Utility Operator I
Supervisor: Utilities Supervision Structure
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Random Substance Testing: Yes
Employment Opportunity Summary
The purpose of this position is to perform a variety of semi-skilled work including the operation of a variety of light and moderately heavy equipment and machinery including light to heavy duty trucks to assist in the maintenance and repair of the City's infrastructure. Performs manual construction, maintenance and repair tasks and keeps required records.
Employment Opportunity Additional Details
Under the close supervision of the Utilities supervision structure, performs limited semi-skilled manual labor using a variety of hand tools, power tools and equipment including the operation of dump trucks, pick-up trucks, trailers, backhoes, front end loaders, mini-excavators, skid steers, and street sweeper. Once duties are learned, they are performed with independence. More routine tasks are performed under general supervision with considerable independence and is subject to inspection while in progress and upon completion. Successful performance in this position helps to ensure efficient department operations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
General Duties Required:
- Accepts guidance and direction from lead workers and supervisory staff.
- May operate one or more of the following, including but not limited to: a front-end loader, track loader, backhoe, pick-up truck, dump truck, skid steer, forklift, heavily loaded trailer, crane hoist, dozer, track trencher, tractor, track hoe, cable plow, boom truck, grapple truck, container truck (i.e., swap loader), bucket truck, mechanical broom, street sweeper, mini-excavator and snow removal equipment. Equipment may be diesel or gasoline powered.
- Performs duties of a laborer in maintenance and construction work when not operating equipment to accomplish the assigned project.
- Performs preventive maintenance on trucks, equipment and hand-tools, as needed. Ensures equipment and tools are checked to determine need for service. Checks oil, fuel levels, tire pressure, lights, lubrication and safety devices.
- Operates various hand and power tools, such as chain saws, jack hammers, air compressors and welding machines.
- Complies with operations and maintenance guides for equipment, machinery and tools.
- Responds to citizen inquiries and/or complaints in a courteous and timely manner. Provides customer notifications, through hang tags, mail, electronic media and other systems, for events such as water outages, testing meters/backflows, excavating, road improvements, capital projects, etc.
- Assists in ensuring routine maintenance at City garages, yard, storage areas and equipment, including performing minor repairs.
- Performs locates for buried municipal utilities.
- May weld and fabricate parts.
- Performs surface restorations, including yards, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, curbs, roads, etc. Work areas are to be returned to acceptable condition upon completion of project. Cleans and restores job site to acceptable condition. This may include replacing fence, landscaping, such as placing sod, raking and other landscape types of jobs.
- Maintains a clean and orderly work area and assists in maintaining clean common areas, such as break-rooms and restrooms.
- Attends classes, as requested and funding allows.
- Follows all safety rules and City of Sedalia regulations and reports hazards to relevant supervisor or crew leader.
- Flags traffic and performs spotting activities, as necessary.
- Loads and offloads materials used at the job site.
- Arrives at assigned time, gets along well with others, manages time efficiently, and promotes utility efficiency. Assists in keeping clean and maintaining order in yard and shop areas.
- Work extra hours and serve on assigned 24/7 on-call rotation, including weekends and holidays.
- Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
- In times of inclement weather or following severe storms, other emergencies, due to employee illnesses or at the request of the Utilities Director, Utility Operators may be called upon to work in other than their assigned Public Works department (i.e., Mowing & Alley Maintenance, Recycling & Sanitation, Street, Water, and Water Pollution Control).
- Maintains records of work activities in a manner that ensures completion by the due date, information is complete and accurate; may perform a variety of office and records maintenance work.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Performs maintenance and repair to water systems by operating heavy machinery and equipment such as dump trucks, mini-excavators, backhoes, and loaders; installing water taps; changing valves and fire hydrants; replacing meters; flushing hydrants; and laying grass sod to restore work area.
- Performs maintenance and repair to wastewater systems by operating machinery and equipment such as dump trucks, mini-excavators, backhoes, jet trucks, and loaders in order to: repair sewer mains; install sewer taps; installing or repairing manholes; pipe patching (i.e., point repairs); operating flow-meters; and clearing lines.
- Operates jet and vacuum trucks or closed circuit television trucks.
- Enters and performs repair work in confined spaces and/or open trenches.
- Must be able to operate backhoe or excavator and keep ditch in a safe condition for persons laying pipe. Must be able to dig near or a specified grade.
- Assists in lift station maintenance and monitoring.
- Performs smoke testing and/or dye testing within the sewer collection and storm water collection systems.
- Required to fill out Emergency crew complaint forms and keep records of water and sewer work as required by the supervisor.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar or related to the position.
Minimum Qualifications:
- High School diploma or GED.
- 1 year related experience.
- Must have a valid driver’s license.
Recommended:
- Promotions may be based upon level of certification with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and experience. It is recommended that employees work towards certification in the functional area of distribution system (DS) operator.
Condition of Employment:
- Must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen and agree to be subject to random drug screen throughout employment.
- Must obtain a Missouri Class “B” CDL license with air brake endorsement within 6 months of employment.
- Ability to be on call on a rotating schedule and work weekends and/or holidays as emergencies occur.
- Must be able to respond to an emergency call within 30 minutes of contact.
Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of department functions, policies, and procedures.
- Knowledge of safety rules and precautions in equipment operations.
- Knowledge of traffic laws and safety rules governing operation of motor vehicles and equipment on City roads;
- Skill in responding to call backs.
- Skill in carrying out verbal and written instructions.
- Skill in working in adverse weather conditions.
- Skill in working independently or as a crew member.
- Skill in welding and fabricating parts.
- Skill in performing routine and preventive maintenance on equipment.
- Skill in operating heavy equipment.
- Skill in using hand and power tools.
- Skill in verbal and written communication.
- Knowledge of occupational safety rules, practices and traffic laws.
- Knowledge of operation and routine maintenance of moderately heavy and medium to heavy equipment.
- Skill in the safe operation of moderately heavy and medium to heavy equipment in rough, uneven or slippery ground conditions.
- Ability to perform manual labor and strenuous work in all weather conditions.
- Ability to work at heights (i.e., Water tanks, manhole below grade) or in confined spaces (i.e., trenches or interior to wastewater treatment plant, lift station or manholes).
Guidelines:
- Missouri Department of Natural Resources rules & regulations, EPA rules & regulations, established procedures for water treatment and supervisory instructions.
- City and department policies and procedures, building codes, safety regulations, traffic laws, and supervisory instructions.
- Guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.
Complexity:
The work consists of duties related to the operating of heavy equipment. Operating heavy and large-sized equipment in high traffic areas, inclement weather, and equipment breakdowns contribute to the complexity of the work. Additional areas of complexity include American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance areas when building roads and sidewalks, reading and implementing content of engineered drawings.
Principal Working Relationships:
- Co-workers, other city employees.
- Vendors.
- General public.
Purpose of Contacts:
Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, provide services, resolve problems, motivate or influence persons, and clarify, justify, defend, negotiate, or settle matters.
Supervisory and Management Responsibility:
None.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee typically works while intermittently sitting, standing, walking, bending, crouching, pushing, pulling, lifting or stooping. The employee may be subject to fumes, foul odors, dust, hazardous waste, potentially disease causing materials and dirty working conditions. The employee may be required to lift light and heavy objects up to 100 lbs., climb in and out of equipment and use tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity. The employee may be required to distinguish between shades of color.
Work Environment:
The employee will be exposed to all weather conditions, traffic hazards and noisy working conditions. Employee routinely works out of doors and will be exposed to machinery noise and machinery with moving parts. The work may require the use of protective devices such as hard hats, gloves, safety glasses, ear plugs and work boots.