and call-back work.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High school diploma/GED and two or more years of experience in heavy equipmentoperation and in utility line construction and maintenance; OR an equivalentcombination of education and/or experience. Must possess a valid Texas DriversLicense. Must possess a valid Texas Commercial Drivers License Class B. Mustpossess a Class I Wastewater Collection Certification and a Class I Water DistributionCertification or must obtain within one (1) year of employment.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met byan employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonableaccommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform theessential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk andhear. The employee is required to stand or sit for extended periods of time. Theemployee is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms;push, pull and grasp; climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling,reaching, standing, walking, lifting and performing repetitive motions. Must be able toperform heavy work exerting up to 75 pounds of force occasionally; and/or up to 50pounds of force frequently; and/or up to 20 pound of force constantly to move objects. Must possess visual acuity to operate heavy equipment and motor vehicles and reviewwork for accuracy, neatness and thoroughness.

Work subjects employee to inside and outside environmental conditions, extremes intemperatures and hazards in association with wastewater and heavy equipmentoperation work including exposure to electrical current, chemicals, fumes, odors, dusts,mists, gases and poor ventilation, small spaces and loud noises. Work with raw sewagemay also be subject to the final standards of OSHA on blood borne pathogens. Subjectto on-call and call-back work