Hybrid Utility Worker at City of Waxahachie, TX

About the Department

This position will remain open until filled, with applications reviewed on an ongoing basis. This job posting may be removed at any time without prior notice. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for full consideration.

Under close to general supervision, performs semi-skilled and skilled work in the construction, maintenance, and repair of city utility lines. Undertakes a variety of maintenance activities pertaining to utilities operations and services, and performs a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility.

This is the entry/journey level class in the Utility Worker series.  Employees within this class are distinguished from the Senior Utility Worker by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned with no supervisory responsibility. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

Position Duties

The duties listed below represent the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Participate in the repair and maintenance of water and sewer mains and service lines, including repairing leaks, rodding sewer lines, repairing valves, and making water and sewer taps; repair and maintain manholes; locate water and sewer lines.
• Operate various light and heavy equipment including welder, backhoe, air hammer, pipe cutters, tapping machine, dump truck, water pump, concrete saw, ventilation blower, smoke blower, air compressor, jet sewer machine, various hand tools and safety equipment.
• Respond to citizen inquiries and complaints; respond to requests from contractors and provide assistance in locating utility lines; provide emergency response to line breaks and other related utility line maintenance problems; investigate complaints related to water or sewer leaks and stoppages.
• Break and repair concrete and asphalt surfaces; excavate and replace concrete, asphalt, and blacktop surfaces; dig ditches, backfill trenches, and holes; install utility pipes; T.V. sewer and service lines when required.
• Maintain assigned vehicles, tools, and equipment needed for maintenance and repair; make minor repairs; report major repair needs to supervisor; set up traffic flow signs and barricades; vacuum out scum pit; haul sludge from wastewater plant; chlorinate water lines & disinfectant; install new water service line to residents; clean debris from sewer manholes.
• Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information within the area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Operations, services, and activities of a utility line maintenance program.
• Methods and techniques of general construction, maintenance, and repair related to the area of work assigned.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Sewer and water line installation and repair techniques.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Safe handling of traffic in a construction zone.
• Operational characteristics of general construction, maintenance, and utility repair equipment and tools.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.

Ability to:

• Perform a variety of manual tasks for extended periods of time and in unfavorable weather conditions.
• Operate a variety of general construction, maintenance, and utility repair equipment in a safe and effective manner.
• Perform heavy manual labor.
• Interpret and apply Federal, State, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Training, and Experience: 

• High School Diploma or GED

• One (1) year of general construction experience

Licenses and Certifications:

• A valid State driver's license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a State of Texas Commercial Driver's License (CDL) for certain duties
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a Class "D" Water Works License & Class "I" Wastewater Collection License issued by TCEQ within 12 months of hire

Special Requirements:

Utilities Department team members are considered essential employees for the community and play a critical role in maintaining and restoring water and wastewater services during emergencies. Team members will be required to be reachable and ready to come to work immediately when a critical situation arises, like severe weather events, power outages, or significant equipment malfunctions, to help manage the response and minimize disruption to operations.

Other Qualifications

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS: The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands: 
Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, and stand; talk and hear. Manual dexterity to use hands to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 50 pounds unaided. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands: 
While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information, and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; performs highly detailed work; deals with multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with customers and/or the public and dissatisfied/abusive individuals.

Work Environment: 
The employee works in an outdoor/field environment, traveling from site to site in a city-issued vehicle. Exposure to dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases, potentially hazardous chemicals, waste, infectious materials, potentially hazardous equipment, extreme weather conditions, and high noise levels. The position requires the availability to work flexible or irregular hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, on-call, etc.