Hybrid Lead Water Distribution System Technician/Certified en City of Sioux Falls, SD

About the Department

Perform skilled, technical, and specialized work in the installation and repair of water mains and services of a municipal Class IV water distribution system. Direct crew(s) of temporary and regular employees on project operations. Assume direct responsibility in the absence of the Water Distribution System Supervisor.

Position Duties

1. Direct and train workers in the procedures used to cut, fit, lay, repair, tap, clean, and flush water mains and pipes; operate tapping machine, water main leak detection equipment, and pipe detectors/locators.

2. Perform and direct crews of temporary and regular employees in the installation, repair, and replacement of fire hydrants and water main lines, including identifying and barricading work areas, excavating lines, performing line taps, fitting and refitting hardware, and backfilling excavations, including sawing of concrete and blacktop streets. Oversee and direct the forming of sidewalks, driveway approaches, curb and gutters, and make calculations required to order the proper amount of concrete to complete the project. Collect water samples for laboratory analysis of fluoride and bacteria by the Water Lab or City Health Lab. Direct and issue boil orders. Complete and submit discharge permits.

3. Operate a variety of tools and equipment, including laptop computers with ArcGIS ArcMap, GPS equipment, hydraulic pumps and centrifugal water pumps, Smith tapping and hydra-stops devices, jackhammers, chain saws, pipe locating equipment for finding underground pipes, water tapping equipment, pipe threading machines, air compressors, trucks, backhoes, front-end loaders, flatbed trailers, utility vehicles, ditching machinery, etc.

4. Direct crew activities in emergency situations in the absence of a supervisor; e.g., unscheduled shutoffs, water main breaks, etc.; assign duties to crew members and monitor accordingly. Coordinate calls received from contractors or City Engineering to schedule new service taps, tap overs, and water main shutdowns for City projects. Follow all prescribed department safety standards; i.e., trench boxes or shoring, gas monitoring for confined space entry and entrance logs, and make sure all team members are using required PPE in all required work areas.

5. Locate, trace, and mark water mains and services, sanitary sewer mains, sump lines, and storm sewer lines for SD One Call tickets and emergency personnel, and operate the SD One Call computer to retrieve the daily locate tickets.

6. Draw and record accurate detail of individual service connections, tap water main, and install pipes.

7. Inspect all private installation of water main services, etc.; record and summarize depth of pipe, materials and methods used, and name of contractor.

8. Investigate, repair, and maintain customer services to include changing corps, bent stems, broken plugs and caps, raising curb stops, repairing water lines, and replacing broken rod receivers and curb boxes.

9. Perform snow and ice control and removal procedures, including plowing, sanding, spreading deicing chemicals, loading trucks, hauling snow, shoveling sidewalks, or assisting mechanics in the maintenance of snow removal equipment.

10. Coordinate valve maintenance and operations. Direct crews in proper hydrant flushing activities.

11. Perform other such duties and functions as are necessary or incidental to the proper performance of this position.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from high school or GED certification.

For the B31 position: Must have six (6) years’ experience in the operation and maintenance of a municipal water distribution system, and at least three (3) years’ experience in a Class II or higher system, and have a valid Class III Water Distribution Certification within one (1) year of hire; or any such combination of education, experience, and training as may be acceptable to the hiring authority.

For the B32 position: Must have eight (8) years’ experience in the operation and maintenance of a municipal water distribution system, and at least four (4) years’ experience in a Class II or higher system, and have a valid Class IV Water Distribution Certificate; or any such combination of education, experience, and training as may be acceptable to the hiring authority.

Willing to work standby hours as required.

Must possess or be able to obtain within 90 days of hire a valid Class A and B commercial driver’s license with tanker endorsement. A valid Class A commercial driver’s license with tanker endorsement and no restrictions is required for Vactor equipment assignments.

Other Qualifications

• Operational knowledge of the methods, materials, practices, and tools required for water main installation and repair.

• Knowledge of municipal utility systems.

• Knowledge in the operation and maintenance of hydraulic excavating equipment, backhoes, excavators, loaders, and soil drilling equipment.

• Ability to perform skilled excavation work with light and heavy equipment around buried underground utilities, including, but not limited to, high-pressure gas mains, three-phase high-voltage electrical cables, and fiber-optic cables.

• Operational knowledge and understanding of pump flow test equipment, fire hydrant flushing equipment, hydraulic valve operating equipment, valves, and pipe fittings used in the repair and maintenance of the water system.

• Mechanical and technical aptitude and ability to identify computer software problems that may arise in the field.

• The ability to understand and complete the forms required with the general discharge permit and make decisions regarding the proper use of BMPs.

• Ability to find and read ArcMap utility layers.

• Ability to respond to system emergency situations during off-hours. Ability to work a weekly standby and extended hours in variable weather conditions when required.

• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions, to keep accurate work records, and effectively pass this information on to team members.

• Ability to direct the activities of other team members in the performance of their duties.

• Ability to discriminate between subtle sound differences while working with tapping processes and leak detections.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.