Water Pipe Crew Chief- WDM II chez City of Seattle, WA

About the Department

An online application including response to the supplemental questionnaire must be fully completed for consideration. Please DO NOT attach resumes and cover letters, as they will not be considered in the review of candidate's qualifications.

Seattle Public Utilities is seeking an experienced Water Pipe Crew Chief (WDM II) to work in the Water Distribution division. This position will plan, coordinate, schedule and direct crews engaged in the installation, maintenance, repair, and operation of water distribution facilities including main, service lines, valves, and hydrants. This position reports to a Water Distribution Manager and works in various locations in the Seattle area.

 
About Seattle Public Utilities (SPU): Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a community-centered utility that delivers vital services to Seattle residents and businesses including drinking water, drainage and wastewater, and garbage/recycling/compost. SPU also provides drinking water for 1.5 million customers in the region. SPU’s work includes system maintenance and improvements and keeping Seattle clean. Over 1,500 SPU employees work with our community to provide affordable and equitable stewardship of our water and waste resources for future generations.

For more information about Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), checkout the: 

• SPU Website
• SPU Workplace Expectations (Download PDF reader)
• Strategic Business Plan 

SPU commits to Our City Valuesand Race and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We actively take steps to dismantle systemic racism and increase service equity. We value diverse life experiences and strive to create a workplace that is welcoming to all. We take steps to be inclusive and equitable in our recruiting, hiring and promotional opportunities.

Why join our team?

We know work isn't only about what you do it’s also about who you work for and with! SPU provides a fun and family-friendly work environment that supports a work life balance, including:

• Family-friendly and multicultural work environment 
• Generous benefits package  
• Free Orca Pass
• City pension plan with employer/employee contributions 
• Growth potential and advancement opportunities 

Position Duties

Technical Duties:

• Orchestrates the crew chief responsibilities for ensuring successful job completion, such as permitting, traffic control plans, setting no-parks, processing shutdowns, ordering appropriate parts from the warehouse, working with contractors, resourcing the appropriate staff, vehicles, and equipment.
• Checks work while in progress; directly supervises and participates in the more difficult/unusual operations.  
• Formulates alternative work practices or methods with managers and resident engineer's approval when standard plans and procedures cannot be followed.  
• Designates field locations, estimates material and labor charges, and prepares cost estimates.  
• Works with Senior Water Pipe Workers to ensure the maintenance of tool inventories and equipment needed on the job; ensures tools are properly cared for.  
• Interprets and enforces departmental, City and State safety laws.  
• Coordinates and inspects the work of contractors, plumbers, outside agencies, and other City departments and reports same to applicable authorities.  
• Contacts customers, internal and external; City officials, contractors, and the general public regarding field work, underground facilities, water services, and department practices and policies.  
• Respond to emergency calls, shut down system and take necessary steps to minimize damage and interruption of service; supervises repair and restoration of service.  

Managerial Duties:

• Understands and exemplifies SPU Workplace Expectations, City of Seattle Personnel Rules: Living Our Values with a thorough understanding and application of Race and Social Justice Initiative and leads in a way that commits to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
• Makes recommendations on personnel actions such as, appointments and disciplinary matters; participates in hiring processes.  
• Trains individuals and groups while evaluating training effectiveness. 
• Mentors and coaches’ employees and apprentices of many different cultural backgrounds.
• Monitors and assists employees with CEU credits, all required and supplemental training, as well as professional growth.
• Coaches and counsels crew members on job performance and conducts performance reviews of crew members.
• Plans and schedules multiple work crews and assignments simultaneously to completion and conducts necessary follow-up to ensure public safety, job quality, customer satisfaction and environmental controls are addressed.
• Checks work while in progress; directly supervises and participates in the more difficult/unusual operations.  
• Formulates alternative work practices or methods with managers and resident engineer's approval when standard plans and procedures cannot be followed.  
• Supervises and monitors productivity to meet key performance indicators and service level agreements.  
• Plans and lays out jobs, working from plans, specifications, and oral and written directions; makes as-built sketches and reports of completed work.  
• Prepares and submits required work reports such as, time sheets, work schedules, accident, and injury reports, and leave requests using a variety of wireless, handheld, and laptop workstation devices with various software programs.  
• Investigates and documents incidents that have or may result in claims against the City or for which SPU may file claims against another entity.  
• Performs other related duties of a comparable level/type as assigned.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: Three years journey-level experience in water system utility construction, maintenance and repair of distribution and/or transmission systems and related facilities, including one year experience working at the lead or supervisory level AND completion of Seattle Public Utilities' two-year Water Pipe Worker Apprenticeship Program or closely related apprenticeship program.

OR: Two years of experience in pipe-fitting trade or pipe-fitting experience in waterworks construction, maintenance and repair AND two years journey-level experience in water system utility construction, maintenance and repair, including one year experience at the lead or supervisory level.

Experience and Education Equivalency: A combination of education and/or training and/or experience that provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class will be considered.

License, Certification and Other Requirements:

• Must possess and maintain a Washington State Commercial Driver's License, Class- B (within 4 months of employment)
• Must possess and maintain Washington State Department of Health Water Distribution Manager II certification.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:  

Required to work outdoors in all types of weather and emergencies, around high voltage lines, heavy equipment, and pressure tools. Exposed to City traffic, dust, dirt, high noise levels, chemical fumes, contaminated soil, and exhaust. Requires digging, bending, stooping, and lifting objects weighing in excess of 50 pounds.

Must be able to work nights, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays as part of a rotational shift. Willingness to participate in voluntary weekly standby rotation to ensure adequate staff coverage to handle emergency events involving the water distribution system during off- hours. This work is in person and hybrid work is not an option.

You will be most successful in this role if you possess one or more of the following:

• Familiarity with the City of Seattle Water Operations and Systems Maintenance practices, and procedures.
• The ability to navigate and manage staff in a Labor environment of at least three (3) different crafts performing work while adhering to collecting bargaining agreements.
• Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and risks of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. 
• Information Sharing – Understand the value of, and how to effectively provide crew members and SPU staff with, relevant information to work collaboratively together.
• Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of your audience, mindful of others' reactions and information needs, and understanding how to adjust your communication technique appropriately.
• Respectfulness – Know how to maintain a respectful, constructive approach in all forms of communication that considers the audience, subject matter, and tone.
• Demonstrated ability to operate calmly under emergency conditions, handle multiple situations concurrently, gather and analyze data quickly and accurately, and make decisions with minimal guidance from supervisors.
• Technology — Knowledge of computer hardware and software, including applications and programs (examples include MS Office Suite, Maximo, Cornerstone, PeopleSoft, Accela, Datasplice, Utiliview).
• Ability to communicate and work effectively within a multi-cultural workforce serving a diverse customer base.

Other Qualifications

How to Apply: Please fully complete an online application and supplemental questions.

 Please DO NOT attach resumes and cover letters, as they will not be considered in the review of candidate's qualifications. 

Who may apply: The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience. This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

The full salary range for this position is $47.95 - $55.76 per hour.

Benefits: The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans

If you have any questions, please contact Uma Suseelan at [email protected]

Learn more about Seattle Public Utilities at our web page www.seattle.gov/util/.