Utility Service Worker I

Walnut Valley Water District is excited to announce that we are accepting applications for the position of Utility Service Worker I. The District

At Walnut Valley Water District, we believe in

putting people first

. We understand the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance while striving for excellence in everything we do. Our vision statement, “

Shared Values, Shared Results

,” reflects our commitment to collaboration, integrity, and success. As a member of our team, you’ll not only be part of a dedicated workforce but also enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your personal and professional growth.

The Utility Service Worker I performs a variety of assignments in the areas of customer service and field maintenance associated with the District's water service system.

The role operated under the guidance of the Field Supervisor. This is the entry working level in the Utility Service Worker series. Incumbents perform the more routine and repetitive maintenance, installation, and repair assignments with close supervision. As incumbents develop job knowledge and skills, they may begin performing duties and responsibilities characteristic of a more advanced job. With a combination of education, sufficient experience, and an ability to work independently, an incumbent may be eligible for promotion to a higher-level position.

- Assists with the repair of meter services such as gate valves, meter connections, angle stops, service pipes, and corporation stops.

- Assists with a variety of installations, maintenance, and repairs on water distribution systems and lines.

- Cleans dead-end lines, as directed, by discharging water until no apparent odor, taste, or color exists.

- Installs new or repairs existing domestic and recycled water distribution mains and service lines; installs, maintains, and repairs fire hydrants, valves, meters related to the water distribution system.

- Performs leak tests to locate leaks in service lines.

- Shuts down main lines in emergencies.

- Cleans weeds and bushes and trims trees on meter services, fire hydrants, air vacs, etc.

- Participates in water meter installation, turn-ons, turn-offs, sealing services, and/or removing meters, as directed.

- Notifies customers of interruption of water service.

- As directed, investigates and resolves customer inquiries and complaints in the areas of unusual water charges, low or high-water pressure, water quality, and water system malfunction.

- Reads residential and commercial water meters on an assigned route using a variety of computer/electronic equipment.

- Notes and reports readings which appear to be unusually high or low.

- Reports meter leaks, damaged or stuck meters, and illegal connections.

- Replaces broken meter lids, covers, and boxes.

Typical Physical Activities

- Operates District vehicles to travel between job sites.

- Must be able to carry, push, pull, reach, and lift equipment and parts weighing up to 50 lbs.

- Must be able to excavate using a shovel.

- Stoops, kneels, crouches, crawls, and climbs during field maintenance and repair work.

- Works in an environment with exposure to dust, dirt, mud, and significant temperature changes between cold and heat.

- Occasionally walks on uneven terrain in an outdoor environment.

- Communicates orally with District management, co-workers, contractors, and customers in face-to-face, one-on-one settings.

- Uses a two-way radio for communication.

- Stands and walks for extended time periods.

- Must have hearing, vision, and eye-hand coordination sufficient to operate equipment and to maintain good awareness during maintenance, construction, and repair jobs.

Employment Standards Knowledge Of

- Basic knowledge of materials and equipment used in water service installation, maintenance, and repair work.

- Basic working principles of water meters.

- Proper use of the tools, materials, and equipment used to accomplish assigned duties or projects.

- Basic mathematics.

- Record keeping.

- Local Street names, locations, and geography.

- Proper work safety standards.

Ability To

- Perform, as directed, basic work assignments in the installation, maintenance, and repair of water distribution systems.

- Read water meters and maintain accurate records.

- Perform basic maintenance on meters.

- Learn the more difficult water service and meter installation, maintenance, and repair work.

- Issue, receive, and comprehend oral and written communications.

- Prepare and maintain accurate and complete records and reports.

- Communicate diplomatically and knowledgeably with District employees and the general public.

- Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.

- Perform arithmetical calculations.

- Perform heavy physical labor.

- Safely operate motor vehicles and power-driven equipment used in water service work. Ability to operate a backhoe is desirable.

Desirable Education And Experience

Any combination of education and experience which would likely provide the necessary knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training

High school graduation or equivalent.

Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to perform general maintenance tasks.

Experience

Up to one year of experience in the reading of meters, water system operation and maintenance, and/or customer service.

Certification

- State of California SWRCB Water Distribution Operator Grade D1 Certificate is required.

- State of California SWRCB Water Treatment Operator Grade T1 Certificate is desired.

Special Requirements

- Ability to pass a pre-employment physical, including a pulmonary function test.

- Must pass periodic medical re-evaluations determining fitness for respirator use and be clean-shaven when wearing a respirator

- Valid California Driver's License - Class "C". Must maintain an acceptable driving record as determined by the District's insurance carrier.

- Reliable telephone in service at all times.

- Reliable personal transportation.

- Must reside within 30 miles of the District and be able to respond in a timely manner.

Overtime Assignments

The purveyance of water is a vital service to the community and as such requires the availability of District personnel at all times. Consequently, Operations employees, including the Utility Service Worker I, will be required to respond to emergency calls, accept periodic overtime assignments, and perform any and all other duties deemed necessary by the District. Lacking a bona fide excuse satisfactory to the District, a failure to report when called could result in termination.

Fair Labor Standards Act

For the purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Utility Service Worker I shall be considered a General Employee Unit, “non-exempt” position.