Water Utility Foreman chez City of Westminster, CA

About the Department

DEFINITION
Under general supervision, leads, trains, oversees, and participates in the more complex and difficult work of a crew responsible for providing water utilities maintenance, repair, and construction services; sets priorities and directs the work of assigned staff on a project or day-to-day basis; performs routine to complex maintenance and repair work of water distribution main and lateral pipeline systems, water production, hydrant and main line valve exercising and repair, and/or meter services; provides technical and specialized assistance to an assigned supervisor; and performs related work as required. 
 
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel.  Exercises technical and functional direction over and provides training to lower-level staff.
 
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the advanced journey-level in the water utility maintenance class series. Incumbents typically are assigned to a particular function such as water production, water quality, construction, meter reading or cross-connection control. Positions at this level perform the most complex duties required to ensure City infrastructure, systems, and facilities are maintained in a safe and effective working condition and provide the highest level of safety for public use.  Responsibilities include inspecting and attending to assigned areas in a timely manner and performing a wide variety of tasks in the maintenance and repair of assigned infrastructure, facilities, systems, and appurtenances.  This class is distinguished from the Water Systems Supervisor and/or the Water Production/Quality Supervisor in that the latter are the full supervisory-level classes in the series responsible for organizing, assigning, supervising, and reviewing the work of assigned staff involved in water operations.

Position Duties

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

The following duties are normal for this classification. No one position will perform all of the duties listed for this classification and incumbents may be assigned to perform tasks in one or more functional areas in the department.

• Provides technical and functional supervision to assigned staff in the maintenance and operations of water production and distribution systems and facilities; administers water metering and customer service field work, cross-connection control, and hydrant and main line valve exercising programs; reviews and controls quality of work; participates in performing routine to complex and specialized water utilities maintenance and repair work.
• Plans, schedules, prioritizes, and assigns maintenance and repair work in consultation with the Water Systems Supervisor and/or the Water Production/Quality Supervisor; communicates status of repairs to appropriate personnel, working cooperatively to schedule repairs in accordance with established and special operational priorities.
• Trains employees in work methods and procedures, use of tools and equipment, and relevant safety precautions; may train employees to qualify for Class B license.
• Performs a wide variety of maintenance, repair, and installation work in the City infrastructure, systems, and facilities to which assigned, including water distribution main and lateral pipeline systems, water production and plant operations, and complex residential and commercial water meters, valve cans, meter boxes, and water distribution valves.
• Performs the most complex water utilities maintenance and operations duties and provides technical assistance to crews.
• Assists in coordinating, overseeing, and personally participating in all water utilities maintenance programs.
• Inspects various public works improvement activities and private developments in the assigned functional area; interacts with engineers and contractors regarding compliance with City standards and specifications; reports, records, and documents inspections, observations, and conditions found during the inspection process.
• May inspect residential/commercial properties for potential cross-connection.
• Ensures compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, including American Water Works Association standards, City water installation standards, drinking water standards, right-of-ways, encroachments, and set-backs.
• Performs the skilled operation of specialized construction and maintenance, light to heavy vehicles and equipment.
• Observes safe work methods and makes appropriate use of related safety equipment as required; may participate and assist in coordinating safety training.
• Responds to requests and complaints from the public and answers questions or refers to supervisor, as necessary.
• Performs minor adjustments on service equipment; maintains tools and equipment in working order.
• Stays current on the status of new and pending regulatory legislation; attends continuing education courses and seminars as required.
• Maintains accurate records and logs of daily activities, using appropriate computer software applications.
• Participates in administrative duties such as obtaining purchase orders, requisitions, and quotes, reviewing bids and obtaining final approvals.
• Responds to and performs emergency repairs and other emergency services as necessary.
• Responds to emergency situations as necessary.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

•  Basic principles of supervision and training.
• Water utilities maintenance principles, practices, tools, and materials for maintaining and repairing assigned City infrastructure, systems, and facilities.
• Principles and practices of water utilities maintenance and operations program development and administration.
• Principles, practices, equipment, tools, and materials of water utilities maintenance and process control.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• The operation and minor maintenance of a variety of hand and power tools, vehicles, and power equipment.
• Traffic control procedures and traffic sign regulations.
• Basic hydraulics and mathematics.
• Safe driving rules and practices.
• Safety principles, practices, and procedures of water utilities systems and facilities, including related equipment and hazardous materials.
• The operation and maintenance of a variety of hand and power tools, vehicles, and power equipment.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

• Plan, schedule, assign, and oversee activities of water utilities maintenance and repair personnel.
• Perform the most complex maintenance and operations duties and operate related equipment safely and effectively.
• Read, interpret, retrieve, and produce drawings, blueprints, maps, and specifications.
• Inspect the work of others and maintain established quality control standards.
• Train others in proper and safe work procedures.
• Oversee and participate in maintenance and related projects in the assigned functional area(s).
• Perform construction, modification, maintenance, and repair work on assigned municipal infrastructure, facilities, systems, and/or appurtenances.
• Operate specialized construction and maintenance, light to heavy vehicles and equipment.
• Set up and operate traffic area construction zones, including cones, barricades, and flagging.
• Troubleshoot maintenance problems and determine materials and supplies required for repair.
• Safely and effectively use and operate hand tools, mechanical equipment, power tools, and equipment required for the work; perform routine equipment maintenance.
• Give, as well as understand and follow, oral and written instructions.
• Make accurate arithmetic calculations.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Possession of a valid California Commercial Class B Driver's License with air brake certification by time of appointment.
• Completion of 15 college units approved by the Public Works Director related to the job, plus 6 more units of a supervisor or management class.
• Possess and maintain a valid Grade II Water Treatment Operator Certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
• Possess a Grade III Water Distribution Operator Certificate issued by the SWRCB within one (1) year of employment.
• Possession of or ability to obtain Cross-Connection Control Specialist and Backflow certifications are required for assignment to the Cross-Connection function.

Other Qualifications